Newly tapped to join the Bassmaster Elite Series, Jared Miller of Norman, Okla., has a cache of custom tackle, thanks to his father.
Jeff Miller made many of the lures his son used during the 2011 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open season, his avenue into the Elite Series.
“Some are balsa square-bills (crankbaits) made by hand, from scratch,” said the 27-year-old pro who finished third in Central Open points. “I caught all my Table Rock fish on his jigs. His lures really, really work well. He does it just for fun, and he’s very good at it.”
The custom lures are not for sale, and Jeff Miller makes only enough for himself, his son and a few others close to him.
Jared broke out his father’s custom jigs for an 18-place finish on Table Rock Lake in the Oct. 20-22 Central season finale, good enough to result in an Elite Series invite. Now he’s gunning for a Bassmaster Classic entry by using his father’s lures against Ouachita River bass in the 2011 B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Championship presented by Yamaha and Skeeter Boats. The competition will be Nov. 3-5 out of Monroe, La.
Back home on Monday, Miller said he had definitely decided to step up into the Elite Series. He was already contacting potential sponsors.
“I’m excited. I know I have a lot of work in front of me,” he said.