Some fishing stories are bigger than heavy bags of bass or moments on the stage.
Leybas has run a Skeeter-Yamaha package for the past eight seasons and his consistency on the water has allowed him to reap the rewards of Yamaha Power Pay bonues many times over. But Leybas had deeper wisdom to impart than any lure, piece of equipment, or bass fishing buzzword could provide.
On the top of Ian’s personal Facebook page is a simple phrase, “Faith, family, and fishing.” When asked about these words, Leybas was proud to say those three things are among his chief priorities – and they are listed in order.
Leybas has been tournament fishing for more than 30-years, but a battle with cancer that began in 2019 shifted his priorities and perspective.
“I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in the fall of 2019,” Leybas said. “It’s been a battle, but I was extremely fortunate to have world-class treatment and care at MD Anderson in Texas. After my first bout through the Covid lockdown and the years that followed, I had a relapse. Thankfully I was put on a trial treatment at MD Anderson, and the new medicine has been extremely effective. These days I am doing good thanks to the support around me.”
Leybas, a husband and father of two, didn’t dwell on the negatives of cancer or the struggles of his recovery. Instead, he uses his trials and tribulations to gain perspective and illuminate the things that matter most. Fishing is still a huge part of his journey.
“There is a hugely therapeutic side to fishing that has been a big part of my mental recovery,” Leybas explained. “My health scares have shown me that faith and family come first. Period. In the summer of 2024, my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was way harder seeing her go through treatment than it ever was when it was me. Thank God she is doing well now, too.”
Obviously, the Leybas family are a special, resilient group of people. They haven’t let medical concerns slow them down and have continued to live life and love each other.
Ian’s time bass fishing is more than another day on the water, chasing a good tournament finish while trying to climb the ranks as a competitive angler. It’s as much about time to reflect, an opportunity to be thankful, and time to enjoy the quiet focus of pursuit as it is about chasing trophies or status.
“I’ve been fortunate to fish some big-time trails like the NPFL and Bassmaster Opens, but this year is my son’s senior year of high school, and I didn’t want to miss any baseball games or time with him,” Leybas said. “So, this is a slow year for national tournaments for me, but I still fish somewhere between 20 and 30 events per year. Team tournaments are my favorite.”
In a sport where ego and self-promotion are commonplace, Leybas’ humility is refreshing.
The 52-year-old is a Senior Operations Manager for MPLX / Marathon Petroleum by trade, but he’s found a lot of success in his fishing career, too. He finished second in the BFL All-American on Lake Hartwell in 2023 and notched another runner-up finish in the BASS Nation event on the familiar waters of Lake Eufaula, OK in 2025.
Still, Leybas was quick to say fishing with his father in a team tournament or jackpot derby is every bit as important to him as any podium finish in a high-profile event.
“Out of everything I’ve accomplished on the water, fishing with my dad for 30-plus-years makes me as proud as anything,” Leybas said. “For us, fishing is as much about time with each other as it is about what we catch.”
Leybas has plans to compete in a national trail again in a year or two when his son heads to college, but right now he’s fully content with BFLs and team tournaments in the Texas-Oklahoma region while spending precious time with those who matter most.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of climbing the proverbial ladder, but Leybas keeps his priorities straight and simple: faith, family, fishing… in that order.
