This year’s Bassmaster Classic is the first one I didn’t qualify for since I started fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2019. As a competitor, you want to be fishing every day, whether it’s the Classic or any other tournament, so it’s frustrating when you don’t meet that expectation in yourself.
My goal was to never miss a Classic, and I messed that up, but there are some upsides to not qualifying.
The Classic was something I used to go to when I was younger, and I’d make it kind of a vacation so I could go and see the Expo and everything that was going on. When you’re fishing the Classic, you don’t get to see your family or talk to a bunch of people because it is so stressful with all that you have to go through.
The Classic is a marathon when you’re fishing it. It’s daylight till dark and you don’t get home until 9 or 10 o’clock every night. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to be fishing, but it is tough.
Actually getting to go to my sponsors’ booths, see a lot of the people that support me and getting to talk to people in a more relaxed, laidback setting is something I really enjoy.
Since the Classic is close to Oklahoma, Falcon Rods will be there to show everybody what rod choices we have. Also, my battery sponsor — Amped — will be there, along with Humminbird, Yamaha, Bob’s Machine Shop and PRADCO.
It’s going to be neat to show the baits I use and what we’re working on. I know PRADCO’s pushing the micro finesse baits, so we should have some interesting stuff from Great Lakes Finesse.
My days aren’t nearly as demanding as Classic competitors, but I will say I won’t have a lot of downtime during the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo. I’m booked from the time I arrive until the time I leave. If I’m walking around, it’s because I’m getting something to eat, or I’m going to another sponsor booth.
I have to prioritize my time at the Expo, but I try to at least give each major sponsor an hour a day and then visit anyone else I can see. Also, you can break it up by day by saying I’ll be at this booth on Friday and this on Saturday.
In terms of booth duties, every sponsor is different. Some are very casual, while some have more definitive expectations. Yamaha, for example, expects quite a bit, but as long as you’re following the plan, they’re easy to work for.
Throughout the Expo, I’ll be available for my sponsors and media to shoot some product videos and interact with the public. A big part of this is shaking hands and answering product questions.
I can still remember going to this big event when I was younger, so I have a great appreciation for the fans. Anytime someone has a question about the products that I use on the Bassmaster Elite Series, I’m happy to talk with them.
A lot has changed since I first started fishing the Elites, and I’m happy my family will get to come with me this year. They may not be as intuitive about the show, but they’ll come hang out and watch dad have to work a little
