I want to extend my personal congratulations to Dylan Nutt for winning the 2026 Bassmaster Classic. To do so at age 22 is amazing.
When I won the Classic in 2003, I was 30 years old. People told me I was too young to take advantage of being a Classic champion. Today, you’re one of the old guys at 30.
Looking back, winning the Classic thrust me into the spotlight. I was unprepared for the many challenges and opportunities that suddenly materialized.
If I was Dylan Nutt or any future Classic champion, here’s what I would do over the next year to secure my future in this sport.
Soak it in: The week after winning the Classic, I’d soak it in and appreciate what I accomplished. It’s a fleeting moment, and it might not happen again. For most mere mortals in the fishing world, winning the Classic only happens once.
Secure sponsor contracts: After a week of soaking it in, I would focus on the business aspect of being a Classic champion. I would not fail to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
It has been said that winning the Classic is worth $1,000,000. But that’s only true for those who work at it.
Now would be the time to negotiate contracts with companies that make whatever baits, rods, reels, lines, electronics, as well as the boat and motor I used to win the “Big Show.”
I would also try to fill any holes I have regarding sponsor support. Do I have a sponsor that makes, say, fishing apparel, sunglasses? Don’t overlook nonendemic companies.
Build a brand: Everybody has their own brand. Mine is kind of loud, high energy, excitement and in your face. You need to create a brand based on your personality.
It’s critical for a Classic champion to fashion some type of logo that people identify as their brand. Brand your colors. Whenever people see these images on social media, your jersey, your boat and elsewhere, they should immediately think of you.
The tremendous exposure you get from the fishing media after winning the Classic provides a fantastic launching pad for promoting your brand. Reach out to the media and let them know you’re willing and able work with them.
Don’t limit that to fishing media. The Classic is the one time the mainstream media looks at our sport. You may get exposure in newspapers, magazines, on radio stations and television outlets that normally don’t cover fishing.
Hire someone to maximize your exposure: Focusing on the business side of being the Classic champion can undermine your performance in tournaments the following season. You can only do so much on your own. That’s why I took some of my winnings and hired a publicist to reach out to the media for one year.
The publicist came with a high price tag. People told me I was wasting my money. But the publicist got me many opportunities to get exposure in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV I never would have gotten on my own.
Today, I might also hire someone to grow my presence on social media. I’d be posting two or three times a day and collaborating with sponsors to promote their products.
Invest: I would have a financial advisor help me invest some of that $300,000 in winnings for my future. I’d consider traditional and riskier investments, a retirement fund and more. I’d put money in places where it would work for me.
Say yes: I would say yes to every opportunity that came my way for the next 360 days. If somebody wanted me to do a paid appearance somewhere, I’d say yes. If I got an offer to fly to L.A. and be on a television talk show, I’d say yes.
Whatever a Classic champion does over the year following his historic win defines his status in this sport. Do a good job and you’ll create something bigger than the win itself, something that lasts.
If you do nothing but fish after winning the Classic, 15 years from now you’ll have little sponsor support and will be largely forgotten.
You can learn more about what it takes to be a successful professional angler at www.mikeiaconelli.com or www.youtube.com/c/goingike.
