Elite

John Cox takes on Arkansas River practice

Head out on the water with John Cox as he takes on a day of practice at the 2026 Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River.

Posted on
Photography by
Alan McGuckin
Cox’s day begins by hauling five baitcasting combos and an iPad to provide him with additional detailed mapping information to his boat.
His aluminum Vexus feels at home in the shallow, stumpy, shoreline vegetation laden waters of the Greenleaf area of the Arkansas River near Braggs, OK.
He says the iPad is a new tool for him this year, and in comical John Cox fashion, he laughs about acquiring it somewhat unplanned when he bought his daughter a cell phone.
One of the most amazing things about John Cox’s talents is his eyesight. He’s carved out a highly accomplished career largely by looking for the bass he catches in less than 4-feet of water.
He chooses a white bellied Berkley Swamp Lord Jr. as his starting pitcher, and leans on it exclusively for the first 90 minutes of the day.
His first taker is a brave Kentucky Spotted Bass.
When asked to show us three lures he’ll use the most this week, he chose a frog, a spinnerbait, and a swim jig.
As is typically the case, Cox pushes as far back in the shallows as possible.
His first largemouth of the day eats the swim jig. These river fish are tough, and seldom win a beauty contest.
Modern day bass fishing … a combination of baitcasters and technology.
Motor trimmed all the way up, and the belly of his Vexus barely above the muddy bottom, Cox wouldn’t have it any other way.
Cox marvels at the size of other vessels he and other Elite Series pros are sharing water with this week on the Arkansas River.
Business picked up after lunch!

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