At the heart of Casey

During a recent photo shoot with Forty Creek Whisky, South Carolina Elite Series pro Casey Ashley got back to his fishing roots.

He spent the day fishing in a location similar to where he cut his teeth as a fisherman, and the following images show some of that experience, but also a behind-the-scenes look at what often goes into a professional photo shoot with a top level touring pro angler.

With conservation as a focal point for not only his career, but also an effort moving forward with his new relationship with Forty Creek, Ashley bends the barbs back on one of his topwater lures.

Bent barbs make for an easier and safer release of any fish he may catch.

Pliers will do the trick.

As the Forty Creek crew and Bassmaster photographer Gary Tramontina were getting things set up for the day’s shoot, Bassmaster Art Director Laurie Tisdale found a unique perspective for additional photos.

Here you can see Ashley and Tramontina setting up another shot.

Adequate lighting is hard to manage sometimes, Bassmaster Editor James Hall helps with getting the light right. It’s a team effort.

The right shot can sometimes be a challenge, but with professionals on-site, it becomes a much easier task.

Ashley channels his inner novice angler as he walks the pond shore looking for a spot to catch a bass or two.

Successful bank fishing often requires hitting a specific spot from multiple angles.

Tisdale keeps after the right shot from additional angles. And one camera is never enough.

Ashley has been catching bass his entire life. Fishing small bodies of water like this brings him back to his roots.

He notices fish breaking the surface in the middle of the small lake.

Time to put a hook in the water.

After carefully evaluating the fishery, he chooses a lure, makes a cast …

… And quickly hooks up.

It’s not a big fish, but it tells the 34-year-old angler that there is life in the water. The fish is quickly released.

A few quick casts later, he hooks up again. It’s another small fish, but it nicely contributes to the day’s objectives.

He keeps working the bank looking for a larger bass to help him figure out the pattern.

All the while, the Forty Creek Whisky and Bassmaster folks document every detail as they unfold.

Again, it takes a team of experienced photographers and videographers to recognize and capture each moment.

Just like he did back in his younger days, Ashley keeps an extra lure attached to the back of his hat in case he needs to make a presentation adjustment.

Back to the truck for a game-time change up.

Sometimes subtle changes and even big changes in lures will make all the difference in how a bite is garnered.

And the change Ashley had in mind worked.

He continues to scour the shoreline looking for a bigger fish.

It only takes one bite to change your day, whether that’s during a tournament or just a fun day on the lake.

A topwater lure on a cloudy day is often a solid choice.

And Ashley sets the hook.

This one looks like it may be a little bigger than average.

Ashley does his best to keep the bass from getting free.

It swims back and forth in front of him.

And becomes airborne at numerous points as well.

But the bass won’t come easily.

After years of experience, Ashley has learned to fight a bass with patience.

He lets it tire itself out before landing it.

Once the fish has given up, Ashley is ready to land it to remove the hook and release it.

This is a nicer fish.

This bass is certainly not a giant, but a fine upgrade from the smaller bass that were biting earlier in the day.

He’s proud of the fish for sure.

Bassmaster Senior Editor Thomas Allen gets into the water hoping to get a cool series of release shots. Again, it takes all sorts to make a production like this happen.

This may be the largest fish of the day, but in a situation like this, size really doesn’t matter. It’s all about the experience.

An experience that reminds him of his younger days.

Ashley always has proper fish care in mind. Here he releases the bass in a way that will keep it healthy for future anglers.

And he keeps after it.

He eventually found a small creek mouth that acts as the pond’s overflow, and moving water often means active fish.

He was right, there was a fish to be caught at this spot.

It feels good to know where fish should be positioned based on conditions. Ashley made the decision and was proven correct.

Ashley pauses for a few moments of refreshment and to reminisce about his younger days on a similar body of water. He’s not one to forget where he came from.

With the day wrapping up, necessary video and photos successfully shot, it’s about time to call it a day.

And a fun day, it was. Thanks Casey!