Competing in his first Bassmaster Elite event has, no doubt, stirred a few butterflies for Marc Frazier; but the rookie from Newnan, Ga. said he’s solid, thanks, in equal part to past experience and his older brother and sixth-year Elite Micah.
A former college pitcher, who ended his career at Auburn University, Marc qualified for the Elites by finishing fourth in the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year (also fourth in the Central Opens). He said his time on the mound helped prepare him for the pressure of competing at the Elite level.
“Pitching in front of (up to) 20,000 fans at times really kind of gets the nerves out of you at a younger age,” he said. “I feel like, from that standpoint, I’m ready.”
That helps, but the comfort of knowing you have a thick-and-thin ally/confidant/mentor certainly helps take the edge off of a high-stakes venture.
“I’m looking forward to staying in hotels and houses with my brother; it’s been a while since we’ve been able to fish with one another,” Marc said. “Our sons are about a year apart, so it will be good to get them in this atmosphere of the tournament life.”
Micah agrees: “It’s going to be a good thing for us. Our wives are close, so just the fact that everybody gets to travel together, it’s good for our family. I’m excited to have him out here.
“We’re going to work together and enjoy it. That’s not something everybody gets to enjoy.”
Bragging on his younger brother, Micah said: “He got into tournament fishing after college baseball and the fact that he went out and qualified for the Elites on his own after his second (full) year in the Opens is pretty impressive.
“It served him well, because he was very competitive in baseball. I think having this outlet is going to be good for him.”
So, what’s the most significant piece of advice Micah Frazier shared with his younger brother?
“Last year, we went to a few lakes in the Opens that I knew he had been to and I asked him if he had any recommendations about where to start,” Marc recalls. “He pretty much told me, you’ve been doing good already, so just continue doing what you’re doing, stick to the same game plan.
“I think that by not helping me to a certain extent, that was the most helpful advice — making sure I was ready for the Elites.”
While both brothers will fish to earn their best finish in each event and the Angler of the Year standings, Marc said he and Micah will never let competition supersede family.
“I guess we’re fishing against one another, but I don’t see it that way,” Marc said. “We really won’t hold anything back; we’ll share what (information) we have and not be greedy about it.
“That’s just not who I am to hold anything back. If I’m on something, I’ll tell him and I know he’ll do the same.”
This is not the first time the Elites have seen relatives competing. The current roster includes Canadian brothers Cory and Chris Johnston, while recent years have seen Alton Jones Sr. and Jr., Chris and Bobby Lane, and Matt and Jordan Lee fishing against one another.
Marc Frazier counts himself fortunate to join the short list of those who’ve embraced the challenges and opportunities of the Bassmaster Elite Series alongside a family member.
“A lot of people don’t have someone (close) in the system when they make it, so if I weren’t figuring something out, (Micah) can point me in the right direction or tell me ‘I’m struggling too, it’s probably going to be a tough tournament,” Marc said. “I think everybody needs at least one person you can talk openly to.”