Classic bound: Get to know Trevor Lo

University of Minnesota angler Trevor Lo will represent the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series in the upcoming Bassmaster Classic.

We recently sat down with the 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket winner Trevor Lo to dig a little deeper with the University of Minnesota angler. He will be representing the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series in the upcoming 2016 Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake in Oklahoma.

Unlike previous College Classic Bracket standouts, this was Lo’s first year fishing the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series. What Lo may have lacked in experience, he made up for in determination as he outlasted the best in one of the toughest events in Carhartt Bassmaster College Series history.

Question: Where are you from originally?

Trevor Lo: St. Paul, Minnesota.

Q: When and how did you first get into fishing?

Lo: I grew up fishing for panfish and anything else that would bite with my Dad. I got into bass fishing when I was about 8 or 9 years old. Then I started fishing local tournaments in my early teens, which led to college fishing.

Q: When did you start fishing for University of Minnesota?

Lo: Believe it or not, this is my first year competing in college fishing.

Q: Who was your bass angling hero growing up?

Lo: Growing up I would have to say that Mike Iaconelli was my hero; he just made fishing so exciting.

Q: Who would you like to spend a day on the water with?

Lo: I would love to go fishing with “the G-Man” Gerald Swindle. I know there wouldn’t be any shortage of laughs!

Q: Three favorite lures of all time?

Lo: A shallow crankbait, a jig and a drop shot.

Q: Your dream day on the water would be on what fishery, using what lure(s), and what time of the year?

Lo: Sturgeon Bay, fishing a jerkbait for giant smallmouth in the fall, would be a dream come true as far as a fishing trip goes.

Q: How does it feel to be the first collegiate angler not from a Southern school to represent the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series in the Bassmaster Classic?

Lo: Humbling because us Northern guys don’t get to fish year-round and don’t normally get the notoriety. I’m very privileged and extremely excited to be representing the college anglers in the Bassmaster Classic.

Q: The fishing on Lake DuBay and the surrounding waters was notoriously tough and often talked about throughout this tournament. What was the most important part of your game plan or execution that allowed you to ‘outfish them all’?

Lo: Finding current on the outside bends and the current breaks of the river was the key to the fishing aspect of the tournament. But I also just had to stay positive and mentally tough. Every bite was important, so I just had to keep working.

Q: You got 13th in the regional qualifier, sneaking into the National Championship through the last spot — and then you went on to win the Classic Bracket. Do you, or did you throughout the week, feel it was “meant to be”?

Lo: I think so. I didn’t have a chance to practice in the waters where the Classic Bracket was held, but I started catching them. That first day, I ended up catching the biggest bag of the tournament. That started the momentum in the right direction, and I knew then that I was going to have a chance.

Q: Have you ever fished Grand Lake?

Lo: No, I’ve never fished anywhere in Oklahoma actually, but I’m planning on taking a scouting trip to Grand before the lake goes off-limits.

Q: How does it feel to know that you’re going to be squaring up against the very best anglers in the sport of bass fishing?

Lo: It is really humbling. I’ve watched these guys growing up and looked up to them for years. I’m sure I will be star struck at first, but this is absolutely the chance of a lifetime.

Q: How many people are in your college fishing club? What does you going to the Bassmaster Classic mean for your club?

Lo: We have around 20 to 25 people in our club. But only six to eight people really fish tournaments because of the lack of boats.

This has been an incredible couple of years for our club. I’m lucky enough to be able to represent the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series in the Bassmaster Classic, and I have teammates who won the FLW National Championship in 2014.

Q: When you look at the caliber of anglers the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series has churned out over the past few years — including three who have qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series (Matt Lee, Jordan Lee and Brett Preuett) — how does it feel?

Lo: You know, it’s kind of intimidating. They’ve left some big shoes to fill. Following behind those guys who have left a great legacy for the college series, I’m just going to have to do my homework, give it my all, and see if this is meant to be.

If it’s meant to be it will it happen; I’m going to use their success as motivation to fuel the fire.

Q: What is the first thing you’re going to do in your new school-colored Toyota Tacoma and Skeeter Bass boat?

Lo: Honestly I’m really looking forward to towing a boat with a quality 4-wheel-drive Toyota Truck; the vehicle I’ve used thus far only has 2-wheel drive! But I really want to get my Dad out in the boat with me as soon as possible. He is the one who started my fishing, so he’s definitely earned the first trip.

Keep up with Lo on Facebook.