Here are some reflections on 2017 from the staff of B.A.S.S. and JM Productions. Read some more favorite moments from Elite Series anglers | David Brown | Andrew Canulette | Chris Bowes | Don Barone | Pete Robbins | Alan McGuckin | Trip Weldon | Seigo Saito | Chris Mitchell | Jim Sexton | Fans
Hank Weldon
Senior Tournament Manager, College and High School
I had two moments that stood out to me. First was the High School Southern Open with 347 teams competing in it. That’s the largest field to ever fish in a Bassmaster event and such an encouraging thing to see all those young anglers out there. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention watching Jordan Lee win the Classic after watching him cut his teeth on the Carhartt College Series.
Chris Bork
Corporate Partnerships
Well, sir, I have several top moments from the season. I could go all selfish and say that me the internal Bassmaster office Fantasy Fishing league is no. 1 – which it is; I’m awesome at that and should have a column on Bassmaster.com). Others would be Dave Mercer riding the DICK’S Sporting Goods Rodeo Bass at Texas Fest, or Skeet Reese slaying them Day 2 of Bassmaster LIVE coverage at Mille Lacs. But no. 1 without question is easy – Brandon Palaniuk winning AOY. An awesome angler and a legendary performance.
Craig Lamb
Writer
Deborah Smart
Corporate Partnerships
I had the opportunity to go down to El Salto this year, and I’ll never forget this huge bass!
Howard Downs
Engineer, JM Productions
Celebrating the final Elite event of the season with the Bassmaster LIVE crew!
Jon Stewart
Director, B.A.S.S. Nation
My moment was certainly Brandon being crowned the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. AOY is a huge honor by itself, but this year it was our (B.A.S.S. Nation’s) guy! It took me back to 2009 when I met Brandon, and I came back to the office and told anyone that would listen that there was a “kid” in Idaho that was going to be special. Very proud moment for me personally.
Mark Zona
Host, Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show and Bassmaster LIVE
My biggest moment was Davy Hite’s first day in studio with Tommy – I was so proud!
Carey Barrett
Cameraman, Bassmaster LIVE
Some of the moments that stand out to me (above).
- Waiting on the weigh-in to start at Toledo Bend surrounded by tons of fans.
- Meeting RJ Mitte (star of Breaking Bad) at the Cherokee Lake Bassmaster Elite.
- Enjoying a dinner with the “road crew” on Sunday night at Lake Okeechobee.
Thom Abraham
Host, Bassmaster Radio
Wow, what a terrific season on the Bassmaster Elite Series and for Bassmaster LIVE…but the best moment of the year for me had to be Jordan Lee tangling with a St. Clair sturgeon, for over an hour, on an episode of Zona LIVE. The boys were dying out there, trying to hook up with some St. Clair brown beasts, and it got so bad that Zona resorted to the costume, cape and crown that made the reigning Classic Champ look like someone right out of the old Imperial Margarine commercial. From on water fans offering nets, to Zona’s play-by-play, to the look on Jordan’s face, it was just priceless! Truly tremendous reality TV.
Eric Lopez
Director, Event Operations