Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
My whole family does it âmy grandfather, my father, my uncles. They’ve done it forever. It’s kind of a culture with us.
That would definitely be the men in my family. They’re all good guys, great role models.
I caught an 8-pound, 1 1/2-ounce smallmouth from Lake Eufaula (Okla.) when I was in college at Oklahoma State University. I caught it in 2011 on a black and blue jig.
I love showing up for a tournament and trying to crack the code âto figure them out and stay one step ahead. It’s like solving a puzzle. The bad days and the bad tournaments make the good ones better and more special.
I love all of the Ozark lakes âTable Rock, Bull Shoals, Grand âbut day in and day out my favorite would have to be Grand Lake.
We’re getting the younger generation involved and psyched about the sport. They need to know that it’s better than video games, that it’s good to get outdoors and that it brings balance to life.
It’s extremely hard to get started as a bass fishing pro. I’d like to see there be fewer barriers. As a rookie, sometimes it just seems too difficult. There are lots of expenses, lots of travel. Of course, if it was easy, everyone would do it.
It hasn’t had anything to do with fishing directly. It’s not physical or mental. It’s getting people âsponsors âto believe and invest in you. It can really get you down, but you just have to go out and make a name for yourself. The money and sponsorship will follow.
I’m still learning to trust myself on the water. I think that will come with more time. Occasionally I’d get on a pattern or see something unexpected, and rather than listen to that, I’d second guess it. You have to pay attention to the clues the fish give you.
Versatility. I like to do everything even though I’m still learning as an angler. I’m not afraid to try things.
I need to do my homework better. I’m learning that I’m not consistently finding the right areas. That’s probably because I don’t have as much experience on the fisheries as a lot of the veteran guys on tour.
The question has to be, “What are those things on the back of your boat?” I tell them they’re Power-Poles.
On one level, if they’re having fun, they’re doing it right. If catching more fish is the goal, casual anglers tend to be hard-headed and to try to catch fish a certain way rather than let the fish tell them what’s working. They should try to make every trip a learning experience.
No, but I recently had an experience with the banana thing. For three tournaments in a row I got my butt kicked, so I took the bananas out of my boat and did a lot better. No bananas from now on! I gotta roll with it!
I like to hang out with my friends and family. I enjoy weight lifting and running. It keeps me in shape and keeps my mind off things. I like to go fun fishing with my dad. And I like watching TV âit gives me a chance to unwind. There aren’t many opportunities to do that in this career.
Probably a Texas-rigged creature bait. You can throw it anywhere and catch fish everywhere with it. It’s incredibly versatile.
I’d take the Classic. I love the show that goes with it. It’s the biggest stage in all of bass fishing.
I studied landscape architecture in college, and I really enjoy that, but the fishing opportunity came along and I took it. I’d have to say landscape architecture.
I’d like to be remembered as a nice guy who did things the right way and fished hard.