20 Questions with Adrian Avena

Posted on
Twenty-five-year-old Adrian “Jersey Boy” Avena was born and raised in Vineland, N.J., and he is in the process of kicking off his first full-time season as a Bassmaster Elite Series pro. Thankfully, he took a little time to connect with the editors at B.A.S.S. and answer a few questions. As we get set to see his rookie Elite Series season unfold, here’s a look at the real Adrian Avena.
Twenty-five-year-old Adrian “Jersey Boy” Avena was born and raised in Vineland, N.J., and he is in the process of kicking off his first full-time season as a Bassmaster Elite Series pro. Thankfully, he took a little time to connect with the editors at B.A.S.S. and answer a few questions. As we get set to see his rookie Elite Series season unfold, here’s a look at the real Adrian Avena.
<b>Who was the first person to take you fishing, and when did you catch your first bass?</b> <p>“I was 6 years old when my father took me fishing for the first time, and it was at Florida’s Disney World.”
Who was the first person to take you fishing, and when did you catch your first bass?

“I was 6 years old when my father took me fishing for the first time, and it was at Florida’s Disney World.”

<b>Dream home location?</b> <p>“That’s a hard question. There are so many places I’d love to live, but I’d say it would definitely be East Coast, and it would be along the shore. I love saltwater fishing, and I really love southern New Jersey. Maybe the outer banks of the Carolinas?”
Dream home location?

“That’s a hard question. There are so many places I’d love to live, but I’d say it would definitely be East Coast, and it would be along the shore. I love saltwater fishing, and I really love southern New Jersey. Maybe the outer banks of the Carolinas?”

<b>Who were some of your earliest fishing heroes?</b> <p>“Growing up in New Jersey, it’s hard to not be a Mike Iaconelli fan. Getting to know him through his book and watching his career unfold has been very inspirational for me. I love his passion for the sport! I also really look up to Randy Howell—he’s just a great guy! Several years ago, my dad actually drew him as a partner during a B.A.S.S. Northern Open on Lake Champlain and my dad still talks about how much fun he had fishing with Randy that day. I have a lot of respect for Randy!”
Who were some of your earliest fishing heroes?

“Growing up in New Jersey, it’s hard to not be a Mike Iaconelli fan. Getting to know him through his book and watching his career unfold has been very inspirational for me. I love his passion for the sport! I also really look up to Randy Howell—he’s just a great guy! Several years ago, my dad actually drew him as a partner during a B.A.S.S. Northern Open on Lake Champlain and my dad still talks about how much fun he had fishing with Randy that day. I have a lot of respect for Randy!”

<b>How did you get started in professional bass fishing?</b> <p>“I grew up playing soccer and tennis, and my intense level of competition easily transferred into fishing. It was a no-brainer for me. I fished in college for Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, and that really spurred me to take this to the next level. In 2010 I fished the FLW events and fished the B.A.S.S. Opens hoping to one day earn an invite to fish in the Elite Series.”
How did you get started in professional bass fishing?

“I grew up playing soccer and tennis, and my intense level of competition easily transferred into fishing. It was a no-brainer for me. I fished in college for Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, and that really spurred me to take this to the next level. In 2010 I fished the FLW events and fished the B.A.S.S. Opens hoping to one day earn an invite to fish in the Elite Series.”

<b>What do you think it takes to signify that you’ve “made it” as a pro angler?</b> <p>“That’s another tough question. I look up to a lot of professional anglers and I honestly feel that the guys who are well established and consistently making Classics and championships have earned their place. I guess for me personally, if I can earn Classic appearances and do well in the points race in my first five to six years, I’ll feel justified to call myself an Elite Series pro.”
What do you think it takes to signify that you’ve “made it” as a pro angler?

“That’s another tough question. I look up to a lot of professional anglers and I honestly feel that the guys who are well established and consistently making Classics and championships have earned their place. I guess for me personally, if I can earn Classic appearances and do well in the points race in my first five to six years, I’ll feel justified to call myself an Elite Series pro.”

<b>What’s the biggest bass you’ve ever caught? Where did you catch it?</b> <p>“I caught a 11-4 on Lake Fork, Texas, in 2014 during practice for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic.”
What’s the biggest bass you’ve ever caught? Where did you catch it?

“I caught a 11-4 on Lake Fork, Texas, in 2014 during practice for the Toyota Texas Bass Classic.”

<b>What do you love the most about bass fishing?</b> <p>“The most unique thing about it is you have a combined group of guys who are all passionate about the sport. And, if there’s $1 on the line or $100,000, all of us would compete with the same intensity. Being able to make a living on the top level of competition is a dream come true!”
What do you love the most about bass fishing?

“The most unique thing about it is you have a combined group of guys who are all passionate about the sport. And, if there’s $1 on the line or $100,000, all of us would compete with the same intensity. Being able to make a living on the top level of competition is a dream come true!”

<b>What is your favorite place to fish for bass and why?</b> <p>“I’d have to say Lake Champlain. I know that probably gets mentioned a lot, but I love it there. Having the opportunity to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass makes it a favorite of mine. But, I also love anything tidal. I love the challenge of learning how the fish adapt to the tides, which is largely how I learned to fish for bass in the first place.”
What is your favorite place to fish for bass and why?

“I’d have to say Lake Champlain. I know that probably gets mentioned a lot, but I love it there. Having the opportunity to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass makes it a favorite of mine. But, I also love anything tidal. I love the challenge of learning how the fish adapt to the tides, which is largely how I learned to fish for bass in the first place.”

<b>What is a dream destination/vacation for you?</b> <p>“That’s easy. I’d love to go spend a couple of weeks fishing Costa Rica or Panama. Having a shot at one of Panama’s legendary black marlin, or the rooster fish that swim around Costa Rica would be a life changer.”
What is a dream destination/vacation for you?

“That’s easy. I’d love to go spend a couple of weeks fishing Costa Rica or Panama. Having a shot at one of Panama’s legendary black marlin, or the rooster fish that swim around Costa Rica would be a life changer.”

<b>What is the best advice you’ve received in your career? Hardest lesson to learn?</b> <p>“Brandon Palaniuk said: ‘It’s hard to beat a man who never quits.’ That mindset and determination has been key to my drive, and probably the best advice I’ve ever heard. The hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is not let the highs get too high and keeping the lows from getting too low. I try to be modest, and take every event as it comes, striving to make the best decisions possible based on whatever I’m faced with.”
What is the best advice you’ve received in your career? Hardest lesson to learn?

“Brandon Palaniuk said: ‘It’s hard to beat a man who never quits.’ That mindset and determination has been key to my drive, and probably the best advice I’ve ever heard. The hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is not let the highs get too high and keeping the lows from getting too low. I try to be modest, and take every event as it comes, striving to make the best decisions possible based on whatever I’m faced with.”

<b>What is your greatest strength as a professional angler?</b> <p>“I’d have to say versatility. Growing up in the Northeast, we don’t have a lot of diverse fisheries. Because of that, I learned to junk fish, and I think that will serve me well as I fish on the Elite Series.”
What is your greatest strength as a professional angler?

“I’d have to say versatility. Growing up in the Northeast, we don’t have a lot of diverse fisheries. Because of that, I learned to junk fish, and I think that will serve me well as I fish on the Elite Series.”

<b>What is your greatest weakness as a professional angler?</b> <p>“My biggest weakness seems to be identifying and exploiting structure. Once I’ve found an offshore piece of structure, being able to determine exactly how good it can truly be is something I need to learn more about. Isolating the best fish-holding areas on that specific piece of structure is not an easy thing to master.”
What is your greatest weakness as a professional angler?

“My biggest weakness seems to be identifying and exploiting structure. Once I’ve found an offshore piece of structure, being able to determine exactly how good it can truly be is something I need to learn more about. Isolating the best fish-holding areas on that specific piece of structure is not an easy thing to master.”

<b>What are we doing right as a sport?</b> <p>“I really believe that we promote and represent the sport well, and there are more and more young anglers getting into fishing as a result. Getting the collegiate and high school levels of competitive bass fishing established has been a huge factor, and two that I’m most appreciative of.”
What are we doing right as a sport?

“I really believe that we promote and represent the sport well, and there are more and more young anglers getting into fishing as a result. Getting the collegiate and high school levels of competitive bass fishing established has been a huge factor, and two that I’m most appreciative of.”

<b>What is the biggest mistake you see from casual or weekend anglers?</b> <p>“Preconceived notions and getting stuck on the past. It’s easy to return to a spot that held fish once before. Typically, good spots fish differently day-to-day and may not be as productive as it once was. Going out there and fishing with an open mind will put more fish in the boat.”
What is the biggest mistake you see from casual or weekend anglers?

“Preconceived notions and getting stuck on the past. It’s easy to return to a spot that held fish once before. Typically, good spots fish differently day-to-day and may not be as productive as it once was. Going out there and fishing with an open mind will put more fish in the boat.”

<b>Do you have any fishing superstitions?</b> <p>“Honestly, I don’t. I think there are situations where luck can be a factor, and it’s those types of situations that anglers can easily create superstitions.”
Do you have any fishing superstitions?

“Honestly, I don’t. I think there are situations where luck can be a factor, and it’s those types of situations that anglers can easily create superstitions.”

<b>If you could only fish one lure for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?</b> <p>“It would probably be a shaky head with a Berkley Bottom Hopper. It’s a great way to catch fish all year long, and I have a lot of confidence in it.”
If you could only fish one lure for the rest of your life, what would it be? Why?

“It would probably be a shaky head with a Berkley Bottom Hopper. It’s a great way to catch fish all year long, and I have a lot of confidence in it.”

<b>What has been your greatest accomplishment in the fishing industry?</b> <p>“Qualifying for the Elite Series. There’s a deep pool of anglers hoping for that chance and never make it; that’s something I highly value.”
What has been your greatest accomplishment in the fishing industry?

“Qualifying for the Elite Series. There’s a deep pool of anglers hoping for that chance and never make it; that’s something I highly value.”

<b>If you could only win one, would it be a Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title or a Bassmaster Classic championship? Why?</b> <p>“That question by itself just gave me the chills, and it's a tough one to answer. At this point in my career I’d go with the Angler of the Year title. To be named the best angler across an entire season is a very prestigious award. That’s not to take anything away from the Classic, however. I’d be just as thrilled to win that event!”
If you could only win one, would it be a Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title or a Bassmaster Classic championship? Why?

“That question by itself just gave me the chills, and it’s a tough one to answer. At this point in my career I’d go with the Angler of the Year title. To be named the best angler across an entire season is a very prestigious award. That’s not to take anything away from the Classic, however. I’d be just as thrilled to win that event!”

<b>What keeps you motivated to keep going and continue reaching for new goals?</b> <p>“It all comes back to being competitive. The best part of this sport is that you can’t learn it all—I love that part of it.”
What keeps you motivated to keep going and continue reaching for new goals?

“It all comes back to being competitive. The best part of this sport is that you can’t learn it all—I love that part of it.”

<b>When you’re not bass fishing, how do you like to spend your time?</b> <p>“It’s all based on fishing. Three years ago I got my Captain’s license and I run a charter company off the coast of New Jersey. I love saltwater fishing, and you’ll find me on the ocean when the bass season is over. It’s helped me learn a lot about fishing in general. If it’s in the outdoors, I’m into it: I do a little bit of bow hunting, duck hunting and I like to snowboard. I just like staying busy.”
When you’re not bass fishing, how do you like to spend your time?

“It’s all based on fishing. Three years ago I got my Captain’s license and I run a charter company off the coast of New Jersey. I love saltwater fishing, and you’ll find me on the ocean when the bass season is over. It’s helped me learn a lot about fishing in general. If it’s in the outdoors, I’m into it: I do a little bit of bow hunting, duck hunting and I like to snowboard. I just like staying busy.”

<b>When your career is over and you’re away from the sport, how do you want people to remember you?</b> <p>“I want to be known as a respectful angler who has the right motivation and love for the sport. For me, that will come out in emotion. I know there is a lot of guys who let that come out on the water and show endless enthusiasm. I want to be one of those anglers.”
When your career is over and you’re away from the sport, how do you want people to remember you?

“I want to be known as a respectful angler who has the right motivation and love for the sport. For me, that will come out in emotion. I know there is a lot of guys who let that come out on the water and show endless enthusiasm. I want to be one of those anglers.”

<b>What profession other than your own would you like to have tried?</b> <p>“I’d definitely be a saltwater charter fisherman.“
What profession other than your own would you like to have tried?

“I’d definitely be a saltwater charter fisherman.“

Thanks Adrian, and best of luck on your rookie season!
Thanks Adrian, and best of luck on your rookie season!