Fishing heroes of Classic qualifiers

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Asked for their fishing heroes, anglers in the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk offered a wide range of answers. There were certainly some anglers expected but also some surprises. In bass fishing, a sport passed down from generation to generation, each qualifier has someone they look up to, someone who helped them get here. So take a look at who inspired some in this week’s field.Veteran Keith Combs, 44, who will be fishing his eighth Classic, said he was influenced by a Classic champion known for his prowess with a crankbait. “I grew up watching David Fritts win tournaments, so I’d say his style was very influential in the way I fish,” Combs said. “I remember him catching one every cast off shore and at the time all I knew was how to pick one off at a time going down the bank.”
Asked for their fishing heroes, anglers in the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk offered a wide range of answers. There were certainly some anglers expected but also some surprises. In bass fishing, a sport passed down from generation to generation, each qualifier has someone they look up to, someone who helped them get here. So take a look at who inspired some in this week’s field.Veteran Keith Combs, 44, who will be fishing his eighth Classic, said he was influenced by a Classic champion known for his prowess with a crankbait. “I grew up watching David Fritts win tournaments, so I’d say his style was very influential in the way I fish,” Combs said. “I remember him catching one every cast off shore and at the time all I knew was how to pick one off at a time going down the bank.”
Veteran Keith Combs, 44, who will be fishing his eighth Classic, said he was influenced by a Classic champion known for his prowess with a crankbait. “I grew up watching David Fritts win tournaments, so I’d say his style was very influential in the way I fish,” Combs said. “I remember him catching one every cast off shore and at the time all I knew was how to pick one off at a time going down the bank.”
Veteran Keith Combs, 44, who will be fishing his eighth Classic, said he was influenced by a Classic champion known for his prowess with a crankbait. “I grew up watching David Fritts win tournaments, so I’d say his style was very influential in the way I fish,” Combs said. “I remember him catching one every cast off shore and at the time all I knew was how to pick one off at a time going down the bank.”
Arkansas’ Stetson Blaylock, 32, went home state, but his choice was also a famed angler and Classic champ. “My angling hero is Larry Nixon, Arkansas guy and true hero in the sport,” Blaylock said. “He is a guy that did and is still doing it the right way and is definitely someone we can all look up to! I had the privilege of fishing with him in a couple different tournaments as his co-angler, and he went out of his way to help me grow and succeed!”
Arkansas’ Stetson Blaylock, 32, went home state, but his choice was also a famed angler and Classic champ. “My angling hero is Larry Nixon, Arkansas guy and true hero in the sport,” Blaylock said. “He is a guy that did and is still doing it the right way and is definitely someone we can all look up to! I had the privilege of fishing with him in a couple different tournaments as his co-angler, and he went out of his way to help me grow and succeed!”
Competing in his eighth Classic, 57-year-old Matt Herren went old school as well. “The pro that influenced me the most was Denny Brauer,” Herren said. “His style of fishing, flipping and pitching, was what changed my angling style the most.”
Competing in his eighth Classic, 57-year-old Matt Herren went old school as well. “The pro that influenced me the most was Denny Brauer,” Herren said. “His style of fishing, flipping and pitching, was what changed my angling style the most.”
A younger Chad Pipkens, who just turned 36, is shown in 2008 with his fishing hero, Mike Iaconelli, after a competition. “It was my first top 10 in my first year fishing the FLW EverStart Series,” Pipkens said. “Ike has been the biggest role model and influence for me in fishing. I thought he brought so much passion and uniqueness to the sport. He has helped make fishing more mainstream to the general public as well as get many youth anglers involved! At this tournament in New York I actually saw him leave late to launch the second day of the event because he would not leave until everyone there had an autograph. It was pretty awesome!”
A younger Chad Pipkens, who just turned 36, is shown in 2008 with his fishing hero, Mike Iaconelli, after a competition. “It was my first top 10 in my first year fishing the FLW EverStart Series,” Pipkens said. “Ike has been the biggest role model and influence for me in fishing. I thought he brought so much passion and uniqueness to the sport. He has helped make fishing more mainstream to the general public as well as get many youth anglers involved! At this tournament in New York I actually saw him leave late to launch the second day of the event because he would not leave until everyone there had an autograph. It was pretty awesome!”
Brian Snowden, 47, making his seventh Classic appearance, said the anglers he admires most are Rick Clunn and David Fritts. “I remember watching Rick Clunn win the 1990 Classic on the James River and it was his fourth Classic title,” he said. “I thought about how far above the competition he was and how exciting it would be to participate in a Classic.”
Brian Snowden, 47, making his seventh Classic appearance, said the anglers he admires most are Rick Clunn and David Fritts. “I remember watching Rick Clunn win the 1990 Classic on the James River and it was his fourth Classic title,” he said. “I thought about how far above the competition he was and how exciting it would be to participate in a Classic.”
“Fritts was always amazing with a crankbait, which I love to fish, and his ability to modify crankbaits was impressive,” said Snowden, who’s fished with B.A.S.S. since 1999. “Now I have been lucky enough to become friends with both of them.”
“Fritts was always amazing with a crankbait, which I love to fish, and his ability to modify crankbaits was impressive,” said Snowden, who’s fished with B.A.S.S. since 1999. “Now I have been lucky enough to become friends with both of them.”
Clifford Pirch of Payson, Ariz., who will be fishing his seventh consecutive Classic, has a super role model in a Classic and AOY winner who’s also executive director of the CAST for Kids Foundation, which assists in getting special needs kids out on the water. “Jay Yelas is one of my fishing heroes because he was one of the most consistent and winning anglers whose career I followed and read most about when I decided to start fishing as a career during and after my college years,” Pirch said. “He also exemplified the person I wanted to be like, and he started out as a Western angler.”
Clifford Pirch of Payson, Ariz., who will be fishing his seventh consecutive Classic, has a super role model in a Classic and AOY winner who’s also executive director of the CAST for Kids Foundation, which assists in getting special needs kids out on the water. “Jay Yelas is one of my fishing heroes because he was one of the most consistent and winning anglers whose career I followed and read most about when I decided to start fishing as a career during and after my college years,” Pirch said. “He also exemplified the person I wanted to be like, and he started out as a Western angler.”
First-time Classic qualifier Grae Buck, 30, of Green Lane, Pa., looked up to both Mike Iaconelli and Takahiro Omori. “Iaconelli because he was from the north and lived only an hour and a half from me, and I thought it was cool seeing a semi-local compete with the best fisherman from the south,” he said.
First-time Classic qualifier Grae Buck, 30, of Green Lane, Pa., looked up to both Mike Iaconelli and Takahiro Omori. “Iaconelli because he was from the north and lived only an hour and a half from me, and I thought it was cool seeing a semi-local compete with the best fisherman from the south,” he said.
“Takahiro was my other because it was one of the first Classics I can remember watching,” Buck said, “and seeing him win it in the finally moments was awesome.” Tak’s “I knew it” moment in winning in 2004 on Lake Wylie is legendary in Classic lore.
“Takahiro was my other because it was one of the first Classics I can remember watching,” Buck said, “and seeing him win it in the finally moments was awesome.” Tak’s “I knew it” moment in winning in 2004 on Lake Wylie is legendary in Classic lore.
“I had a friend who knew him while I was in college and took me to his house where I got to meet him, see his Classic trophy and he gave me a few lures,” Buck said.
“I had a friend who knew him while I was in college and took me to his house where I got to meet him, see his Classic trophy and he gave me a few lures,” Buck said.
Cody Hollen, the 35-year-old B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier from Beaverton, Ore., watched his heroes from afar, but he also had one in the house. “I grew up watching and looking up to Bill Dance and Hank Parker,” he said. “Every weekend morning I would wake up and watch them with my Dad. Ultimately my Dad and the guys he was in a fishing club with were where I got my start into fishing and learning it.”
Cody Hollen, the 35-year-old B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier from Beaverton, Ore., watched his heroes from afar, but he also had one in the house. “I grew up watching and looking up to Bill Dance and Hank Parker,” he said. “Every weekend morning I would wake up and watch them with my Dad. Ultimately my Dad and the guys he was in a fishing club with were where I got my start into fishing and learning it.”
Darold Gleason qualified for his first Classic by winning the Basspro.com Open on Toledo Bend, where he guides. The 36-year-old points to two big names for inspiring him to pursue a fishing career, Kevin VanDam and Gerald Swindle. “KVD was on top of the fishing world when I first began competing in tournaments. His excellence and dominance motived me to want to become better,” he said, adding he got a huge thrill when KVD congratulated him and wished him good luck this week during a visit at last year’s Classic.
Darold Gleason qualified for his first Classic by winning the Basspro.com Open on Toledo Bend, where he guides. The 36-year-old points to two big names for inspiring him to pursue a fishing career, Kevin VanDam and Gerald Swindle. “KVD was on top of the fishing world when I first began competing in tournaments. His excellence and dominance motived me to want to become better,” he said, adding he got a huge thrill when KVD congratulated him and wished him good luck this week during a visit at last year’s Classic.
“Along with being an excellent angler, G-man always keeps it real for us,” Gleason said. “While his personality and humor are larger than life, it's been really great to see the person behind that. His genuine excitement for me last year when I won the Open and received my berth into the Classic was evident of his pure love for the sport.”
“Along with being an excellent angler, G-man always keeps it real for us,” Gleason said. “While his personality and humor are larger than life, it’s been really great to see the person behind that. His genuine excitement for me last year when I won the Open and received my berth into the Classic was evident of his pure love for the sport.”
Clent Davis of Montevallo, Ala., will fish his first championship, and he stayed local for his hero, who’s helped him along. “The person I’d say that I grew up watching was Jamie Horton. He was always a big name around these parts in Alabama and made the Classic many times,” Davis said. “I’ve become good friends with him throughout the last 10 years, and he has taught me quite a few things about fishing.”
Clent Davis of Montevallo, Ala., will fish his first championship, and he stayed local for his hero, who’s helped him along. “The person I’d say that I grew up watching was Jamie Horton. He was always a big name around these parts in Alabama and made the Classic many times,” Davis said. “I’ve become good friends with him throughout the last 10 years, and he has taught me quite a few things about fishing.”
One can’t get any closer to home than Cory Johnston, who along with younger brother Chris are making Classic debuts after great years on the Elite Series. They along with Jeff Gustafson are representing Canada, putting the Classic qualifiers from their country up to five to tie Zimbabwe (all Gerry Jooste) and stand behind only Japan with 7. “I am in the position I am in today because of my parents,” Cory said. “My mom bought my dad his first boat many, many years ago and that created all of this. My dad won a ton of local tournaments when I was very young. He is the fisherman that I wanted to be like.”
One can’t get any closer to home than Cory Johnston, who along with younger brother Chris are making Classic debuts after great years on the Elite Series. They along with Jeff Gustafson are representing Canada, putting the Classic qualifiers from their country up to five to tie Zimbabwe (all Gerry Jooste) and stand behind only Japan with 7. “I am in the position I am in today because of my parents,” Cory said. “My mom bought my dad his first boat many, many years ago and that created all of this. My dad won a ton of local tournaments when I was very young. He is the fisherman that I wanted to be like.”
All the way from Spokane, Wash., B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier Taylor Smith credits his father. “As a kid, my Dad was the best fisherman in the world. He didn’t tournament fish but we watched Bassmaster all the time, and I remember telling him he could beat the pros, which he always quickly shut down,” Smith said.
All the way from Spokane, Wash., B.A.S.S. Nation qualifier Taylor Smith credits his father. “As a kid, my Dad was the best fisherman in the world. He didn’t tournament fish but we watched Bassmaster all the time, and I remember telling him he could beat the pros, which he always quickly shut down,” Smith said.
Scott Canterbury, the 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, mentioned an angler who will be honored at the Classic, as well as icons in the sport. “My fishing hero is Clay Dyer and has been ever since I met him over 20 years ago,” Canterbury said. “As a kid I was the one that got up early on weekends to watch fishing. I always looked up to all the anglers who had TV shows, such as Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and Hank Parker.”
Scott Canterbury, the 2019 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, mentioned an angler who will be honored at the Classic, as well as icons in the sport. “My fishing hero is Clay Dyer and has been ever since I met him over 20 years ago,” Canterbury said. “As a kid I was the one that got up early on weekends to watch fishing. I always looked up to all the anglers who had TV shows, such as Jimmy Houston, Bill Dance and Hank Parker.”
Open winner and first-year Elite Bob Downey of Hudson, Wis., near Minneapolis, said personal connections influenced him in his answer of Jim Moynagh and Seth Feider. “There are very few fisherman from Minnesota that fish professionally on national tournament trails. Jim was one of the first ones to do it 20-plus years ago,” said Downey, adding both families have cabins on the same remote lake in the middle of nowhere. “The chances of that happening are super slim, so I've always thought that was kind of a cool connection to Jim. We both grew up learning how to bass fish on that lake. I’ve followed his career and always have had a great deal of respect on how he carries himself and the success he's had.”
Open winner and first-year Elite Bob Downey of Hudson, Wis., near Minneapolis, said personal connections influenced him in his answer of Jim Moynagh and Seth Feider. “There are very few fisherman from Minnesota that fish professionally on national tournament trails. Jim was one of the first ones to do it 20-plus years ago,” said Downey, adding both families have cabins on the same remote lake in the middle of nowhere. “The chances of that happening are super slim, so I’ve always thought that was kind of a cool connection to Jim. We both grew up learning how to bass fish on that lake. I’ve followed his career and always have had a great deal of respect on how he carries himself and the success he’s had.”
Regarding Feider: “We randomly got paired up in a team tournament when I was 18 and he was 22 I believe (I think it was 2006),” he said. “Seth was the pro and I was the amateur in that tournament. Seth practiced for it and found all the areas we fished. It was an amazing day of smallmouth fishing and we ended up winning the tournament. Since then I've followed Seth and his progression to the top of the tournament bass fishing game. It's been super motivational for me to see him have success coming from Minnesota. It definitely lit a fire under me to give it a shot last year in the Opens.”
Regarding Feider: “We randomly got paired up in a team tournament when I was 18 and he was 22 I believe (I think it was 2006),” he said. “Seth was the pro and I was the amateur in that tournament. Seth practiced for it and found all the areas we fished. It was an amazing day of smallmouth fishing and we ended up winning the tournament. Since then I’ve followed Seth and his progression to the top of the tournament bass fishing game. It’s been super motivational for me to see him have success coming from Minnesota. It definitely lit a fire under me to give it a shot last year in the Opens.”
Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Ontario, credits a number of people on his road to becoming an Elite and qualifying for the Classic. Gussy sent photos of himself with Gord Pyzer (right) and Bob Izumi (left) from 1993 and 1999. Pyzer is a well-known outdoor writer and fishing promoter who “lives in the same town I grew up in and started taking me fishing when I was like 10 years old. He took me for my first bass boat ride and taught me a lot growing up. Bob Izumi is probably comparable to the Roland Martin of Canada. He has a long running TV program and has won more tournaments in Canada than anybody else. He has enjoyed some success tournament fishing in the U.S. as well, but he’s a guy that has been very successful in all aspects of making a career in the fishing industry. When I met him when I was a teenager, he was exactly in real life how he is on TV.”
Jeff Gustafson of Kenora, Ontario, credits a number of people on his road to becoming an Elite and qualifying for the Classic. Gussy sent photos of himself with Gord Pyzer (right) and Bob Izumi (left) from 1993 and 1999. Pyzer is a well-known outdoor writer and fishing promoter who “lives in the same town I grew up in and started taking me fishing when I was like 10 years old. He took me for my first bass boat ride and taught me a lot growing up. Bob Izumi is probably comparable to the Roland Martin of Canada. He has a long running TV program and has won more tournaments in Canada than anybody else. He has enjoyed some success tournament fishing in the U.S. as well, but he’s a guy that has been very successful in all aspects of making a career in the fishing industry. When I met him when I was a teenager, he was exactly in real life how he is on TV.”
Gustafson has some other rather well-known heroes who influenced his fishing passion. “I was lucky to grow up around Lake of the Woods because it’s been such a destination for anglers to visit … or simply coming there to fish and film TV shows -- Al, Ron and James Lindner. These guys are very popular multi-species anglers in the north and for years they came up to Ontario to fish some of our bass tournaments and that's how I got to know them. They have helped me out tremendously throughout my career and are still great friends today. Ron is in his 80s and is still one of the first guys to call me after a tournament, wanting to know what was going on and how I was catching fish. I have so much respect for these guys.”
Gustafson has some other rather well-known heroes who influenced his fishing passion. “I was lucky to grow up around Lake of the Woods because it’s been such a destination for anglers to visit … or simply coming there to fish and film TV shows — Al, Ron and James Lindner. These guys are very popular multi-species anglers in the north and for years they came up to Ontario to fish some of our bass tournaments and that’s how I got to know them. They have helped me out tremendously throughout my career and are still great friends today. Ron is in his 80s and is still one of the first guys to call me after a tournament, wanting to know what was going on and how I was catching fish. I have so much respect for these guys.”
Add Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer into Gustafson’s mix. “Dave, also Canadian, has created a huge following and is a good friend who I have a lot of respect for,” Gussy said. “He’s been influential to me for many years.”
Add Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer into Gustafson’s mix. “Dave, also Canadian, has created a huge following and is a good friend who I have a lot of respect for,” Gussy said. “He’s been influential to me for many years.”
“At a boat show way back in the mid-2000s in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dave brought me up on stage with him to do a seminar,
“At a boat show way back in the mid-2000s in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Dave brought me up on stage with him to do a seminar,” Gussy said. “That was my first seminar and over the years I learned a lot from Dave about public speaking and teaching people about fishing. I’m so happy he is part of the Elite Series journey with me and that he’s going to be part of my first Classic. I’m proud of how well he has done for himself.” And vice versa, we hear.