Good luck charms for the Classic

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We asked several Classic contenders if they had a good luck charm they rely on for tournaments. They were eager to share. Elite Series pro Drew Cook said that was an easy question! He always has Pete the Coot decoy ...
We asked several Classic contenders if they had a good luck charm they rely on for tournaments. They were eager to share. Elite Series pro Drew Cook said that was an easy question! He always has Pete the Coot decoy …
Cook found Pete, his lucky Coot decoy, while practicing for the Kissimmee Chain Bassmaster Open event. He grabbed it up out of the water, tucked it under the passenger seat, and thought nothing more of it. Turns out, Cook placed third in that derby, and went on to qualify for the Elite Series the same year. Now, Pete tags along with Cook for every tournament.
Cook found Pete, his lucky Coot decoy, while practicing for the Kissimmee Chain Bassmaster Open event. He grabbed it up out of the water, tucked it under the passenger seat, and thought nothing more of it. Turns out, Cook placed third in that derby, and went on to qualify for the Elite Series the same year. Now, Pete tags along with Cook for every tournament.
Every time Brandon Lester opens the center storage locker of his Phoenix, he is reminded of what he is fishing for. Placed on the back of the locker door are images of him and his family, which keep him focused and motivated.
Every time Brandon Lester opens the center storage locker of his Phoenix, he is reminded of what he is fishing for. Placed on the back of the locker door are images of him and his family, which keep him focused and motivated.
Randomly found at the boat ramp before the Classic practice day take off, Mark Menendez has himself a new lucky penny. The near future shall tell how lucky this new penny really is.
Randomly found at the boat ramp before the Classic practice day take off, Mark Menendez has himself a new lucky penny. The near future shall tell how lucky this new penny really is.
“The Love Bird.” Cody Hollen received this as a Valentine's Day gift from his girlfriend as a new good luck charm.
“The Love Bird.” Cody Hollen received this as a Valentine’s Day gift from his girlfriend as a new good luck charm.
This may be the smoothest, coolest feeling rock known to man, but we may never know because I was not allowed to touch it. Patrick Walters found this rock while taking a dive in the lake to cool off during a day of fun fishing and decided to keep it. After the season Patrick had last year, he isn’t questioning its supernatural abilities.
This may be the smoothest, coolest feeling rock known to man, but we may never know because I was not allowed to touch it. Patrick Walters found this rock while taking a dive in the lake to cool off during a day of fun fishing and decided to keep it. After the season Patrick had last year, he isn’t questioning its supernatural abilities.
Mike Huff attended his first Bassmaster Classic as a spectator with his grandfather back in 2004. This was the moment Huff decided fishing the Classic was his ultimate goal as an angler. Later down the road, Huff started fishing the Bassmaster Opens, and was doing well. Huff told his granddad, “I just have one more Open event to do good in, and I’ll make the Elite series. After that, I just want to fish the Classic.” His grandfather responded: “You will.” Turns out, that was one of the last conversations Huff had with his granddad ...
Mike Huff attended his first Bassmaster Classic as a spectator with his grandfather back in 2004. This was the moment Huff decided fishing the Classic was his ultimate goal as an angler. Later down the road, Huff started fishing the Bassmaster Opens, and was doing well. Huff told his granddad, “I just have one more Open event to do good in, and I’ll make the Elite series. After that, I just want to fish the Classic.” His grandfather responded: “You will.” Turns out, that was one of the last conversations Huff had with his granddad …
Now, he keeps a photo of his grandfather, who died 2 years ago, taped to the bottom of his storage locker.
Now, he keeps a photo of his grandfather, who died 2 years ago, taped to the bottom of his storage locker.
At the Elite Series tournament on Kentucky Lake, Jake Whitaker made his first Elite Series cut. That same tournament, his dad purchased these fish beads for $1 and gave them to Jake. Now, these fish beads have stayed with him in the boat as a little extra good luck charm.
At the Elite Series tournament on Kentucky Lake, Jake Whitaker made his first Elite Series cut. That same tournament, his dad purchased these fish beads for $1 and gave them to Jake. Now, these fish beads have stayed with him in the boat as a little extra good luck charm.
A Dum Dum lollipop was given to Jamie Hartman before he won the Elite series event on Guntersville last year. Hartman didn’t think much of the lollipop, until the same guy happened to find him before this event, giving him another one for good luck. Could this be some extra luck that gives Hartman two in a row on Guntersville?
A Dum Dum lollipop was given to Jamie Hartman before he won the Elite series event on Guntersville last year. Hartman didn’t think much of the lollipop, until the same guy happened to find him before this event, giving him another one for good luck. Could this be some extra luck that gives Hartman two in a row on Guntersville?
It’s beat up, banged up, and taped up. But ...
It’s beat up, banged up, and taped up. But …
... David Mullins never leaves without his lucky rod that never lets him down.
… David Mullins never leaves without his lucky rod that never lets him down.
Josh Busby’s father-in-law found a unique piece of lead while working construction some years ago, then his uncle took that piece of lead and made a custom hair jig with it as a gift. Before leaving for the Classic, Busby’s father-in-law gave him this hair jig, passing it down, and informing him that it was once his good luck charm, and that it’s 50 years old. Could this be Busby’s good luck charm for the 50th Bassmaster Classic?
Josh Busby’s father-in-law found a unique piece of lead while working construction some years ago, then his uncle took that piece of lead and made a custom hair jig with it as a gift. Before leaving for the Classic, Busby’s father-in-law gave him this hair jig, passing it down, and informing him that it was once his good luck charm, and that it’s 50 years old. Could this be Busby’s good luck charm for the 50th Bassmaster Classic?
A gold necklace given to Skylar Hamilton by his grandmother is Hamilton's good luck charm. Stated on the necklace: “my guardian angel.”
A gold necklace given to Skylar Hamilton by his grandmother is Hamilton’s good luck charm. Stated on the necklace: “my guardian angel.”
Matt Arey keeps a drawing made by his kids taped to the bottom of his storage locker. This is not only a good luck charm, but also a constant reminder of what he is fishing for.
Matt Arey keeps a drawing made by his kids taped to the bottom of his storage locker. This is not only a good luck charm, but also a constant reminder of what he is fishing for.
Seth Feider keeps a couple of good luck charms in the boat. One is of Seth Feider royalty ...
Seth Feider keeps a couple of good luck charms in the boat. One is of Seth Feider royalty …
... the other, a book on sasquatches. The world may never know.
… the other, a book on sasquatches. The world may never know.
Two years ago, Chris Zaldain was fishing a Bassmaster Kentucky lake tournament when he caught a 7-pounder under a bridge. Zaldain made this sign after catching this fish to hold up to the camera for his mom, who was battling cancer at the time. Chris’s mom died a couple months later after her health took a turn for the worse. Now, Zaldain keeps this sign in his boat as a reminder, and for good luck.
Two years ago, Chris Zaldain was fishing a Bassmaster Kentucky lake tournament when he caught a 7-pounder under a bridge. Zaldain made this sign after catching this fish to hold up to the camera for his mom, who was battling cancer at the time. Chris’s mom died a couple months later after her health took a turn for the worse. Now, Zaldain keeps this sign in his boat as a reminder, and for good luck.
You can barely make out the words, but written on Hunter Shryock’s console are the words “figure it out.” This was an expression he heard numerous times from his parents while growing up. This was something that has always stuck with him and taught him to be good at figuring things out on his own, without help, and without giving up. When things get rough on tournament days, this is a reminder that giving up, or being clueless is not an option. Instead, he better “figure it out.”
You can barely make out the words, but written on Hunter Shryock’s console are the words “figure it out.” This was an expression he heard numerous times from his parents while growing up. This was something that has always stuck with him and taught him to be good at figuring things out on his own, without help, and without giving up. When things get rough on tournament days, this is a reminder that giving up, or being clueless is not an option. Instead, he better “figure it out.”