Lucas and Martens visit B.A.S.S. headquarters

The two most recent Elite Series champs, Justin Lucas and Aaron Martens, visited the B.A.S.S. headquarters May 28 to participate in a chat with fans.

Aaron Martens, who won the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, met with B.A.S.S. employees at the company headquarters in Birmingham, Ala.
Aaron Martens, who won the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Havasu presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels, met with B.A.S.S. employees at the company headquarters in Birmingham, Ala.
Martens chatted with staffers about the blackbird pattern.
Martens chatted with staffers about the blackbird pattern.
Justin Lucas, winner of the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River, signed the big poster that was just printed in honor of his win.
Justin Lucas, winner of the Sacramento Bassmaster Elite at Sacramento River, signed the big poster that was just printed in honor of his win.
Lucas talked to Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., ...
Lucas talked to Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., …
... as well as to tournament staff.
… as well as to tournament staff.
Then Lucas and Akin started telling fish stories.
Then Lucas and Akin started telling fish stories.
Some of the staffers gathered around for a photo op.
Some of the staffers gathered around for a photo op.
Photos of Lucas' win were put out for autographs ...
Photos of Lucas’ win were put out for autographs …
... as were photos from Martens' win.
… as were photos from Martens’ win.
And another group photo!
And another group photo!
Lucas told employees that he was glad he had never won a big tournament before because it meant more to win in front of his hometown crowd at Sacramento.
Lucas told employees that he was glad he had never won a big tournament before because it meant more to win in front of his hometown crowd at Sacramento.
The best part of his win, he said, was afterward when he went to his grandparents' house, 10 minutes away from the weigh-in site, and 50 of his closest friends and family members were there waiting for him with pizza and champagne.
The best part of his win, he said, was afterward when he went to his grandparents’ house, 10 minutes away from the weigh-in site, and 50 of his closest friends and family members were there waiting for him with pizza and champagne.
Both pros were in the Top 12 in the back-to-back events.
Both pros were in the Top 12 in the back-to-back events.
Martens said he was really happy to win on Havasu after his second-place finish the week before at Sacramento.
Martens said he was really happy to win on Havasu after his second-place finish the week before at Sacramento.
Martens autographed his photo for employees.
Martens autographed his photo for employees.
The pros chatted a little more before getting ready for their chat.
The pros chatted a little more before getting ready for their chat.
Lucas and Martens sat down for the first time we've ever had a live video chat incorporated into the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat.
Lucas and Martens sat down for the first time we’ve ever had a live video chat incorporated into the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat.
Fans submitted questions via the comments on the page and via Twitter.
Fans submitted questions via the comments on the page and via Twitter.
Both pros were at times amused by the questions ...
Both pros were at times amused by the questions …
... laughing and picking on each other ...
… laughing and picking on each other …
<p>... and sometimes answered very thoughtfully. See the full Twitter transcript <a href=
… and sometimes answered very thoughtfully. See the full Twitter transcript here and view the video here.