Powroznik peruses Grand Lake

Jacob Poworoznik recently spent a week idling around on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in preparation for the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Powroznik also got a behind-the-scenes look at Tulsa-based Zebco, home to Quantum rods and reels. In this photo he points to an underwater chain link fence on the bottom in 30 feet of water.
Jacob Poworoznik recently spent a week idling around on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in preparation for the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic. Powroznik also got a behind-the-scenes look at Tulsa-based Zebco, home to Quantum rods and reels. In this photo he points to an underwater chain link fence on the bottom in 30 feet of water.
Grand Lake’s numerous bluff walls will be a popular target for Classic competitors fishing jigs and suspending jerkbaits.
Grand Lake’s numerous bluff walls will be a popular target for Classic competitors fishing jigs and suspending jerkbaits.
Originally rebuilt for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake, construction crews are adding even greater improvements and final touches to the Wolf Creek Boat Ramp in Grove, Okla., in preparation for the 2016 Classic.  It is one of the largest, newest and most tournament friendly ramps in America.
Originally rebuilt for the 2013 Bassmaster Classic on Grand Lake, construction crews are adding even greater improvements and final touches to the Wolf Creek Boat Ramp in Grove, Okla., in preparation for the 2016 Classic. It is one of the largest, newest and most tournament friendly ramps in America.
Sailboat Bridge is arguably the most well known landmark on Grand Lake – and most Classic competitors will idle beneath it just after take-off as they head south to Grand’s clearer waters.
Sailboat Bridge is arguably the most well known landmark on Grand Lake – and most Classic competitors will idle beneath it just after take-off as they head south to Grand’s clearer waters.
Powroznik dabbled briefly in the plentiful shallow habitat and riprap that lines all four corners of Sailboat Bridge.
Powroznik dabbled briefly in the plentiful shallow habitat and riprap that lines all four corners of Sailboat Bridge.
The Prince George, Va., pro who loves to waterfowl hunt in the winter and chase cobia in the summer on Chesapeake Bay, takes a minute to retie a jig near the Cherokee Queen.
The Prince George, Va., pro who loves to waterfowl hunt in the winter and chase cobia in the summer on Chesapeake Bay, takes a minute to retie a jig near the Cherokee Queen.
Large gorgeous homes and boat docks are very plentiful on Grand Lake. Will docks play a factor in the 2016 Bassmaster Classic’s winning pattern?
Large gorgeous homes and boat docks are very plentiful on Grand Lake. Will docks play a factor in the 2016 Bassmaster Classic’s winning pattern?
The Quantum pro stops down lake to pitch an irresistible isolated laydown near Shangri La Resort. A lighthouse and a Phillips 66 sign stand in the background. Phillips 66 was founded 80 miles from Grand Lake, in Bartlesville, Okla., nearly 100 years ago.
The Quantum pro stops down lake to pitch an irresistible isolated laydown near Shangri La Resort. A lighthouse and a Phillips 66 sign stand in the background. Phillips 66 was founded 80 miles from Grand Lake, in Bartlesville, Okla., nearly 100 years ago.
Predictably so, a Grand Lake bluff wall yields a keeper bass in the 52-degree water.
Predictably so, a Grand Lake bluff wall yields a keeper bass in the 52-degree water.
Just like Classic competitors will do each day, Powroznik drove 90 miles down Interstae-44 from Grand Lake to Tulsa.  He was headed to visit The Zebco Brands, home to Quantum rods and reels. But first – lunch on Tulsa’s eastern fringe at Hard Rock Casino – a 2016 Bassmaster Classic host.
Just like Classic competitors will do each day, Powroznik drove 90 miles down Interstae-44 from Grand Lake to Tulsa. He was headed to visit The Zebco Brands, home to Quantum rods and reels. But first – lunch on Tulsa’s eastern fringe at Hard Rock Casino – a 2016 Bassmaster Classic host.
Powroznik had a proud history with Zebco and Quantum for many years before they sponsored him. So he was genuinely grateful to finally get to visit their headquarters. He and his dad, “Big Dave” – who sadly recently passed away – fished with Quantum’s 1310MG and Pro 3 reels back in the 1990s.
Powroznik had a proud history with Zebco and Quantum for many years before they sponsored him. So he was genuinely grateful to finally get to visit their headquarters. He and his dad, “Big Dave” – who sadly recently passed away – fished with Quantum’s 1310MG and Pro 3 reels back in the 1990s.
Once inside, Powroznik wanted to see the Performance Tuned Test Lab where the reels he competes with are put through excessive tests to find any weaknesses. The thumb bar on this baitcaster will be engaged approximately 250,000 times.
Once inside, Powroznik wanted to see the Performance Tuned Test Lab where the reels he competes with are put through excessive tests to find any weaknesses. The thumb bar on this baitcaster will be engaged approximately 250,000 times.
Bob Bagby shows of the ‘salt chamber’ where reels are tested for corrosion. Bagby is an avid angler who was originally hired as an engineer. He now leads the marketing department with 28 years of very well rounded fishing industry wisdom.
Bob Bagby shows of the ‘salt chamber’ where reels are tested for corrosion. Bagby is an avid angler who was originally hired as an engineer. He now leads the marketing department with 28 years of very well rounded fishing industry wisdom.
Joe Davis is also a passionate angler, and has been a manger in the Performance Tuned Test Lab for 14 years. He’s showing Powroznik a test to assure smooth and consistent drag performance.
Joe Davis is also a passionate angler, and has been a manger in the Performance Tuned Test Lab for 14 years. He’s showing Powroznik a test to assure smooth and consistent drag performance.
One of Grand Lake’s most unique fish is its paddlefish. They’re infamous for their unpredictable jumps above the lake surface, but are actually a treasured source of caviar that is processed under strict regulations by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
One of Grand Lake’s most unique fish is its paddlefish. They’re infamous for their unpredictable jumps above the lake surface, but are actually a treasured source of caviar that is processed under strict regulations by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Powroznik studies a room full of reels that have been field-tested by serious anglers, and cataloged for engineering reference.
Powroznik studies a room full of reels that have been field-tested by serious anglers, and cataloged for engineering reference.
Every pro angler that visits the Performance Tuned Test Lab is asked to sign the shatterproof glass walls of the ‘rod test chamber.’
Every pro angler that visits the Performance Tuned Test Lab is asked to sign the shatterproof glass walls of the ‘rod test chamber.’
Powroznik doesn’t hide his Quantum pride – writing “amazing rods & reels” indelibly above his signature.
Powroznik doesn’t hide his Quantum pride – writing “amazing rods & reels” indelibly above his signature.
Considering some of the greatest snowfalls in NE Oklahoma take place in early March, this test may apply more directly to the upcoming Bassmaster Classic than any other. Reels are tested between negative 15 and +15 F to make sure lubricants don’t freeze.
Considering some of the greatest snowfalls in NE Oklahoma take place in early March, this test may apply more directly to the upcoming Bassmaster Classic than any other. Reels are tested between negative 15 and +15 F to make sure lubricants don’t freeze.
Inside the warmer confines of The Zebco Brands museum, Powroznik holds a very early version of a Zebco 33 reel that’s 62 years old.
Inside the warmer confines of The Zebco Brands museum, Powroznik holds a very early version of a Zebco 33 reel that’s 62 years old.
Powroznik points proudly to his mentor and close friend, 2000 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Woo Daves – one of the earliest members of the Quantum Pro Team.
Powroznik points proudly to his mentor and close friend, 2000 Bassmaster Classic Champion, Woo Daves – one of the earliest members of the Quantum Pro Team.
One of the coolest moments of Powroznik’s visit was finding a replica of the Quantum Pro 3 reel he used to win his first tournament. It was an event on Santee Cooper, and Woo Daves had given him the reel.
One of the coolest moments of Powroznik’s visit was finding a replica of the Quantum Pro 3 reel he used to win his first tournament. It was an event on Santee Cooper, and Woo Daves had given him the reel.
Powroznik’s productive visit winds-down with a look at the future. Here he discusses reel designs with Product Manager, Michael Whitman.
Powroznik’s productive visit winds-down with a look at the future. Here he discusses reel designs with Product Manager, Michael Whitman.
Just before Powroznik’s departure, the conversation shifted to Powroznik’s preferred lengths on the butt end of a high quality series of Quantum rods.
Just before Powroznik’s departure, the conversation shifted to Powroznik’s preferred lengths on the butt end of a high quality series of Quantum rods.