Texas A&M visits with B.A.S.S. Nation

Josh Bensema and Matt McArdle, 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series national champions, visited the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Championship in Monroe, La.

Josh Bensema and Matt McArdle, 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series national champions, visited the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Championship in Monroe, La.
Josh Bensema and Matt McArdle, 2015 Carhartt Bassmaster College Series national champions, visited the 2015 Old Milwaukee B.A.S.S. Championship in Monroe, La.
The two traveled from their homes in Texas ...
The two traveled from their homes in Texas …
... so everyone at B.A.S.S. could congratulate them on their win of this summer's national championship.
… so everyone at B.A.S.S. could congratulate them on their win of this summer’s national championship.
Hank Weldon, manager of the College B.A.S.S. program, greeted the champs ...
Hank Weldon, manager of the College B.A.S.S. program, greeted the champs …
... but it wasn't long before the three of them were talking Alabama and Texas A&M football.
… but it wasn’t long before the three of them were talking Alabama and Texas A&M football.
The Aggies like football but are usually too busy fishing to go to the games.
The Aggies like football but are usually too busy fishing to go to the games.
Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO, was on hand to congratulate the two as well.
Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO, was on hand to congratulate the two as well.
Bensema and McArdle loaded up on goodies at the Nation Championship welcome banquet. They got some Carhartt pants ...
Bensema and McArdle loaded up on goodies at the Nation Championship welcome banquet. They got some Carhartt pants …
... a Yamaha hat ...
… a Yamaha hat …
... and then not to be outdone, Skeeter put hats on top of the Yamaha hats.
… and then not to be outdone, Skeeter put hats on top of the Yamaha hats.
Bensema and McArdle share the same alma mater with B.A.S.S. conservation director, Gene Gilliland. Gig 'em!
Bensema and McArdle share the same alma mater with B.A.S.S. conservation director, Gene Gilliland. Gig ’em!
McArdle and Gilliland show off their nearly identical class rings, even though they're separated by a few decades. (Bensema will get his ring closer to his graduation date.)
McArdle and Gilliland show off their nearly identical class rings, even though they’re separated by a few decades. (Bensema will get his ring closer to his graduation date.)
Bensema and McArdle were all too happy to meet Albert Collins, the Texas representative to the championship.
Bensema and McArdle were all too happy to meet Albert Collins, the Texas representative to the championship. “I don’t know him, but I’ve been beaten by him a bunch of times,” said Bensema right before their introductions.
The three enjoyed their time together talking about fishing in Texas. None of them knew at the time that Collins would go on to win the championship a few days later.
The three enjoyed their time together talking about fishing in Texas. None of them knew at the time that Collins would go on to win the championship a few days later.
McArdle showed off just some of his loot.
McArdle showed off just some of his loot.
There they go, back to learning from the Texas master!
There they go, back to learning from the Texas master!
The next day, the college champs went to visit with the B.A.S.S. youth directors.
The next day, the college champs went to visit with the B.A.S.S. youth directors.
The two talked about what a journey it had been since their win and all the excitement they've encountered from others.
The two talked about what a journey it had been since their win and all the excitement they’ve encountered from others.
Youth directors took photos, congratulated them and asked questions.
Youth directors took photos, congratulated them and asked questions.
The youth directors work with kids in their state to get them involved in fishing, whether at the junior level, high school level and moving into college. They asked how they could prepare young anglers for college fishing.
The youth directors work with kids in their state to get them involved in fishing, whether at the junior level, high school level and moving into college. They asked how they could prepare young anglers for college fishing.
Younger anglers need to learn fishing and competition from their mentors, of course, said the pair, but even more ...
Younger anglers need to learn fishing and competition from their mentors, of course, said the pair, but even more …
... they need to learn leadership.
… they need to learn leadership.
The champions talked about how skills for speaking and presenting -- whether it's to prospective team members, club advisers, school officials or sponsors -- are the most important to develop before entering a college program.
The champions talked about how skills for speaking and presenting — whether it’s to prospective team members, club advisers, school officials or sponsors — are the most important to develop before entering a college program.
Several of the youth directors came up to talk to Bensema and McArdle ...
Several of the youth directors came up to talk to Bensema and McArdle …
... and to thank them for coming and sharing their insight.
… and to thank them for coming and sharing their insight.
The champs even got to share their experience internationally with representatives from all over the world.
The champs even got to share their experience internationally with representatives from all over the world.
Afterward, the anglers got their trophies so they could show them off while talking to fans ...
Afterward, the anglers got their trophies so they could show them off while talking to fans …
... through the B.A.S.S. Periscope and Twitter chat.
… through the B.A.S.S. Periscope and Twitter chat.
McArdle and Bensema rose when the B.A.S.S. Nation presidents came into the room.
McArdle and Bensema rose when the B.A.S.S. Nation presidents came into the room.
It was lunchtime, and the champs went through the line meeting the presidents.
It was lunchtime, and the champs went through the line meeting the presidents.
Manuel Trevino, president of the Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation, was all too happy to talk about fishing in El Salto with them. They had named El Salto as one of their
Manuel Trevino, president of the Mexico B.A.S.S. Nation, was all too happy to talk about fishing in El Salto with them. They had named El Salto as one of their “bucket list” lakes just a few minutes earlier in the Periscope chat.
After all these festivities, Bensema and McArdle went up on stage at the championship to cheers by the fans in the audience.
After all these festivities, Bensema and McArdle went up on stage at the championship to cheers by the fans in the audience.
They told Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director, that it's been a busy few months since their win and that they get recognized in unusual places. Bensema said his dentist knew who he was from seeing him on TV.
They told Jon Stewart, B.A.S.S. Nation director, that it’s been a busy few months since their win and that they get recognized in unusual places. Bensema said his dentist knew who he was from seeing him on TV.
The two then did a little bit of the weighmaster's job ...
The two then did a little bit of the weighmaster’s job …
... and joking with Weldon, who's off to the side as they take over his job for a minute, they said it's pretty easy.
… and joking with Weldon, who’s off to the side as they take over his job for a minute, they said it’s pretty easy.
Back to Texas they go! Thanks for visiting with us, guys, and good luck in your upcoming college and Open tournaments!
Back to Texas they go! Thanks for visiting with us, guys, and good luck in your upcoming college and Open tournaments!