The Cast: Denny Brauer through the years

Tune in for the premiere of The Cast: B.A.S.S. Superstar Denny Brauer Saturday, Jan. 18 on FS1.

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Captions by
Craig Lamb
Until 1998, Denny Brauer had recorded finishes of second, third, fourth and fifth places in his 15 previous Bassmaster Classics. That would change in 1998, when Brauer won the Classic on High Rock Lake with 46 pounds, 3 ounces. 
With bonuses, Brauer earned $151,000 for the win. The former bricklayer won doing what defined his success, which was using the flipping technique in heavy cover using his signature Team Daiwa Denny Brauer flipping rod. 
Brauer took the already proven West Coast born technique and refined it even further, mastering the use of a skirted jig, tube jigs and eventually creature baits. 
Brauer’s stellar B.A.S.S. resume includes 17 wins across 34 years and 319 events. Brauer has 10 second- and third-place finishes apiece, and 198 times in the money. His career earnings stand at $2.5 million. 
Brauer ranks third in all-time B.A.S.S. wins behind Kevin VanDam (25) and Roland Martin (19). 
Brauer has 21 Classic appearances, with the two runner-up finishes (1999, 1992) tying the same streak held by Tommy Biffle, Rick Clunn and Ricky Green. 
Brauer was known for swinging for the fences in every tournament he fished, from his first event 1980 until his final B.A.S.S. tournament in 2014. Finishing 80 times in the Top 10 and cashing a check 198 times out of 319 events fished provides the proof. 
Of the 17 wins that define that attribute, Brauer said, “I always fished to win and was never afraid to lose.” 
“Honestly, that attitude enabled me to win about one-half of those 17 wins. It was either all or nothing.” 
Brauer’s first B.A.S.S. win came in 1984 on Sam Rayburn in Texas, and not surprisingly using the flipping tactic. He then posted wins in 1985 (Lake Chickamauga), 1986 (Sam Rayburn), 1987 (Kentucky Lake) and pictured here in 1990 at the Tennessee Bassmaster Top 100 on Chickamauga. 
In 2002, Brauer won the Alabama Bassmaster Tour on Lake Eufaula with a weight of 55 pounds, 13 ounces. With bonuses, his paycheck was $110,000. 
And not surprisingly, he scored the win fishing in heavy cover with heavy tackle. 
In 2011, Brauer won his 17th and final B.A.S.S. event at the Elite Series Diamond Drive on the Arkansas River. 
Brauer won the tournament with 52 pounds, 2 ounces. It was a nail-biter. Brauer and a contingent of pros elected to pass through two locks to reach their areas on the final day. Brauer checked in six minutes late, got credit for 7 pounds, 5 ounces, enough to stay ahead of runner-up Aaron Martens by 7 pounds. 
The win was meaningful for Brauer, 62 years old at the time. Only Rick Clunn (69, 72) ranks ahead of Brauer in terms of oldest to win an Elite. 
Brauer finished 47th at the 2007 Classic held on Lay Lake in Alabama (pictured). He would go on to compete in the 2010 and 2012 Classics before retiring that year. 
“While I will not ever fully retire from this great sport that has been my passion for so many years, it is time for me to step down from competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series,” he announced at the conclusion of the season.