If you don’t occasionally feel like you’ve outkicked your coverage then you are not aiming high enough. That’s what I’ve learned from a lifetime around the best anglers in the world.

I attended my first ICAST in Orlando in July of 2026. I went curious about what it would be like and left energized by the relationships that I made and the energy in the fishing industry.

Most professional bass anglers fish in between tournaments. Some of them even chase other species. But Maryland pro Bryan Schmitt may be the only one who gets paid to put people on saltwater fish. Here’s some info about his work at Loosen Up Charters.

Who has the assembled the greatest pro staff in modern professional bass fishing? We look at some past hammers and a current contender.

Kelly Eastburn Bryant is a wife, a mother of six, an operating room nurse, and someone who has made fishing an important part of her life. Her passion for the sport runs so deep that she founded Women Anglers of East Tennessee to create a community where women could learn & connect.

Skeet Reese has accolades a mile long, but one of the keys to his success isn’t necessarily obvious: It’s his passion for saltwater fishing. During a recent trip to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge I quizzed him on how this passion helped him succeed and what his plans are for the future.

I’ve been retired for six months and I think it has been a pretty successful landing spot. I look forward to building on what I’ve done, what I’ve seen and what I’ve learned as the next stage of my life continues.

Many anglers are unwilling to step out of their narrow cone of experience to chase new species in new places. Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Mike Iaconelli doesn’t fall into that camp. He’s made his name not just by winning a Classic and an AOY title, but also by being a pioneering urban angler and world traveler.

Sometimes it’s important to step back and recognize how many trophy catches I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy — thanks to trips to great places with the best captains and outfitters.

The 2005 Bassmaster Classic, held on the Three Rivers of Pittsburgh, was the third one that I attended and the second as a member of the media. Even though Mike Iaconelli won a Classic title two years earlier, it was also a milestone event for the Hall of Famer.

2009 Bassmaster Classic champion Skeet Reese and his wife Kim joined us in Panama. They’re experienced and fearless travelers, but I still wanted to get Kim’s unfiltered opinions about the fishing, safety and creature comforts.

Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Skeet Reese is a fantastic all-around angler, a tremendous host, and one of our favorite people to travel with. His wife Kim is a gem.

Inside the love story of Katelyn and Logan Parks—how the bass fishing power couple met, fell in love, and built a life together through college, tournaments, and the Elite Series grind.

I caught up with Taku Ito at Table Rock to get some insights into the US fisheries that he likes best, along with his thoughts on certain regions of the country. At least one answer provided a serious surprise.

A visit to the home of champion BASS angler OT Fears in Sallisaw, Oklahoma gave me the chance to spend time with an angling hero in his natural environment.

A lifelong Van Halen fan reflects on how iconic songs like Dreams and Right Now mirrored the journey from corporate life to a retirement filled with fishing, travel, and purpose.

Texas angler Wyatt Wimberley is chasing the Bassmaster Classic through team tournaments. Learn how partnership, strategy, and wins at OH Ivie and Lake of the Pines are fueling his journey.

I cornered Emil Wagner on Media Day prior to the 2026 Bassmaster Classic and hit him with all of the hard questions facing the sport. Fortunately, the young Georgia pro recognizes that knowledge is good and was willing to give up the meaningful dirt.

My annual trip to the Bassmaster Classic has always been about more than just competition. This year it hit me just how much can change in a few short years. I walked the Classic Expo with my extended “Classic family” member Barb Bowman, soaking in everything happening beyond the weigh-in.

2023 Bassmaster Classic winner Jeff Gustafson handled his time on the Expo floor at the 2026 Classic like a champ — which should not surprise anyone who has ever met him.