Dave Mercer talks on a lot of different platforms. When I saw an opportunity to speak with him, I asked him to talk some more. “I live and breathe this,” he said, but unfortunately he also had a various coughing fits throughout our chat that almost ended that breathing.

Last year Kyle Patrick not only qualified for a second straight Classic, but turned out epic social media content and won tons of followers. I caught up with him at Lake Hartwell to try to find out what makes the poster boy for Sour Patch Kids and Ritalin tick.

Jeff Gustafson is the people’s champ, a prime example that sometimes nice guys win…and then win again. Since joining the Elite Series in 2019, he’s yet to miss a Classic, and he’s due to win another one sooner rather than later.

Since meeting her at the Swimbait Universe Gathering, we’ve consistently gravitated to Jen Kravassi of Jekyll Bait Company anytime we see her. She’s relentlessly positive, insanely talented, and always willing to give up time to share her skills and wisdom.

You may not know Mandy Pascal, but you know her work. She’s omnipresent in BASS-world, working on the company’s magazines, coordinating tournament coverage, and making sure that all of the details are perfect.

We’ve watched Melinda Mize grow up in the fishing industry and now she’s making her own impression. It’s no surprise that she’s raising her daughters to be fiercely independent and dedicated, with a subtle unnecessary nudge toward fishing.

New Hampshire is very important to my life and I was therefore thrilled when the Bassmaster Elite Series added it’s first New Hampshire pro: Tim Dube. I decided I needed to get to know him a little better, so we cornered him at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic Expo.

Mark Menendez has certainly been on tour for a quite a while, but it’s not just longevity that sets him apart – it’s the signature wins and moments. Those include a teener largemouth, massive bags of smallmouths, and a yellow lab who led the Classic.

Pat Schlapper joined the Elite Series in 2021, one of an onslaught of Wisconsin pros who got added to the roster over the course of a handful of years. Pat has made four of last five championships. We caught up with him on Media Day in Ft. Worth.

Kent Brown’s number one passion is promoting the value of western bass culture and achievements to a sometimes skeptical audience. Here's a video we shot at the Classic talking about Double Doubles, reality TV and giant spotted bass fisheries.

Neil Paul is a fixture at every major fishing event around the country, and a prime reason that Anderson, South Carolina hosts so many tournaments. He resists taking credit, but he’s a major force in the fishing industry – he’s one of those dudes who gives back and doesn’t expect anything in return except that you’ll pass on the kindness.

When Steve Kennedy isn’t fishing the Classic, he nevertheless shows up, not just to represent his sponsors but also because he loves to shop for all the latest gear. We found him in the Expo before it opened, bucket in hand, ready to drop some serious cash on hard-to-find glide baits.

Chris Zaldain always seems to be in the thick of things. Whether it’s adopting big bait culture, explaining his reasons for staying with BASS during “The Split,” or starting a must-watch podcast, he’s never short on opinions. I sat him down to ask him about some things that I didn’t think he’d addressed yet.

John Mazurkiewicz was instrumental in getting me onto the Board of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame — one of my greatest honors and pleasures – but he deserves a little bit of the spotlight that he normally shuns. We cornered him at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic so you can learn more about this industry heavy hitter.

Texas bass pro and certified Lake Fork one man wrecking crew Lee Livesay quickly went from unknown to angling phenomenon. He’s one of our sport’s greatest closers, and a threat to win just about anywhere, but at the 2025 Classic I tried to get some more info out of him.

Those of us who run Bass Cats proudly refer to ourselves as part of the BCB Family and the patriarch is Rick Pierce. His following is obsessively loyal and the boats are an extension of Pierce’s personality. I cornered Rick at the 2025 Bassmaster Classic to get some answers about more than just the boats.

While we first learned about great bass fisheries like Guntersville and Rayburn through tournaments, our intro to Grosse Savanne came through pros and major television personalities. Guys who’ve been everywhere spoke of this place in South Louisiana with awe.

For years, I have resented the full-time fishing writers. I hustle for assignments, spend my free time on the phone with anglers or behind a computer screen, and yet I still don’t have the flexibility to take advantage of the role. Every year, I turn down multiple boondoggles that I’d really like to pursue.

Casa Vieja is a “set it and forget it” experience. It doesn’t matter if the person is fish-obsessed like me, or a first-timer, or someone who just wants a perfect boat ride in gorgeous scenery. I can recommend this trip to them. It’s the one place that I’d take just about any family member and not worry about whether they’ll have a good time.

When we heard prior to our most recent trip to Casa Vieja Lodge that Captain Nicho would no longer be on the The Finest Kind, we were concerned. Just as concerning, however, was the prospect of losing his mates.