Bassmaster July/August 2025

From colonial cartography to record-breaking Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series moments, the Pasquotank River is a waterway with stories to tell. Its name, rooted in Algonquian language, likely references the branching currents that made it vital for trade and Indigenous travel during European settlement. In the 17th century it became the political heartbeat of Albemarle, even staging religious assemblies like the Culpeper uprising. That legacy continued into Civil War skirmishes and its role in the Underground Railroad, where the enslaved secreted North through the Great Dismal Swamp, using this river as a watery escape route. Fast forward to April 2025, and Bassmaster helped write a new chapter. After more than 30 years without hosting a tournament on this body of water, the Elite Series returned on a wave of anticipation. With…

EVER WONDER WHY you like fishing so much? I really hadn’t put too much thought into until I was recently asked by a nonfishing friend who noticed my garage was stuffed with tackle. “It’s fun,” I said. Then he rattled off other fun things, like pickleball, poker, going to the movies and golf. “There’s no comparison. Fishing is better,” I replied. Then, like a toddler trying to uncover the darkest secrets of the universe, he came back with a simple, “Why?” It could have been the bourbon I was sipping at the time, but the question sunk in deeper than he likely intended. I think why we fish is a really important concept to consider, and then reconsider, often. The answer likely changes over time, but asking the question becomes…

You guys have a Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series event out of La Crosse in August, and you’re one of the anglers with the most experience out there. What are some pros and cons of that waterway? For me, there are several pros on the Mississippi River. Number one, it’s a beautiful place. I grew up in the Twin Cities, and I lived in Hudson, Wis., for a decade after college. Over time, I lost my desire to fish in the lakes and started going out on the river more because you could bury yourself in a backwater and kind of get away from the recreational traffic. The fishing is pretty good. There’s a learning curve, and it can be stingy at times. But if you get around fish, they’re generally…

July 1 National Postage Stamp Day. Spruce up your snail mail with the Freshwater Fishing Lures stamps from the USPS. 7 National Day of Rock ’n’ Roll. Plan a pilgrimage to the birthplace of rock and roll and the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid in Memphis. 15 National Gummi Worm Day. You could use today as an excuse to buy more soft plastics or to hit the candy aisle. It’s a win-win regardless. August 14 National Spirit of ’45 Day. A holiday honoring women who worked behind the scenes in World War II. 19 National Photography Day. Ditch that old smartphone and finally upgrade to the one with the camera you’ve been wanting.…

July 10-12 Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, Cherokee Lake, Tennessee 16-18 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier presented by Lowrance, Lake Erie, Michigan 23-25 St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN, Upper Chesapeake Bay, Maryland 25-26 Bassmaster Junior National Championship, Clarks Hill Lake, Georgia 26-27 Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Lake Champlain, New York 31-August 2 St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN, St. Lawrence River, New York 31-August 2 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship, Clarks Hill Lake, Georgia August 7-10 Yokohama Tire Bassmaster Elite, Lake St. Clair, Michigan 14-16 St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN, Leech Lake, Minnesota 21-24 Bassmaster Elite, Mississippi River, Wisconsin…

B.A.S.S. Conservation Director Gene Gilliland warns anglers to be more vigilant of fish health in hot weather. “Proper livewell operation is critical as water temperatures climb,” says Gilliland. Fill your livewell earlier in the day with cooler water. While the freshwater system fills the livewell, turn on the boat’s recirculating pump and run it until the livewell is full to build oxygen. Measure your livewell’s capacity and do not exceed a ratio of more than one pound of bass per gallon of water. Livewell pumps should move at least 500 gallons of water per hour to ensure maximum aeration, and dual-pump systems are recommended, as well as carrying a spare pump. Lift livewell lids regularly to allow fresh air to circulate into the compartment or vent the aspirator so it…