On the Water and in the Building

Maverick Daiwa pros compete in the Bassmaster Classic, other big names in the booth

Cypress, CA (March 6, 2020) – Bass fishing fans should consider it a 2-for-1, a BOGO…or even Happy Hour! Daiwa is pleased to be backing a quartet of contenders fishing in the 50^thAnniversary Bassmaster Classic. And while those boys are probing Guntersville for paycheck sized bass, another five-pack of household bassing names will be in Birmingham, AL at the Bassmaster Classic Expo, greeting folks at the Daiwa booth. (Wear your favorite fishing cap and get that lucky thing signed!)

On the water, Daiwa will have eyes on New Market, Minnesota’s Seth Feider. A perennial Bassmaster Elite Series threat, with a trifecta of career wins, Feider will be making his third Classic appearance.

Daiwa pro Seth Feider

Bassmaster writer Ronnie Moore recently had the opportunity to pre-fish the Classic with Feider. He wrote just before jumping in Feider’s boat: “I have the opportunity to ride with Seth Feider for the final day of practice for the 2020 Academy Sports and Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. I asked him what goals he had for the final practice period on Lake Guntersville and this is what he said:

1. Learn something

2. Stay away from his one good area he already has

3. Find confidence in a bridge or two just in case that becomes a thing

4. Check the water color in different regions of the lake

Moore continued, “It’s very interesting the approach some anglers take for Classic practice. It’s not always about actually catching fish, but rather feeling comfortable in areas and patterns to then catch bass when it counts. A lot can change from the three-day practice period one week before the event. Then the changes that happen could change again from Wednesday’s practice until tournament day on Friday. You don’t want to be where the fish were, you want to be where they are headed.”

Daiwa pro Cory Johnston (Photo courtesy of Bassmaster)

Daiwa pro Chris Johnston (Photo courtesy of Bassmaster)

New to Team Daiwa, Peterborough, Ontario sticks Cory and Chris Johnston will be competing in separate boats during the Classic, but united as brotherly kindred spirits.

“I am really excited to have the Johnston brothers come on board and join our team,” said Daiwa U.S. Marketing Manager, Curt Arakawa. “They are excellent fisherman and have done really well in both Canada and the U.S. They will help strengthen our Bassmaster Elite Series staff.”

Daiwa pro Patrick Walters (Photo courtesy of Bassmaster)

Daiwa’s Patrick Walters, another Classic contender, is in his 2nd season on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Calling Summerville, South Carolina home, Walters was recently interviewed by Bassmaster writer Craig Lamb about where in the water column he expects to find Guntersville fish during the Classic: “I’m going to go with midrange. It’s prespawn and the fish want to move up, but they aren’t going to be too shallow. That is because they are still bringing the water down. I’m going to say 4-7 feet of water.”

Meanwhile, back at the Expo, bass fishing fans can meet popular Daiwa pros Randy Howell, Brent Ehrler, Ish Monroe, Brandon Palaniuk and Cody Meyer.

Howell, the 2014 Bassmaster Classic champion and a Guntersville, Alabama resident, is a 21-year veteran of the Elite Series and currently competes in Major League Fishing (MLF). Photo courtesy of MLF

Auburn, California’s Cody Meyer racked up 30 Top 10 finishes in the FLW, and now fishes the MLF.

Brent Ehrler, one of the winningest anglers in competitive bass fishing history, also competes in the MLF. Photo courtesy of MLF

Daiwa pro Ish Monroe hails from Oakland, California. He, too, fishes the MLF, and has over $2.2 million in career earnings.

Idaho native Brandon Palaniuk boasts four major career wins, competes in the MLF, but will return to the Bassmaster Elite Series next year. Photo courtesy of MLF