Generational Clash in Pro Fishing

Bass Pros Then Now

PA vs S . T

P B ro y P B e a te ss Ro F b is b ® h in i s ng in 2025:

The Kids are Alright

Summer 2025

PRESENT

1990 Rick Clunn Bassmaster Classic champion. Photo: B.A.S.S.

Rick Clunn

page 26

W

hen Easton Fothergill was

Bassmaster Classic cham

Texas, the fishing world ga of plaudits and criticism. There has been a

battle in pro bass fishing since its existen

to tackle their heroes, and veterans resen

haven’t paid their dues – but with the rise

youth fishing, and the increased level of c

board, things have only intensified. This is

The kids who loved Elvis were told by he and his music were trash. The kids wh told by the Elvis-lovers that the new thing each new type of music, there was of cou less difference than the parties would car drawn. The same happened with the mus them later ganged up against the rise of h separate true matters of opinion from fle

It didn’t help in bass fishing that so m found success so fast. Seven of the top 1 AOY race were rookies. When the not-yet (himself a 2025 Elite rookie) won the Clas was Trey McKinney, last year’s Rookie of t finisher in AOY, youngest angler to win an escaped his teens a few weeks before Ra

HOW DID WE GET HERE

I don’t give a damn ‘bout my reputati

Living in the past, it’s a new generatio

Individually, the rookies haven’t alway driven snow. Amid unproven allegations o