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MEET BUB TOSH
Bub full-body punchin’ the mats for bass
in a 2010 photo shoot Photo: Jody Only
Winter 2019
page 30
oafmautoltui-rwnianmyeenart woratrhrieoervolution by Jody Only
I
f you’ve ever heard, read or seen a Bub Tosh
interview over the past decades (and how could you
not), you know that he grew up in the bass scene with his dad – Stephen Tosh, the legendary Father of Flippin’
Dee Thomas and many other historic western greats.
“I was born and bred a tournament warrior from before
the time I was even old enough to drive; but then, you’ve
all heard me tell that story a million times,” said Tosh as he
began to discuss his fishing career.
Tosh who now lives in Modesto, Calif. has the legal name
of Stephen; but is really only known as Bub. He is quick to
point out that he is not a junior.
As a youngster, Bub ran around the early days of the
bass world, watching boats launch and kicking his feet to be
able to go. He fished teams as a youngster, fished solo as a
pro before he was the age to obtain a driver’s license and by
the time he was 24, he was the Forrest Wood Cup co-angler
champion. Severe health issues waylaid his competitive
career on Tour and kept him home in NorCal; but not off the
water completely.
In eight of the past nine years of FLW Western Division
competition, Bub has taken a top-10 finish on either the
California Delta or Clear Lake, with seven of those being top-
5’s on the tidal water. However, FLW isn’t even close to the
extent of his accomplishments.
Bub’s trophy room arguably boasts what has been called
the most first place trophies and/or plaques for a variety of
competitive bass events from anyone in the West.
But again, his fishing prowess isn’t his only notable characteristic – Bub is a bait designer credited with the Yamamoto Psycho Dad (a family reference), the Cali Roll and the Sanshouo.
Again, this isn’t his only claim to fame – he is the founder of Paycheck Baits and innovated designs such as the Nose Job, the Shank and the Transporter. Bub was a pioneer in fishing vids nearly a decade ago and maybe... just maybe, he is best known as the angler “you love to hate”.
He earns the title as he is unapologetically confident and not afraid to “Ric Flair up” from time-to time.
Regardless of public opinion, Bub’s resume backs up his talk and the 2018 season only added an exclamation point to that as took down a quick victory in the B.A.S.S. Nation Delta event, two wins in the Wild West Bass Trail pro/ams from Pedro and the Delta (sacking u a Day Two five-fish limit that went 33.08, anchored by two-ponders) and a career-defining championship at the prestigious U.S. Open on Lake Mead.
We checked in with Bub before, during and after the season and ... as we’ve come to expect, Bub did not mince words. It was usual Bub with two parts Flair, one part humble and a bit of what he called “magic” and luck.
WB: It has been an amazing year for you! We’ve talked before and after each event, you’ve talked about the “magic”, the “window”, the luck and the funerals. You told us you were going to win the U.S. Open even before the FLW Delta event. This is all in other interviews; but when you come right down