Transitioning from a full-time medical sales job to pursuing professional fishing full-time was the only way I could truly seize the opportunity I was given when I made the Elite Series. With that decision came a pressure unlike anything I’d ever experienced. The natural tournament pressure we all feel—the kind fueled by pure passion for the sport—was now joined by the weight of needing to make a living. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about doing what I love; it was about doing what I love and making it financially sustainable. This was a very new experience for me, I found myself doing my best to not think about it at all on the water. I like to tell myself that money doesn’t matter, but the truth is, it does. That added weight brought a different intensity to the sport, but it also made moments like lifting a fish into the boat that much more rewarding
Weathering The Waves
Fishing 15 professional-level tournaments in a single year has taught me more about catching bass than I ever imagined. But the biggest lesson wasn’t just about strategy or technique—it was about the toll it takes on both my equipment and my body. Battling big waves, enduring harsh weather, and the repetitive motion of casting have pushed me physically. My shoulders have taken the brunt of it. Years of college soccer and consistent weightlifting left me with lingering issues that fishing has only amplified. To stay competitive, I’ve had to incorporate targeted shoulder exercises and physical therapy into my routine. In hindsight, I wish I had started these exercises much earlier—they could have saved me a lot of discomfort and helped me handle the physical grind more effectively. When it comes to equipment, the solution was much more straightforward. Switching to BeatDown mounts was hands down the best investment I’ve made. Their reliability has eliminated the worry of my graphs shifting or moving in rough conditions. Knowing my gear can handle anything the water throws at it gives me one less thing to stress about and allows me to focus fully on competing at the highest level.
No Big Shop, No Problem
Renting a small space has taught me the importance of staying organized, especially with all the fishing gear I have. Every rod, reel, and tackle box has to be stored efficiently, as staying prepared directly impacts both time and money. The more organized you are, the less money you spend—when I slip up, I often find myself ordering items on the road that I already own but couldn’t find. While it can be challenging, this experience is building the discipline I’ll need to manage a larger space effectively one day. It’s also making me truly appreciate the value of space and look forward to maximizing a bigger setup in the future.
I’ve never been one to dive into the world of Japanese baits or overcomplicate my approach. Instead, I’ve always kept things as simple as possible and focused on the most important factor: finding fish. That mindset is why straight-tailed worms like the Missile Baits Magic Worm, Xzone Deception Worm, and Roboworm have been staples in everyone’s arsenal for decades. These baits are versatile, easy to use, and consistently trigger big bites.
For me, the Missile Baits Magic Worm was the game-changer in my journey to the Elite Series, accounting for 90% of the fish I weighed in during the season. I keep it simple by pairing it with a Gamakatsu Aaron Martens G-Finesse Heavy Cover Hook and spooling up with 20 lb Sunline Sniper line, allowing me to use it as both a finesse and power setup. By sticking to simple, reliable tools and focusing on locating fish, I’ve been able to stay consistent and competitive. Sometimes, keeping it stupid simple is the smartest move you can make.
I weighed in over 30 pounds three days in a row on my way to earning a Century Belt on the Elite Series. Every single fish I caught was on one bait—and no, it wasn’t a Damiki Minot-style bait! Want to see what it was? Check out the video here.
Bassmaster Elite Series professional Kyle Patrick’s sponsors include AFTCO, BeatDown Outdoors, Chaddy Boys, Douglas Outdoors, Evolve Fishing, Greenfish Tackle, Humminbird, K And K Kustomz, Minn Kota, Missile Baits, Morgan Stanley, Phoenix Boats, Powerhouse Lithium, Redfin Polarized, Sunline, and Yamaha just to name a few.
Douglas XMatrix Series
Dragging jigs, throwing chatter baits, power shotting? The Douglas XMatrix series has so many different models catering to your needs as an angler. The 745 for me is my go to rod for all things power! If you are looking to step up your rod game check out the full selection of Douglas Outdoors XMatrix Series rods here.
Getting my boat rigged every year is something that I look forward to but also despise. There is a lot of stress that I have in rigging a new boat. Mostly because I have been used to everything in my old boat and although it’s not much different, there are small tweaks I find in every new boat. One thing that stays consistent in my rigs is Power. I’ve learned with the technology we now have in fishing that POWER MATTERS A LOT. Having 16V power to all my electronics from Powerhouse Lithium has been a big deal for me. It provides cleaner, more consistent power, resulting in brighter screens and improved performance throughout the day. Addressing voltage drop—caused by smaller gauge wire or long distances—is essential to keeping your graphs running at their full potential until the very end. When you get your battery setup dialed in, everything works exactly how it should, and that peace of mind makes all the difference.
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https://bestontour.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Best-On-Tour-Logo-1920-minified.png8141920Jordan Babcockhttps://bestontour.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Best-On-Tour-Logo-1920-minified-300x127.pngJordan Babcock2024-12-05 14:12:552024-12-19 16:50:02Kyle Patrick takes over Best On Tour (Issue 301)
