What Covering Bass Fishing Taught Me About Storytelling

More Than Results

Anglers bow their heads during the National Anthem at the MLF National Championship on Lake Murray.

When I first started covering fishing, I thought the stories would mostly be about results. Who won, who lost, how much they weighed, and what bait they used. I assumed the biggest moments would happen on stage during weigh-ins or trophy presentations.

But the more time I spent immersing myself in the media side of the sport, the more I realized the best stories in fishing rarely come from the leaderboard alone.

They come from the people behind it.

The Moments People Remember

Some of the most memorable moments come during long drives to tournaments, early mornings on the water, or conversations while working on tackle in a parking lot. Those moments show personality, emotion, and authenticity in a way statistics never can.

Covering fishing has also shown me how different every angler truly is. Some are loud and emotional after a big catch. Others stay calm and collected no matter what happens. Some love the spotlight, while others would rather let their performance speak for itself. Those differences are what makes storytelling interesting.  

Storytelling in Today's Fishing Industry

In today's fishing industry, storytelling matters more than ever. Fans want to feel connected to the anglers they support. Social media, podcasts, videos, and blogs have created opportunities for people to share more than tournament results. They allow fans to see the personalities, struggles, routines, and passion behind the sport.

That is part of what makes fishing unique. A single day on the water can produce excitement, frustration, humor, disappointment, and success all at once. No two tournaments, no two anglers, are exactly the same.

Through the Lens

One experience that truly changed my perspective on storytelling through fishing happened in December when I was given the opportunity to travel to South Africa to provide media coverage for the Tri-Nations Youth Black Bass World Championship through the United States Youth Bass Fishing Team.

Before that trip, I already enjoyed photography and media work within fishing, but being there made me realize just how unique the sport truly is to cover. Every day on the water brought a completely different atmosphere, from the scenery and wildlife to the emotions and intensity surrounding the competition.

During the tournament, I was able to capture multiple once-in-a-lifetime images that reminded me that storytelling is not always about words. Sometimes a single photograph can tell the entire story of a moment. The focus on an angler’s face before takeoff, the excitement after landing a fish, or even the quiet moments between casts.  

That experience pushed me to look beyond simply documenting results. Instead, I started paying more attention to emotion, perspective, and the small details people may otherwise overlook. Covering fishing taught me that the best stories often happen naturally, and sometimes the most meaningful moments are the ones nobody planned for.

Traveling internationally to cover bass fishing also showed me how connected the sport really is. Even thousands of miles away from home, the passion anglers have for competition, teamwork, and being on the water felt familiar. It reinforced how storytelling can connect people across different places and backgrounds through a shared love for fishing.

More than anything, that trip confirmed my interest in pursuing a career that allows me to continue covering bass fishing through media and storytelling. There are experiences, personalities, and moments behind every tournament that deserve to be shared.

Members of the Youth USA Bass Fishing Team celebrate and show emotion on the water in South Africa.

Finding Meaning in the small moments

As someone who has spent some time covering the sport, I have learned that the best stories often come from paying attention to the little moments. The nervous excitement before take off. The teammate helping retie a rod. The angler that stays optimistic after losing a fish that could have changed everything. Those moments may never appear in tournament statistics, but they are often what people remember most.

Fishing taught me that storytelling is not about making moments bigger than they are. It is about finding meaning in moments that are already real.

Why these stories matter

At the end of the day, big catches may grab attention, but the people and stories behind them are what truly keep audiences connected to the sport.