Bass Fishing Oct - Dec 2019 | Page 9

FATHERLY LESSONS IN BASS FISHING A t age 15, Brennon McCord and his dad, Neil, won a bass boat in an Illini Team Trail Classic. Seven years later, the McCords – father and son – celebrated an even bigger moment with an on-stage embrace after Brennon was crowned 2019 T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League All- American champion at the Potomac River. As fathers are wont to do during hours spent in a bass boat, Brennon says his dad taught him about hard work and commitment, which are obvi- ously important traits for any aspiring champion. PHOTO BY MATT PACE RACING AHEAD BY OUNCES T hey say every ounce counts in tournament bass fishing, and that was certainly the case for Blake Albertson and Adam Puckett, members of the Murray State University fishing team, when they won the 2019 YETI FLW College Fishing National Championship on the Potomac River. Shown here on the final day of the championship, the Racers needed every fish they could get to outlast a charging Bethel University team by just 3 ounces. For reference, 3 ounces is about the equivalent of a deck of play- ing cards, and playing this fish perfectly made the difference in Puckett and Albertson earning the win and berths in the 2019 FLW Cup at Lake Hamilton. PHOTO BY JODY WHITE 7