PROFILE :
EMIL
WAGNER
MARIETTA , GEORGIA
The winner of the 2023 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine All-American wasn ’ t born in America , but his journey from across the pond to REDCREST 2024 is about as American as it gets . Emil Wagner was born in Denmark and moved to the U . S . as a toddler , where he became the first in his family to get into fishing . Now 25 years old , Wagner established himself as a skilled regional pro through the BFLs and Toyota Series ( 13 Top 10s ), then hit a new level of success when he won the 40th All- American on Lake Hartwell in June .
That seems like only the beginning for the Marietta , Georgia , angler . Here ’ s what he had to say when MLF writer Matt Naber caught up with him during a break in his summer guiding schedule on Lake Lanier .
QA &
Belated congratulations on winning the All-American in June . You not only won the 40th edition of a grand old tournament but took home $ 122,300 and an invite to REDCREST 2024 . How do you sum up those things and what they mean to you ?
REDCREST was big . The money is awesome , but the trophy and RED- CREST is what I was there for , and I ’ m jacked up for REDCREST . I grew up watching those guys fish , and to fish
By Matt Naber
against them is incredible . I don ’ t know much about Lay Lake since I ’ ve only been there once . But it has spotted bass , and I ’ m super excited for that .
Has it really hit you yet how much potential that big cash prize and those two championship berths might mean to you ? You told MLF . com Managing Editor Jody White that you want to fish for a living . I can ’ t think of a better boost than winning the All-American .
This is excellent . I guide full time , so I have that five to six days a week , and when I ’ m not guiding , I ’ m at a tournament . The ( All-American ) money is huge ; I invested some of it and it will help keep me going . REDCREST will be
88 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2023