SAM ELLIOTT, LEFT, AND MYLES MOTSINGER, RIGHT, HOLD UP THEIR WINNING BASS AFTER THE AUG. 9, 2025, INDIANA BASS FEDERATION YOUTH SOUTH TRAIL TITLE AT ROCKY POINT MARINA IN CANNELTON. BOTH ARE SOPHOMORES IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HAVE BEEN COMPETITIVELY FISHING SINCE THEY WERE IN FIFTH GRADE.
HIGH SCHOOL ANGLERS
REEL IN SUCCESS
Story by Patrick Murphy / Photos Submitted
It was nearly a decade ago when Sam Elliott and Myles Motsinger began their fishing journey.
Elliott, 15, and Motsinger, 16, started from humble beginnings. Both were introduced to the sport when they were around 5.
“ When I was five, I went over to a little lake in our neighborhood with my older brother [ Owen Tanksley ] and all of his friends,” Motsinger said.“ I caught a 6 1 / 2-pound bass, and that was real special to me.”
Meanwhile, Elliott’ s passion for fishing flourished when he went on trips with his dad, Travis Elliott. He wore fishing clothes on the boats and smiled broadly.
“ My dad was showing me a lot about it and then I picked it up,” Elliott said.“ He has helped me learn our lakes around here because he has fished them all of his life. He taught me how to become a better
PAGE NO. 16 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE SEPT / OCT 2025