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fisherman from learning how to cast, fish with a certain type of lure and knowing what to do at certain times of the year with certain water temperatures. Also, teaching me how to keep my cool when it’ s been a tough day on the water and things aren’ t going my way.”
In the fifth grade, Travis Elliott decided to sign the boys up for fishing tournaments. That was a good move, as both have seen major success in the sport while competing at junior high and high school championships. The two have known each other since they were very young.
“ It has meant the world to fish with Sam,” Motsinger said.“ We have been friends since we were babies and we always have loved fishing together.”
Elliott’ s and Motsinger’ s success in the sport started in 2023, when they were in the seventh grade. The boys competed in the TBJ Junior World Championship on Sooner Lake in Ponca City, Okla. They competed against 51 other teams from across the country, battling tough conditions and temperatures exceeding 102 degrees during the three-day event while trying to catch spotted bass.
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“ It was a fun week and we learned a lot about the lake,” Elliott said.“ We caught a lot of fish with about 30 to 40 a day, just to experience that lake it was so cool. It fished way different than the lakes we fish around here. And meeting all of those new people out there that are all over from different states was cool to learn about the lakes they fished.”
The duo secured the Northern Division title and earned a spot in the championship round against 11 other teams. At the final weigh-in, Elliott and Motsinger finished fourth with a two-bass limit weighing 5 pounds, 14 ounces.
MYLES MOTSINGER, LEFT, AND SAM ELLIOTT, RIGHT, WHEN THEY WERE IN SEVENTH GRADE IN THE SUMMER OF 2023 AT THE BASS FEDERATION JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ON SONNOR LAKE IN PONCA CITY, OK. THE DUO FINISHED FOURTH WITH 5 POUNDS, 14 OUNCES, WITH A TWO-BASS LIMIT.
“ It meant the world. We really couldn’ t believe it. We have been watching all of these YouTubers and we wanted to be like them when we were young kids. Now, our journey has started.”
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SEPT / OCT 2025 NEWS AND TRIBUNE SPORTS MAGAZINE PAGE NO. 17