Alabamian Kyle Welcher believes that competing in a bass tournament is a bigger gamble than playing poker. Considering that this 25-year-old bass addict supports himself solely by tournament fishing and playing Texas hold ’em, his opinion is based on personal experience. “Poker is a lot more math based because I know exactly how many cards are in the deck,” Welcher said. “Going into a tournament, I don’t know for certain where the bass are or what they are about to do.” Welcher is passionate about both of his professions, but bass fishing is his first love. Kyle Welcher is the 2023 Bassmaster Angler of the Year.

“God first, family, fishing, outdoors,” Brent Butler always says, “All I ever wanted to do was compete. I may never be able to do it for a living and that’s okay. I’m content.” That desire to compete began early in Butler’s life, ever since he saw a Bassmaster tournament on TV for the first time. “I used to walk the banks with my dad,” he recalls. “He would take me to the local Thursday night tournament whenever I was 13 or 14 years, and I would stand there with two rods in my hand just wanting to compete … I got turned down so much, but I didn’t quit. I said, ‘someday you’ll know who I am.” HCB Yachts partnered with experience-enabling, product expert and professional angler, Brent Butler to build the most revolutionary bass boat to date.

Joe Thomas. also known as the Bob Ueker of bass fishing, brings a stout resume to Ultimate Match Fishing. After a 25-plus year career on both the Bassmasters and FLW circuits, highlighted by a landmark All-American victory in ’90 that saw Thomas cash one of the first 100K checks in the sport, Thomas has made the ultra-smooth transition to television. Calling play-by-play for Ultimate Match Fishing is just part of his job. He also hosts the critically acclaimed program Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors on Outdoor Channel. In his spare time, he hosts the legendary hunting series American Archer, also seen on Outdoor Channel. As a matter of fact, Thomas completed the North American 29, which you can see on MyOutdoorTV. It’s a little known fact that Thomas doesn’t sleep. Ever.

At just 24-years old Kyle Hall is not only a highly competitive angler on the pro circuit with notable sponsors, but also owns and operates his own storefront business in Granbury, Texas with the launch of Tri-Lakes Tackle Town in early 2021. Kyle’s first PRO Circuit tour is a testament to the effort and determination to succeed he applies to all aspects of his life. Launching his pro career with a 142nd-place finish at Sam Rayburn Reservoir didn’t deter Kyle’s spirit. He rapidly moved up the ranks ending 10th in overall points and was awarded Major League Fishing FLW Rookie of the Year for 2021. Kyle believes in giving back to the community. The love of the outdoors and of fishing that was instilled in Kyle as a kid is never far from his mind. Wanting others to have these same opportunities, he started a charity for local kids to promote and sponsor competitive fishing for children and teens.

Keeble’s dad and Papaw started taking him fishing by the time he could walk, later his papaw bought a 19ft aluminum boat and that’s when him and his dad started getting Keeble into bass fishing on Ft Loudon Lake. By the time he was 10 or 11 Keeble was fishing local tournaments with his dad and fell in love with the competition. From there it grew into High School tournaments, where Brent Butler was also the fishing coach at the school he fished for. After graduation he began fishing the Bassmaster Opens chasing the dream of qualifying for the Elite Series. Keeble came up with the original Idea for “The Lodge with a Garage” and has been with the family-owned operation ever since. Since PB Lodge opened on Lake Chickamauga in March of 2021 Keeble has overseen all day-to-day operations as well as marketing campaigns and customer relations. As of January 2024, he has been working with launching PB Lodge into the endeavor of franchising and growing the brand nationwide.

“At some point you dreamed of this” he had a mentor in the fishing industry tell him this several years ago after a bad finish at his first ever Bass Open, he reminded Keeble of when he was in high school how bad he wanted to just have a shot at getting to chase his dream and whether it was a good event or a bad event. Ever since then that has constantly reminded Keeble of the passion he has for the sport and what got him started.

Cameron started fishing at a young age. He grew up fishing in his great grandparent’s farm pond with his family. He fell in love with fishing instantly and started fishing competitively at the age of 11. Cameron has grown up in or around central Ohio all his life, but his multitude of fishing adventures have allowed him to travel and experience fishers all over the country. Cameron competed in both youth and high school tournaments for 8 years, competing in 3 national championships for high school as well as winning a state championship his senior year. His tournament experience at Ohio State has been one of his favorite decisions ever. The friends and connections he made will last a lifetime and hopefully help him continue his pursuit of professional bass fishing after college. Outside of tournament fishing Cameron loves to hunt in the winter months, it usually gets too cold to fish in Ohio during the winter. He grew up both hunting and fishing for as long as he can remember.

“Through mutual connections I got the chance to meet the team at iKon and it felt more like a family than a company. This along with their passion to provide the highest quality bass boat in the market made me fall in love with the company and I am proud to represent them wherever I go.” – Cameron Smith

“My favorite quote would be: ” If it’s meant to happen then it will happen”, this is something my dad and I discuss prior to a tournament no matter of the practice I have. All you can do is go give it your 110% and see how it shakes out at the end.” – Cameron Smith