BASSMASTERS ARE BACK! Pro Blake Smith & Calvary Church's Chris Cox Preview Legacy Night & The Tourney

·25 min·2 clips

Pro angler Blake Smith is on Leech Lake right now, struggling to find the bass he needs for the Bassmaster Open.

This episode of Paul Bunyan Country Outdoors focuses on the upcoming Bassmaster Open tournament on Leech Lake in Minnesota. Host Kevin Cochran interviews two guests: Blake Smith, a Bassmaster pro angler, and Chris Cox, administrator of Calvary Church in Walker. The conversation begins with Blake reporting from the water during practice, where he's finding bass but notes the fishing is tough compared to last year. Chris explains his role in organizing Bassmaster Legacy Night, a free community event on Wednesday before the tournament, featuring pros, giveaways like a Yeti cooler, and local business discounts. Blake details the Legacy Night concept, which has been around for five years, offering tips and stories from pros. The tournament itself runs Thursday through Saturday with over 200 anglers, including pros and locals, competing. Blake discusses his shift in strategy from fishing for a win to fishing for points to qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series through the EQ series. He describes the lifestyle of a pro angler as both rewarding and taxing, involving travel and sponsorship reliance. Chris highlights the community impact, with Walker's population swelling during the event, and local businesses like Dairy Queen participating. Blake talks about his background from Florida, starting in saltwater fishing before moving to bass tournaments. The episode includes multiple sponsor ads for local businesses like Northwood's Bait and Tackle and Westwind Resort. Chris shares his hunting preferences, and Blake mentions how many pros hunt in the off-season. They wrap up with tournament logistics, including weigh-in times and vendor setups.

As heard by us

A relaxed Leech Lake episode where Bassmaster stakes share space with a downtown Walker gathering.

Bassmasters' return to Leech Lake gives this Paul Bunyan Country Outdoors episode a practical local shape. Mandy York keeps the conversation moving between Blake Smith's push for a Bassmaster Open finish that could put him back in the Elite Series mix next year and Chris Cox's…

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Why you'd press play

You get Leech Lake tournament timing, a free downtown Walker event, and Blake Smith's hope for an Elite Series return.

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