Bass Angler Magazine Podcast

Rich craft Gets his first Super 60 win on Brownlee Reservoir

Episode Summary

Fresh off his impressive victory at the BAM Super 60 on Brownlee Reservoir, Rich Craft joins the BAM Podcast to discuss the tournament that earned him a $50,000 payday. Rich shares how a change in tournament strategy—focusing on quality over quantity—transformed his competitive fishing career and helped him dominate one of the West’s toughest professional fields. Rich explains how he unlocked Brownlee’s post-spawn smallmouth bite using forward-facing sonar, a drop shot rig with Yamamoto Shad Shape Worms, and precise structure fishing that produced the tournament-winning fish. He also discusses his transition to Nixon’s Marine and Caymas Boats, the importance of sponsor relationships, and the contingency programs that reward anglers for success. The conversation looks ahead to the upcoming Super 60 stop at Tri-Cities, where Rich discusses expected fishing patterns, potential winning techniques, and why it’s one of his favorite fisheries in the Pacific Northwest. Mark Lassagne also provides an update on his recovery following emergency gallbladder surgery and talks about returning to host the Tri-Cities Super 60 event, while discussing the continued growth of the BAM Super 60 television series and live event production.

Episode Notes

Brownlee Super 60 Championship

• Rich Craft recaps his dominant Brownlee Reservoir victory.
• Winning the $50,000 first-place prize.
• Why he chose a weight-first strategy instead of chasing numbers.
• How advice following a difficult rookie season changed his tournament approach.

Tournament-Winning Pattern

• Finding key offshore structure during practice.
• Using Forward-Facing Sonar to locate structure instead of individual fish.
• Drop shot setup featuring Yamamoto Shad Shape Worms.
• Natural shad colors and quarter-ounce weights.
• Fishing depths from 20–35 feet.
• Catching four of his final-day fish from one key area.

Brownlee Reservoir Breakdown

• Why post-spawn conditions lowered tournament weights.
• Adjusting to deeper fish.
• Smallmouth behavior during late June.
• How patience and confidence led to victory.

Sponsorship Changes

• Transition from Phoenix Boats to Caymas Boats.
• Partnership with Nixon’s Marine.
• Toyota of Puyallup sponsorship.
• GSM Outdoors and Yamamoto support.
• How contingency programs add significant value for professional anglers.

Looking Ahead to Tri-Cities

• Expected winning patterns.
• Topwater opportunities.
• Spinnerbait, swimbait and drop shot techniques.
• Potential for giant largemouth and quality smallmouth.
• Why Tri-Cities is one of Rich’s favorite tournament destinations.

Rich Craft’s Story

• From trout fishing to competitive bass fishing.
• Joining a bass club in 2013.
• Purchasing his first bass boat in 2017.
• Nine career tournament victories.
• 2024 State Champion.
• Qualifying for the Ultimate Angler Championship at Guntersville.

Mark Lassagne Update

• Recovery following emergency gallbladder surgery.
• Returning for the Tri-Cities Super 60.
• Behind-the-scenes look at producing BAM live broadcasts and television coverage.
• Plans for continued growth of the BAM Super 60.

Sponsors Mentioned

• Nixon’s Marine
• Caymas Boats
• Toyota of Puyallup
• GSM Outdoors
• Yamamoto Baits

Topics Covered

• Brownlee Reservoir bass fishing
• BAM Super 60
• Professional bass fishing
• Tournament strategy
• Forward-Facing Sonar
• Drop shot fishing
• Smallmouth bass
• Post-spawn fishing
• Tri-Cities bass fishing
• Bass tournament preparation
• Professional angler sponsorship
• West Coast bass fishing