In this episode of the BAM Podcast, Ty Manterola joins Big Ed to break down his recent BAM Pro-Am victory on the Columbia River at Boardman, Oregon, where he took home a $45,000 winner’s package. Ty has established himself as one of the most consistent anglers competing in BAM events, with 10 or more Top-10 finishes and career tournament winnings that continue to climb. He talks about what the Boardman victory meant to him and his family, his goal of making professional fishing his full-time career, and the lessons he has learned competing throughout the West. The conversation goes deep into Ty’s winning Columbia River strategy. During practice, Ty located a productive grass pattern and made the decision to commit to it rather than chase fish around the river. That commitment became especially important when strong winds and changing water conditions challenged the field. Ty explains how he adjusted to wind-stirred and dirty water, including switching to a bright red Strike King Thunder Cricket. Rather than abandoning his area when conditions deteriorated, he trusted the fish were still there and waited for the conditions to improve. That decision helped produce the biggest bag of the tournament on Day Two and ultimately put him in position to win. Ty and Big Ed also discuss the mental side of tournament fishing and why fishing your own strengths can be more important than trying to duplicate what other successful anglers are doing. The episode expands into a discussion about the quality of competition in the Pacific Northwest, including talented local anglers who know the Columbia River and Northwest fisheries extremely well. Ty shares his perspective on competing against both experienced local fishermen and traveling tournament anglers. They also discuss the BAM Trail, the Super 60/Pro Tour concept, Pro-Am fishing in the West, and what it will take to continue building professional-level tournament opportunities for Western anglers. Another important topic is the BAM Scholastic Series. Ty and Big Ed discuss the opportunity for high school and college anglers to compete alongside experienced tournament fishermen, develop their skills, build relationships within the fishing industry, and compete for opportunities such as the $100,000 Simpson University scholarship. The episode closes with Ty discussing his career, sponsors, and long-term goal of making tournament bass fishing his profession.
• Ty Manterola’s BAM Pro-Am victory at Boardman, Oregon
• Winning a $45,000 Vexus/Mercury Bass Boat tournament package
• 10+ Top-10 finishes in BAM competition
• Ty’s growing career tournament earnings
• Finding the winning Columbia River grass pattern
• Why Ty committed to one area instead of running the river
• Catching the tournament’s biggest bag on Day Two
• Adjusting to wind, dirty water and changing conditions
• Using the Strike King Thunder Cricket
• The mental discipline required to stay with a winning pattern
• Fishing your own strengths instead of copying other anglers
• Managing weather and changing conditions on the Columbia River
• Competing against experienced Pacific Northwest anglers
• The depth of fishing talent in the Northwest
• Building greater recognition for Western tournament anglers
• BAM Pro-Am and Super 60 tournament opportunities
• Growing professional tournament fishing in the West
• The BAM Scholastic Series
• Opportunities for high school and college anglers
• The $100,000 Simpson University scholarship opportunity
• Ty’s goal of making tournament fishing his full-time career
• The importance of sponsors and industry support
• Support from Boardman and the local community
• What’s next for Ty and the BAM Trail
ABOUT TY MANTEROLA
Ty Manterola continues to establish himself as one of the West’s most consistent tournament bass anglers. With numerous Top-10 finishes, major tournament victories and a growing career earnings total, Ty has demonstrated his ability to compete across a wide range of Western fisheries.
His Boardman Pro-Am victory showcased both his fishing ability and tournament discipline, as he committed to a productive Columbia River pattern through difficult weather and changing conditions to secure the win.
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For bass fishing news, techniques, tournament coverage and Bass Angler Magazine, visit BassAnglerMag.com.