Central Calfornian Ish Monroe Wins Bassmaster Event

Ish Monroe, who hails from Hughson in Stanislaus County, won last weekend’s Bassmaster Elite event on the Mississippi River in LaCrosse, Wisc.

Here’s Monroe himself via B.A.S.S:

So, when I say that every win means more than the last one I’m saying that they are harder to come by and so I treasure them more. There’s more pride in winning against the best. It’s a feeling that isn’t like anything else I’ve ever experienced.

That feeling came over me on Saturday night after I weighed in a 17 pound sack. I knew I could put a winning bag together on Sunday if things held for me. But I also knew that anything could happen and that if I faltered, even a little bit, I wouldn’t win.  …

This win is as good as it gets. I can only imagine what it’ll be like to get another one in the future that’ll feel even better!

Here’s the release from one of Monroe’s sponsors, Maxima:

The water rose about the same speed as Monroe climbed the leader board. After an unexpected and highly frustrating boat grounding, attempting to navigate far back into the shallow back channels on day 1, Maxima Pro Staffer, Ish Monroe, converted the mishap into opportunity. Unable to reach his chosen destination, which he knew held the key to winning, Ish allowed patience to prevail. Every day he forged further into the back channels throwing frogs and topwater baits. He went from 20th, to 6th, to 3rd to the podium for the win on the final day. With a 4-day total of 65-07, he weighed nearly a pound more than the runner-up. Ish choose to cast 65-pound, Maxima Braid 8 for its durability and strength.