Fothergill claims Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers AoY Title | Bass Angler Magazine

ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Just over a year ago, Easton Fothergill was recovering from emergency brain surgery, unsure if he would ever be able to fish again. Now, he has achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a Bassmaster Elite Series angler, securing the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Angler of the Year (AOY) title with 1,606 points.

The Grand Rapids, Minn. native’s remarkable season included victories at Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma and his home fishery of Leech Lake, along with five more Top 25 finishes. Reflecting on his season, Fothergill said:

“It was super cool how it unfolded. I really didn’t think I was capable of this, but here we are.”

In a full-circle moment, Fothergill competed closely with Cody Meyer, a longtime pro and someone he admired as a young angler.

“(Opens pro Cody Meyer) came to my hometown of Grand Rapids, Minn., when I was in eighth grade, and I went up to him and met him. I told Cody that, and he didn’t remember it, but it was a really big moment for me. He is someone I have always looked up to, and for me and him to go neck and neck was a super cool experience.”

Overcoming Obstacles

Fothergill’s path to the Elite Series was filled with challenges. After undergoing emergency brain surgery just a month before the 2023 College Classic Bracket presented by Lew’s, Fothergill wasn’t even sure if he could compete. Despite the odds, he won the tournament, which earned him paid entries into the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens and set him on the path to the Elite Series.

“The craziest part is, without winning the Classic Bracket, I wouldn’t have even been here this year,” Fothergill said. “Then to come here and have the year that I had, it is a crazy feeling.”

In addition to his AOY title, Fothergill finished 16th at the 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors.

Strategy and Growth

Heading into the final event of the season at Lake Martin, Fothergill held a narrow lead over his mentor, Cody Meyer. His 17th place finish in the event secured enough points for the AOY title.

“These were the first tournament days of the whole season where I really felt nerves. I was sitting there shaking going out because I wanted to win Angler of the Year so bad. It wasn’t a good feeling trying to accomplish my job on the water.”

Throughout the season, Fothergill learned the importance of balancing his competitive drive with strategic thinking. At times, this meant focusing on accumulating points rather than aiming solely for victories.

“I have grown leaps and bounds as an angler,” he said. “Just changing my mindset of trying to win every tournament to sometimes, ‘Hey, I have to grab a limit just to grab some points.’ You have to play the long game in the Opens.”

This mindset shift was key to his success, particularly after a disappointing second day at Santee Cooper Lakes:

“I bombed Day 2 of that tournament because I had a really good Day 1 and some big bed fish. I went all in on those bed fish to try and get a Top 10, and it really bit me. But I learned from my mistake there and made sure I had limit holes at each tournament.”

His season began with feelings of doubt, especially when he looked around at seasoned anglers like Meyer, Dakota Ebare, and Scott Martin. However, a seventh-place finish at Lake Okeechobee gave him a confidence boost.

“I felt like the complete underdog at Okeechobee. Feeling like I maybe didn’t belong and wasn’t ready yet. To have that good finish there changed my mindset, and I felt like, ‘OK, I might be able to do this.’”

Despite this early success, doubts lingered, especially after a challenging event at Santee Cooper Lakes. But his season turned around after a strategic adjustment at Logan Martin, where he finished 25th. This set the stage for his breakthrough win at Lake Eufaula.

“I honestly don’t know if that feeling has totally disappeared, but my win at Eufaula was when I finally thought I was good enough to compete at this level,” he said. “I thought those first couple tournaments might have been a fluke. I kept having good finishes, and it didn’t feel real.”

The muddy conditions at Eufaula, far from his comfort zone, pushed Fothergill to trust his instincts:

“Eufaula was really not in my comfort zone with how muddy it was and how it laid out. To have that good of a finish, that is really what showed me I’m versatile enough to compete and maybe make things happen.”

Looking to the Future

Throughout the season, Fothergill followed his instincts, which he credits for much of his success:

“Moments like Logan Martin where I made a complete game plan change on Day 2 and threw everything out the window to do something new, it was stuff like that all season that made the difference. It was just gut feelings. Trusting that all year long has led me to this.”

Now, Fothergill is eagerly anticipating the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series, a dream he’s had since childhood.

“Just to spend every day on the water with all of the guys I have watched on TV my whole childhood is something I’m super looking forward to, and hopefully I can make a career out of it.”

Easton Fothergill’s inspiring journey from a hospital bed to the Elite Series is a testament to resilience, determination, and trusting one’s instincts.

Fothergill’s Top 4 Presentations from 2024

• A Neko rig
• A jighead minnow
• A Drop Shot
• A Jig.

2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix

2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN

2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC

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Source: https://bassanglermag.com/fothergill-claims-bassmaster-elite-qualifiers-aoy-title/

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