Fantasy Fishing

Fantasy Fishing Champion takes on Elite Event

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Josh Phillips of Knoxville, Tenn., won the overall grand prize in Fantasy Fishing in 2020 with 12,209 points in his first full year competing in Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing. B.A.S.S. invited Phillips and his family to attend the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee River to get a behind-the-scenes look at an Elite Series Event.
Josh Phillips of Knoxville, Tenn., won the overall grand prize in Fantasy Fishing in 2020 with 12,209 points in his first full year competing in Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing. B.A.S.S. invited Phillips and his family to attend the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee River to get a behind-the-scenes look at an Elite Series Event.
Phillips is an avid fisherman and follows the Bassmaster Elite Series very closely.
Phillips is an avid fisherman and follows the Bassmaster Elite Series very closely.
On Days 3 and 4 of the event, Phillips attended launch at Volunteer Landing as well as weigh-ins at World’s Fair Park. On Championship Sunday, Phillips went out on the water to watch Jeff Gustafson close the door on his first Elite Series win.
On Days 3 and 4 of the event, Phillips attended launch at Volunteer Landing as well as weigh-ins at World’s Fair Park. On Championship Sunday, Phillips went out on the water to watch Jeff Gustafson close the door on his first Elite Series win.
Superstar Scott Martin is one of the anglers Phillips has cited as a favorite for his 2021 fantasy roster, and he included the Florida native on his roster for the season opener on the St. Johns River. “Sorry for letting you down,” Martin quipped to Phillips of his 73rd-place finish. Martin redeemed himself in Knoxville by placing in the top 25.
Superstar Scott Martin is one of the anglers Phillips has cited as a favorite for his 2021 fantasy roster, and he included the Florida native on his roster for the season opener on the St. Johns River. “Sorry for letting you down,” Martin quipped to Phillips of his 73rd-place finish. Martin redeemed himself in Knoxville by placing in the top 25.
B.A.S.S. had a surprise in store for Phillips. Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer hosted an interview with Phillips for Bassmaster LIVE. For many Bassmaster fans, appearing on LIVE with Mercer is second only to meeting your favorite angler.
B.A.S.S. had a surprise in store for Phillips. Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer hosted an interview with Phillips for Bassmaster LIVE. For many Bassmaster fans, appearing on LIVE with Mercer is second only to meeting your favorite angler.
Phillips took advantage of his screen time to talk a little trash with Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing guru and Inside Bassmaster LIVE host Ronnie Moore!
Phillips took advantage of his screen time to talk a little trash with Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing guru and Inside Bassmaster LIVE host Ronnie Moore!
Phillips’ interview on Saturday was part of a Saturday show streamed by more than 70,000 bass fishing fans. It was also played on the big screen in front of his hometown crowd.
Phillips’ interview on Saturday was part of a Saturday show streamed by more than 70,000 bass fishing fans. It was also played on the big screen in front of his hometown crowd.
B.A.S.S. CEO, Bruce Akin came by to tell Phillips congratulations on such an impressive feat.
B.A.S.S. CEO, Bruce Akin came by to tell Phillips congratulations on such an impressive feat.
Akin is a dedicated Fantasy Fishing player, and he won the office group in 2020. Akin took a few minutes backstage to exchange strategies and get a few tips from Phillips in his bid to repeat 2020’s winning ways.
Akin is a dedicated Fantasy Fishing player, and he won the office group in 2020. Akin took a few minutes backstage to exchange strategies and get a few tips from Phillips in his bid to repeat 2020’s winning ways.
On Day 3 of the event, Phillips was able to meet Bassmaster Elite Series pros at the tanks before they weighed in. Phillips is seen speaking with Elite Series veteran Steve Kennedy, who had the biggest bag of the tournament on Day 3. Kennedy weighed in 20 pounds, 14 ounces of Tennessee River bass.
On Day 3 of the event, Phillips was able to meet Bassmaster Elite Series pros at the tanks before they weighed in. Phillips is seen speaking with Elite Series veteran Steve Kennedy, who had the biggest bag of the tournament on Day 3. Kennedy weighed in 20 pounds, 14 ounces of Tennessee River bass.
Phillips relied heavily on John Cox in 2020 to win the overall points. “I seemed to always pick John Cox because of how good of a shallow water fisherman he is, and he even proved to do well with smallmouth,” said Phillips. He also mentioned that Cox is his favorite Elite Series pro.
Phillips relied heavily on John Cox in 2020 to win the overall points. “I seemed to always pick John Cox because of how good of a shallow water fisherman he is, and he even proved to do well with smallmouth,” said Phillips. He also mentioned that Cox is his favorite Elite Series pro.
Phillips specifically wanted to personally thank Cory Johnston for stepping up in tournaments last year to save his fantasy season and help secure his championship. Phillips chose the Johnston brothers heavily in the second half of the season in 2020. “You look at the Johnston brothers when we go up north, and it seems like those guys are unstoppable once the northern swing starts,” Phillips said. “After the first northern event at the St. Lawrence, those guys got on a roll, and I ended up picking both of them numerous times moving forward.”
Phillips specifically wanted to personally thank Cory Johnston for stepping up in tournaments last year to save his fantasy season and help secure his championship. Phillips chose the Johnston brothers heavily in the second half of the season in 2020. “You look at the Johnston brothers when we go up north, and it seems like those guys are unstoppable once the northern swing starts,” Phillips said. “After the first northern event at the St. Lawrence, those guys got on a roll, and I ended up picking both of them numerous times moving forward.”
Another favorite of Phillips is Minnesota’s Seth Feider.
Another favorite of Phillips is Minnesota’s Seth Feider.
Phillips got a front-row seat to watch the weigh-in on Days 3 and 4.
Phillips got a front-row seat to watch the weigh-in on Days 3 and 4.
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Phillips’ wife, Bethany, also watched the weigh-in from arguably the best seat in the house.
Phillips’ wife, Bethany, also watched the weigh-in from arguably the best seat in the house.
On Championship Sunday, Phillips got a picture taken with Jeff Gustafson after his dominating win.
On Championship Sunday, Phillips got a picture taken with Jeff Gustafson after his dominating win.