Shaine Campbell had reservations when he ponied up deposits for the 2023 Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifier tournaments. At age 36 he thoroughly enjoys life in Brookland, Texas, with his wife Callie and two children. He worried that the time away from home could be disruptive. Would the EQs be a foolish waste of time and money?
His second-place finish at the first EQ event on Alabama’s Lake Eufaula has alleviated his concerns. He currently holds first place in the Opens EQ point standings.
“It’s a validation that I’m good enough to be doing this,” Campbell said.
Most bass addicts get hooked early in life. Campbell didn’t get the bass bug until age 22.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, he lived his first five years in the Lone Star State. Thereafter, his father’s occupation in the oil and gas industry moved his family about the country and across the Atlantic to Africa. He finished high school in France before returning to Texas.
“I’ve always loved fishing,” Campbell said. “If there was water to fish, I was going to fish it.”
After living in California for brief stint, the Campbells moved to Colorado where they stayed put for several years. During this time, Campbell and his father, John, often fished together in Colorado and Montana.
“We did everything from fly fishing for trout to walleye fishing on Fort Peck with my uncles,” Campbell said. “We have family in Montana who have property next to the West Fork of the Stillwater River.”
Campbell has fond memories of fly fishing the Stillwater for trout alongside his father, grandfather and uncle. Occasionally, they would pack into the mountains and cast for trout in pristine mountain lakes.
When Campbell was 15 his family relocated to Gabon, a French speaking country on Africa’s west coast. It lies on the equator. He and his father indulged their fishing passion by trolling offshore for wahoo, sailfish and mahi-mahi. They also hand-trolled spoons behind a Zodiac inflatable boat in mangroves for barracuda and snapper.
Campbell’s time in Africa was limited to one year. Because Gabon offered few educational opportunities, he attended a boarding school in France over the next three years. This put a hold on his fishing. While there, he refined the French he learned in Gabon and became fluent in the language.
After graduating from high school in France, Campbell moved with his family to Houston, Texas. He enrolled at Lone Star College with the intention of becoming a land surveyor. He also worked as a waiter in one of Houston’s French restaurants. His ability to articulate menu items in perfect French likely swelled his gratuities.
He met Callie while working at the restaurant. Her parents were frequent patrons, and she often accompanied them. Campbell became smitten with her.
Callie’s father, David, an avid bass tournament angler, introduced Campbell to the sport. It proved an immediate addiction. Campbell caught his first bass, a 4-pounder, while fishing with his future father-in-law at Sam Rayburn.
“I caught it on a drop shot from the edge of a grass line behind Bird Island,” Campbell said. “I can’t remember my birthday, but I’m like Rain Man when it comes to remembering where I’ve caught fish.”
Over the next several years, Campbell competed regularly in local and regional bass tournaments that ranged from small club events to competitions that drew 300 boats. He learned quickly and enjoyed success. He also tested the waters of the Bassmaster Opens three times before signing on for the 2023 EQs.
Besides fishing tournaments, he also went about the business of making a living. He dabbled in a variety of jobs including surveying to real estate. He claimed he’s always had “entrepreneurial aspirations.”
In 2015 he teamed up with Jeff Rood to establish the Tackle Addict store near Lake Livingston. While working there, Campbell befriended Texas Bassmaster Elite Series pro Keith Combs. They have fished a few team tournaments as partners.
“Keith has definitely encouraged me,” Campbell said. “Anytime you get in boat with guy like that it has so much value. I’ve learned a lot from him.”
Six years ago, Campbell and Rood established another Tackle Addict story on the south end of Sam Rayburn. Campbell sold his interest in Tackle Addict last year, which gave him the freedom to pursue all nine EQ tournaments. He now guides on Sam Rayburn for bass and crappie. You can find him on Facebook by searching for Sam Rayburn Slabz.
When Campbell signed on to fish the EQs, his main goal was to win one of the tournaments and qualify for the Bassmaster Classic. His second-place finish at the first EQ has changed his perspective.
“My dream is to walk across that Classic stage before I’m done,” Campbell said. “But now I’m more focused on my second goal, and that’s to qualify for the Elites and pursue a career as a professional angler.”
Campbell’s current sponsors include Skeeter Boats, Seaguar and Owner. That list is likely to grow substantially should he continue to have success in the EQs.
