After the first two Bassmaster Opens of 2022, Canadian angler Cooper Gallant has a strong start toward his goal of qualifying for the Elite Series. He won the Southern Open at Lake Cherokee and is currently seventh in the Bassmaster Opens Angler of the Year standings.
Gallant nearly pulled off his Bassmaster Elite Series dream last year when he finished fifth in the Northern Opens AOY standings. Only the top three earn a berth to the Elites. The 24-year-old angler views this near miss philosophically.
“There’s something to be said about making it too early,” he said. “I have a lot to learn. The more I fish in the U.S., the better I’ll be able to do in the Elites if I ever end up making them.”
The success of Canadian pros Cory Johnston, Chris Johnston and Jeff Gustafson has been a “huge inspiration” to Gallant. Before these anglers established themselves as Elite Series standouts, Canadian fishermen believed it was impossible to succeed as a professional bass angler in the U.S., Gallant asserted.
Gallant grew up and resides in Bowmanville, Ontario, which lies on the bank of Lake Ontario about an hour east of Toronto. The close proximity to the Great Lake and the many natural lakes, swamps and rivers nearby affords him the opportunity cast for a variety of species.
While growing up, he and his older brothers, Tanner and Colin, would passionately fish from canoes and kayaks for pike, carp, catfish and bass. In the spring and fall they waded Bowmanville Creek to tangle with throngs of steelhead that swarmed in from Lake Ontario. They typically snatched up their fishing rods moments after exiting the school bus.
There were also outings in the family’s 24-foot hardtop for salmon and trout on Lake Ontario. Gallant’s zeal for multi-species fishing has never waned. When he’s not competing in a tournament, you’ll often find him casting for everything from carp to steelhead.
Gallant got hooked on bass tournaments at age 12 when he joined the B.A.S.S. Nation affiliated Port Perry Bassmasters and started competing in a bass program at St. Stephens School. He qualified for Divisional events twice, winning one of them on the St. Lawrence River. He also participated in a Bassmaster High School National Championship on Kentucky Lake.
“Ever since I stepped in a bass boat it has been incredible,” Gallant said. “I met a lot of people and made a lot of friends through those events.”
After high school he qualified for three B.A.S.S. Nation Divisionals, once as co-angler and twice as a boater. He continues to compete in B.A.S.S. Nation events, as well as in several Canadian tournament trails.
One of the first techniques he mastered was flipping a jig into wood cover, lily pads, reeds and grass in natural lakes. He claimed that fishing in Florida is very similar to fishing for largemouth in Canada. He also learned early how deadly topwater baits, spinnerbaits and drop-shot rigs are for smallmouth bass.
Since graduating from high school Gallant has worked in a factory and installed glass partition walls in offices and framed houses.
“I was super lucky to be able to work for friends who fished would and let me take time off for tournaments,” Gallant said.
He is currently fishing fulltime and plans to compete in all nine Bassmaster Opens in 2022. He claimed that tidal fisheries present the biggest challenge for Canadian bass anglers who venture to the U.S. because they have no experience with them. He feels comfortable fishing reservoirs, but he knows he has much to learn.
“You can never learn everything about bass fishing no matter how good you are,” Gallant said. “You’re always learning. That’s what’s so fun about this game. I ain’t stopping until I make the Elites.”
Gallant’s sponsors include Mercury Marine, Quick Silver, Nitro Boats, G. Loomis, Shimano, Xzone Lures, Gagnon Sports and Vanderlaan Building Products Ltd.
If you would like to view Cooper’s multi-species and tournament videos, check him out on YouTube and Instagram. He is currently filming a series called the Elite Series Chase, which consists of nine films throughout the season. Also check out his website www.coopergallantfishing.com.
