Adventures of the Elites

Bass fishing may be their passion, but for the Bassmaster Elite pros and their families, adventure comes in all shapes and sizes! Catch up on a year of Elite adventures.

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Bass fishing may be their passion, but for the Bassmaster Elite pros and their families, adventure comes in all shapes and sizes! <br><br>Catch up on a year of Elite adventures through photos they’ve shared via social media. We begin with Brent Chapman (left) posing for a photo with fellow angler Aaron Martens.
Bass fishing may be their passion, but for the Bassmaster Elite pros and their families, adventure comes in all shapes and sizes! Catch up on a year of Elite adventures through photos they’ve shared via social media. We begin with Brent Chapman (left) posing for a photo with fellow angler Aaron Martens.
Even when they aren’t on the water, many Elites still enjoy spending time outdoors. Hikes are a popular activity among the pros.<br><br>Brandon Card and his girlfriend hiked to Wiseman's View in Morganton, North Carolina.
Even when they aren’t on the water, many Elites still enjoy spending time outdoors. Hikes are a popular activity among the pros.Brandon Card and his girlfriend hiked to Wiseman’s View in Morganton, North Carolina.
Brett Hite and his wife Courtney stop for a photo during a hike.
Brett Hite and his wife Courtney stop for a photo during a hike.
John Murray takes a quick selfie while on a morning hike in the desert.
John Murray takes a quick selfie while on a morning hike in the desert.
Not all trails are taken on foot. Horseback riding is also popular with Elite families. Here, Alton Jones takes a photo of his family from the saddle.
Not all trails are taken on foot. Horseback riding is also popular with Elite families. Here, Alton Jones takes a photo of his family from the saddle.
Cliff Pirch’s girls enjoy an afternoon on horseback.
Cliff Pirch’s girls enjoy an afternoon on horseback.
Brent Chapman tries his luck on a mechanical bull. When in Texas!
Brent Chapman tries his luck on a mechanical bull. When in Texas!
Bass aren't the only things the Elites set their sights on. During the off-season, many of the pros and their families are also avid hunters.<br><br>Here's Chad Morgenthaler gearing up for the annual duck hunt at Pike's hunting club in Marion, Illinois.
Bass aren’t the only things the Elites set their sights on. During the off-season, many of the pros and their families are also avid hunters.Here’s Chad Morgenthaler gearing up for the annual duck hunt at Pike’s hunting club in Marion, Illinois.
Chad Pipkens doing a little clay target shooting.
Chad Pipkens doing a little clay target shooting.
A nice Ohio Buck for Bill Lowen.
A nice Ohio Buck for Bill Lowen.
Gerald Swindle on his farm near Jasper, Alabama, trying out a new bow.
Gerald Swindle on his farm near Jasper, Alabama, trying out a new bow.
Looks like Jason Christie's doing the same.
Looks like Jason Christie’s doing the same.
Brandon Palaniuk on a mission, bowhunting for elk in Idaho.
Brandon Palaniuk on a mission, bowhunting for elk in Idaho.
Bradley Roy with a big Kentucky buck.
Bradley Roy with a big Kentucky buck.
Gary Klein gets ready for archery season, hanging stands with his daughter.
Gary Klein gets ready for archery season, hanging stands with his daughter.
Klein is ready for some Texas bowhunting.
Klein is ready for some Texas bowhunting.
Jacob Powroznik after a day of shooting geese with his dad.
Jacob Powroznik after a day of shooting geese with his dad.
Swindle's locked, loaded and ready for deer.
Swindle’s locked, loaded and ready for deer.
So is Brandon Lester.
So is Brandon Lester.
The Elite kids also get in on the action. J Todd Tucker had a fun morning of dove hunting with his wife Emily and son Landon.
The Elite kids also get in on the action. J Todd Tucker had a fun morning of dove hunting with his wife Emily and son Landon.
After a day of turkey hunting with dad, Mark Davis' son Fisher brings home dinner.
After a day of turkey hunting with dad, Mark Davis’ son Fisher brings home dinner.
Marty Robinson and his boys go dove hunting.
Marty Robinson and his boys go dove hunting.
Not all outdoor Elite family adventures take place in the woods. When the temperatures start to rise, the pros and their families head for the beach. <br><br>Aaron Martens and his family went to the Cayman Islands.
Not all outdoor Elite family adventures take place in the woods. When the temperatures start to rise, the pros and their families head for the beach. Aaron Martens and his family went to the Cayman Islands.
Martens is ready for the water.
Martens is ready for the water.
And there he goes!
And there he goes!
Bill Lowen and his kids cool off in the pool.
Bill Lowen and his kids cool off in the pool.
The Tucker family is ready to do some beach fishing at Mexico Beach Pier in Florida.
The Tucker family is ready to do some beach fishing at Mexico Beach Pier in Florida.
But not before collecting some amazing sea shells.
But not before collecting some amazing sea shells.
Randall Tharp and family relaxing on the beach, building sandcastles.
Randall Tharp and family relaxing on the beach, building sandcastles.
Chad Pipkens makes a splash after ICAST.
Chad Pipkens makes a splash after ICAST.
The Crews family unwinds on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
The Crews family unwinds on Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
Daughter Ivy makes the most of their last day on the beach.
Daughter Ivy makes the most of their last day on the beach.
Martens is back in the water, this time with his kids at Richland Creek in Dayton, Tennessee.
Martens is back in the water, this time with his kids at Richland Creek in Dayton, Tennessee.
Oh Captain! My Captain! Mike Iaconelli commandeers the kiddie pool; his kids don’t seem to mind.
Oh Captain! My Captain! Mike Iaconelli commandeers the kiddie pool; his kids don’t seem to mind.
Randy and Robin Howell head back out on the water, not in a bass boat, but on a cruise ship.
Randy and Robin Howell head back out on the water, not in a bass boat, but on a cruise ship.
The Chapmans also took to the sea, playing a relaxing game of shuffleboard on deck.
The Chapmans also took to the sea, playing a relaxing game of shuffleboard on deck.
Just like the rest of us, wintry weather soon catches up with the pros. <br><br>Fred Roumbanis braves the cold.
Just like the rest of us, wintry weather soon catches up with the pros. Fred Roumbanis braves the cold.
Kevin VanDam and his boys bundle up and head outside for some major snow shoveling.
Kevin VanDam and his boys bundle up and head outside for some major snow shoveling.
Even during tournament season, there's still time to squeeze in an adventure or two. With events spread out across the country, there are always new things to see and do.<br><br>No visit to upstate New York is complete without a trip to Niagara Falls. Yusuke Miyazaki and his kids pause for a photo there.
Even during tournament season, there’s still time to squeeze in an adventure or two. With events spread out across the country, there are always new things to see and do.No visit to upstate New York is complete without a trip to Niagara Falls. Yusuke Miyazaki and his kids pause for a photo there.
So does Chris Zaldain!
So does Chris Zaldain!
Brandon Card spends a chilly day at Dollywood in foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Brandon Card spends a chilly day at Dollywood in foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.
Chad Pipkens takes in the sights of Nashville while on a bike ride before the Elite event at Dardanelle.
Chad Pipkens takes in the sights of Nashville while on a bike ride before the Elite event at Dardanelle.
Edwin Evers enjoys a ride with his son Kade at the Tulsa state fair.
Edwin Evers enjoys a ride with his son Kade at the Tulsa state fair.
Greg Vinson and his family spent a couple of days at Disney.
Greg Vinson and his family spent a couple of days at Disney.
While in New York, the Howells take in some Big Apple sights.
While in New York, the Howells take in some Big Apple sights.
Steve Kennedy and his kids, walkin’ in Memphis.
Steve Kennedy and his kids, walkin’ in Memphis.
Adventures can also take place a little closer to home. Josh Bertrand took this photo while desert fishing in Arizona.
Adventures can also take place a little closer to home. Josh Bertrand took this photo while desert fishing in Arizona.
Cliff Pirch heads out for one last summer ride with the kids before school starts up again.
Cliff Pirch heads out for one last summer ride with the kids before school starts up again.
Adventures in rebuilding: the Shorts are working on the new ‘Casa de Pink’ after the April 27th tornado that hit their hometown of Mayflower, Arkansas.
Adventures in rebuilding: the Shorts are working on the new ‘Casa de Pink’ after the April 27th tornado that hit their hometown of Mayflower, Arkansas.
Even when not bass fishing, the pros find ways to head back out onto the water.<br><br>Rick Morris holds the osprey he saved while fishing in Florida.
Even when not bass fishing, the pros find ways to head back out onto the water.Rick Morris holds the osprey he saved while fishing in Florida.
Skeet Reese caught and released a 1,000-plus-pound bluefin tuna during a fishing trip off Prince Edward Island.
Skeet Reese caught and released a 1,000-plus-pound bluefin tuna during a fishing trip off Prince Edward Island.
Look at this one!
Look at this one!
More often than not, adventures are better when they are shared. Josh Bertrand and his fiance, Chantel, got engaged this past New Year's.
More often than not, adventures are better when they are shared. Josh Bertrand and his fiance, Chantel, got engaged this past New Year’s.
In August, Keith Poche tied the knot with wife Brandy.
In August, Keith Poche tied the knot with wife Brandy.
The Iaconellis celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in October by renewing their vows...on Segways!
The Iaconellis celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary in October by renewing their vows…on Segways!
Davy Hite and his wife celebrated 29 years of marriage.
Davy Hite and his wife celebrated 29 years of marriage.
Kevin VanDam and wife Sherry enjoy an Imagine Dragons concert together.
Kevin VanDam and wife Sherry enjoy an Imagine Dragons concert together.
Chris and Holly Lane take in a day of golfing after the cancellation of Day 2 of the AOY championship.
Chris and Holly Lane take in a day of golfing after the cancellation of Day 2 of the AOY championship.
Adventures in eating! When it’s time to chow down, the Elites and their families are pros.<br><br>Here’s a plate of crayfish (also known as crawfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, or mudbugs) taken by Cliff Crochet.
Adventures in eating! When it’s time to chow down, the Elites and their families are pros.Here’s a plate of crayfish (also known as crawfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, or mudbugs) taken by Cliff Crochet.
The Cajun Baby is ready.
The Cajun Baby is ready.
So are Greg Hackney and Bobby Lane; this time for real lobster. Photo by Alton Jones.
So are Greg Hackney and Bobby Lane; this time for real lobster. Photo by Alton Jones.
The Howells find a crabcake joint with a very interesting name.
The Howells find a crabcake joint with a very interesting name.
Oakley Howell with a huge slice of boardwalk pizza.
Oakley Howell with a huge slice of boardwalk pizza.
Aaron Martens and Kota Kiriyama kick back and share a drink while swapping stories of the good ol’ days of West Coast fishing together.
Aaron Martens and Kota Kiriyama kick back and share a drink while swapping stories of the good ol’ days of West Coast fishing together.
Terry Scroggins cooks up some big ol' steaks at the Toyota USA Owners Event on Kentucky Lake.
Terry Scroggins cooks up some big ol’ steaks at the Toyota USA Owners Event on Kentucky Lake.
John Crews mans the grill for a weekend feast.
John Crews mans the grill for a weekend feast.
Bass fishing may be the top sport for these pros, but that doesn't mean they don’t enjoy being spectators on occasion. <br><br>Steve Kennedy and his family enjoy a college football game.
Bass fishing may be the top sport for these pros, but that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy being spectators on occasion. Steve Kennedy and his family enjoy a college football game.
Although he’s a Cowboys fan, Alton Jones can still appreciate a visit to Green Bay’s legendary Lambeau Field.
Although he’s a Cowboys fan, Alton Jones can still appreciate a visit to Green Bay’s legendary Lambeau Field.
Justin Lucas shows support for his San Francisco Giants while deep in Cardinal territory at a Major League Baseball postseason playoff game.
Justin Lucas shows support for his San Francisco Giants while deep in Cardinal territory at a Major League Baseball postseason playoff game.
Kevin and Sherry VanDam attend one of the biggest sporting events of the year, the Super Bowl.
Kevin and Sherry VanDam attend one of the biggest sporting events of the year, the Super Bowl.
Mike Iaconelli hams it up during his live webcast, Ike Live!
Mike Iaconelli hams it up during his live webcast, Ike Live!
While the Bassmaster Elites get into on all kinds of adventures throughout the year, at the end of the day, some of their most exciting adventures are back out on the water.
While the Bassmaster Elites get into on all kinds of adventures throughout the year, at the end of the day, some of their most exciting adventures are back out on the water.