His easy laugh and nearly constant smile mask the heart of a fierce competitor. That’s who Tyler Williams is.
No doubt, the 22-year-old from Belgrade, Maine, came to Tulsa ready to compete, but his strategy for managing the first-Classic jitters comes down to perspective. The grandeur of the sport’s premier event can easily overwhelm, but Williams will do his best to keep his cool under this week’s hot spotlight.
“It’s a very big club tournament,” Williams chuckled. “It’s a club championship.”
The first Maine angler to qualify for the Bassmaster Elites — and the only Pine State pro fishing the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors — Williams finished fifth in the 2023 St. Croix Bassmaster Open Elite Qualifiers.
The easy-going rookie took a few minutes to share his Classic insights.
What’s your most vivid Classic memory?
“This is the first Classic I’ve ever been to, but watching (past events), it was always the winning moment — the confetti blast. All the emotion.”
Does the Classic environment stoke your fire?
“I don’t really know if I have fire. I just try to catch the biggest fish I can, whether I’m in a 10-boat $25 tournament or a Bassmaster Classic.”
Do you expect to see this Classic won with old-school techniques or modern sonar strategies?
“I think it’s going to be a mix of both. I think you’ll have someone skip under a dock and catch a 5-pounder and then you’ll have someone go down the bank, see a brush pile, flip in there, and catch a 5-pounder.”
You’re known as a jig guy. Will that play a big role for you in this Classic?
“I think it will. When I throw it in front of one, they bite it.
How do you see the conditions impacting this event?
“I’m just going to run my rotation, whether it’s hot or cold. When I go out there, I don’t usually have a plan and I’ve used it to my advantage more often than not where I say, ‘I just go fish stuff.’
“It sounds strange, but that’s exactly what I do, so the weather doesn’t affect me too bad.”
You’re only the second Maine angler to fish a Classic. Thoughts?
“My buddy Jonathan Carter (Portland, Maine) fished the 2013 Classic on Grand Lake and finished 17th, so I have to get 17th or above.”
Will you have family in the weigh-in crowd?
“My mom and dad (Jennie and Bob) don’t travel a lot, but they actually bought an RV for this event and they’re staying next to me at the campground. Just having them there is great because they’ve never been to a Bassmaster tournament.”
What music will you listen to on the morning rides to takeoff?
“The most aggressive rap possible. This hypes me up and gets me ready.”
Boat snacks?
“You can’t go wrong with Smuckers Uncrustables and beef jerky. I like grape Uncrustables, but sometimes you can find the ones with Nutella.”
Any words for B.A.S.S.?
“It’s crazy to see how much goes into it; how hard the people work to make it happen. I really think we need to thank them. This is a very big event. I’m happy to be part of it.”
