Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops

Who is Brett Preuett?

Get to know the reigning Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Champion.

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He’s the reigning Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Champion from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and earned himself a ticket to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, but who is Brett Preuett? Take a glimpse into Preuett's world off the water.
He’s the reigning Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Champion from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and earned himself a ticket to the 2015 Bassmaster Classic, but who is Brett Preuett? Take a glimpse into Preuett’s world off the water.
Most of Preuett’s days begin at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department, where Miss Wilma, Major Mike Moore and Miss Marilyn tell him what vehicles need shuttled or washed, or an errand that he can help with to make their family-like atmosphere function even smoother.
Most of Preuett’s days begin at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department, where Miss Wilma, Major Mike Moore and Miss Marilyn tell him what vehicles need shuttled or washed, or an errand that he can help with to make their family-like atmosphere function even smoother.
Preuett’s character, humility, and work ethic have made him an admired soul among the top brass in Ouachita’s Parish’s Sheriff Department that includes Sheriff Jay Russell, Chief March Mashaw, Colonel James Purvis, and Craig Rambin. Note the largemouth on Sheriff Russell’s wall.
Preuett’s character, humility, and work ethic have made him an admired soul among the top brass in Ouachita’s Parish’s Sheriff Department that includes Sheriff Jay Russell, Chief March Mashaw, Colonel James Purvis, and Craig Rambin. Note the largemouth on Sheriff Russell’s wall.
Preuett next to one of the many vehicles he shuttles for maintenance, washing and to run errands in.
Preuett next to one of the many vehicles he shuttles for maintenance, washing and to run errands in.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe Library is one of the campus' most beautiful buildings, but for Preuett, having water nearby is a must.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe Library is one of the campus’ most beautiful buildings, but for Preuett, having water nearby is a must.
A press clipping detailing his national championship win still hangs in the marketing laboratory where Preuett logged many hours while earning his master's degree.
A press clipping detailing his national championship win still hangs in the marketing laboratory where Preuett logged many hours while earning his
master’s degree.
Marketing professors Dr. Thomas DeNardin and Dr. Bruce Walker share a proud friendship with their former student.
Marketing professors Dr. Thomas DeNardin and Dr. Bruce Walker share a proud friendship with their former student.
You’ll struggle to find anybody prouder of Brett Preuett than ULM team advisor Ralph Swillie (right). “Brett slept in lot of bad hotels and fished out of a lot of less than perfect bass boats to get where he is. He was willing to grind for it. And truthfully, he’s responsible for most of the money this team won in the early years that kept us afloat.” Current ULM fishing team leader and nursing major, Brian Eaton (left), is working hard to sustain the ULM fishing team’s awesome success.
You’ll struggle to find anybody prouder of Brett Preuett than ULM team advisor Ralph Swillie (right). “Brett slept in lot of bad hotels and fished out of a lot of less than perfect bass boats to get where he is. He was willing to grind for it. And truthfully, he’s responsible for most of the money this team won in the early years that kept us afloat.” Current ULM fishing team leader and nursing major, Brian Eaton (left), is working hard to sustain the ULM fishing team’s awesome success.
Preuett was studying for a final exam a couple years ago, when close friend Daniel Echols interrupted with news that bass were schooling in front of the drain pipe in Bayou DeSiard on campus.
Preuett was studying for a final exam a couple years ago, when close friend Daniel Echols interrupted with news that bass were schooling in front of the drain pipe in Bayou DeSiard on campus.
These days, Echols and Preuett continue their friendship over brisket sandwiches and twice-baked mashed potatoes at Portico in Monroe. Echols is now a commercial lender at Community Trust Bank.
These days, Echols and Preuett continue their friendship over brisket sandwiches and twice-baked mashed potatoes at Portico in Monroe. Echols is now a commercial lender at Community Trust Bank.
A shelf in Preuett’s tiny bedroom tells his story well. Lots of bass fishing trophies, Carhartt clothing, a graduation photo and a Bible.
A shelf in Preuett’s tiny bedroom tells his story well. Lots of bass fishing trophies, Carhartt clothing, a graduation photo and a Bible.
Two special lures sit atop the Bible in Preuett’s bedroom. A Chug 'n Spook Junior that served as a keepsake from his team fishing partner Paul Clark and wife Haley’s recent wedding, as well as the lure that helped him win the Carhartt College Bass Series Championship.
Two special lures sit atop the Bible in Preuett’s bedroom. A Chug ‘n Spook Junior that served as a keepsake from his team fishing partner Paul Clark and wife Haley’s recent wedding, as well as the lure that helped him win the Carhartt College Bass Series Championship.
Unless he’s wearing Carhartt shorts, you’ll nearly always see Preuett wearing cowboy boots. From left to right, they include elephant, alligator, caiman belly, and B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer’s favorite -- stingray. Mercer has already challenged Preuett to wear them in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
Unless he’s wearing Carhartt shorts, you’ll nearly always see Preuett wearing cowboy boots. From left to right, they include elephant, alligator, caiman belly, and B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer’s favorite — stingray. Mercer has already challenged Preuett to wear them in the 2015 Bassmaster Classic.
When asked to choose his favorite lures, Preuett chose a W.E.C. crankbait for bouncing off shallow cover, a Deps Buster K frog, a 1/2- ounce flipping/pitching jig, and a 6-inch Bucca Shad that he ties to 50-pound braid or 25-pound fluorocarbon.
When asked to choose his favorite lures, Preuett chose a W.E.C. crankbait for bouncing off shallow cover, a Deps Buster K frog, a 1/2- ounce flipping/pitching jig, and a 6-inch Bucca Shad that he ties to 50-pound braid or 25-pound fluorocarbon.
It’s not all glamorous when competing as a cash-strapped college kid. The reel Preuett used to win the Carhartt College Series National Championship was missing a portion of the handle.
It’s not all glamorous when competing as a cash-strapped college kid. The reel Preuett used to win the Carhartt College Series National Championship was missing a portion of the handle.
Preuett believes life’s greatest blessings aren’t decided or chosen by us. The entrance of a deer-hunting, criminal justice major named Sarah into his life exemplifies that. They met while delivering bicycles as prizes for a Drug Abuse Resistance Education kid’s fishing derby the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department was hosting. Brett weighed all the kids’ fish.
Preuett believes life’s greatest blessings aren’t decided or chosen by us. The entrance of a deer-hunting, criminal justice major named Sarah into his life exemplifies that. They met while delivering bicycles as prizes for a Drug Abuse Resistance Education kid’s fishing derby the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Department was hosting. Brett weighed all the kids’ fish.
Former ULM fishing team member Blake Deron is one of Preuett's closest friends. “I’d probably be real good at fishin’ if I’d stop huntin’, gardening, playing guitar, making jigs and workin’ on my Jeep,” said Deron.
Former ULM fishing team member Blake Deron is one of Preuett’s closest friends. “I’d probably be real good at fishin’ if I’d stop huntin’, gardening, playing guitar, making jigs and workin’ on my Jeep,” said Deron.
Preuett is currently driving a truck that’s cantankerous to start, with a heater that doesn’t work. So the fishing industry worked together to loan him a 2014 Toyota Tundra with a 381 hp V8, and a 20-foot, Mercury powered, Nitro Z-8 to compete in the upcoming Bassmaster Classic and 2015 tournament season.
Preuett is currently driving a truck that’s cantankerous to start, with a heater that doesn’t work. So the fishing industry worked together to loan him a 2014 Toyota Tundra with a 381 hp V8, and a 20-foot, Mercury powered, Nitro Z-8 to compete in the upcoming Bassmaster Classic and 2015 tournament season.

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