LAST LOOK

Casey Ashley, Hooked

the 2015 Bassmaster Classic champ (and a three-time Elite Series winner), Casey Ashley caught his first fish—a crappie—at the age of four. Since then, the now 32-year-old Donalds, SC native (and Costa Sunglasses ambassador) has catapulted to fishing fame.

And, when he volunteered to sing the national anthem one day at takeoff, Ashley also caught the ear of famed songwriter Rodney Clawson. Clawson then wrote a song called “Fisherman” about the pro-fishing lifestyle that he wanted Ashley to sing—and the two recorded it in Nashville as a single in 2008. Naturally, that tune became Ashley’s theme song on tour.

Here, he fills us in on his passion for fishing, big bass, and optimal vision.

Photo courtesy of Costa Sunglasses

Key visual needs out on the water?

Number one is eye protection. Number two is having a comfortable frame that fully covers your eyes to let little sun in but that is also light enough to wear for 14 to 16 hours a day.

Go-to Costa Sunglasses?

Fantail 580P copper lens.

Why fishing?

The challenge of making them bite something they aren’t supposed to bite. I also like finding them. Anyone can pretty well catch a fish, but I like to find them and make them bite. It’s the chase.

Hardest bass ever hooked?

A peacock bass. It’s the hardest-fighting fish I’ve ever hooked. The biggest bass I ever caught was 11 lbs., 14 oz. on Clear Lake in California.

Biggest career accomplishment?

Winning the Bassmaster Classic on my home lake (South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell).

—Erinn Morgan