The title Cooper Gallant can be acquainted to anybody who follows event bass fishing.
The 26-year-old Bowmanville native already has greater than 35 US occasions underneath his belt — totally on the Bassmaster Elite Collection, though he mixes in another tourneys when he’s north of the border.
Previously a aggressive snow and skateboarder, Gallant gave event fishing a strive in 2012 when he signed up for the Port Perry Junior Bassmasters occasion. His first stateside event was the BASS Nation Japanese Regional Excessive Faculty Championship in Waddington, New York.
“My event associate Danny and I gained that St. Lawrence River occasion, which fuelled the hearth in attempting to determine a means to have the ability to do that for a dwelling,” he mentioned. “That event is once I realized that that is what I wished to do for the remainder of my life.”
Hooked younger
Gallant began fishing and caught his first bass at age 5. “My household moved to the shores of Lake Ontario, and I grew up fishing with my dad and brothers for a wide range of species within the native our bodies of water,” he mentioned. “I used to be positively hooked younger.”
Household nonetheless performs a robust presence in Gallant’s profession. “There’s nothing higher than seeing them within the stands and having the ability to spend time with them on the street,” he mentioned. “My dad got here with me to each single Elite occasion final yr and helps me out tremendously. It’s the little issues, like plugging in and placing the tarp on the boat, that make an enormous distinction. The assist I get from household, mates, and sponsors is superb, and on the finish of the day we’re a staff.”
Gallant’s efficiency on the event path is one among consistency. His largest wins right here in Canada have been the Canadian Open and FLW Canada Championship, but it surely was hoisting the trophy on the Bassmaster Open on Tennessee’s Cherokee Lake that was probably the most memorable. “I’ve all the time dreamed about fishing the Bassmaster Traditional, and the second I spotted I certified was a sense I’ll always remember.”
Providing inspiration
Social media and event fishing now go hand in hand however Gallant positively raises the bar with content material he produces. His YouTube channel (Cooper Gallant Fishing) provides viewers unbelievable perception into the occasions he fishes and different rod and reel adventures.
“I need to attempt to encourage different Canadians, particularly the youthful era, and present them that it’s attainable in the event you put the work in,” he mentioned. “Enhancing video content material additionally helps me be taught by seeing what I’m doing fallacious or can enhance on, akin to culling fish extra successfully or setting the hook.”
Though life on the event path might be perceived as glamorous by those that don’t fish competitively, it’s the truth is lengthy and tedious work. Gallant has by no means shied away from roughing it on the street, which is commonly vital when first beginning out.
“I spent 10 nights sleeping in a tent in the course of the Bass Open on Lake Cherokee. Someday the wind picked up and tossed my tent 50 ft into the forest. That very same week a squirrel chewed by the underside of the tent and ate all of my hamburger buns.”
When requested what recommendation he would give to younger anglers eager to observe in his footsteps, Gallant supplied the next.
“Fish and be taught as a lot as you may. Hold an open thoughts and all the time belief your intestine. Do your individual factor and be your self. Learn to create content material. And most of all, benefit from the journey and have enjoyable doing it.”
Good luck on the tourney path in 2024, Cooper. You may have a whole nation rooting for you.
Initially printed within the Spring 2024 difficulty of Ontario OUT of DOORS
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