JEFF GUSTAFSON

Where do you spend most of your time fishing?

Lake of the Woods, Ontario.

When did you first start fishing?

I started fishing at a young age, thanks to my dad and Grandpa getting me out there. They gave me access to the water and I fell in love with it! I fished my first tournament (Kenora Bass International) at 10, did my first guide trip at 14 and have lived my life on the water.

What is your favorite species to fish?

Bass.

If you had to build the ultimate tackle box with only five lures, what’s in it?

Chatterbait, Topwater, Ned Rig, Minnow (Smeltinator Jig) and Jerkbait.

What is your favorite Lund model and why?

The 2075 Pro-V Bass is my favorite model because it's a legit fishing machine. It's my office and serves me well for tournament competition - the big deck, huge storage, good live well and thoughtful design. It is also a great boat for when I'm at home and want to fish for other species like walleye, musky and crappie and when I want to do a guide trip at home, I can comfortably bring three or four people out, thanks to the jump seats in the back. It's a great boat for me!

If the bite is tough, what’s your go-to strategy to turn things around?

Keep hunting until I find biters. Often, we worry too much about our baits when we should be worrying about making sure we're putting our bait in front of fish. They usually let you know if they're around.

When you’re not fishing, what’s something you love to do?

I'm a huge hockey fan - Pittsburgh Penguins and Winnipeg Jets. Also enjoy hunting and being in the outdoors.

What's the most underrated fishing technique that more people should be using?

The jig head/minnow. This combination...a Smeltinator Jig and a Z-Man JerkshadZ has helped me win over $500,000 in my career! It works for bass everywhere and its always part of my arsenal when chasing walleye, lake trout and pike. Just make sure that minnow is rigged up nice and straight on the jig head.

What’s one fish you still have on your bucket list?

Golden Dorado.

What is your favorite fishing memory and why?

Winning the 2023 Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville, Tennessee. For anybody that fishes competitively, winning that tournament is the ultimate dream. It was surreal event and one that thousands of hours on the water went into.

What is your go-to rod and reel setup?

Favorite combo is a G. Loomis NRX+ 842 (7ft M) and Shimano Stella 3000 reel - it is the nicest combo I own and one that I use for a lot of different techniques.