Name: Jason Hester

Age: 29

Hometown: Phil Campbell, AL

State Federation: Alabama

Division: Southern

Occupation: Machinist

Family Members: Wife, Toni Hester

Favorite body of water to fish: Guntersville

What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? God, family, and practice

Name:   Bill Lowther

Age:   62

Hometown:  Brandenburg, KY   

State Federation: Kentucky

Division: Southern

Occupation:   Retired Videographer

Family Members:   Wife – Barbara, Son - Christopher

Fishing Strengths/Techniques:  Shallow

Favorite body of water to fish:  any and all

Name:   Jeff Hager

Age:  55

Hometown:  Alexis, NC

State Federation:  NC

Division:   Southern

Occupation:  General Contractor/Homebuilder

Family Members:   Wife, Janice, and daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Patrick

Fishing Strengths/Techniques:  flipping and pitching

Favorite body of water to fish:  John H. Kerr Lake

What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career?  Being persistent in improving techniques, analyzing situations, learning to adjust to conditions, and having confidence to execute the plan.  (His wife the typist adds: having a patient wife!)

Name: Tim Austin

Age: 46

Hometown:  Williston

State Federation: Vermont

Division: Eastern

Occupation: HVAC Specialist, Water Operator, Bass Fisherman

Family Members: Shelley, Wife; Tucker, Son

Fishing Strengths/Techniques: I like sight fishing but it does not last long enough in my area.I will jig and dropshot a lot but my favorite is to Carolina rig in the deepest water possible.

Favorite body of water to fish:  Lake Champlain

What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? Lots of practice and time on and in the water. I like to dive and see why the fish are where they are and how they work together to keep the food in a area. I journal every time I fish and rely on my GPS. I am the Youth Director for the VBF juniors and it is as rewarding as winning a tournament to see them bringing in limits with huge smiles. I have been self employed since 1997 [9876] and it has allowed a good balance between work, family and fishing. It is all about compromise to be satisfied at the end of the day.