Kurt Mazurek

Joined: Nov 5, 2024

Kurt Mazurek writes about all things fishing and the outdoor lifestyle for Fishing On SI -a division of Sports Illustrated. Before writing On SI he enjoyed a successful career in the fishing industry, developing marketing campaigns and creative content for many of the sport’s most recognizable brands. He is a dedicated husband and father, an enthusiastic bass tournament competitor, YouTuber, photographer, musician, and author of the novel "Personal Best: fishing and life”.

Matt Arey (left) and Jamie Hartman both stepped away from the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series on May 4 due to medical issues.

Bass Fishing

“It’s Not the Technology”—Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back on Critics of Young Anglers; You’re Ignoring the Hardest-Fighting Fish in Your Local Water; and What’s the Best Way to Improve Your Fly Cast?

Jacob Wheeler and seven-year-old daughter Olivia celebrate his first REDCREST title on Table Rock Lake. On Saturday, Olivia had given her father the best advice of the tournament: "Dad, you don't have to win today. Just win tomorrow."

Bass Fishing

Jacob Wheeler's no-hooks strategy and his daughter Olivia's advice powered his first REDCREST title and $300,000 payday on Table Rock Lake.

Bass Fishing

“It’s Not the Technology”—Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back; Strange Spiny Lure Taking Over Bass Fishing; My Wife Finally Understands Why I Fly Fish After 'The Madison’

The most sage advice Jacob Wheeler received was from his seven-year-old daughter.

Bass Fishing

Jacob Wheeler's daughter had the best advice of Championship Sunday eve. Here's how the REDCREST 2026 top 10 feel about scores resetting to zero.

Jacob Wheeler fights a bass during REDCREST competition—the kind of moment built on what he calls “unseen reps.

Bass Fishing

At REDCREST, Jacob Wheeler pushes back on critics who say young anglers are winning because of technology, emphasizing the unseen work behind their success.

The top BPT pros reveal their Table Rock game plans before MLF REDCREST 2026 — including one unexpected species.

Bass Fishing

Jacob Wheeler, Dustin Connell and Spencer Shuffield reveal their Table Rock game plans before FLW REDCREST 2026 — including one unexpected species.

Freshwater

A Fly Fishing Trip to Africa Took an Unexpected Turn on Safari; The Strange Spiny Lure Taking Over Bass Fishing in 2026; I Didn’t Expect the Best Bass Fishing of My Trip to Happen at Disney World.

Freshwater

A Fly Fishing Trip to Africa Took an Unexpected Turn on Safari; REVEALED: Berkley Lab Series Baits Unveiled After Bassmaster Classic Leak; The Finesse Fishing Kit Built for Today’s Pressured Bass

Big bass, Disney backdrop—Seven Seas Lagoon delivered one of the best bites of our Florida trip.

Destinations

Discover bass fishing inside Walt Disney World, where Seven Seas Lagoon delivered some of the most surprising and productive fishing of our Florida trip.

If "The Madison" Made You Want to Fly Fish Montana, Here’s Where to Start; The Two ‘Mystery Baits’ That Defined the 2026 Bassmaster Classic; REVEALED: Berkley Lab Series Baits Unveiled After Bassmaster Classic Leak.

Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing "The Madison" in Montana; Two ‘Mystery Baits’ of the Bassmaster Classic; Berkley Lab Series Baits Revealed.

Dye was added to the scent powder for this demo only, but it paints a dramatic picture of how this baits leaves a scent trail to convince wary bass to bite.

Bass Fishing

Berkley lifts the curtain on its Lab Series baits after Dylan Nutt’s Bassmaster Classic reveal, including new minnows, worms, and scent tech.

Dylan Nutt revealed Berkley’s unreleased Lab Series bait during the final day of the 2026 Bassmaster Classic—while a strange spiny lure trend quietly spread among the field.

Bass Fishing

Dylan Nutt exposed Berkley’s unreleased Lab Series bait at the 2026 Bassmaster Classic. But a strange spiny lure—the Coike—was just as influential. Here’s what anglers need to know.

Kurt Mazurek

Joined: Nov 5, 2024

The Bassmaster Elite Series Lost Two Anglers in One Day—A Reminder of How Fast Everything Can Change

Randy Moss Has a 25-Year Bass Fishing Obsession Most Fans Never Knew About

Can a Luxury Ski Resort Be a Great Fly Fishing Destination and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

Wisconsin’s Walleye Opener Is Here—A Simple Plan to Catch Fish Fast

Bass Fishing

REDCREST Champ Wheeler Says “It’s Not the Technology” and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

Bass Fishing

No Ego. No Hooks. His First REDCREST Trophy.

Bass Fishing

Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back “It’s Not the Technology” and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

Bass Fishing

"Dad, You Don't Have to Win Today. Just Win Tomorrow."

Bass Fishing

“It’s Not the Technology”—Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back on Critics of Young Anglers

Bass Fishing

Four Species? Table Rock Has a Surprise Waiting for REDCREST Anglers

Freshwater

An African Fly Fishing Trip Takes Unexpected Turn and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

Freshwater

African Fly Fishing Takes Unexpected Turn on Safari and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

I Didn’t Expect the Best Bass Fishing of My Trip to Happen at Disney World

Fly Fishing the Madison, Mystery Bass Baits and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

REVEALED: Berkley Lab Series Baits Unveiled After Bassmaster Classic Leak

The Two ‘Mystery Baits’ That Defined the 2026 Bassmaster Classic