Brandon Palaniuk burst onto the national bass fishing scene in 2010 by winning the B.A.S.S. Nation national championship. Ever since, he’s been a force in all facets of the sport. Now 34, he is an established star with an impressive resume that includes five Bassmaster Elite Series victories, a Bassmaster Open triumph and a Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year title (2017).

Hailing from northern Idaho, where he was a two-time state high school wrestling champion, Palaniuk always had a passion for bass fishing. He competed in local club tournaments before earning a spot on the Idaho state team in 2010. In March 2010, he won the co-angler division at the Lake Norman FLW Tour, pocketing $20,000 in the process. The following year, he finished 4th in his first Bassmaster Classic. In 2013, he took runner-up honors in the Classic. He has competed in 10 Classics.

Off the water, Palaniuk is an avid hunter and enjoys videography and photography.