Skeet Reese

Raised in Northern California, Skeet Reese is arguably the most influential West Coast angler in the sport. Though his impact is much broader than his California roots. He achieved legend status for three reasons: 1) winning tournaments on multiple tours; 2) his personal style which includes the eye-catching yellow and black color scheme, his massive truck, and even dancing on stage; and 3) his successful track record of product development and signature tackle sales.

Reese had early success in western tournaments, including winning WON Bass events in 1993 and 1994, and then gaining recognition in 1997 by winning two regional Red Man Tournaments, a West Coast B.A.S.S. event and the West Coast B.A.S.S. Angler of The Year. The AOY gave Reese entry into the B.A.S.S. 150s and the Bassmaster Classic. That was the beginning of his career as a national touring pro.

Since then Reese has won eight B.A.S.S. events, three MFL tournaments and cracked the 100-pound mark four times in B.A.S.S. competitions. His career earnings of $3.9 million (B.A.S.S. and MLF) puts him in the top 5 all-time. That number goes past $4 million when you include the western tournaments. Reese claimed the 2007 Elite Series Angler of the Year title and won the 2009 Bassmaster Classic (the only western angler to win a Classic). In 2007 he missed winning the Classic by just 6-ounces.

His 2009 and 2010 Elite Series seasons ranks as one of the most dominant two-year runs in the sport’s history. During that time, he won the 2009 Classic, then made cuts in 13 straight full-field events and piled up 10 top-10 finishes, including wins at Smith Mountain Lake and Lake Guntersville during the 2010 campaign.

Reese has been on the leading edge of product development for many years, with his gear and signature tackle sales reaching $20 million dollars a year in sales. He is one of the original 15 anglers to launch Major League Fishing in conjunction with Kroenke Sports.