We asked our Elite pro staffers to help design a “Dream Tackle.” A Reel and Rods they would want in their hands during clutch time of a must-win tournament. One they could count on to consistantly outperform and over-deliver. The result? Pinnacle’s new Tournament Class Reels and Rods.
Dave Wolak
Dave Wolak turned pro in 2004, and by the end of 2005 he was Bassmaster Rookie of the Year. In 2006, Dave proved he could challenge the world’s best fishermen by winning the Bassmaster Americantournament. In just six years as a professional angler, he has earned nearly $800,000 in career winnings. Dave became a Pinnacle Fishing pro staffer in October 2009, and not long after that, captured his second major BASS victory at the 2010 Bassmaster Northern Open on Lake Champlain. He credited Pinnacle rods and reels for playing a major role in his success at the event. In addition to his two BASS wins, Dave has 12 top-ten BASS finishes and two FLW “top tens” under his belt. He finished the regular season 23rd out of 93 Elite Series anglers – securing a spot in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Dave currently lives with his family in Wake Forest, North Carolina. If he’s not fishing or working for his sponsors, you may find him playing catch with his son or running on the beaches of the North Carolina coast.
Paul Elias
A renowned figure in competitive bass fishing, Paul is still a threat to win any professional angling event he enters. This Bassmaster Classic champion has won six BASS majors, an FLW tournament and a Bass Pro Shops Legends trophy. Known as one of the sport’s premier crankbait specialists, Paul is actually a master at landing fish using a variety of techniques. Since joining the Pinnacle Fishing pro staff in 2009, Paul’s performance on the BASS Elite Series tour has earned him a coveted spot in the 2011 Bassmaster Classic. This will be the 15th time Paul has fished the Classic over an impressive career that has spanned more than 30 years. Despite his many achievements in professional bass fishing, Paul remains surprisingly humble and approachable. When not competing in tournaments, he teaches others how to improve their angling skills through a series of bassfishing workshops he conducts each year. A Mississippi native, Paul currently resides with his wife and children in Laurel, MS.
John Crews
A rising star on the BASS Elite Series and PAA tours, John has also enjoyed success on the FLW trail. His drive and talent has propelled him to the top of the professional fishing world in a relatively short period of time. John turned pro in 2002, and since then has amassed nearly $800,000 in career winnings. He has fished in four Bassmaster Classics and two FLW championship events. John claimed his first major BASS victory in March 2010, edging out Skeet Reese in the “Duel at the Delta.” Along with that prestigious win, John has two “thirdplace” finishes, 14 “top-10” finishes and 24 “top 20” finishes to his credit. John was a top contender for BASS Angler of the Year honors in 2010, finishing 12th in overall points out of 93 Elite Series anglers, qualifying for the post-season, and earning a spot in the 2011 Classic. A Virginia native, John currently resides in Salem, VA with his wife and two children.
Grant Goldbeck
A fierce competitor on the BASS tour, Grant hasbeen fishing since the age of two. A Maryland native, he qualified for the Elite Series through his successes in the Northern Opens. A natural athlete, he also wrestled and played soccer and baseball while growing up in Silver Springs, Maryland. He became a Pinnacle Fishing pro staffer in October 2009, and has contributed greatly to the design and development of Pinnacle’s new Tournament Class tackle lineup. Grant’s versatility allows him to excel in all types of angling situations, but his favorite is offshore structure fishing. After living his entire life in Maryland, he recently relocated to Boerne, Texas with his wife and 5-year-old son.
Britt Myers
Another up-and-comer on the BASS Elite Series trail, Britt has two “top-10” finishes,nine “top-20” finishers and 23 “top-50” finishes in BASS tournament competition. He turned pro in 2006, after earning the right to compete in the Elite Series by excelling in the BASS Southern Opens. Britt joined Pinnacle Fishing pro staff in October 2009, contributing his fishing knowledge and expertise to the design and development of Pinnacle’s new Tournament Class reels and rods. He considers himself a skilled “allaround angler,” but he loves fishing shallow water more than anything else. In addition to his notoriety as a professional fisherman, Britt is known for two other things – his ever-present smile and CS Motorsports, an auto customization business he started at the age of 19. Britt resides in Lake Wylie, South Carolina with his wife and two children.