There are family photos to prove Vexus® Boats pro Brandon Card has been flipping through the pages of bass fishing magazines since age three, perhaps dreaming of being on the front cover of 500,000 copies of Bassmaster Magazine where he finds himself this month at age 38.
Now a pro for 14 years, the University of Kentucky grad who calls High Rock Lake, NC home has notched two 4th place finishes in recent Elite Series events on Lake Fork, and graciously shared his thoughts about being on the front cover of the magazine he grew up reading, and what fans can expect at this week’s Bassmaster Elite event.
Q: When did you first learn Dalton Tumblin’s photo of you landing a smallmouth on Lake Saint Clair would be on the cover of Bassmaster Magazine?
Card: Editor James Hall called me about a month before it printed to make sure my sponsors and jersey were still consistent with those shown in the photo, and at first, I thought it was for the media guide or website. Then he told me it was for the cover of Bassmaster, and I was fairly speechless. I’m just so grateful.
Q: You’ve done very well on Fork, notching two Top 5s in recent years. Why does this place suit you so well?
Card: When the fish are mostly done spawning and head away from the shoreline, it kind of fishes like Cherokee and Douglas in East Tennessee where I grew up. Both of those top finishes here recently took place away from the shoreline.
Q: Lake Fork is an iconic big bass lake, what’s the biggest bass you have ever caught, and what’s the biggest bass you have ever caught on Lake Fork?
Card: My biggest bass ever was a 9-pound 12-ounce giant on a plastic craw at Kissimmee, FL, but my biggest bass on Fork was 8-pounds 8-ounces on a forward-facing sonar minnow.
Q: What’s your forecast for what fishing fans can expect on Fork this week?
Card: The lake is full, but it’s still a fairly small reservoir compared to other places we fish, so guys will still be fishing close to one another, and it’s still going to take over 100 pounds to win.
Q: You were one of the very first pros to run a Vexus Boat. Five years later, what do you love most about it?
Card: That’s easy – the super comfortable AirWave® seats that cushion the shock from waves, and the massive amounts of storage.
Q: This Sunday is Mother’s Day. You’re super close to your mom and your bride, Kelly. How will you celebrate Mom’s Day as a touring pro away from home?
Card: We’ve agreed that if I’m in contention to win, that Kelly is flying to be here Sunday. That would be incredible! And yes, you’re right, my mom and Kelly are both my greatest fans, not just when I do well, but also to cheer me on and encourage me after the tough tournaments.
