Easton Fothergill isn’t wasting time proving that his Bassmaster Classic win was no fluke. On the opening day of the St. Croix Bassmaster Elite on the Pasquotank River and Albemarle Sound, the 23-year-old phenom from Minnesota put on a show of patience, poise and impressive versatility, bringing a solid limit to the scales while navigating a stingy and temperamental North Carolina fishery.
Fishing tidal systems like this one is a game of timing, risk and adaptability—three qualities young Fothergill has in spades. With a blend of bold decision-making and finesse, he managed to stay in contention on a day when many struggled to put anything together.
“Fishing for me was hit or miss today,” Fothergill said shortly after weigh-in. “The best way to put it is there was a bunch of empty water but when you got around them, you’d get a bunch of bites in a hurry.”
That type of bite is something seasoned anglers understand well on tide-driven fisheries, and it played perfectly into Fothergill’s wide-ranging skill set. While some competitors opted to grind in heavily pressured community holes, Fothergill trusted his instincts—and his Yamaha outboard—to make an aggressive run to an isolated area he’d briefly scouted in practice.
“I chose to make a long run,” Fothergill said. “That’s because I have full confidence in my Yamaha that I can make it there and back and push the limits. This is one of those fisheries where that kind of thing matters a lot. In the afternoon the bite gets better, so I can push it to the absolute limit and leave for weigh-in at the very last second.”
A calculated risk pays off
Fothergill’s key area came from a moment most anglers would overlook. During the final evening of practice, he made a last-minute decision to revisit a zone he’d marked earlier in the week. What he found there turned out to be the spark he needed.
“Where I caught ‘em today, I found the area the first day of practice and I hadn’t gone back until the last evening of practice,” he said. “I rolled into there and had a big one bite right away. I didn’t really know what I found, and I really haven’t had a chance to explore the whole area yet, so I’m very excited to get out there and keep fishing.”
That blend of intuition and patience is something that’s becoming a trademark of Fothergill’s approach. While other anglers might burn through water too quickly or lean too heavily on a single pattern, he’s shown an uncanny ability to adapt and that’s what makes him dangerous in multi-day tournaments like this one.
“I originally found these fish fishing a buzzbait,” Fothergill explained. “But the wind made my area lose water which pushed them off the bank in very certain areas, at least that’s what I saw on day one. I can’t wait to fish the area again. Whether the water is high or low, I’m prepared to catch ‘em. I’m not reliant on one technique and I will continue to keep an open mind.”
That statement alone encapsulates why so many pros and fans alike are taking notice of this young angler. He’s constantly observing, adjusting and optimizing.
Weather on the horizon
Of course, success on Day 1 doesn’t guarantee anything in a tidal river event, especially with an unstable forecast looming over the rest of the tournament.
“There will be a bunch of storms coming in so there’s no telling what it does to my bite,” Fothergill said. “I don’t know if we’ll even be able to fish, to be honest.”
That kind of weather can dramatically alter water levels, clarity and even access to certain areas. But based on what we’ve seen from Fothergill in both this event and his recent Classic performance, he has the mental game and the toolbox to pivot if needed.
Fothergill’s on-the-fly ability to shift from power to finesse, shallow to deep and from moving baits to bottom presentations makes him versatile and always on the hunt for the next clue. On a fishery as complex as the Albemarle Sound and Pasquotank River system where tidal flow, wind direction and water temperature all play critical roles—versatility isn’t a luxury, it’s a requirement.
A rising star, built to last
Since capturing the Bassmaster Classic title, Fothergill has handled the increased attention with humility and focus. He’s not one to boast or rest on his laurels. Instead, he’s continued to approach each event like a student of the game; hungry to learn, willing to take risks and always thinking a few steps ahead.
This event in Elizabeth City is no different. While he’s off to a strong start, it’s clear that Fothergill is playing the long game. His comments after the weigh-in reflected both his excitement and his awareness of the challenge ahead.
You get the sense that he’s just scratching the surface. If he gets another window of opportunity or if the weather plays into his hands, this could be another signature performance from the young champion.
With three days left and the leaderboard tight, Fothergill will need to keep adapting but that’s exactly where he thrives. Whether the wind blows his fish offshore, the tide stalls the bite, or thunderstorms wash out the playbook, he’s shown that he has the tools, the temperament and the tenacity to keep chasing them down.
If Day 1 is any indication, Easton Fothergill isn’t here to defend a title. He’s here to build a legacy.
