Auburn’s Lucas Lindsay reels in big dreams after Bassmaster Opens success

AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) – Auburn’s Lucas Lindsay is reeling in more than fish these days — he’s reeling in results. After four demanding tournaments in Division 1 of the 2025 Bassmaster Opens, the 26-year-old sits atop the points standings. That finish secured him one of just 50 coveted spots in the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers, a proving ground for anglers with their sights set on the sport’s top level.

For Lindsay, it’s the culmination of years of work that started not on professional circuits, but in neighborhood ponds around Auburn. He was only four years old when his family moved from Athens to a house with water nearby, and he’s been hooked on bass fishing ever since. Inspired by TV shows and YouTube clips, he spent countless afternoons casting from the bank, dreaming about one day fishing against the best in the world.

From Auburn High to national competition

In fourth grade, Lindsay met Logan Parks, now a Bassmaster Elite Series angler. The two became inseparable “bike-riding bass buddies,” exploring neighborhood and golf course ponds. By 2011, they co-founded the Auburn High School bass fishing team, laying the groundwork for what’s now a thriving program.

From there, tournaments became a way of life. He went on to Auburn University, fished on the college team, and earned Angler of the Year honors in 2019. Now, after topping the Opens, he’s preparing for the Elite Qualifiers in September, October, and November — with stops at Lake Champlain in New York, Lake Wheeler in Alabama, and Lake Okeechobee in Florida.

“This is my first year fishing the Bassmaster Opens. I won Division 1 in the points, and now I’m advancing to the Bassmaster Elite Qualifier tournaments this fall,” Lindsay said. “Out of about 100 anglers, the top 10 advance, and that’s what I’m shooting for.”

How the Elite Qualifiers work

Unlike the Opens, which are three-day events, the EQ format mirrors the intensity of the Bassmaster Elite Series itself. The pressure comes from managing resources on the water — and making every cast count. “Making sure you don’t burn fish,” Lindsay said.

Looking for sponsors

Despite the momentum, Lindsay is still self-funded. “That’s the support from friends and family. But I have gone self funded, pretty much, looking for sponsors,” he said. “I’ve had some pretty good success this year, and I’m going to start looking for people that want to invest in me, you know, as Lucas Lindsay, and going on to the next level.”

“It’s not all about what they can do for me. It’s what I can do for them — how can I share their product or their business? Something I look forward to is building these relationships and finding the right people.”

His strongest teammate

Behind every long day on the water is his wife, Sarah. The two met in high school, began dating in 2017, and married two years ago. With her marketing background, she has become Lucas’s closest partner in building his career.

“People think about fishing, and they think about are you sitting on the bank. Yes, that is what some of it is. But I spend long days on the water — sunrise to sunset, 15-hour days sometimes. Having somebody that can create photos and captions and edit photos… she helped me a lot on the PR side and really kind of guided me through that,” he said.

Together, they are chasing the same dream: to see Lucas compete among the world’s best.

Faith, patience, and the thrill of the catch

Fishing, Lindsay says, taught him discipline and kept him out of trouble growing up. “Starting that program at Auburn High kept me out of trouble as a young man. Living in the outdoors gave me something to shoot for, whether it was hot or cold in Alabama, and it taught me patience.”

That patience, he says, extends to his faith. “Fishing has really bled into my spiritual life. If it’s God’s will, and if it’s His time for you, it’s going to happen. You just put your faith in Him, control the controllables, and do the best you can do.”

For all the strategy and stress of tournament fishing, Lindsay says the excitement of landing a big bass is unmatched.

“The biggest bass, officially, I’ve ever caught on a tournament scale, would have been my one this year at Clark Hill. I think it was like a seven, three… In Alabama, it’s a big bass,” he said.

“Feeling is unexplainable. I mean, you cannot, cannot explain it. You can’t use a net in Bassmasters. You’re literally looking at this fish with your lure in its mouth, hoping you can put your hands on it one time. Literally, you’re shaking like a leaf. And the big ones they get big for a reason. They’re crafty. There’s a reason they don’t end up in the frying pan.”

What’s next

As the Elite Qualifiers approach, Lindsay is preparing for three tournaments that could define the next chapter of his life. Whether in Auburn, on Lake Champlain, or on Lake Okeechobee, he says he’s thankful for the journey.

“Fishing has been such a blessing,” he said. “I’m so thankful for every opportunity I get to share my story.”