For Rochelle Barcenilla of Walpahu, Hawaii, it was a chance of a lifetime.  Rochelle was lucky enough to be randomly selected to fish with Bassmaster Elite Series, ten times Bassmaster Classic qualifier, and Early Times Kentucky Whiskey Professional Angler Kevin Wirth from Kentucky on Lake Norman in North Carolina for the 1 million dollar tagged bass; in addition to the twenty-four other tagged bass that had prizes which included a Triton bass boat, gift cards, and fishing gear.  The real bonus was if Rochelle or her fishing partner and guide for the day Wirth caught any of the tagged bass, she would win that prize including the million dollars. 

After Rochelle learned that she had been selected, she went right to work on her casting and fishing skills.  “I started practicing casting with help from my husband Jake on the beach and in a local school yard 2 to 3 times a week,” Rochelle continued, “At first, it was a target I tried to hit to improve my accuracy with a spinning rod”.  Being from Hawaii, the opportunities to fish for bass were limited, mostly she fished for Tilapia and Catfish with a bamboo rod and floater.

The chance of a lifetime started with meeting Early Times Professional angler Kevin Wirth the day before the contest and going over how to fish in general, bass tournaments, and how Rochelle had entered and won the “Reel in a Million” contest (www.earlytimes.com).  Wirth also gave Rochelle’s husband Jake his first ride in a bass boat.  “It was scary at first, but I looked over at Kevin and he was just smiling,” Jake continued, “that really made me feel safe and we cruised down the Lake”. 

The contest day started early for Rochelle beginning with a press conference, and interviews with newspaper reporters and TV crews on the boat ramp.  It was a blur of cameras following her every move.  Rochelle was obviously nervous but her fishing partner Wirth, who had fished in 10 Bassmaster Classic tournaments, was taking it all in stride.  “I am really excited to be fishing for the 1 million dollar fish,” Wirth continued, “even if I do not get any of the money, I will be known as the professional angler who caught the 1 million dollar bass,” exclaimed Wirth.

Just before takeoff, Wirth gave Rochelle some last minute tips on casting and setting the hook.  After that, the 2 anglers took off from Blythe Landing.  On the first stop, Rochelle hooked up with her first spotted bass ever, it was a keeper well over the fourteen inch length limit; unfortunately, it did not have a tag.  Early in the morning the fishing was slow, but by mid-morning Rochelle and Wirth were catching them consistently on shaky head rigged worms and a drop-shot rig. Every time Rochelle caught a fish, everyone would cheer and yell, “Nice one, is it a tagged bass?”  The day flew by quickly and Rochelle was so intent on catching fish, she refused to eat her lunch.  Every stop Rochelle would get a bite or catch a fish; in fact, Rochelle caught 3 keeper bass and several other non-keepers during the contest.

Time was obviously going too fast for both anglers who definitely wanted to catch the 1 million dollar tagged bass.  Every cast she made could have been a life changing opportunity for Rochelle from Hawaii.  Unfortunately, no tagged bass was caught by either angler; however, the all expense paid trip, a 8,000 mile journey to the mainland was exciting and enjoyable for Rochelle and Jake.  Was Rochelle disappointed about not catching the 1 million dollar bass?  “No way, I had a great time fishing with Early Times Pro and everything Early Times Kentucky Whiskey did to put on the contest,” Rochelle continued, “they treated us awesome”.

For Early Times Kentucky Whiskey it was a first, a female angler in the contest and someone not living on the mainland.  You can only image that the 1 million dollar tagged bass was happy about not getting caught saying, “Aloha to Rochelle”.