No one can say that Bassmaster Elite Series Professional Angler and Bassmaster Classic Championship qualifier Stephen Browning is not ready to outlast, out cast, and win the Classic; no matter what Mother Nature or his fellow competitors do.  Browning has met a number of challenges in his life head on including competing in the ESPN “The Wild Rules” and the filming of National Geographic Channel’s 3-hour documentary of traveling down the Mississippi River, covering over 2,345 miles.  Now, Lay Lake and catching big Coosa bass lies before him.  If experience fishing the Coosa River chain helps, Browning should be in great shape.  In the past, Browning has had top finishes and even won a tournament on the river chain.  This will be Browning’s sixth classic to fish in the event to be held February 19-21, 2010 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Browning, from Hot Springs, Arkansas, is one of the five anglers from Arkansas to be competing in the event.  Knowing the river should be his biggest advantage at the tournament.  “The Coosa River chain, Lay Lake, fishes a lot like Lake Ouachita or the Arkansas River in Arkansas,” Browning continued, “the Coosa spots just live a lot shallower than spots on other lakes.”  Browning is noted for his ability to fish shallow water, meaning twelve feet or less.

Part of Browning success this year in the Bassmaster Elite Series can be attributed to his new found sponsor Koppers Fishing and Tackle Corporation, producers of LIVETARGET LURES (www.livetargetlures.com).  One of Browning’s favorite LIVETARGET LURE is the Crawfish Crank in Mustard/Brown.  That could be because he used the LIVETARGET LURE to finish in fifth place at the Bassmaster Elite Series Mississippi River, no doubt.  “I compare it to the old wiggle wart with an aggressive wobble and it deflects extremely well off rocks and wood,” explained Browning.  Browning said, “The key to fishing the Crawfish Crank is to point the rod tip at the bait and it will come through anything.” 

For Browning, just fishing in the Bassmaster Elite Series is not enough.  “It’s my job to make it to the Classic every year; I feel like if I do not make it, I have not done my job,” said Browning.  Having fished in five other Bassmaster Classics, Browning knows what to expect media and fan wise.  “My goal is to finish in the top five,” Browning said realistically.  This is his second Classic to fish in February on Lay Lake and it fits his style of fishing.  “I am excited about getting to go there; I really like that Coosa River,” said Browning.  No doubt, Browning is ready to outlast, out cast, and win the Bassmaster Classic; no matter what Mother Nature or his fellow competitors do.

Browning sponsors include Triton Boats, Mercury, MotorGuide trolling motors, St. Croix Rods, Koppers LIVETARGET LURES, Wiley X Sunglass, and Under Armour apparel.