Young Pro Campbell Enjoys Quick Start in Elite Series

CELEBRATION, Fla. – At just 24, Scott Campbell is not the youngest competitor on the Bassmaster Elite Series. That honor belongs to Donalds, S.C., Elite pro Casey Ashley, who is also 24 and is just months younger than Campbell.

Nonetheless, he is one of a trio of promising Elite Series anglers under the age of 25. Joining Ashley and Campbell is Derek Remitz, who has already posted one BASS victory at the season-opening Elite Series event on Texas’ Lake Amistad and currently leads the Toyota Rookie of the Year race. Ashley started slow with an 88th-place performance on Amistad but posted two top-25 finishes in California to end the Western Run.

Much like Remitz, Campbell established himself with a quick start at Amistad. On the first day of competition, Campbell weighed a 36-pound limit and after the second day of competition, the Springfield, Mo., pro was in second place and within striking distance of his first BASS victory. Though he eventually faltered, he finished in a respectable 17th place.

It has been a quick ascent to the Elite Series for Campbell as it was just two years ago, fresh out of college, he started competing on the Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers.

His success there, two top 10 finishes, led to a decision to compete on the Bassmaster Northern Tour. There, he scored a top five finish in the points standings and qualified for the 2007 Elite Series.

“The season has gone really well,” he said. “It’s intimidating being one of the youngest guys. But weighing 36 pounds the first day at Amistad really calmed me down and proved to me that I can fish at this level.”

Campbell admits that he sometimes wonders if he is truly ready to compete on the Elite Series, considered the most visible and prestigious tournament trail in the world.

“An angler that is 24 years old wonders whether he even has the experience to compete with these athletes,” Campbell said. “There is only so much experience that you can get at this age. The other anglers have seen a lot of things and you just wonder if you can hold up against that.”

After the season-opening showing, Campbell came down to earth with a pair of 55th-place performances to conclude the Western Run. Yet, he remains in solid position in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. He is in 30th position and if he finishes in the top 37 at the end of the Elite season, he will qualify for his first Bassmaster Classic.

The personable rookie was asked what has surprised him most about life on the Elite Series.

“That these guys are so accessible,” he replied. “I mean, you’re up at the highest level of a professional sport and these guys are still willing to spend time with you.

“You read about them in Bassmaster Magazine your whole life growing up and you idolize them. All of these anglers are just normal, everyday guys out here having a blast.”

From BASS