By Steve Chaconas

Playing in an NFL Super Bowl, MLB World Series, or NBA Final is the dream of every little American boy. But in 1983, a youngster living in Bethesda, dreamt of casting for cash and taking the BASSMASTER Classic stage.

The championship of bass fishing has taken place since 1971, a year after Ed Loughran III was born, and has grown steadily with over 160,000 attending this year’s Classic events. Growing up with the expanding sport, 14 year old Ed was convinced he was going to be the bass fishing world champion.

Loving to fish came without encouragement. Ed and his single mom lived in a basement apartment in Bethesda. In 1984, his mother gave him a membership to the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, which included a BASSMASTER Magazine subscription. Reading cover to cover over and over, the fishing fire was lit. Seeing legendary angler Rick Clunn hoisting the Classic trophy in front an energized crowd, he focused for the next decade to make it to that stage.

Pro bass fishing is a long path. At 14 years old Ed fished with small clubs, bought a jon boat and eventually a used bass boat, to take his dream to the water. Ed credits older anglers mentoring him during his Classic journey. With a plan in place, he was sure he would make it.

Pro fishing is expensive. To pay his way, Ed spent hundreds of days on the water guiding and fishing tournaments.  He worked after school at an outdoors store, painted houses, and did side work. He reinvested some of his income and tournament winnings into his fishing lure company, Hook Industries. Making spinnerbaits and selling them on the road, he sold over 11,000 in a year. Making his way to his Classic dream, Ed was making a living from fishing from 18-25 years old while gaining a reputation as a successful local and regional tournament competitor. Ed credits his early years on the road learning a variety of diverse fishing waters for giving him an edge.

Attending his 3rd BASSMASTER Classic in Richmond in 1990, Rick Clunn again took the stage and the trophy. Seeing the man who lit his fishing fire and hearing the roar of the crowd, further stoked Ed’s passion.

In 1992 he attended George Mason University but dropped out. Ed was all-in to make the BASSMASTER Classic. But first he had to grind through the qualifying trails and at 24 he was ready, without sponsors, to take on the fishing world. Never doubting his abilities or focus he started strong but missed the cut by a few spots and his career went bust. Ed says, “It’s truly a humbling sport. The guy who was full of confidence and thought he had it all figured out was sent home broke with his tail between his legs.”

Ed was burned out in his mid 20s. Simultaneously, life was happening, and his dream slowly drifted out of reach. He disappeared from the bass fishing world for the better part of two decades.

Graduating from college in 1999 Ed worked as a Wall Street trader and eventually became a civil litigator. In his mid 40s, life was complete. He had a terrific wife, wonderful kids, a house, some rental properties, and a job he enjoyed. Ed had everything, but never lost sight of his dream, working to make a life that would allow him to make another run at the Classic, “someday”. With a few years of life experience Ed understands that “someday” may never come. “Life just gets in the way.”

With a few extra years and pounds and no bass boat, Ed contemplated a comeback to reconnect with the young hot shot fisherman from the 90s. This meant hitting the qualifying trails once again without sponsors, but with the support of his wife and his company. In 2019, after 6 years he became a rookie on the BASSMASTER Elite Series. Finally in 2021, 50 year old Ed Loughran made it to the Classic stage, realizing his teenage dream that started in 1984. He thought about his friends and mentors who didn’t make it. “They’re the guys that just love the sport of bass fishing…They’ve got the skills and talent to compete on the Elites and make it to the Bassmaster Classic, but life had another plan.” Life can create barriers with work, family, money, and medical conditions.

In August, Ed earned a major win on the Elite Series, a trophy and $100,000. Recognizing that being a pro angler is a long road, Ed says fishing skills aside there are 3 things that should be considered before taking that road: a lot of money with some passive income, a job you can walk away from 12 weeks a year, and a marriage with complete support.

Reflecting on his youth, Ed is thankful he didn’t achieve his dream in his 20s.  Now in his 50s, he holds a much deeper appreciation for how fortunate he was to make his 40 year journey to have the chance so many deserving guys never get. According to Ed, “Many had the dream, the talent and drive, but then life just happened.”

Potomac River Bassing in OCTOBER

Grass is almost gone. Fish are moving to hard cover. Shallow crankbaits contacting hard cover on 10 pound GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line draw strikes. Deflect and pause.

Pitch jigs, in either black/blue or green pumpkin patterns to hard cover including docks. Try Texas rigged Mizmo tubes on 3/0 tube hooks tied to 14 pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon line.

In drops and ditches, drop shot and shaky head work well. For both, spool GAMMA Torque braid with 10 pound test GAMMA Edge fluorocarbon leader.

On cloudy days, topwaters work when water is calm and fairly clear with 20 pound test GAMMA Torque braid. Vary retrieves of poppers and walkers.

About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube channel NationalBassGuide.