PHOTO GALLERY
Chad Morgenthaler was a firefighter for 13 years before becoming a professional angler. As an arson investigator, he handled the city of Carbondale, IL accelerant detection K-9 unit. Chad is also a certified GM master technician. In his rookie season, the Top 150, he double qualified for the Bassmaster Classic. Since then, he has qualified for 7 Bassmaster Classics and 6 Toyota Texas Bass Classics. Chad fished in both professional tours - B.A.S.S. & FLW. His career winnings total over 1.5M.
In the summer of 2022, Chad retired from his 19yr career as a professional angler to pursue other passions within the fishing industry. Chad is a USCG Merchant Marine and was one of three people to establish the first high school fishing team in existence in Pinckneyville, IL. He prefers to power fish but loves to structure fish, and he is OCD about equipment maintenance and organization. Chad’s personal best was a 13 lb, 7 oz largemouth from Lake Toho, FL.
Chad was the first professional angler to sign with Phoenix Bass Boats and has one of the longest standing non endemic sponsors - Jasper Engines and Transmissions. In addition to his love of fishing, Chad likes cats as much as dogs and he even took his cat Mufasa on Tour.
Find out what’s coming up next in Chad’s schedule!
February 10th – 13th
February 17th – 20th
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After making the decision to pursue angling full-time 19 years ago, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Chad Morgenthaler of Reeds Spring, Mo., is retiring from the circuit, effective immediately. “The plan all along was for this to be my final season. Due to rapidly changing times, I’m starting another new chapter a few months earlier than planned,” said Morgenthaler in a letter to fans on Bassmaster.com.
“My desire to help anglers achieve their goals is back stronger than ever. I will now be able to share the skills, lessons and experiences gained along my journey.” Morgenthaler — along with help from other talented anglers and friends — is starting FutureCast Academy, a skills development, coaching, mentoring and hands-on program designed for anglers of all ages. Classes will be available to benefit anglers hoping to climb the bass fishing ladder or just have fun catching more fish.
In his B.A.S.S. career, Morgenthaler has qualified for seven
Bassmaster Classics, amassed 21 Top 10 finishes and earned
two victories, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Wild Card on Lake
Okeechobee and the 2015 Southern Open on Lake
Tohopekaliga.
“I will always cherish those memories, experiences, the
lifelong friends I’ve made and competing in some of the most
beautiful places our country has to offer,” said Morgenthaler.
“I know in my heart, this is the right choice. To all my
friends, family, partners, and most of all the fans that make
it all possible, thank you, I’m forever grateful.”
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament
leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide
authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the
sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing
whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to
use it.
Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-
member organization’s fully integrated media platforms
include the industry’s leading magazines
(Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com),
TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For
more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access,
conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most
prestigious events at each level of competition, including the
Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series
presented by Mossy Oak Fishing, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S
Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series
presented by Bass Pro Shops, Abu Garcia Bassmaster High
School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors,
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha
Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by
TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship
presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of
competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors
Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
