PHOTO GALLERY
Competing for 19 years at the highest level of the sport, Chad gathered a vast amount of knowledge and experience that he is passionate about sharing with others. He has logged thousands of hours on waters all across this great Nation and there isn’t an obstacle or situation he hasn’t faced. Power fishing is his preference, but his true strength developed when he became a diversified angler. One key factor is his expert knowledge operating/interpreting today’s electronics.
Ground zero…..In the small town of Pinckneyville Illinois Chad and two close friends established the first high school fishing team in existence. This embedded a deep need to “pay it forward” to the next generation of anglers.
In his rookie season of the B.A.S.S. Top 150 Chad double qualified for the Bassmaster Classic. During his career he gained berths to an additional 6 Bassmaster Classics (7 total), 6 Toyota Texas Bass Classics, the Forrest Wood Cup and winning two B.A.S.S. professional events. He competed on both professional tours B.A.S.S. and FLW with career winnings totaling over 1.5M.
Chad was the first professional angler to sign with Phoenix Bass boats and has one of the longest standing non endemic sponsors in the industry - Jasper Engines and Transmissions. He has often been referred to by his peers as “the Gentleman” of the sport.
In his life before professional bass fishing, Chad was a firefighter for 13 years with the city of Carbondale Illinois. He was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to the arson investigation unit. He is a certified GM Master Technician and carries the USCG Certified Merchant Mariner credentials.
Find out what’s coming up next in Chad’s schedule!
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.
