Mark Lassagne

Dixon, CA

In his own words

Suffice it to say I love bass fishing, but I also really enjoy the competition. That will never fade. As a Marine Corps veteran, I have a gung-ho work ethic. With each event I like to work through several baits, colors, and techniques to figure out just what the bass are looking for. I didn’t grow up fishing, and I’m not that guy with natural talent; I must work for it each and every time. In other words, I need to work a lot harder than most guys. The good news is I’m aware of that disadvantage and I’m prepared to put in the effort. I am excited to be involved with APEX as it brings a whole new level of professionalism to the West Coast. APEX affords us an avenue for exposure via television coverage and growth of the fan base like never before.

Highlights

I’ve had a top-10 finish and cashed a check on most every lake across the West Coast, in multiple circuits. In 2016 I was the Bassmaster Federation State Champion, and I previously won the Black Bass World Championship for Team USA. I’ve qualified four times for the WWBT Pro/Am Championship, four times for the West Coast Bass Classic, seven times for the MLF Championship, three times for the BFL Regional, four times for the B.A.S.S. Federation Regional, as well as the MLF Tackle Warehouse and Bassmaster series, and numerous team championships.

Behind the Angler

After a tour in the Marines, I owned and operated an auto repair shop. When the bass bug bit me I created a fishing calendar to highlight the tournament schedule and results, which over the years evolved into Bass Angler Magazine, a nationwide bass fishing publication. As a youth I had fished perhaps a half dozen times, and never for bass. We just weren’t an outdoor fishing family. I caught my first bass at 30-years-old with the help of Gunnery Sergeant Will Kohler, and I instantly fell in love with the sport. Five years later I jumped into fishing tournaments as a non-boater, followed way too soon by moving to the pointy end of the boat.

In the Boat

My favorite technique is standing on the trolling motor and covering water with a crankbait or a chatterbait, followed closely by punching with a Yamamoto Flappin’ Hog and a River2Sea Trash Bomb. My go-to setup for punching is a 7-foot, 11-inch Okuma TCS extra-heavy rod. My compartments are loaded with A-rigs, River2Sea squarebills, Z-Man JackHammer chatterbaits, and shakyheads for the lakes. When targeting the California Delta, I carry additional flipping and punching gear, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, River2Sea frogs, and wacky-rigged 6- to 7-inch Yamamoto Senkos. I’ll also have on hand Phenix Hydra 65LB 8X braid and Gamakatsu hooks. My rod locker is full of quality Okuma rods and reels.

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