Brent Ehrler: Fishing the Moment

Why Professional Bass Angler Brent Ehrler Doesn't Save Waypoints

By Derrek Stewart 11/22/25

Brent Ehler and the competition prepare for Major League Fishing's Knockout Round.

Fishing the Moment, Practice, and Competing

California Professional bass angler Brent Ehrler has an impressive tournament record, showcasing his diverse techniques and competitive experience on top tours such as Major League Fishing and the Bassmaster Elite Series.

I've been fortunate to draw Ehrler at an FLW National Guard California Delta event. I have personally seen how he strategizes to win by analyzing conditions and adjusting his approach, and I have spoken with him in detail about his tournament techniques. Whether you fish competitively or for fun, you'll find valuable insights from Brent Ehrler's shared strategies here at DStewartFishing.com (DSF).

National Guard Event, California Delta, 2010. Anglers are filing out for takeoff. Brent Ehrler is directly in front of the author. In these draw events, the Pro angler, either in front of you or behind you, will be your next-day draw partner.

Diversity and Regional Lessons

You will find anglers from the East who are specialist in a variety of conditions typical to their home waters. You might discover anglers from Alabama who are excellent at fishing shallow grass or skipping docks. Or anglers from Florida who are superior at flipping matted grass with 1.5-ounce punch weights. In the west, tournament anglers may find themselves fishing a deep, clear reservoir, catching spotted bass in 40 to 50 feet of water, at one event. In contrast, the next event could take them to the Cal Delta, fishing shallow vegetation with the next stop fishing rock, docks, and tulles at Clear Lake, and the season ending at a river system fishing for a mix of smallmouth and largemouth.

This experience offers a wide range of fishing techniques. Anglers at this level face various lake types and conditions, and Ehrler explains how his exposure to Western fishing conditions has helped him adapt when competing in the East. Conversely, Ehrler says eastern venues have expanded his skill set, making him a more versatile angler.

Topwater Tactics

In the West, Ehrler has always relied on topwater and jerkbait presentations; however, his eastern tournaments have improved his other 'reaction bait' skills, especially shallow-water cranking. This diverse exposure has enabled him to fish fast and cover water with a Lucky Craft BDS3 or an LV500, which have become two of his favorite presentations.

Ehrler has developed confidence fishing in both the East and the West.

Before the East, he was never comfortable basing an entire event on 'reaction' lures; he might have thrown a worm, a jig, a Senko, and a crankbait. Now, depending upon conditions, he might have three different crankbait set-ups out on the boat deck. As I listen to Ehrler talk about cranking, I'm recalling an episode of Lost Lake, filmed at Lake Piru, CA. While searching for Piru bass with other lures, Ehler settled into a few different crankbait techniques and produced a stellar day catching several hefty bass, one of which approached the 10-pound mark.

A stout Largemouth Bass caught during an episode of Lost Lake.

Tournaments, Fish the Moment, and Delete Your Way Points

"I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been" - Wayne Gretzky.

Tournament waters on most upper-echelon circuits will go off-limits to all contestants several days before the first official practice day. Not only is fishing prohibited during the off-limits period, but pros may also not receive any information from anglers other than pros who are confirmed for the event or from publicly available sources. These restrictions also apply to the official practice period.

Ehrler rarely practices before the off-limits period. He will, however, go online, study lake maps, and talk to other registered tournament anglers to gather information for an upcoming competition. "You will never be prepared to ask all the right questions until you are out on the water and in the official practice period, when you are restricted from talking to outside sources," says Ehrler. His advice at this point is to keep an open mind and avoid preconceived ideas. "If you don't keep an open mind, you will get beaten."

The tournament marshal observes as Ehrler battles a feisty jumping bass.

Fishing the moment, not memories, is critical for Ehrler because it highlights the importance of adaptability and making real-time decisions when things aren't working out. You may have historical and seasonal patterns that draw you into your comfort zone, but if conditions change, you must adjust your techniques and the areas you fish. These adjustments can be as simple as changing your retrieve speed or moving to a different part of the lake, reinforcing the need for flexibility in tournament strategies

Ehrler explains that you must avoid becoming too comfortable with what has happened out on the water because adaptability and current decision-making are key. Change will occur, and for this reason, he is an advocate of not saving previous electronic waypoints. When Ehrler finishes a tournament, he will delete his waypoints. In the past, he’s tried fishing old spots, but he has never had success.

A heavy Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota smallmouth bass.

Ehrler recalls a visit to Clear Lake when he located a particular rock pile and did exceptionally well. With every return visit to this rock pile, he hasn't once found bass again. As awesome as that spot may have been at the time, bass are constantly moving with the forage, weather conditions, and spawning patterns. He will study the general area, but his belief system tells him he found the bass before, so he will locate them again.

For these same reasons, Ehrler doesn't put much faith in practicing before the off-limits period because conditions are going to change. "It's a pitfall for an angler to get locked into what took place over two weeks before an event starts. It can close one's mind, locking them into a pattern that is no longer present." Emphasizing the importance of real-time adjustments, Ehrler notes that the bulk of a tournament season runs from late winter into spring, and unlike summer or fall, the weather patterns this time of year are the most unstable. Again, change is omnipresent, and successful anglers must adapt accordingly.

A positive attitude, evident in Ehler's smile, despite the approaching weather front.

Change is Inevitable

Weather patterns, bait movement, forage type, wind direction, cloud cover, shadows, water temperature, water clarity, lake levels, spawning patterns, there are a lot of variables that can change on a body of water weekly, daily, or even by the hour. Staying focused on the moment, making good decisions, and avoiding fishing memories that don't apply is crucial to success.

Wow, that was a lot of excellent insight into tournament angling from one of the best professional bass anglers ever. From hardcore tournament competition, weekend-warriors, and fun fishing alike, there is a lot that anglers can learn from Ehrler's advice.

Fishing involves a set of variables that are constantly fluctuating. Ehler’s message emphasizes the importance of being focused and in the moment while angling. Developing habits that let you focus on what truly matters is a trait of champions.

Keep Casting!