Bass Life

Inside Pete Robbins’ office

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In addition to contributing as a Senior Writer for B.A.S.S., Pete Robbins has a full-time job as an attorney in Washington, D.C., with an office just a block from the White House. Since shortly after returning from the Classic, though, he’s been working from home in Virginia due to COVID-19.
In addition to contributing as a Senior Writer for B.A.S.S., Pete Robbins has a full-time job as an attorney in Washington, D.C., with an office just a block from the White House. Since shortly after returning from the Classic, though, he’s been working from home in Virginia due to COVID-19.
You can tell which house belongs to Pete and his wife Hanna before you even enter thanks to this metal sculpture they bought at a Toyota Texas Bass Classic at Lake Conroe in 2009.
You can tell which house belongs to Pete and his wife Hanna before you even enter thanks to this metal sculpture they bought at a Toyota Texas Bass Classic at Lake Conroe in 2009.
Pete brought his secure laptop home to work in their house full of fishing artifacts – including replicas and picture of fish they’ve caught, souvenirs from their world travels and various eBay purchases.
Pete brought his secure laptop home to work in their house full of fishing artifacts – including replicas and picture of fish they’ve caught, souvenirs from their world travels and various eBay purchases.
Above the mantel is a replica of a tigerfish that Hanna caught on the Zambezi River in Zambia in 2016.
Above the mantel is a replica of a tigerfish that Hanna caught on the Zambezi River in Zambia in 2016.
To the right is a replica of Pete’s personal best largemouth, <a href=
To the right is a replica of Pete’s personal best largemouth, a 12-pounder caught in Texas on his birthday in 2012.
Pete’s office is only about 10 feet by 10 feet, but it’s jam-packed with all sorts of fishing memorabilia.
Pete’s office is only about 10 feet by 10 feet, but it’s jam-packed with all sorts of fishing memorabilia.
The first thing you see when you enter is a rug with a leaping largemouth bass.
The first thing you see when you enter is a rug with a leaping largemouth bass.
Their Australian Shepherd named Rooster likes to nap on it during the day. Here it looks like the bass is trying to eat him.
Their Australian Shepherd named Rooster likes to nap on it during the day. Here it looks like the bass is trying to eat him.
One of the first things you see when you enter is a picture of Pete with that personal best largemouth. He caught it while fishing with former Elite Series pro Clark Reehm at Camelot Bell Ranch in Texas.
One of the first things you see when you enter is a picture of Pete with that personal best largemouth. He caught it while fishing with former Elite Series pro Clark Reehm at Camelot Bell Ranch in Texas.
Above the doorway is a “Dividing Line” sign – which could instead divide “work” and “nonwork” zones of the house.
Above the doorway is a “Dividing Line” sign – which could instead divide “work” and “nonwork” zones of the house.
On the wall opposite the picture of his big bass, there’s a framed spinnerbait. Pete and Hanna gave these as one of the gifts to the groomsmen at their wedding.
On the wall opposite the picture of his big bass, there’s a framed spinnerbait. Pete and Hanna gave these as one of the gifts to the groomsmen at their wedding.
Pete didn’t attend the 2000 Bassmaster Classic, but Hanna is from Chicago, so they bought this poster on eBay and are still trying to decide where to hang it.
Pete didn’t attend the 2000 Bassmaster Classic, but Hanna is from Chicago, so they bought this poster on eBay and are still trying to decide where to hang it.
Even the bookshelf is loaded up with all sorts of fishing pictures and patches.
Even the bookshelf is loaded up with all sorts of fishing pictures and patches.
Pete reads constantly, and he has quite a few books by and about various current and former Elite Series pros.
Pete reads constantly, and he has quite a few books by and about various current and former Elite Series pros.
One of his favorite books is <em>The Series</em>, about the inaugural Elite Series season of 2006, by Steve Bowman and Doug Cox.
One of his favorite books is The Series, about the inaugural Elite Series season of 2006, by Steve Bowman and Doug Cox.
Robbins appeared in six B.A.S.S. events as a co-angler, and he displays a patch from one in which he finished 18th.
Robbins appeared in six B.A.S.S. events as a co-angler, and he displays a patch from one in which he finished 18th.
He also fished in the Elites’ first visit to Falcon in 2008, and he caught this 8-pound, 12-ounce bass out of the back of Marty Stone’s boat.
He also fished in the Elites’ first visit to Falcon in 2008, and he caught this 8-pound, 12-ounce bass out of the back of Marty Stone’s boat.
On top of his computer there are all sorts of knick knacks, including pins from various Classics, a B.A.S.S. lighter, souvenirs from Alaska and Brazil, and a map chip.
On top of his computer there are all sorts of knick knacks, including pins from various Classics, a B.A.S.S. lighter, souvenirs from Alaska and Brazil, and a map chip.
In addition to saving all of his issues of Bassmaster, Pete has a lot of international publications, including this one from South Africa.
In addition to saving all of his issues of Bassmaster, Pete has a lot of international publications, including this one from South Africa.
Here’s a Japanese lure catalog he picked up in Tokyo. He can’t read much of it, but the pictures make him want to spend money.
Here’s a Japanese lure catalog he picked up in Tokyo. He can’t read much of it, but the pictures make him want to spend money.
The small table along the front wall of the office has more fish pictures and other paraphernalia.
The small table along the front wall of the office has more fish pictures and other paraphernalia.
That includes his first baitcasting reel, purchased circa 1983.
That includes his first baitcasting reel, purchased circa 1983.
Here's a pile of media credentials gathered over the years.
Here’s a pile of media credentials gathered over the years.
To the side of that table is a poster advertising a Bass Cat tournament in Japan, headlined by former Elite pro Kota Kiriyama. Pete has owned five Bass Cat boats since 1999.
To the side of that table is a poster advertising a Bass Cat tournament in Japan, headlined by former Elite pro Kota Kiriyama. Pete has owned five Bass Cat boats since 1999.
Pete used to print out and file all of his publications. That eventually became overwhelming, and he stopped around 2011.
Pete used to print out and file all of his publications. That eventually became overwhelming, and he stopped around 2011.
On top of the shelf with his binders, there are two ketchup bottles given to media by Heinz at the 2005 Classic in Pittsburgh. Probably not a good idea to use them on your burgers 15 years later.
On top of the shelf with his binders, there are two ketchup bottles given to media by Heinz at the 2005 Classic in Pittsburgh. Probably not a good idea to use them on your burgers 15 years later.
On the bottom of the built-in shelves there are a bunch of lures, including some expensive swimbaits, and various items autographed by top pros and lure designers.
On the bottom of the built-in shelves there are a bunch of lures, including some expensive swimbaits, and various items autographed by top pros and lure designers.
Another wall-mounted cabinet has various lures with special meaning.
Another wall-mounted cabinet has various lures with special meaning.
This display includes a special jig made of tree bark prepared by an Amazon guide. It outfished traditional hair jigs by a wide margin.
This display includes a special jig made of tree bark prepared by an Amazon guide. It outfished traditional hair jigs by a wide margin.
Another wall-mounted shelf has more toys and memorabilia, including this still-wrapped set of 1992-93 bass pro trading cards ...
Another wall-mounted shelf has more toys and memorabilia, including this still-wrapped set of 1992-93 bass pro trading cards …
... as well as various lures he’s been gifted by friends and colleagues.
… as well as various lures he’s been gifted by friends and colleagues.
One memorable lure he bought in Tokyo is the “Tubo Rig” (aka “shrimp in a cup”) which used to be one of Shinichi Fukae’s secret weapons.
One memorable lure he bought in Tokyo is the “Tubo Rig” (aka “shrimp in a cup”) which used to be one of Shinichi Fukae’s secret weapons.
Pete’s file cabinet has even more pictures plus the windshield from retired Elite pro Kevin Short’s 2013 tournament boat.
Pete’s file cabinet has even more pictures plus the windshield from retired Elite pro Kevin Short’s 2013 tournament boat.
In front of the windshield there’s a picture of Pete with <a href=
In front of the windshield there’s a picture of Pete with two-time B.A.S.S. winner and five-time Classic qualifier Lonnie Stanley.
There’s also a pic of Pete and Hanna with Kevin and Kerry Short, taken in Escanaba, Mich.
There’s also a pic of Pete and Hanna with Kevin and Kerry Short, taken in Escanaba, Mich.
Don’t tell the boss, but Pete occasionally checks Bassmaster.com during the day.
Don’t tell the boss, but Pete occasionally checks Bassmaster.com during the day.
Pete and Hanna recently started a blog at <a href=
Pete and Hanna recently started a blog at www.halfpastfirstcast.com to document their travels. The cover shot is from a February 2020 trip to Guatemala, before all of this madness hit us all so hard.
Rooster is not used to having so much human contact during the day. This work-from-home situation has completely messed up his nap schedule.
Rooster is not used to having so much human contact during the day. This work-from-home situation has completely messed up his nap schedule.

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