After competing in the first six 2024 Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers, Texan Jack York has ascended to fifth place in the tour’s overall standings. It’s hard to miss the 6-foot, 6-inch, 24-year-old when he towers over other competitors as they wait in line to go on stage.
When York played left tackle for the University of Minnesota and Steven F. Austin State University, he was a hulking 325-pounds. He has since slimmed down to 200 pounds.
Before he became enamored with football, bass fishing was his No. 1 passion. His father, Chris, had him fishing farm ponds for bluegill when he was 3 or 4 years old. He distinctly remembers catching his first bass on a Jitterbug at age 5.
“I’ll never forget that topwater bite,” York said. “It definitely hooked me on bass fishing. The bass only weighed 2 1/2 pounds, but I thought that thing was a monster. We got it mounted.”
As he grew older and learned about Bassmaster tournaments, York dreamed of becoming a professional angler. At age 9 he began teaming up with his father to fish club tournaments and local bass derbies.
“In high school I got really big into football and didn’t have time for bass fishing,” York said.
By his sophomore year, several colleges were recruiting him. After graduating from high school, he played football for the University of Minnesota for a year and a half. Then he transferred to Steven F. Austin State where he played for another six months.
This is when he found himself at a crossroads. He had already endured 19 surgeries for a variety of football injuries, including the most recent procedure on one of his elbows.
“During rehab for my elbow surgery, I had a lot of time to think about my future,” York said. “If I kept playing football, I might not be able to throw a baitcaster by the time I was 30.”
During his final two years at Steven F. Austin, York competed on the university’s collegiate bass fishing team. While traveling the country with his team partner Jacob Miller, York’s bass fishing IQ took a quantum leap. They fished storied bass waters from Florida’s Harris Chain to the St. Lawrence River.
“That was a big learning curve,” York said. “It seemed like everywhere we went fished a little different from what I got used to in Texas. It was cool to take away bits and pieces from every place we got to fish. I am super grateful to the Bassmaster College Series for those learning experiences.”
While still in college, he began guiding on Lake Fork and other noted Texas bass lakes. After graduating with a degree in business, he became a full-time bass guide. Texas Elite Series pro Lee Livesay helped him get established by sending York his overflow trips.
“I’ve met a lot of great people while guiding,” York said. “Many of my customers have become friends, and some of them have become sponsors. I couldn’t chase my Elite Series dream without their help.”
Before he competed in the 2023 EQs, York had been told that it is the most challenging trail in bass fishing. That proved to be true. While he did claim Top 10 finishes at Lake Eufaula and the Harris Chain, he suffered two blowouts that kept him out of Elite Series contention.
“The Opens competition is a different breed,” York said. “It’s difficult to do well against that crowd. Those guys always catch them no matter where we’re fishing.”
York grew up power fishing and still loves casting to shallow targets, chunking and winding and covering water fast. He also adopted forward-facing sonar soon after it was introduced. Being adept at both fishing styles has benefitted him this season.
“I fished three tournaments scoping and three power fishing,” York said. “It has been a good balance for me. Hopefully, I can keep that deal rolling through the next three tournaments and get to be on the ‘Big Stage’ next year.”
He plans to continue guiding until he qualifies for the Elite Series. Either way, “I’m going to be doing this as long as I can walk.”
York’s tidal sponsor is D6 Inc., a recycled plastics manufacturer in Sulphur Springs, Texas. His other Texas sponsors include 6th Sense Fishing, Josh Moody Loans, Pro Shop Tackle in Nacogdoches, NBT Marine, Ross Motor Sports in Lufkin and Platinum Home Health. Other sponsors include Bass Cat Boats, Waterland Fishing Optics and Johns Marine Electronics in Texarkana, Ark.
