John Garrett was a quick study on the Bassmaster Elite Series, and Chad Manning hopes he’s a fast learner in redfishing.
The guide from St. Petersburg, Fla., is paired with the Bassmaster Elite Series pro in this week’s Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter.
Asked his redfish history, Garrett, a 29-year-old from Union City, Tenn., said it’s “next to none.”
“I’ve been redfishing probably five times in my life,” he said. “It went fine, but I’ve never fished inshore for redfish.”
Manning was giving Garrett a crash course on spotting and catching spot-tails around Florida’s Apalachicola Bay for the made-for-TV event that runs Friday through Sunday. Launches and weight reveals will be at Scipio Creek Marina in Apalachicola, with LIVE coverage airing from 8-11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on FS1, and streaming all three days on Bassmaster.com.
“We’re having a good time, just trolling around looking for some good zones,” Garrett said when contacted on Monday’s first day of practice. “It’s nice out here. It seems pretty similar to fishing big expansive flats for smallmouth up north.
“We’re just looking for the bait, looking for the fish. I’ve learned a lot and we’re only a couple hours in. He’s definitely got a lot more to teach me.”
After taking his time getting there, Garrett excelled in his first Elite season. The Bethel University angler became known to bass fans by winning the 2016 College Classic Bracket and competing in the 2017 Bassmaster Classic. In St. Croix Opens competition, Garrett came close to making the Elites the next few years before qualifying as points runner-up in 2023.
Garrett got his worst event out of the way in the first Elite, a 63rd at Toledo Bend. He ended eighth in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings by making seven cuts and three Top 10s, including a win.
“I couldn’t have written it up any better,” he said. “The schedule the past two years on the Opens and the Elites worked in my favor. More offshore fishing, whether largemouth or smallmouth, it’s what I like to do.”
In his third Elite, Garrett decided on a high-risk tactic that paid off in a victory on Florida’s Harris Chain. His plan to rely on five big bites in Lake Carlton played out. He weighed 84 pounds, 5 ounces to win by more than 10 pounds.
“That was awesome. To win three tournaments into my Elite career was definitely a blessing,” he said. “My whole career, I’ve been pretty close to winning a tournament here and there. You don’t really know if you’ve got what it takes, if you’re doing something wrong, or if ever just will be your time.
“I know most of my seasons aren’t going to be that good, so I’m just enjoying the good year and looking forward to next year.”
Before Garrett gets into full guide mode for deer and duck seasons, there’s $100,000 up for grabs in the fourth Bassmaster Redfish Cup. Brandon Palaniuk, Shane LeHew and Justin Atkins are the three other Elites teamed with Skeeter/Yamaha redfish pros who will battle six redfish duos.
There’s no points or entry fees to sweat in the event, but Garrett sure would like to add to his year’s earnings, which topped more than $200,000.
“That would make it nicer,” he said, “but it’s basically like a vacation. Me and Chad are out here having a good time, beautiful weather, sweating it up. We don’t have a big entry fee on the line, so we’re here enjoying it. It’s competitive, but also it’s not as much pressure.
“It’s not like we have to bring back five of the right fish. We have eight hours to get two of the right bites. There’s definitely some skill, but there’s got to be some luck go your way getting two of the right bites.”
In the catch, weigh and release format, each of the 10 teams are seeking the two heaviest redfish within the 18- to 27-inch slot. Manning well knows the strength of the field, which includes defending champions Cody Chivas and Fred Myers along with qualifiers from national redfish tours. Capt. Ryan Rickard, winner of the inaugural Bassmaster’s Redfish Cup in 2021, returns to the event for the fourth time.
Manning has eyes on coaching Garrett to the title, even though he’s never fished this body of water. He knows slow and steady can win the race. Last year, competitors missed weighing fish when they ran aground, so Manning hopes to avoid a similar disaster. He took scouting on their first practice easy.
“We let the sun come up,” Manning said. “We know there’s a lot of sandbars, oyster bars around, so we’re playing it a little safe, just trying to find a lot of the right ingredients, but nothing’s popped off yet.”
Other Elites have left Redfish Cups hooked on the bronze bottom-feeders, vowing to get more involved, and Garrett is no different.
“I would always want to be down there doing this,” he said. “Thankfully for my wallet and my bank account, I live too far from the ocean. I already have too many expensive hobbies. I don’t need to be buying a saltwater Skeeter boat. No matter how addicted I get, I think I’m safe.”
Manning chimed in that if Garrett bought the boat, he’d supply a place to stay. Whenever he feels redfish fever, Garret could more than likely exchange a hunting trip for a redfish outing.
Anyway, Manning hopes Garrett picks up the subtle ways of redfish quickly.
