![Skylar Hamilton, 25, is fishing his fourth season on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Even so, Hamilton began competing in tournaments at age 16. The Tennessean lives in Dandridge, located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/01-5d3_5481.jpg)
![Hamilton scored an impressive 12th at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/02-5d3_5473.jpg)
![<b>Your favorite downtime activity is? </b><br>
Fishing. That might seem odd because I fish for a living. But just like everybody else, I like to get out and enjoy the outdoors, unwind and take it all in. Thereâs no pressure and itâs fun to catch whatever takes the bait. I never get burned out on fishing.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/03-fav_fishing_activity.jpeg)
Fishing. That might seem odd because I fish for a living. But just like everybody else, I like to get out and enjoy the outdoors, unwind and take it all in. Thereâs no pressure and itâs fun to catch whatever takes the bait. I never get burned out on fishing.
![<b>Who were your favorite anglers to watch when you were younger? </b><br>
Todd Auten. Heâs not a superstar, just does his job and does it well. That is why Iâve always wanted to be like him.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/04-5d3_6057.jpg)
Todd Auten. Heâs not a superstar, just does his job and does it well. That is why Iâve always wanted to be like him.
![Todd fishes old school because heâs well mannered, soft spoken, and always comes across as a nice guy. Iâve always rooted for him since I was a kid, but never told him.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/05-sd_auten-33.jpg)
![<b>Where would your favorite bucket list fishing trip be? </b><br>
The Everglades. Iâve always wanted to go fishing there for the great fishing and the wildlife. It just looks amazing. On top of that it would be really cool to have a peacock bass and largemouth combination tournament. Now that would make it a bucket list trip.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/06-okeechobee_lead_cp.jpg)
The Everglades. Iâve always wanted to go fishing there for the great fishing and the wildlife. It just looks amazing. On top of that it would be really cool to have a peacock bass and largemouth combination tournament. Now that would make it a bucket list trip.
![<b>What are your favorite pre-tournament rituals? </b><br>
I must take a shower the first thing in the morning. Itâs not just about being clean. Itâs just how Iâve got to start my day. I would be off for the rest of the day if I just got out of bed, got dressed, and went to work.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/07-skylar-hamilton-img_5421_2.jpg)
I must take a shower the first thing in the morning. Itâs not just about being clean. Itâs just how Iâve got to start my day. I would be off for the rest of the day if I just got out of bed, got dressed, and went to work.
![<b>What is your favorite tournament lure and why? </b><br>
A jig. Itâs a big bass bait that works anywhere you go. If I need a go-to bait itâs a jig. Pitching, flipping, swimming. A jig will do it all.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/08-skylar-hamilton_mg_7410.jpg)
A jig. Itâs a big bass bait that works anywhere you go. If I need a go-to bait itâs a jig. Pitching, flipping, swimming. A jig will do it all.
![My personal favorite is a Buckeye Lures Mop Jig. Itâs made with hand tied heavy living rubber, has an elongated skirt that gives it more of a mop profile, and it sits up in a defensive kind of posture. Double rattles and a Mustad Flippin Hook add to my confidence of using this jig.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/09-fav_tourney_lure.jpeg)