BRANDON LESTER

Hailing from Fayetteville, Tennessee, Brandon Lester’s journey from Tims Ford Lake to the Bassmaster Elite Series is a tale of determination, grit and passion. Introduced to fishing by his father and grandfather, Lester’s love for the sport ignited at 16 years old, winning his first local tournament. 

By college, he was a founding member of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga’s bass fishing team, dreaming of going pro. After a stint in a factory, he bet on himself, diving into the Bassmaster Opens in 2012. His breakout came in 2013, topping the Southern Opens points to earn an Elite Series berth.

Now a seasoned pro, Lester’s versatility shines. His career highlights include the 2018 Bassmaster Eastern Opens points title, two Bassmaster Classic Top 10s (2019 Knoxville, 2020 Guntersville) and a 2022 Elite Series win at Pickwick Lake, pushing his earnings past $1 million. With 39 Top 20s in B.A.S.S. events, he’s a consistent threat. Lester’s finesse and power-fishing prowess make him a fan favorite, whether he’s flipping jigs or dragging worms.

Central to his success is his trust in Vicious Fishing Line. From 8-pound fluorocarbon for dropshots to heavy braid for frogging, Lester relies on Vicious for its strength and reliability. 

“It’s tough as nails,” he says, crediting it for landing big bass under pressure. 

As he chases a Classic title, Lester’s roots and Vicious-backed setups keep him both grounded and confident.