AS PART OF a fifth-grade class project, Justin Hamner was assigned to write an essay on what he wanted to be when he grew up. His teacher was undoubtedly expecting many of the responses from boys in the classroom to be along the lines of “astronaut,” “doctor” or “firefighter,” but young Justin’s career aspiration was “pro bass fisherman,” and the inspirational role model he cited in his essay was Oregon pro Jay Yelas. “I was crazy about bass fishing when I was a kid,” Hamner recalled. “Besides fishing every chance I got, I devoured every issue of Bassmaster and followed the pro tournament standings closely. But when Jay Yelas won the 2002 Classic on Lay Lake near my home, that’s when I knew I wanted to fish for a living. Jay was such an awesome role model. Besides his incredible angling skills, I was impressed by his faith in God and what a class act he was.” Hamner’s lofty career goals appear to be on course — he qualified for the Elite Series in 2021, has already copped two Top 15 finishes and placed fourth in the 2022 Bassmaster Classic. And now he’s following in Yelas’ footsteps and taking Bassmaster’s prestigious Day on the Lake challenge! Can Hamner unlock the secrets of a mystery lake on a blustery winter day? You’re about to find out!
