Kurt Mazurek

Joined: Nov 5, 2024

Kurt Mazurek writes about all things fishing and the outdoor lifestyle for Fishing On SI -a division of Sports Illustrated. Before writing On SI he enjoyed a successful career in the fishing industry, developing marketing campaigns and creative content for many of the sport’s most recognizable brands. He is a dedicated husband and father, an enthusiastic bass tournament competitor, YouTuber, photographer, musician, and author of the novel "Personal Best: fishing and life”.

At Just $80, How Good Could These New H2OX Carbon Rods Be?; How to Fly Fish for Brown Trout In the Moonlight; Is this the Year of the Coike? The Strange Japanese Bait is Silencing Its Doubters

Randy Moss Has a 25-Year Bass Fishing Obsession Most Fans Never Knew About; The Bassmaster Elite Series Lost Two Anglers in One Day—A Reminder of How Fast Everything Can Change; The Strange Spiny Lure Taking Over Bass Fishing in 2026

Gear Reviews

I used Sony's A1 II at the Bassmaster Classic and the A9 III at REDCREST. Here's which flagship mirrorless wins for fishing and outdoor photography.

Bass Fishing

The Bassmaster Elite Series Lost Two Anglers in One Day—A Reminder of How Fast Everything Can Change; Can a Luxury Ski Resort in Utah Also Be a Great Summer Fly Fishing Destination?; Randy Moss Has a 25-Year Bass Fishing Obsession Most Fans Never Knew

Matt Arey (left) and Jamie Hartman both stepped away from the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series on May 4 due to medical issues.

Bass Fishing

Two Bassmaster Elite anglers stepped away the same day for medical reasons. Matt Arey and Jamie Hartman’s stories show how quickly things can change.

Randy Moss gets excited about every bass he catches—part of a 25-year passion he says became his “therapy” after football.

Bass Fishing

Randy Moss reveals how bass fishing became his therapy after football—and why he’s still chasing a 10-pound bass 25 years later.

Fly Fishing

Can a Luxury Ski Resort in Utah Be a Great Fly Fishing Destination; Hardest-Fighting Fish in Your Local Water; and “It’s Not the Technology”—Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back

Opening day walleyes aren’t always aggressive, but the right presentation can still get them to bite.

Freshwater

Wisconsin’s walleye opener is here. Use this simple, proven game plan—based on water temps and lake type—to find and catch more fish on day one.

Bass Fishing

“It’s Not the Technology”—Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back on Critics of Young Anglers; You’re Ignoring the Hardest-Fighting Fish in Your Local Water; and What’s the Best Way to Improve Your Fly Cast?

Jacob Wheeler and seven-year-old daughter Olivia celebrate his first REDCREST title on Table Rock Lake. On Saturday, Olivia had given her father the best advice of the tournament: "Dad, you don't have to win today. Just win tomorrow."

Bass Fishing

Jacob Wheeler's no-hooks strategy and his daughter Olivia's advice powered his first REDCREST title and $300,000 payday on Table Rock Lake.

Bass Fishing

“It’s Not the Technology”—Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back; Strange Spiny Lure Taking Over Bass Fishing; My Wife Finally Understands Why I Fly Fish After 'The Madison’

The most sage advice Jacob Wheeler received was from his seven-year-old daughter.

Bass Fishing

Jacob Wheeler's daughter had the best advice of Championship Sunday eve. Here's how the REDCREST 2026 top 10 feel about scores resetting to zero.

Jacob Wheeler fights a bass during REDCREST competition—the kind of moment built on what he calls “unseen reps.

Bass Fishing

At REDCREST, Jacob Wheeler pushes back on critics who say young anglers are winning because of technology, emphasizing the unseen work behind their success.

Kurt Mazurek

Joined: Nov 5, 2024

How Good Could these $80 Rods Be? and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

The Year of the Coike Bass Lure and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

My Other Shirt Is Also a Fishing Shirt

Is this the Year of the Coike? The Strange Japanese Bait is Silencing Its Doubters

Bass Fishing

Randy Moss Has a 25-Year Bass Fishing Obsession and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

Gear Reviews

Two Elite Cameras, One Tough Call: Sony's a1 II vs. a9 III for Fishing Photography

Bass Fishing

The Bassmaster Elite Series Lost Two Anglers in One Day and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

Bass Fishing

The Bassmaster Elite Series Lost Two Anglers in One Day—A Reminder of How Fast Everything Can Change

Bass Fishing

Randy Moss Has a 25-Year Bass Fishing Obsession Most Fans Never Knew About

Fly Fishing

Can a Luxury Ski Resort Be a Great Fly Fishing Destination and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

Freshwater

Wisconsin’s Walleye Opener Is Here—A Simple Plan to Catch Fish Fast

Bass Fishing

REDCREST Champ Wheeler Says “It’s Not the Technology” and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

No Ego. No Hooks. His First REDCREST Trophy.

Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back “It’s Not the Technology” and Other Top Stories from Fishing on SI

"Dad, You Don't Have to Win Today. Just Win Tomorrow."

“It’s Not the Technology”—Jacob Wheeler Pushes Back on Critics of Young Anglers