Mike Folkestad’s a look back iconic with a legend Bass Fishing career
By JoDy only
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n addition to qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic, the Forrest Wood cup and 33 Western Classics, bass fishing icon Mike Folkestad has claimed three U.S. open victories (1985, 2001, 2002), holds three WoN BaSS daiwa Cups (2003, 2008, 2011) and has earned more than a dozen an- gler of the Year (aoY) titles from WoN Bass, West Coast Bass and FlW during his angling career that spans nearly four decades. He has made history with the lowest winning weight in a Bassmaster event, held the record for the largest five fish limit and largest two-day, ten fish limit on Havasu, has reeled in a best five for 56-lbs, 2 oz. and caught 186 bass over 10 pounds with his largest coming from Clear lake and tipping the scales at 17- lbs, 4-oz.
at 72, Folkestad is still a fierce competitor on the West Coast and this year the western fishing legend added both Bass Fishing and Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame inductions to his astounding list of accomplishments. While allowing us to see a few; (but still a boatload) of his favorite trophies that he has landed over the years, Folkestad gave a little insight on how he has and is still livin’ the dream.
WB: You’ve had many victories in your fishing career, is there one that stands out as your most memorable? Folkestad: The 1985 U.S. open. it was my first big win. Back then, it was the biggest tournament there was in the country and the prize was $50,000. at
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