Fishing University's Take It to the Bank

In this episode of the Take It To The Bank podcast, host Ben Ballou welcomes NFL lineman Ben Cleveland, who shares his journey from a small-town upbringing to professional football and his passion for fishing. The conversation covers Cleveland's early experiences in the outdoors, his NFL career, the draft process, and the challenges of balancing sports with personal interests. They also discuss a...

In this episode of the Take It to the Bank podcast, host Ben Ballou welcomes tournament angler Jordan Hartman to discuss fishing techniques, conditions, and experiences on Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee River. They explore the current fishing season, effective strategies for September, and the importance of understanding fish behavior. The conversation also touches on safety tips for navigating K...

In this episode of the Take It to the Bank podcast, host Ben Ballou interviews Harmon Marien, a rising star in the fishing world. They discuss Harmon’s journey through college fishing, his experiences on Northern fisheries, and insights from his recent tournament at Leech Lake. The conversation covers various fishing techniques, bait selections, and the differences between targeting smallmouth and...

In this episode of 'Take It to the Bank', host Ben Ballou and elite series pro Jonathan Kelley dive deep into the world of smallmouth bass fishing. They discuss the nuances of fishing in northern waters, particularly Lake Oneida, and share insights on tournament preparation, bait selection, and the behavior of smallmouth bass. The conversation also touches on the challenges of navigating rough wat...

In this episode of the Take It to the Bank podcast, host Ben Ballou welcomes Hunter Baughman, a professional fisherman who has overcome significant physical challenges to pursue his passion for fishing. The conversation covers Hunter's journey from childhood to becoming a competitive angler, including his experiences in tournament fishing, his recent success in the Toyota Series, and his insights...

Join host Ben Ballou in this exclusive interview with Andy Morgan, widely regarded as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in professional fishing. Dive into a compelling mix of fishing tips, hunting adventures, and personal stories from the Tennessee River to wild bluff country. ✅ Topics covered: Fishing techniques during the Mayfly hatch Live Scope and how it's transforming the game Bluff fishing ti...

Welcome back to another episode of the Take It to the Bank Podcast! In this insightful and entertaining episode, host Ben Ballou sits down with legendary pro bass angler James Niggemeyer to dive deep into Texas bass fishing in the month of May—especially on the famed Lake Fork. Known for his humble attitude, deep faith, and one of the most unique names in the sport, James shares not only his fishi...

Welcome back to Take It to the Bank Podcast. In this episode, we sit down with BPT and MLF champion Jeremy Lawyer to talk everything April bass fishing. From targeting fish in all phases of the spawn to key strategies for navigating rapidly changing spring conditions, this conversation is packed with practical tips for serious anglers. What you’ll hear in this episode: • An absolutely wild story a...

elcome to a deep dive into April bass fishing in Florida with none other than Randall Tharp , the "Honey Badger" himself! In this full episode of Take It to the Bank , Ben Ballou and Randall Tharp break down everything you need to know about spring bass fishing , fry guarders , shad spawns , and how to catch big bass in Florida during one of the best months of the year to be on the water. From Kis...

Jake Lawrence’s the hottest name in professional bass fishing right now 🔥 — straight off a Top 5 finish at MLF Redcrest , Jake Lawrence joins Take It to the Bank with Ben Ballou to talk all things April bass fishing , forward-facing sonar mastery , and one unforgettable moment live on national TV ... (yes, THAT cast 😳) Whether you're chasing spawning smallmouth on Kentucky Lake , targeting pre/p...

Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brian New joins host Ben Ballou to break down everything happening on the water in April. From herring and shad spawns to bed fishing strategy, this episode is packed with timely tips for lakes like Lake Murray, Clarks Hill, Hartwell, and more. Topics covered include: Finding spawning bass in dead-end pockets and transition areas How to fish the herring spawn effectivel...

Elite Series pro Robert Gee joins host Ben Ballou for a masterclass on bed fishing in April . After a wild ride at his first Bassmaster Classic, Rob dives deep into what makes Highland reservoir fishing so unique this time of year. From Dale Hollow to Norris Lake , Rob explains exactly how to locate spawning largemouth and smallmouth bass, what baits to throw, how to work them, and how to get pres...

In this episode, I run my mouth about how I got to where I am, who got me here, and why you should listen!

In this episode, Ben Ballou and Brent Anderson dive deep into fishing on the Tennessee River, focusing on techniques, conditions, and strategies for success in March. They discuss the unique characteristics of the river, the importance of current, and how to adapt to changing conditions. Brent shares his experiences and insights on the best baits and locations for catching fish, as well as the imp...

In this episode of Take It to the Bank , host Ben Ballou is joined by Elite Series champion Brandon Cobb to break down everything you need to know about fishing herring lakes in March. Whether you're prepping for a tournament or just want to catch more fish on lakes like Hartwell, Lanier, or Clarks Hill, Brandon shares expert tips on where to fish, how to adjust for changing conditions, and the be...

In this episode of the Take It to the Bank podcast, host Ben Ballou interviews professional angler Jeremy Lawyer, who shares insights on fishing in the Ozarks region, particularly focusing on Grand Lake and Table Rock Lake. They discuss fishing strategies for March, the importance of weather conditions, and the diversity of fishing techniques required for different lakes. Jeremy emphasizes the sig...

Ben Ballou interviews elite angler Robert Gee, who shares his insights on fishing in Highland reservoirs during the month of March. They discuss essential baits, techniques, and strategies for success, particularly in March when fish are transitioning to spawn. Robert emphasizes the importance of understanding water conditions, navigating the reservoirs, and avoiding common mistakes that anglers m...

In episode 3 of Fishing University's take it to the Bank, Elite series pro Wes Logan shares insights on fishing in Alabama, particularly in March. He discusses the importance of momentum in fishing, the diversity of lakes in Alabama, and effective techniques for targeting both spotted bass and largemouth. Wes emphasizes the significance of understanding fish behavior, the necessity of proper gear,...

EP 2: In this episode of Take It to the Bank Podcast, we dive deep into Texas bass fishing with MLF BPT Pro Todd Faircloth. Todd breaks down seasonal patterns, best baits, and top techniques for legendary lakes like Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork, and Choke Canyon. If you're looking to catch big bass in Texas, this episode is packed with expert advice you can take straight to the water. Topic...

In this episode of Fishing University's Take It to the Bank podcast, host Ben Ballou interviews professional angler Randall Tharp about fishing in Florida during the month of March. They discuss the unique characteristics of Florida lakes, effective fishing techniques, essential baits and setups, and the importance of preparation and equipment. Randall shares insights on targeting spawning bass, n...

Fishing University's Take It to the Bank Podcast with Ben Ballou is your go-to source for regional bass fishing reports and expert insights, airing every Tuesday and Friday. Covering 10 key fishing regions, we break down seasonal patterns, hot baits, and winning strategies to help you stay ahead of the game. Plus, once a month, we bring on legendary pros and industry insiders for exclusive intervi...