Paul Mueller, winner of this year's B.A.S.S. Nation championship and runner-up at the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, said he has accepted the invitation to compete on the Bassmaster Elite Series in the 2015 season. The 30-year-old Southbury, Conn., native secured the Elite Series invite by winning the B.A.S.S. Nation title at the Ouachita River in early November.
Mueller said the timing is right to ascend onto the sport’s highest stage.
“Although I qualified for the Bassmaster Elite Series last year through the B.A.S.S. Nation, I think it was smart to wait," he said. "Now, I better understand the industry and competition. Qualifying for two consecutive Bassmaster Classics and finishing as a runner-up in this year’s event certainly builds name recognition and demonstrates that you can compete at a high level, but it is more than that. It is about building the brands of your sponsors. I work hard every day to promote my sponsors through social media, instructional videos, guide trips, seminars, and sport shows.”
While he's looking forward to his first year on tour, he is trying to remain realistic.
“I realize that there’s going to be a transition – there’s going to be a learning curve – because you are fishing against the best guys in the business,” he said.
While Mueller has assembled some sponsorship support for his professional debut, he is still seeking a title sponsor. To learn more about him, visit www.paulmuellerfishing.com.
