In 2024, Bassmaster—the organization that founded professional bass fishing and bass fishing tournaments—launched a new initiative with the BassmastHER program. The vision of the program was to reach female anglers and help provide an environment conducive to learning directly from other female anglers. Toyota, one of bass fishing’s biggest supporters, also recognized the need for the program and partnered with the organization to provide key resources to push BassmastHER forward.
To lead the initiative, B.A.S.S. tasked three experienced female anglers to serve as Program Ambassadors: Kristine Fischer of Weeping Water, Neb.; Anastasia Patterson of Sumter, S.C.; and Maggie Jo Carsello of Wisconsin. Becoming the face of the BassmastHER program, they tour the country conducting educational workshops each year in conjunction with The Bassmaster Classic, Elite Series events, and the Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournaments.
While the primary goal of the program was to provide a familiar environment for female anglers to learn, building a supportive nationwide community of female anglers has become a welcome benefit of the workshops. Bassmaster reports that since the program’s inception, it has seen significant increases in both workshop participation and female membership within the organization. Specifically, BassmastHER has recorded a 12-percent increase in workshop attendance year-over-year, while Bassmaster has achieved a 250-percent increase in female memberships since the program began.
While the metric growth is exciting, for the Ambassadors, being able to make a tangible impact has been deeply fulfilling. Ambassador Kristine Fischer noted that she sees the initiative actively reaching women and benefiting the broader sport of fishing.
“Being part of the BassmastHER Program has been an incredible opportunity to help grow the sport and make a positive impact on the women’s fishing community,” said Fischer. “It’s brought so much purpose to be able to utilize the B.A.S.S. platform to encourage more women to find a place for them in this sport then get on the water and chase their goals – it’s been amazing.”
As the organization that has innovated so much of the sport known today, Bassmaster is encouraged to see female anglers fully embrace the program and its Ambassadors.
“Watching BassmastHER grow from an idea into a blooming community has been incredibly rewarding,” said Mary Kathryn Thomas, Director of Sponsorship and Licensing for Bassmaster. “The growth of this program shows just how many women and girls are eager to get involved in fishing, and we’re proud to continue creating opportunities that welcome, connect and inspire the next generation of anglers.”
There have been five BassmastHER workshops held in conjunction with B.A.S.S. Elite events and the Bassmaster Classic in 2026, with the fifth occurring at the season-culminating event at the St. Lawrence River this Saturday, August 29, 2026. A sixth and final workshop for the 2026 season will take place on Saturday, October 17th, at the 15th annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament in Scottsboro, AL. For more information or to register for a workshop visit: https://www.bassmaster.com/bassmasther/.
