Wired2Fish is proud to share that Terry Brown has been nominated to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, a recognition that speaks to decades of service, leadership, and influence across the bass fishing world.
In the nomination written by Luke Stoner, Brown is described simply and powerfully as a man of “Integrity, Hustle, and Impact.” It’s a fitting summary for someone who has spent a lifetime shaping the sport from behind the scenes while uplifting others along the way.
“Terry Brown is a lifelong figure in the bass fishing world,” Stoner writes. “He is a celebrated writer, radio and podcast host, but perhaps his greatest impact on the fishing industry lies in his mentorship and leadership for young anglers.”
After earning a bachelor of science in Radio/Television from Illinois State University and spending more than 20 years as manager of communications for State Farm Insurance, Brown brought his vision to the fishing media space, quickly becoming one of its most trusted voices. Over the years, he has contributed “thousands of articles and pieces of content on freshwater fishing techniques, tournament news, equipment profiles, and conservation,” with bylines appearing in Bassmaster, BASS Times, BassFan, BassWest, Bass365, Wired2Fish, and regional outlets like The Pantagraph, where he wrote an outdoor column for decades.
Brown’s early ambition was to compete at the highest levels himself, but as Stoner notes, “at a certain point he realized there was more opportunity in, ‘being the guy interviewing the experts, not having to be the expert myself.’” That realization helped lead to some of the most influential media platforms the sport has ever known.
In 2001, Brown helped launch BassFan alongside Jay Kumar, serving as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer during a period when, according to Stoner, “BassFan truly changed how people reported on bass fishing.” A few years later, he helped start Wired2Fish with Todd Hammill and Scott and Marty Glorvigen. Brown’s goal with W2F was clear: To tell stories, teach people more about fishing, and to help manufacturers sell their gear.
“The Wired2Fish experiment proved to be wildly successful,” Stoner writes, as W2F “exploded in popularity and became one of the go-to bass fishing resources from 2010–2020.” Brown has continued to serve as president of sales for Wired2Fish, impacting “countless aspiring pro anglers and industry professionals” in the years since.
While his media influence is undeniable, Stoner argues that Brown’s most lasting legacy began in 2009. That year, Brown was “integral in starting the first state sanctioned High School Bass Fishing tournament series.” Working with Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Executive Director Dave Gannaway, Brown helped write the proposal that made Illinois the first state in the nation to officially recognize high school fishing.
The results were immediate and historic. “In 2009 Illinois had over 2,400 high school students sign up to compete … Over 130 high schools were represented in the inaugural year.” Brown even helped emcee the first IHSA High School Fishing Championship on Lake Carlyle.
“The rest, as they say, is history,” Stoner notes. Dozens of states followed, using the same framework. Today, high school and college fishing are pipelines to the highest levels of the sport. “Take a look at the top of the leaderboard for just about every level of tournament fishing … there will be current or former high school and college anglers’ names included near the top.”
Beyond the national impact, Brown’s influence runs deep at the community level as well. He has “hosted multiple tournament trails,” mentored aspiring anglers and industry professionals, managed internship programs through Wired2Fish, and spoken to countless high school and college fishing clubs across the country.
Stoner closes the nomination with words that resonate deeply with everyone at Wired2Fish: “Terry Brown is one of the good ones who has often put the industry before himself. He deserves recognition, and there is none higher than the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.”
Those who have worked alongside Brown throughout his career echo those sentiments. Todd Hammill, head of outdoor at Delta Digital and a longtime colleague, emphasized that Brown’s nomination represents far more than longevity.
“For nearly three decades, I have had the privilege of working alongside Terry in various capacities,” Hammill said. “His unwavering dedication, passion, and years of hard work have truly distinguished him in the sport and served as an inspiration to everyone around him. This acknowledgment goes beyond simply honoring longevity in the industry; it recognizes the significant contributions and meaningful changes Terry has made to the trajectory of bass fishing. Earning a place on the ballot is no small feat, and it is meant to be challenging. Congratulations on this remarkable achievement — you have truly earned it!”
I couldn’t agree more. In the past 18 months that I’ve had the privilege of working with Terry, he has shown himself to be a tireless advocate for the benefits that fishing can provide, particularly with youth but also to anyone who will listen. His passion for the sport is evident, and shines through in everything he does. He’s also shown himself to be selfless, often putting others’ needs before his. And did I mention he’s a pretty good guy to talk to? Here’s to you, Terry, from all of us at Wired2fish. — Joe Albanese
