ESPN Youth

CROPWELL, Ala. — Zeke Gossett's success on the Junior Bassmaster trail has opened up sponsorship prospects for him, as well as chances to meet Bassmaster Elite Series pros.

Last year, Gossett won the Alabama Junior Bassmaster state championship at Lake Logan Martin to qualify for the Junior Bassmaster Southern Divisional at Lake Gaston in April. Even though he lost his bid for a berth in the 2009 Junior Bassmaster World Championship (JWC), Gossett became a clutch performer as his last-minute heroics helped the Alabama team win the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Southern Divisional presented by Skeeter and Yamaha by 5 ounces.

"We had just pulled in to a spot [close to the weigh-in site] and there was a 30-mph wind," Gossett recalled. "We had about 10 minutes left and I threw my spinnerbait over a point and I felt the fish hit the blades. I let the fish have it for a bit and then set the hook. I didn't think I had a fish because we were bouncing so high in the boat with the waves, but I got it in."

Zeke's dad consoled him about losing his chance at the JWC by telling him that his last catch was the clincher for the Alabama team. "I felt proud then," Gossett said.

Gossett, 12, is a member of the Blue-Eye Bassmasters and has been fishing with his dad, Curtis, in team tournaments since he was 6 years old. His tournament wins at the junior level caught the attention of Jeff Martin, Vicious Fishing co-owner, who decided to sponsor Gossett.

"We just wanted to get behind him, and we try to do anything we can with kids," said Martin. The young angler has also become a member of Strike King's junior pro staff.

During a Vicious Fishing promotional event last spring, Gossett met the company's pro staff anglers and fished with Elite Series pro Pete Ponds in a tournament that paired the pros with outdoor writers. Ponds was impressed by his young partner, who caught bass on a floating worm and shaky head.

"The first time I saw him set the hook I noticed he was really an excellent angler," said Ponds. "You could tell he is energetic and he is going to be a factor when he gets a little bit older. He did some things that are unusual for a young person on the hook set. He waited a little bit, tightened up his line and set the hook. For a young man to do that shows he has had some training."

Soon after the Vicious Fishing tournament, Gossett also gained some experience as a promoter of his sport when he spoke to other young anglers at a pre-tournament meeting for an adult/youth event of the Fishers of Men Legacy Series.

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