Angler Spotlight: Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson
Jeff Gustafson, also known as “Gussy” is a newcomer to the Bassmaster Elite Series and one of the few Canadian anglers on the series. He has spent the previous six years competing on the FLW Tour, notching five Top 10 finishes, two Forrest Wood Cup appearances, and overall tour finishes of 5th in 2016 and 11th in 2018. Gussy has made a name for himself over the past few years as he has climbed the ranks of the FLW Tour.
Jeff is one of the most well known Canadian anglers, with years of experience and impressive results at the Kenora Bass International (KBI), Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championships and other notable bass fishing tournaments in Canada and the Midwest.
Jeff has been a part of Team Humminbird and Minn Kota for his entire career.
What we love about Jeff
Not only is Gussy one of the nicest guys in all of bass fishing, but he is also one of the few guys to run an aluminum boat (Lund 2075 Pro-V Bass), and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s not just a friendly Canadian that carries a big smile on his face everywhere he goes, the guy is a stick!
He has major chops in deep water and offshore structures and loves to utilize his electronics, something you will hear about later.
Location
Kenora, Ontario
Fishing Industry Idol(s)
Al and Ron Lindner - I was fortunate to meet these guys when I was around ten years old. They came up and fished bass tournaments on Lake of the Woods and Rainy Lake for many years, and they treated me like one of the guys when I was a little kid. I looked up to them, and they have supported my career in the fishing industry for many years and have become good friends. They have been innovators in this industry in nearly every category from tackle design, to media, to simply making a living fishing.
They are exactly in real life how they are on TV.
Dave Mercer - Elite Series emcee Dave Mercer is another guy that I look up to because he is from Canada. We've known each other for a long time, and he's been a good mentor over the years, also a top-notch guy.
Favorite Technique and Lure
Finesse fishing using my electronics.
For me, I feel like I have an advantage when I'm faced with deep, clear water because of my background fishing this kind of water back home. If I have to beat the bank with a crankbait or a spinnerbait, I'm probably going to get my butt whipped by the southern guys, so I take advantage of my HELIX units and look for inconspicuous spots to fish.
I'm a big fan of drop-shotting, Neko-rigging and using Ned rigs. Light line and light tackle will still put big bass in the boat, especially under tough conditions which we are often faced with on the Tour. That being said, I'll do whatever it takes to put bass in the boat.
Favorite Lake
Lake of the Woods.
At over 1 million acres, my home lake is huge and has a lot to offer anglers. I love bass fishing, but I also guide and enjoy fishing for walleye, lake trout, pike, musky and panfish, which are all plentiful in the lake. For someone that loves to fish, it's an amazing place.
How has technology changed the way you fish?
Advancements in technology have helped me greatly in how I prepare for a tournament. I have learned that I have a lot greater chance to do well in these national events if I can use my electronics to find fish offshore, fish that other anglers often overlook.
I’m a big fan of using my Lakemaster Mapping to find fishing locations. From there, I rely on Side Imaging and Down Imaging to find both high percentages of structural elements and fish.
The biggest thing that has come along in the past few years that has changed the way that all professional and weekend warriors fish has to be Spot-Lock on the Minn Kota trolling motors. I guide when I’m at home so it’s so nice to be able to hit a button and hold my spot if I have to take off a fish for a client, bait a hook, etc. It also keeps us on the spot regardless of the conditions, it’s incredible. Finally, for the way I like to fish, mainly offshore, it’s a key tool to make life easier!
If you could give your past self a tip about tournament fishing, what would it be?
Get off the bank!
My results have been much better in recent years, and it’s typically because I have found fish with my electronics that other anglers missed.
Lastly, what fuels your passion for fishing?
I’m super competitive and live for competing in bass tournaments. Most of my best friends tournament fish, it’s a big part of my lifestyle.
Follow Gussy on social media at:
- Facebook: Gussy Outdoors
- Instagram: @GussyOutdoors
- Twitter: @GussyOutdoors