By Louie Stout

Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY Ron Nelson

Ron Nelson keeps climbing the ladder.

The Berrien Springs angler won another Angler of Year title recently, taking home the Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY.

Tackle Warehouse Invitational circuit is part of the Major League Fishing family and akin to the Bassmaster Opens.

As a result, he receives an invitation to fish the Bass Pro Tour, MLF’s equivalent of the Bassmaster Elites, and the right to compete in MLF’s Redcrest, that circuit’s version of the Bassmaster Classic.

Nelson has steadily proven he can catch ‘em with the best at each level he has fished. He says he’s ready to match wits with some of the best on the Pro Bass Tour.

“I still love bass fishing in this area, but my original goal as a younger man was to explore bass fishing in the rest of the country,” he says. “I slowly kept progressing, so I guess the natural thing now is to go to the Bass Pro Tour. But I’m waiting to see the schedule and entry fees.”

Those anglers who fish the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals (formerly FLW Circuit) will be glad to see him move up. Nelson has been a consistent threat throughout his career.

He won the Rookie of the Year title in 2019 and followed it up with the FLW Angler of Year title in 2020.

Tackle Warehouse Invitational AOY Ron Nelson with his wife

He’s won three events over the years and pocketed nearly $742,000 in winnings and finished in the top 10 of MLF circuits six times last season. He was fourth at the Harrison Chain (Florida), fourth at Clarks Hill (Georgia), third at Lake Eufaula (Oklahoma), fifth at Lake of the Ozarks (Missouri), 10th at Lake Eufala (Alabama) and fifth at Lake Champlain (New York).

“If I decide to do something, I want to be on top of that hill,” Nelson says. “I’m self-driven and I want my family and my friends in this region to be proud of my efforts. That’s always been my goal.”

He says there is no one technique or lure that has carried him through his good season, although he admits his strong suit is before, during and after the spawn.

“I understand fish movements that time of year and can see in the water pretty good,” he adds.

Of course forward facing sonar has become part of his game, noting that you have to be good with it to be competitive these days, especially when fish are being pressured.

“But I’ve also learned that ‘scoping’ can distract and keep you from stumbling across opportunities,” he says. “I have an old-school mentality and know you can’t get sucked down that rabbit hole, but if the time is right you have to use it. And honestly, I don’t want to lose sight of the sheer thrill of the unknown bite.”

Despite his success, Nelson continues to fly under the radar of sponsors. However, he recently picked up help from Gates Automotive and has ADI Apparel in South Bend.

“It’s nice having local businesses get behind you,” he notes.

Other sponsors are Simms, 13 Fishing, Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Power Pole, Sunline and Trick Step.

He still has his Southwest Michigan painting business when he’s not chasing bass around the country.

“I still take care of my loyal customers but not painting as much as I once did,” he says. “The wife and I are having a house built on the St. Joseph River near Buchanan so that takes up a lot of my time as well.”