In this episode of Mastering Rod Building, host Bill Falconer welcomes one of the hottest names in professional angling, 2025 Elite Series angler Easton Fothergill. Easton’s rapid rise in the fishing world—from high school tournaments in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, to dominating the Opens with two wins and an Angler of the Year title—has positioned him as a top contender on the Elite Series.

They dive deep into forward-facing sonar, discussing its evolution, impact on bass behavior, and how it's revolutionized modern tournament fishing. Easton shares his approach to rod setups, including the importance of customization, rod length, power, and reel selection for maximizing performance. He also talks about his journey into rod building, his experiences fishing at Montevallo, and how he refines his gear for an edge over the competition.