We caught up with always jovial John Cox prior to opening day of the Bassmaster Elite Series season in his home state of Florida. He disclosed what variables fans should keep an eye on at this event, along with folks he’d love to share a day fishing with, and lures he’ll depend on this week.
Q: What two variables should fans keep an eye on as they follow this event on the St. Johns River at Palatka, Florida.
Cox: As always, the weather. We’ll be dealing with gusty north winds the first two days, and then things calm down considerably for the weekend. It could be like two different events packed into one. And the leaderboard. Don’t assume what you see on the leaderboard after Day 2, is what the final score will look like.
Q: What two people do you wish you could spend a day on the water with?
Cox: Forrest L. Wood, he’s no longer with us, but being a part of Vexus® Boats has grown my appreciation for the super-quality guy he was. He was a great fishing guide too. Plus, he handed me the big $300,000 check when I got my first championship win in 2016, but I never really got the chance to know him.
And I’d pick Shaw Grigsby. He’s a Florida guy that I’ve admired since 5th grade, but I would make him take me gator hunting, not bass fishing.
Q: What are you loving most about your new Vexus?
Cox: It’s the smoothest riding aluminum boat made. It rides and feels like a fiberglass boat. So, I no longer have to worry about how rough the water will be. I can go anywhere I want to go. It floats super shallow too, so I’ve got peace-of-mind knowing I can get into any backwater I’m wanting to fish.
Q: What two lures will you for sure have tied on this week?
Cox: A Texas-rigged 6” Berkley Maxscent General in black-blue tip, and a new tungsten-weighted lipless style bait called the Berkley Jack. It was kind of designed for vertical jigging walleyes, but I like it around St. Johns River shell beds.