Mooresville’s own Kaden Buchmann, alongside his fishing partner Chase Wodzinski, recently made waves in the competitive bass fishing world, winning a $10,000 prize at a major tournament on Lake Wylie. Buchmann’s passion for the sport began in middle school, fishing in Curtis Pond, and grew stronger when he joined the Mooresville High School Fishing Team. Wodzinski, a graduate of Lake Norman High School, shares a similar story, discovering his love for bass fishing in the Curtis Pond neighborhood pond.
Since much of their high school education was online, they were able to spend significant time on the lake, honing their skills. Buchmann, who played soccer from a young age, eventually shifted his focus entirely to fishing during high school, realizing he enjoyed it more. Now both scholarship anglers at Lander University, they continue to chase their dreams on the water.
Reflecting on the moment they realized they had a shot at the win, Buchmann said, “I pulled up on one of the places I found in practice and caught one almost 4 ¾ pounds. We filled our limit around 16 pounds, and not 10 minutes later, I caught our kicker fish weighing 5.62 pounds. That pushed us just under 19 pounds.”
Heading into the tournament, their strategy was to use electronics to catch a solid limit early in the morning, then shift to targeting larger fish as the day warmed up. However, the competition wasn’t without challenges. Right after catching their biggest fish, Buchmann lost another that could have been just as significant. “I knew I just had to keep my cool and keep fishing,” he said.
Preparation was key. The day before the tournament, Buchmann spent a few hours practicing and hooked two solid fish before deciding to head home and get ready. His confidence was high, and excitement made for a restless night. Their bait of choice included a Queens Tackle Live Scope Jig Head for keepers and a ⅞ ounce black and blue Muffintop jig for key catches.
Winning this tournament is a major milestone in their careers. “It feels amazing. It makes both of us extremely hungry to go and try to win every tournament we have,” Buchmann shared. The victory also validated years of hard work, proving they have what it takes to compete against experienced anglers in large fields.
Balancing college and competitive fishing isn’t easy, but Buchmann says Lander University supports the team academically. Their professors work with them since they are a school-sanctioned team. Their mentors, including JJ Morse and Mike Seawright, played a vital role in shaping their competitive mindset. The Mooresville community has also been a strong supporter, with local businesses sponsoring their efforts and the Mooresville High School Fishing Team providing a foundation for growth.
Looking ahead, they have a packed tournament schedule, including the CBC event on Lake Norman on March 8. Buchmann is also involved in a fundraiser benefiting Ridability, a nonprofit offering therapeutic riding services. Through an auction, he and five other anglers helped raise nearly $8,000 for the cause.
For them, conservation is critical. “If we don’t take care of our natural resources, they won’t be around in the future,” Buchmann noted, highlighting the importance of responsible fishing practices.
As for the future, they hope to establish themselves as top competitors. “We want to become the guys that people don’t want to see when they go to register for a tournament in the morning,” Buchmann said with determination.
From casting their first lines in Curtis Pond to competing against professionals like two-time Bassmaster Classic champion Hank Cherry, their journey is just getting started. With the support of their families, mentors, and the Mooresville community, their next big catch might just be around the corner.
