Best Bass Tournaments present 

Jason Higginbothom & Nathan Harbison

2014 Anglers of the Year

Central region winners

Angler Jason Higginbothom calls Hanford home, is a Fresno State grad with a degree in criminology. Currently working at PG&E. Jason is the eldest son of Cathy & Ron and has been married for 14 years to Erin, who is also a FSU grad. They have two daughters and a yellow lab named Yella. Jason convinced Erin to agree to their first date on Valentine's day at Subway. He smiles when he remembers the month long pursuit to get her to say yes.

Jason runs a Champion 203 Elite. He first heard about BBT by word of mouth and decided at a FSU tailgate game to team up with Nathan Harbison. They have been fishing BBT for the last 3 years. 

Jason has Abu Garcia in his hip pocket. His reel choice is a Revo, and his rod choice is Abu Garcia Veritos. “I throw Brays Serious Baits because I like to fish low and slow. Their weightless plastics work great”. Jason is also a jig and topwater man. “My jigs have a twin tail brown and purple”. Jason wants to give a big shout first to his family.  “My family and my wife are so supportive of my fishing and that means the world to me”. He also wants to recognize his success is due to the guys and gals at Hard Core Bass Fishing and RH & Sons Construction.

Co-Angler Nathan Harbison is a real community leader. Born and raised in Madera, Nathan is the son of Ruth Ann and Norman. Nathan first started “Fishing for a Cause” to show support for his fishing legend and friend JR Taylor & two other friends fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Nathan would call JR and share realtime tournament results. Because JR taught Nathan so much about fishing and sponsored his efforts. Nathan & JR could share in the success together. “JR and these friends mean a lot to me and it is a great honor to carry their names on my boat”.  

Nathan is a Fresno State grad with an Ag Science Major. He is the owner of Bulldog Extermination. Bulldog is celebrating their 15th year in business. Nathan discovered BBT while attending FSU Bulldog football tailgate parties where he met angler Jason Higginbothom and together they put a wrap on the 2014 Angler of the Year title.

Nathan runs a 2008 Triton with a Mercury 250. He throws I-rod, Powell and Lamaglass. Lure choices are; crankbait, swim bait, and finesse. What advice would interest fellow anglers? “Keep it simple, always do your preparation in advance. Reels, line, lures and baits get prepared in advance of the event and nothing replaces time on the water”. When asked how do you manage to rise to the top, overcome bad weather, low lake levels, sluggish fish? Nathan response “JR taught me valuable lessons on how to live my life, how to not let the small things get you down, how to have the right attitude and mental approach for a winning life”. 

How does Nathan fuel the machine that keeps him fishing? “My favorite place to eat is Shepherds Inn in Fresno; order the lamb chops, they are incredible”.  Nathan wants to give a big shout out to Karen at Delta Marine. “She is always so helpful to get me on the schedule, get our team back on the water with repairs I can count on”. As duck hunting season arrives, you can find Nathan with his dog Remi, getting the gear ready. What's on his playlist these days? “CCR, Waylon Jennings, Billy Squire, Dierks Bentley and a little old school with The Bellamy Brothers”. That is some ‘Reel Advice’ from this years' Angler of the Year in the Central Region.