Byron Velvick's Fish Tales: A Journey Through Fishing and Friendship with Skeet Reese
In the latest episode of Byron Velvick's Fish Tales, host Byron Velvick sits down with his longtime friend and newly retired professional bass angler, Skeet Reese. The episode is a heartfelt blend of nostalgia, fishing tales, and personal reflections, offering listeners a glimpse into the lives of two men who have shared decades of camaraderie, competition, and life’s ups and downs. From their early days as young anglers to Reese’s emotional retirement and plans for the future, this conversation is a celebration of friendship and the passion for fishing.
A Brotherhood Forged in Fishing
Byron introduces Skeet as one of his "longest, dearest, best brother friends," a former roommate on the BASS Elite Trail alongside fellow angler John Murray. The trio shared countless memories, from late-night dinners and wine to cleaning up after Skeet’s legendary cooking sessions. Byron humorously recalls Skeet’s culinary skills, noting, “He made some great meals,” while he and Murray played cleanup crew in their shared Las Vegas home.
The episode takes a nostalgic turn as Byron recounts how Skeet tiled their Vegas house, a unique claim to fame among anglers. “You and John, you would be the only other anglers in the world that I know of that have had their houses tiled by Skeet Reese,” Byron quips. This sets the tone for a conversation filled with laughter and shared history, including a nod to the pinball machine that inspired the podcast’s name, Fish Tales. The machine, a gift from their former agent Donna Cassace, was a staple in their “money house” and a source of friendly competition, with their late friend Aaron Martins dominating the high scores.
From Pinball to Parenthood
The conversation shifts to a more personal note as Byron and Skeet reflect on their roles as fathers to daughters. Both admit that their wild younger days didn’t exactly prepare them for raising girls. “God has a sense of humor,” Byron says, noting that neither he nor Skeet got sons, but instead, “stunningly beautiful” daughters who keep them on their toes. Skeet, with two daughters, Leah (22) and Courtney (19), offers sage advice to Byron, whose daughter Camber is a high school freshman: “Just ride the wave, dude. Be there to love on them, and when they cry, you’re a shoulder for them to cry on.”
Skeet shares a recent story of Courtney’s breakup after a two-year relationship, highlighting the emotional challenges of parenting. Byron, wearing both the “mom and dad” hats as a single parent, appreciates the sentiment, joking about receiving Mother’s Day cards for his dual role. Their banter about parenting, aging (and receding hairlines), and life’s unexpected twists adds a relatable layer to the episode, showing that even seasoned anglers face the same challenges as everyday dads.
Skeet Reese’s Retirement: A Cinderella Story
The heart of the episode lies in Skeet Reese’s retirement from professional fishing, a moment marked by an emotional final tournament in Michigan. Byron paints a vivid picture of Skeet’s last day on the water, sharing a photo of Skeet with a “pouty face” on his boat, arms crossed like a kindergarten kid who lost his animal crackers. Skeet recounts catching a fish on his very last cast, moving him from 32nd to 29th place and securing his only paycheck of the season. “I was sobbing,” Skeet admits, describing the overwhelming emotion of closing a chapter of his career with such a dramatic finish.
The retirement wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a celebration orchestrated by Skeet’s wife, Kimmy, who planned a surprise dinner party. Skeet shares how he was initially clueless, picking up subtle hints from friends like Kevin and Sher VanDam, who let slip they’d see him the following week. At the event, Skeet was stunned to see family, friends, and former sponsors like Wild Wy X and General Tire, all gathered to honor his career. “Every time I spoke, I cried,” he says, capturing the bittersweet weight of the moment.
The Early Days: Struggles and Starfires
Byron and Skeet dive into their early days as young anglers, scraping by to pursue their dreams. Both share hilarious stories of their first boats—Skeeter Starfires that met unfortunate ends. Skeet recounts taking his Starfire under the Golden Gate Bridge, only to discover a broken steering cable that forced him to do 360s for 15 miles back to the ramp. Byron’s tale is equally wild: his Starfire delaminated during a spring break trip to Catalina, sinking at the launch ramp after a high-speed run to avoid flooding. “It looked like Gilligan’s Island,” Byron laughs, describing the gaping hole in the hull.
Their struggles extended beyond boats. Skeet recalls losing everything in his early 20s, going broke and living in his truck after quitting his grocery store job to fish full-time. Learning the tile-setting trade from friends gave him a lifeline to rebuild. Byron, meanwhile, funded his fishing by diving for golf balls, filling banana boxes with thousands of balls to sell for 20 cents each. “My fingernails were always black,” he admits, recalling the swampy smell of his van. These stories highlight the grit and passion that fueled their careers, with no handouts or easy paths to success.
The One That Got Away
In a poignant segment called “The One That Got Away,” Skeet reflects on the most painful moment of his career: losing two Angler of the Year (AOY) titles due to a controversial postseason format change. Despite dominating the regular season in 2010 and 2011, Skeet was stripped of the titles when the points reset for a playoff-style event. “That started a spiral into my depression,” he confesses, revealing the emotional toll of having his hard-earned achievements nullified. The trauma of those losses lingers, though Skeet acknowledges his life and career turned out fine.
Byron shares his own “one that got away,” recalling a tournament where Skeet finished second to him at Clear Lake, thanks to Byron’s pioneering use of swimbaits. “You won that tournament except for a primitive swimbait,” Byron says, noting how Skeet’s 83.5-pound haul was overshadowed by Byron’s record-setting 93.5 pounds. The anecdote underscores the competitive yet respectful dynamic between the two friends.
Looking Ahead: The Skeet Reese Big Bass Battle
Skeet’s retirement doesn’t mark the end of his fishing journey. He’s launching the Skeet Reese Big Bass Battle on Clear Lake in June 2026, aiming to create the largest bass tournament in the Western United States. With hourly prizes, a Ranger boat for first place, and a festive atmosphere with dinners and hospitality events, the tournament promises to be a celebration of fishing and community. Byron is all in, planning to bring Camber for a father-daughter fishing adventure. “We’re going to make this a family reunion,” he says, hoping to reunite with Skeet, John Murray, and their kids.
The event also serves as a platform to promote Reese Fishing, Skeet’s brand, which continues to partner with sponsors like Bass Pro Shops, Ranger, Mercury, and Lucky Craft. “There is no retirement right now,” Skeet laughs, detailing his busy schedule of developing rods, setting up dealer programs, and planning the tournament.
A Legacy of Passion and Friendship
Byron Velvick's Fish Tales is more than a fishing podcast—it’s a testament to the bonds forged through shared passions and perseverance. Byron and Skeet’s stories of triumphs, struggles, and laughter resonate with anyone who’s chased a dream against the odds. As they plan to reunite at Clear Lake, their story comes full circle, from young anglers with broken boats to seasoned pros passing their love of fishing to the next generation.
Tune in to Fish Tales on YouTube, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform to catch this heartfelt episode and more. For more information on the Skeet Reese Big Bass Battle, stay tuned to Reese Fishing’s updates. And as Byron and Skeet would say, keep chasing those fish—and those memories.
