Meet James

Hometown: Hacienda Heights, CA (Los Angeles County)

Originally from: Seattle, WA

First bass club: I started my own bass club in high school in the '90′s with my friends.

Family: Married my wife Lisa Smiley in 2004.  My son Ezekiel "Zeke" Smiley was born in 2008.

Years tournament fishing: Since 1996

Hobbies: Fishing, watching college football, hanging out with family

Something people wouldn't know about you: Played college football & was 1st Team All League as a true freshman until injuries forced me out of contact sports. In high school, was once ranked in the top100 high school players by The Sporting News.

Sports played: Team USA Rugby (19 & under league). Lettered in football, basketball, track, and baseball during high school.

Favorite waterway: Columbia River, Oregon

Home lake: Whatever place I'm fishing next...lol

Favorite technique: Versatility. I used to be only a shallow water flipper and won some money doing that. But now I'm comfortable catching fish in 60 feet, 6 feet, or 6 inches of water.

Still working on: Learning waterways outside of where I grew up.

Wildest dream: Touring on the Elite Series. Helping change the world for the better some day.

First job: Paperboy in the inner city of Seattle at age 12. Got jumped twice on my paper route then decided to "retire" from that job!

What do you watch on TV: football, fishing, news, 24 the series

Fear the most: Life without God. I also fear failure in general.

Words to live by: Never give up...on God.

People you look up too: Every pro out West who made it professionally; I've always looked up to those guys in a major way! And my Dad most of all; he's been my hero in life.

Favorite lures: I probably crank more than anything else all year long. Lucky Craft LV500s, BDS3, LC1.5 and 2.5, CB FLAT MR/DR, and the Staysee 90 v3.  Also, you can't ever beat a Berkley Crazy Legs or Power Worm when fishing is tough.

Life is...: Ultimately whatever you make it out to be. I try to make no excuses in life.