To learn more about Ott, read his latest blog, or to check out his upcoming schedule be sure to visit his official website, OttDeFoe.com.
Here's a little bit about 2019 Bassmaster Classic Champion Ott DeFoe:
Fans know Ott DeFoe as a competitor on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Here is how he got to that point…
Arthur (Ott) F. DeFoe was born on September 17, 1985 to Bud and Erieka DeFoe in Knoxville, TN. When he was 9 years he took a trip to Okeechobee, FL and that’s where his love for bass fishing began.
Ott fished his first tournament that fall with his dad and they did not catch a fish! From that next spring til fall they fished in over 50 tournaments. They did not have a lot of success but that did not stop him from trying. It took over two years of fishing local tournaments before they ever got their first check. When Ott turned 12 he joined the East Tennessee Bass Anglers club. It was there that he learned most of the skills he possesses today. He fished his way up the FLW Tour and qualified for several FLW Cups.
By finishing 5th in the 2010 Bassmaster Southern Opens Ott qualified to fish the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series. He became the first Tennessean in the Elite Series when he accepted the invitation to fish against the top 100 Bassmaster anglers in November 2010. Ott won the 2011 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year award, finished 4th in the points and then ended the season by winning the Toyota Trucks All Star Week. He finished 2nd in the AOY standings in 2012 and followed up with a 13th place finish in 2013. In 2014 Ott won the Bassmaster Northern Open event on Douglas Lake. Earlier in the year he finished 4th in the Bassmaster Classic on Guntersville.
DeFoe won the 2014 Bassmaster Northern Open on Douglas DeFoe and notched his first Elite Series victory on the Mississippi River in 2016. He’s also performed well in the Major League Fishing Selects and Cups.
Ott lives in Knoxville, TN with his wife, Jennie, daughter, Abbie and twins Parker and Elizabeth. While Ott is at home he actively participates at Lyons Creek Baptist Church and fishes the local lakes and rivers. In 2013 – 2015 hosted a charity event for Goodwill and the Mountain Music Kids Event and does an auction each Fall to raise funds and awareness.