Chris and Cory Johnston have tough acts to follow this season.
Their own.
The brothers open the Elite Series bass fishing season Thursday on the St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., following significant ’24 campaigns.
Chris Johnston became the first Canadian to capture the overall championship while Cory Johnston won two tournaments, which were not only his first on the circuit but the most in a season by a Canuck.
Cory Johnston, of Cavan, Ont., also has the most career Series wins by a Canadian.
“It was a good year,” he said. “I’d love to get another win or two again this year and keep it rolling.
“That’s the goal in every event, to try and win. The more blue trophies the better.”
For Chris Johnston, of Peterborough, Ont., 2024 has long been in the rear-view mirror.
“That’s gone and honestly it’s starting fresh,” he said. “I have the same mindset going into this year and that’s having a good first two tournaments here in Florida, get some good points and try to have a chance at repeating (overall championship), qualifying for the (US$1-million Bassmaster) Classic and just being consistent.
“That’s always the first priority.”
The season’s second tournament is slated for Florida’s Lake Okeechobee starting Feb. 27.
Cory Johnston isn’t changing his mindset either, but it differs from his brother’s.
“I’m not the type to hold back and try to just have an OK finish,” he said. “I’ll roll the dice and however it plays out at the end the year, it is what it is.”
The overall title was Chris Johnston’s second major Elite Series milestone. In 2020, he became the first Canadian to win a tournament, doing so on the St. Lawrence River at Clayton, N.Y.
“I honestly don’t think about it (Series firsts) and probably take it for granted,” Johnston said. “I was recently with Hank Parker (former pro angler and TV host) and other guys who’ve been around the sport and they said, ‘You don’t realize the significance of what you just did. Wait 10 years from now, then it will really sink in how lucky you are.'”
The Johnstons are among five Canadians on the circuit this season. The others are returnees Jeff Gustafson, of Kenora, Ont., and Cooper Gallant, of Bowmanville, Ont., along with newcomer Evan Kung, of Pickering, Ont., who qualified last year via the Bassmaster Opens.
Gustafson is the only other Canadian Elite Series winner, capturing ’22 event on the Tennessee River. The following year, Gustafson won the Classic on the same body of water, becoming the first angler from Canada to claim pro bass fishing’s most prestigious title.
The Johnstons are intense competitors and have a healthy sibling rivalry. But they’re also a formidable team, fishing separately then comparing notes afterwards.
They’re longtime business partners who share and split winnings, expenses and sponsorships. And despite their competitiveness, the brothers revel in each other’s successes.
“It was great to see (Cory) win last year,” Chris Johnston said. “If I don’t win, I like to see him win.”
Added Cory Johnston: “What (Chris) did last year was special, for sure. I love watching him win tournaments just as much as I do for myself. It definitely makes for a good year.”
The St. Johns River is where Cory Johnston earned his first career victory last April, finishing over 21 pounds ahead of American runner-up Brad Whatley.
“It was one of those things that set up perfectly,” Johnston said. “But it’s also something you almost can never duplicate so we’ll have to find something different this time.”
Chris Johnston has also fared well on the St. Johns River. He was second there in his first-ever Elite Series event in 2019 and finished fifth last year.
“We have history there, which does help,” he said. “But everyone kind of knows the areas to fish on these lakes (because) we’ve been there so many times.
“The Florida fishery is so hit or miss. You can be a hero one day, zero the next so you’re just going to have to go fishing.”
Following the two Florida events, the focus will shift to the ’25 Classic at Lake Ray Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas, from March 21-23.
“I’ve got one trophy left that I haven’t won in bass fishing,” Chris Johnston said. “And that’s the Classic, that’s the big one.”
Added Cory Johnston: “It should be a fun event, the weather should set up well for some really big fish to be weighed in. I’m looking forward to that one.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 18, 2025.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
