I love seeing and spending time with Steve and Barbara Bowman at Bassmaster events. They ALWAYS include me in their family plans. This year was no exception. We planned our days together and each night after the weigh in we were included for dinner plans with their family.

At this year’s Bassmaster Classic I caught up with many members of our fishing family. Even with those I finally met for the first time, we hugged liked family. Afterward, one of my first comments to Pete was that I have a running list of people I want to fish with. Somehow, someway, I hope to make this happen.

I’ve been fortunate to fish on some of the country’s best waters with some top pros and guides, but I always want more — here are five proven winners and the places I’d like to fish with them.

Julia Kennedy, the mastermind behind team Kennedy (Elite Series pro Steve is her assistant) does more than most, and has seen more than most. If you want proof, just ask her kids, who can tell you more about geography, marine biology and American history than most PhD candidates.