What started as a 10-year-old boy fishing for fun turned into college scholarships and and national rankings.
Levi Mullins grew up in Brown County fishing with his dad at Monroe Lake. When he and his dad Jeff Mullins created the Brown County Fishing Club at the high school, his bass fishing career really took off.
“My family has always taken me fishing ever since I can remember,” said Mullins. “Our first tournament together we had no idea what we were doing or getting into and ended up getting second place. That’s when I really fell in love with it and took off with it.”
Mullins got recruited in high school by Bethel University in Tennessee, one of the most decorated fishing teams in the country. He went on the U.S.A Bassin scholarship where he too became one of the most decorated fishermen.
He was one of the eight top collegiate anglers in the nation to participate in the Bassmaster College Bracket in Kansas. Any college who makes a bracket has a chance to be included and only eight get to go.
“It means a lot to me,” said Mullins. “It’s pretty crazy to get that far in the nation.”
Mullins said the day didn’t go as planned. He said he was leading all day until the last 30 minutes when a guy caught the biggest fish of the day that ended up beating him. He said it was still a fun day, and he was able to be featured live on channel FS1.
“That was a dream come true for him,” said Jeff. “Any one of them was good enough to win it, and it was an honor to see him compete in the bracket as one of the top eight.”
Mullins mom Heather said she was so proud of him for following his dreams and going to college five hours away for them.
“I feel that no one truly believed in him in high school and expected him to do anything, so the fact he got his scholarship and went to college for it was a huge accomplishment,” said Heather.
Mullins has had many accomplishments throughout his fishing career including a Bassmaster College Series win in South Carolina in 2020, second place at B.A.S.S Nation Championship, third place at Bassmaster College Series in Florida, third and fifth at Big Bass Bash on Kentucky Lake and won the Major League Fishing College Faceoff.
He’s won local tournaments recently as well. Mullins said last year he won the Bass Fishing League tournament on Monroe Lake, and he also won the Brownies Marine Ranger Nitro tournament on Monroe.
“He walked into Bethel University, the most decorated fishing team in the country, as an unknown,” said Jeff. “His teammates were some of the most decorated in the country and at the end of his college career, he’s one of the most decorated from the team.”
Mullins graduated in May and plans to continue his fishing career. He said his goal is to fish competitively as a living.
“I want to fish on national trails across the nation,” said Mullins. “I’d like to qualify for the Tackle Warehouse Pro Series and make the Bassmaster Classic series.”
“He was this little boy that doesn’t talk much still, who succeeded and pursued his dreams all on his own,” said Heather.
“He’s good enough with the right breaks to be a professional,” said Jeff. “It has been special to watch it happen, and we are excited to see where he goes from here.”
Mullins said he likes trying to figure out the fish each day and how to get them to bite.
“I’m proud of being able to compete against all the people I’ve gone up against, and I love traveling across the country and being able to fish all the time,” said Mullins.
