Joe Uribe Jr.
Apex 2022
In His own words:
I am looking forward to the new venture with APEX for myself and the other elite anglers involved in starting a new circuit from the ground up. It will be exciting to fish new lakes that we haven’t been to and to have opportunity to put myself into a new situation where I have to adapt to new fisheries and rely on my instincts. Challenges as an angler are what we need to strive to be better.
Hometown:
Surprise, Ariz.
Highlights:
FLW Western Series Angler of the Year title, 30 Pro/Am top-10’s, 5-time FLW and WON Bass Pro/Am champion, Forrest Wood Cup qualifier
Behind the angler:
Fishing has always been family fun for the Uribes and to say Joe started early, may be an understatement. He has a picture – still in diapers – sitting next to a stream holding a fishing pole. His family fishing and hunting adventures allowed for much time to enjoy the sport. Summer trips to his grandparents led to pier fishing in Southern California. His passion grew from there. He convinced his dad to join a local fishing club, but as a pre-teen, Joe wasn’t allowed to fish himself. Just before he was 14, the club let him in the backseat with dad. Joe won club’s AOY that first year as a non-boater. That spark of competitiveness was the transition from casual fishing and salt water to chasing bass – the start to Joe’s professional career.
In the boat:
Previously Joe’s top choice was a swimbait. Currently, it is punching. His punch rig typically includes a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver or Spicy Beaver. He compares the technique to arm wrestling a bass. On board he has Daiwa Tatula Elite Series rods and Tatula reels. He also carries Performance Tackle rods for specialty techniques. Ninety-nine percent of his reels are spooled with Sunline braid to a FC Sniper Fluorocarbon leader. The two that aren’t are his ChatterBait and Swimbait setups.
