Nate Kawlewski, project manager at Elkhorn-based Balestrieri Group, loves to fish and hopes to eventually become a full-time professional bass fisherman.
Kawlewski started fishing when he was 2 years old. He started competing in some fishing tournaments in high school and now regularly fishes in Bassmaster professional fishing tournaments.
“The biggest difference between fishing and what I do for these tournaments is the preparation,” Kawlewski said. “There’s a lot of ‘pre-fishing’ that I do prior to a tournament.”
Kawlewski does research on the lakes prior to each tournament he competes in. He does a map study and gauges the temperature of the lake water based on the time of the year and seasonal patterns.
“There’s a lot you can find out about the seasonal patterns of the fish during your pre-fishing research,” he said.
Kawlewski travels all over the country and fishes year-round. He recently purchased a new boat. The technology and the equipment have to be updated every year to stay competitive, he said.
Kawlewski has won a few regional tournaments and has placed in the top 25 of a Bassmaster’s national tournament.
He is sponsored by Balestrieri Group and Spring Valley, Ill.-based Time on the Water Outdoors.
“I love fishing,” Kawlewski said. “It fits me. I’m a pretty competitive person by nature, and I love being out on the water and competing with others to reel in the biggest fish.”
