Meet the Anglers: Challenge Cup - Team Smokey Mountain (#8)

Dean Rojas + Josh Bertrand

rojas and bertrand_25-Challenge-D2-Takeoff-PMoore-28-scaled.jpg

MLF Bass Pro Tour Anglers Dean Rojas and Josh Bertrand

Photo by Pheonix Moore

Rojas_0263.png

Dean Rojas

Major League Fishing

Dean Rojas

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Arizona native Dean Rojas holds one of the longest, most impressive records in bass-fishing history: the heaviest single-day weight ever recorded in a five-fish-limit format (45 pounds, 2 ounces on Lake Toho in 2001). Rojas has also notched 60 Top 10s and more than $2.9 million in career winnings. Rojas is the winner of the 2019 Bass Pro Tour Stage Five at Smith Lake in Cullman, Alabama.

FUN FACT

Dean likes golfing, off-roading, and fishing with his sons.

Career Wins5
Top 10s61
Top 20s104
REDCREST Appearances-
Career Winnings$3,034,976

GTTS-Erie-D6-Takeoff-PMoore-03.jpg

Josh Bertrand

Major League Fishing

Josh Bertrand

Queen Creek, Arizona

An Arizona-based pro with an affinity for smallmouth and West Coast techniques, Josh Bertrand picked up his first career tour-level win in 2018 (on the Bassmaster Elite Series). Bertrand was the 2012 Bassmaster Central Opens Angler of the Year, and in 2022, he won the U.S. Open.

FUN FACT

Bertrand is a big sports fan. His favorites are hockey, baseball, and football. He’s also the host of the Anglers Happy Hour podcast and enjoys camping with his wife and kids.

Career Wins1
Top 10s16
Top 20s30
REDCREST Appearances3
Career Winnings$940,465
Related Stories
A leading Oklahoma veterinarian explains common symptoms of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) and warns owners to remain vigilant because it can spread quickly among horses.
National FFA President Trey Myers joins Monday’s FFA Today to share his hopes and goals for the 2025-2026 year as he steps into this opportunity to lead and serve the next generation of agriculture.
Justin Lucas and Brent Ehrler of Team Ferguson powered through a stingy Championship Round on Cross Lake to claim the Bass Pro Shops Summit Cup Presented by Zenni with a gritty, wire-to-wire performance.
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller warns horse owners after EHV-1 cases linked to the Waco WPRA Finals. Horses linked to recent Waco events should be isolated and closely monitored, as early action is critical to stopping the spread of EHV-1.
Team Ferguson closed out a tense, back-and-forth battle with a total of 30 pounds, 5 ounces on 18 scorable bass to overtake a tight field in the closing stretch and secure the win.
An outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) first appeared after livestock events in Texas and Arizona, and some horses have already died.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The cast of “Farmer Wants a Wife” joined us to share their stories and preview Season 4 of the series, which premieres April 21 on FOX.
Lane Howard and Adam Andrews with the National Corn Growers Association joined us in the studio discuss EPA’s approval of summer E15 sales, ongoing fuel market concerns, and the industry’s push for a long-term biofuels solution for farmers.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation discusses how stewardship is driving efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness in the dairy industry.
Texas continues to play a critical role in the U.S. beef supply chain, with both cow-calf operations and feedlots contributing significantly to national production.
Farm Bureau officials say the findings underscore mounting pressure on producers heading into the 2026 growing season, with input costs continuing to outpace farm income.
Corey Rosenbusch with The Fertilizer Institute joined us to discuss supply chain disruptions and what farmers should watch as global tensions impact fertilizer markets.
Natalie Roy from AgriSafe Network talks about women’s role in agriculture and the increasing need to address their unique health and safety needs as they form a larger part of the workforce.
Rural Lifestyle & Entertainment Shows
Enjoy traditional country music from modern-day troubadours The Malpass Brothers. Each episode stars the brother duo of Chris & Taylor Malpass along with a featured celebrity guest– and loads of clever humor.
Brought to you by Gus Arrendale & Springer Mountain Farms, join dynamic bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent as they welcome scores of fabulous bluegrass, country, and gospel music acts as special guests. Loads of laughs, your favorite guests galore, and lots of good times are guaranteed. Don’t miss all the fun!
Celebrating 16 Consecutive Seasons on RFD Network! “The Penny Gilley Show,” starring “The Sweetheart of Country Music” herself, Penny Gilley.
Join popular polka performer Mollie Busta as she hosts the weekly “Mollie B Polka Party” on RFD Network! The one-hour program features the nation’s top polka bands and a wide variety of ethnic styles, recorded on location at music festivals across the country.
SharkFarmer TV is the brainchild of Rob Sharkey, a 5th-generation farmer from Illinois. He shares the stories of incredible people in agriculture—both their successes and perhaps a few blunders along the way. You’ll see aerial footage of the field just as the drone crashes into a barn—and hear the story behind it all.