Soul of 78: Logan Johnson

A lifelong passion for fishing evolved into a professional career

Words by Thomas Ingle | Images by Ryan McGill

For Logan Johnson, life on the water is second nature.

Logan's passion for fishing began at age three, when he often joined his father on boats at still ponds, rolling creeks, and the expansive waters of Smith Lake. His love for fishing has remained constant throughout the years, growing from a childhood pastime into a lifelong pursuit.

Born and raised in Jasper, Logan graduated from Walker High School in 2008 and earned his associate degree from Bevill State Community College in 2010. He then attended The University of Alabama, graduating in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in advertising and a minor in computer science. While he valued his academic experiences, his most cherished memories from Alabama were forged on the school's fishing team.

"I tell high school kids now that if we had high school fishing, I would have done that. But if you're on the fence about going to college but want to fish professionally, you need to fish in college first. Those connections you make are invaluable," Logan says.

After college, Logan embarked on a decade-long career with Coca-Cola, opting to part ways at the end of 2021 to focus more on fishing. "I decided on a whim to quit my job and sell my house to try and make it in fishing professionally," he recalls.

In his first year as a professional fisherman, Logan participated in numerous events but needed a steady income to support his passion. His offseason from October to the first week of January gave him time to reflect and strategize.

"That season, I was trying to figure out what I was going to do because most of the pro fishermen have some type of side business," Logan explained.

Logan found his niche by guiding fishing trips on Smith Lake, specializing in bass and crappie, and teaching clients how to use their boat electronics. He now dedicates three to five days a week to this venture.

Looking ahead, Logan dreams of building a thriving business, coaching a fishing team, and climbing the professional fishing ranks to the Elite Series.

Until then, he will continue to enjoy life on the water, exemplifying what it means to turn a passion into a profession. 78