For Chad Farino, a bass angler who resides in Cumberland County, North Carolina, the road to competitive fishing began with something much smaller than a tournament lake. Originally from Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Farino was never particularly interested in fishing until he lived in a house on a golf course with a pond nearby. What started as tinkering with a rod and reel gradually became an interest worth exploring, eventually developing into a passion that now takes him to dozens of bass fishing tournaments each year.
Farino is retired from the Army, where he served with the 82nd Airborne Division, and his story offers a refreshing look at someone discovering a demanding new pursuit without losing sight of why he enjoys it. Although tournament victories have become part of his journey, his motivation remains rooted in personal improvement, learning and the satisfaction of spending time on the water.
A Small Pond Opens a Bigger World
That golf course pond gave Farino an accessible place to experiment, discover the enjoyment of fishing and begin asking questions about a sport he had previously given little attention. The more he fished, the more he wanted to understand, and casual outings eventually encouraged him to seek opportunities to learn alongside experienced anglers.
When Chad bought his first boat, he discovered that fishing from a boat was very different from fishing at a pond. He had to study, learn through experience and practice on the water to become comfortable with the challenges of this new approach.
In 2013, he joined Cedar Creek Bassmasters, a local fishing club that became an important part of his development. Joining a club brought him into a setting where fishing could become both a shared interest and a competitive challenge, giving his growing enthusiasm a place to take shape beyond the pond where it began.
Learning the Competitive Side of Bass Fishing
Farino also became involved with the American Bass Association, where observing other fishermen helped him develop his approach to competition. He watched how experienced anglers handled their boats and positioned themselves on the lake, learning that where and how a boat is placed can influence an angler’s opportunities throughout the day.
Those lessons helped him move beyond the basics and think more carefully about putting himself in a position to compete. Finding fish is one part of the challenge, while approaching an area effectively and making productive use of time on the water add further layers to the tournament experience.
Today, Farino fishes from a Ranger boat equipped with a 250-horsepower motor, a considerable change from his early days experimenting at a neighborhood pond. Yet the most meaningful progression in his story is the knowledge he has gained and the willingness to continue developing it, even as his tournament schedule and accomplishments have grown.
A Winning Partnership With Rob Ross
A major part of Farino’s tournament story is his partnership with Rob Ross, who remains his current fishing partner. Together, the two have built a strong record of tournament wins, turning their shared time on the water into a successful competitive partnership.
According to the background provided for this profile, Farino and Ross have won Cedar Creek Bassmasters’ annual competition for three consecutive years. Another winning season would make them the first partnership in the club to achieve four consecutive annual wins, giving their current campaign a particularly meaningful goal.
Their results this season have already been impressive, with six victories in the ten tournaments they have fished together. With the club’s final tournament approaching, the partners have an opportunity to add another chapter to their record, although the outcome will ultimately be decided on the water.
Taking on Larger Tournament Fields
In 2024, Farino began entering big bass tournaments, expanding his experience into open competitions that, according to his account, attract approximately 350 to 450 anglers. Competing in those larger fields introduced another setting in which to test his abilities and continue learning about his own approach to fishing.
He also recently competed in a National Professional Fishing League, or NPFL, tournament for the first time and would like to participate in more of its events. That experience represents another step in a journey that has grown steadily from casual fishing into a substantial commitment, with Farino fishing approximately 35 to 45 tournaments annually.
Despite that busy schedule, his ambitions remain personal and clearly defined. He is not seeking a path to the Elite Series, but he would welcome the opportunity to fish a full NPFL schedule while continuing to enjoy the sport on his own terms.
Competing to Become His Best
Farino’s outlook is captured in the words he uses to explain his motivation: “I don’t compete with other anglers. I compete within myself to make me the best angler I can be.”
That perspective gives his accomplishments a meaning beyond tournament standings, because success also includes becoming more capable, learning from experience and maintaining the enjoyment that first drew him to fishing. For this Cumberland County bass angler, the next challenge is an opportunity to improve rather than simply another chance to finish ahead of someone else.
When Chad is not fishing, he loves spending time with his wife, Gena Jackson Farino, enjoying the simple things in life together. Gena is supportive of his passion for fishing, encouraging him as he pursues a sport he loves.
From Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to North Carolina tournament waters, Chad Farino has built a fishing journey shaped by curiosity, commitment and a productive partnership. His story reminds readers that a new passion can begin in an ordinary place, grow into something remarkable and still remain grounded in the simple pleasure that started it all.
About The Author
