Family’s important to Jacob Foutz, so when he made a promise to his great grandmother Judy Fisher, he intended to keep it. Two years after her passing, Foutz fulfilled his oath by winning the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite at Arkansas River.

After tallying a four-day winning total of 72 pounds, 4 ounces, Foutz linked a transitional moment in his final day to that longstanding family commitment.

“This afternoon, I had 30 minutes before I locked (back to Pool 16 from Pool 15) and I had gone back for a big one I had seen on bed,” said the 27-year-old from Philadelphia, Tenn. “My great grandma was my biggest fan. Every time I saw her, I promised her a blue trophy.

“That big fish wasn’t there and I said, ‘Grandma, if you’re watching, I can use a 5-pounder right now.’ About 5 minutes later, I caught a 6-1. You can’t script it any better than that.”