Page 52 - Lady Bass Anglers Digital Magazine July 2023

2 CHICKS ICAST 2023

EXPERIENCE

Do you remember what you were doing at the ripe old age of sixteen? If my memory is accurate,
I’m sure I had a basketball in one hand and a fishing pole in the other. All I could focus on at that
age was to become a better basketball player and student, with aspirations to play basketball in
college. My fishing pole was on hand for pure stress relief. I usually busted it out on those beautiful
spring days for a bit of rest and relaxation before taking end-of-the year exams. One thing that
never crossed my mind was to start a business. Can you imagine being sixteen and having such a
passion for something that you want to turn it into a career?

Well, I’d like to introduce you to Brezlyn Reener. Beth and I met Brezlyn a few years ago at the
Columbus Fishing Expo Columbus, Ohio. She was 14 years old, a freshman in high school, and
had been pouring her own soft plastics for over two years. Her brand name is Breezy Bombers, her
brother affectionately designed her logo, and anyone who spends time talking with Brezlyn can see
her passion for making baits and life in general.

Now, let’s fast forward to this past July. Once again, Beth and I had the privilege to hang out with
Brezlyn, this time at ICAST in Orlando, Florida. ICAST is the world’s largest sportfishing trade
show. For us amateur anglers, it is like Christmas in July. It’s an to see the latest innovations
for everything fishing. The products aren’t for purchase but will come to your favorite fishing
retailer in early fall.Beth and I have attended ICAST before, but this year was different. We got
to see it through the eyes of an aspiring young business entrepreneur about to start her junior
year in high school. As we walked through the endless isles of vendors displaying their products,
we encountered many professional anglers responsible for advertising such products. Brezlyn
confidently met these anglers and asked them to autograph a huge popper bait which she carried in
her backpack throughout the show. She shared a little with them about the soft plastics she creates
in her garage back home in Ohio. With each angler she met, we were increasingly impressed with
how she carried herself. She was equally in awe of the anglers she was meeting and confident.

On the second day of ICAST, Brezlyn, Beth, and I were actually in the right place at the right time
to discuss a potential partnership with a well-known fishing company that has been a staple in the
fishing industry as long as I have been around. For Brezlyn, the opportunity is to pair her plastics
with their product. For Beth and I, the opportunity is to share their products with the ladies fishing
our 2 Chicks in a Boat Women’s Team Tournament Trail. We all left the meeting on a fishing high,
like the high you get when you catch your personal best fish on a topwater bite. As the second day
ended, we asked Brezlyn where she saw herself in a few years. She replied with confidence;
I will have a booth here at ICAST selling my baits. There is no doubt in our minds that she

will do just

52 Lady Bass Anglers Association 2 Chicks Team Trail