Luke Mullis never thought one day he’d be making a career in bass fishing media. A former CU swimmer, Mullis joined the swim team’s social media staff in 2021 to stay connected to his teammates. His experience with the swim team opened the opportunity for something bigger, eventually giving him a professional career working for a pro fisherman.
“I originally came into college to swim and eventually stopped after my freshman year to focus on other things,” Mullis said. “I still wanted to be around the team because they were most of my friends, so I asked the coach if I could come back onto the team as a social media manager. She said yes, and that’s how I got my start.”
While working with CU athletics, Mullis found a passion for media, which led him to another opportunity and challenge: managing social media for the CU bass fishing team. Mullis took the opportunity to use his skills in videography and editing while learning in the world of fishing.
“I really didn’t know a lot about it, but I figured I would give it a shot,” Mullis said. “After that year, I heard the fishing team was looking for a social media manager and figured it would be a cool opportunity to expand my network and skill set. And the rest was history, I guess you could say.”
Mullis’ skills in capturing details set him apart from the beginning. Karsten Raney, a CU bass fishing team member, highlighted the impact Mullis had on their social media exposure.
“He helped grow our social media in tremendous ways, helped us gain more followers, and made us look more professional,” Raney said.
Mullis graduated from Campbellsville University in December 2024 with a degree in mass communication. While Mullis created his portfolio on Instagram, John Hunter, a professional fisherman, noticed Mullis’ skills and offered him a full-time role producing professional media. This job required many travels to tournaments, shooting detailed YouTube videos and creating a platform to engage with his fans.
The transition from filming for college to professional fishing wasn’t easy, but Mullis managed to adapt to it.
“The transition of filming on the collegiate level has been seamless,” Hunter said. “There is just a little more involvement filming on the professional level as far as the storyline goes, and Luke has done a great job adjusting.”
Mullis’ ability to capture the nature of fishing is one of his greatest strengths, according to Hunter. He emphasized how important it is to adapt to this industry.
“The biggest challenge with fishing is that every day is unknown,” Hunter said. “You have to be ready to capture every moment because you never know what’s going to turn into a story.”
Beyond his technical skills, Mullis’ work ethic has made him an essential part of every team he’s worked with.
“Luke is one of a kind,” Raney said. “He sets himself apart from others, whether that’s his style of video or picture or even his personality, he makes it fun to be filmed.”
Looking back, Mullis credits his time at CU for preparing him for opportunities like this. His degree in mass communication, alongside hands-on experience managing social media for CU athletics and bass fishing, prepared him for a successful career.
“The most important thing in the media field is who you know and having the right connections,” Mullis said. “Get your name out there and don’t be afraid of rejection.”
Mullis continues to grow and expand his knowledge in the fishing world. Those who have worked with him believe this is only the beginning of a successful career. His journey from a CU swimmer to a professional media manager has been anything but ordinary, which makes his story worth telling.
“I know Luke will one day become big in the fishing industry,” Raney said.
