Mullins' Big Year Was Bittersweet Tuesday, January 19, 2021 Photo: B.A.S.S./Seigo Saito Strong showings on the northern swing put David Mullins in the hunt for the 2020 Bassmaster Angler of the Year crown. By John Johnson BassFan Senior Editor (Editors note: In observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, a new First Cast story will not appear until Tuesday, Jan. 19.) After a breakout season in 2019 that saw him qualify for his first Bassmaster Classic, David Mullins made another big leap last year when he finished just 3 points shy of claiming the Elite Series Angler of the Year (AOY) title. He admits, however, that the conclusion left a bitter aftertaste.