Professional bass fishing took a major hit this week as two big names stepped away from the 2026 Bassmaster Elite Series —both for medical reasons. On May 4, Matt Arey, the 16-year Bassmaster pro from Shelby, North Carolina, announced he would be taking a medical leave for the remainder of the 2026 Elite season after a recent lymphoma diagnosis. The same day, the New York native Jamie Hartman who had spent the past decade fishing the Elites, confirmed he would be ending his Elite career due to a rare and worsening condition, slipping rib syndrome. Of course the timing is a coincidence. But, the two stories should cause us all to pause and realize how quickly even established careers, and anything in life, can be disrupted. When a Strong Season Stops Cold Matt Arey celebrating on stage with his family. | B.A.S.S. For Arey, the change comes during a season that looked like it had real potential to be special.…