Paul Elias was born in Laurel, MS and attended Southern Miss where he earned a degree in Resource Management. His 42- year career in bass fishing began in 1979 with stints in the FLW and BASS, the top two fishing professional associations in the United States. His big break in the sport came in 1982 when he captured the Bass Masters Classic in Montgomery, Alabama.

Elias became a recognized expert and innovator of the technique of deep cranking. He qualified for 15 Bassmaster events and finished in the top ten in 8 of those tournaments. He has won 6 BASS events and posted 47 top ten finishes overall. In 2008, Paul caught the all-time winning weight record for a 5-bass limit tournament tournament with 132 pounds 8 ounces at the Elite Series Event at Lake Falcon, Texas.

In addition to being inducted into the MS Sports Hall of Fame, Paul also is a member of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and Legends of the Outdoors. He is listed by the Outdoor Writers of America as one of the top 35 bass fishermen of all-time.