| Coming soon to a lake near you! |
I started fishing as a youngster, like a lot of kids dreaming about crossing the stage with the pros. B.A.S.S
was just starting to gain momentum and I was sure I would make it there someday.
When I turned 16 I bought my first boat and spent nearly every evening on the lake. I entered a nearby
club and began to fish weekend tournaments at 17, but was unable to continue competition after
graduation. I had to go to college and get a real job. The real soaker, I sold my boat. I kept fishing
whenever possible, but did not return to competition until 2002.
It wasn't long until I began setting short term goals and looking to bigger tournaments. 2004 found me
fishing a local B.A.S.S. Federation. It also found me coming to grips with the reality of tournament fishing.
Big or small, it takes tremendous dedication, patience and attention. A little luck helps too. I had a lot of
luck in '04, but most of it was bad. It was a sore year of disappointment and loss on and off the water, but
with the support of my family and a few friends, I stuck with my goals and planned to double my entries for
the next year including BFL, CATT, Federation and other open tournaments.
In 2005 I was offered an opportunity to join Team Skeeter through Lake Drive Marine in Coldwater,
Michigan. Always a Skeeter fan, I was excited about joining this group of avid and dedicated anglers. It
has been an awesome experience just to be associated with them. I entered over 30 tournaments in 2005.
Of those, 20 were team tournaments with an average finish of 8th or better. 3 were Federation
tournaments, the first a win on Burt/Mullet in Northern Michigan, a 9th place finish on Portage lake near
Manistee, Michigan, and a 5th place finish on St. Clair in August. I finished the year in 6th place, landing a
spot on the team for the State Fish Off(BASS) in fall of '06. Unfortunately, the unexpected spike in gas put
me in a position to choose what to fish instead of when. I only made the first Michigan BFL in Detroit and
didn't participate in the State Fish Off. Overall, it was a good year. I saw improvements in every area, and
was able to cover a great deal of water. I was also able to add a great deal of experience to my passion
for fishing.
2006 was another great year. In addition the fantastic sponsors I added, I worked with Competitive
Anglers Tournament Trail as a Tournament Staff member. It was a great deal of fun to get to know the
other staff, as well as help introduce anglers to the program. I fished the CATT Weekend Shootout Series,
CATT Division 1 Monday Nights, Western Michigan Bassmasters Federation Club, and a scattering of
opens when time allowed. Thanks to all my sponsors, and my partners, it was a fantastic year. Top 3
finishes in the Shootout Series, lots of 1st and 2nd place finishes in weeknight competition, and a great
time at the CATT Northern Championship.
2007 went by quickly, and though my fishing time was cut significantly this year, I feel as though my
education made leaps and bounds. I was unable to fish as many tournaments as I would have liked, but
was able to make the most of my opportunities. In weeknight competition, I was in double digits for first
place finishes, CATT Division 37 winners(with Scotty "Bud" Melvin as my partner), and a St. Clair weekend
victory.
So now in 2008, sweeping changes to my life and my sponsors will allow me compete again, and I look
forward to fishing with long time friend and fishing teacher Correy Mikel. As well, Scotty Bud and I hope to
return to take another crown in 2008. Also, I am fishing Bass Anglers United and hitting the BFL trail
again. I am blessed just to have the opportunity to hit the water again, and can't wait till Spring to get
back out there.
To those of you trying to make it throwing line I wish you the best of luck. Perseverance pays off, but the
true measure of a man's success is CHARACTER. Far too many "professionals" lack just that.....they are
not professional. Fishing is life, but it's also just fishing.....
was just starting to gain momentum and I was sure I would make it there someday.
When I turned 16 I bought my first boat and spent nearly every evening on the lake. I entered a nearby
club and began to fish weekend tournaments at 17, but was unable to continue competition after
graduation. I had to go to college and get a real job. The real soaker, I sold my boat. I kept fishing
whenever possible, but did not return to competition until 2002.
It wasn't long until I began setting short term goals and looking to bigger tournaments. 2004 found me
fishing a local B.A.S.S. Federation. It also found me coming to grips with the reality of tournament fishing.
Big or small, it takes tremendous dedication, patience and attention. A little luck helps too. I had a lot of
luck in '04, but most of it was bad. It was a sore year of disappointment and loss on and off the water, but
with the support of my family and a few friends, I stuck with my goals and planned to double my entries for
the next year including BFL, CATT, Federation and other open tournaments.
In 2005 I was offered an opportunity to join Team Skeeter through Lake Drive Marine in Coldwater,
Michigan. Always a Skeeter fan, I was excited about joining this group of avid and dedicated anglers. It
has been an awesome experience just to be associated with them. I entered over 30 tournaments in 2005.
Of those, 20 were team tournaments with an average finish of 8th or better. 3 were Federation
tournaments, the first a win on Burt/Mullet in Northern Michigan, a 9th place finish on Portage lake near
Manistee, Michigan, and a 5th place finish on St. Clair in August. I finished the year in 6th place, landing a
spot on the team for the State Fish Off(BASS) in fall of '06. Unfortunately, the unexpected spike in gas put
me in a position to choose what to fish instead of when. I only made the first Michigan BFL in Detroit and
didn't participate in the State Fish Off. Overall, it was a good year. I saw improvements in every area, and
was able to cover a great deal of water. I was also able to add a great deal of experience to my passion
for fishing.
2006 was another great year. In addition the fantastic sponsors I added, I worked with Competitive
Anglers Tournament Trail as a Tournament Staff member. It was a great deal of fun to get to know the
other staff, as well as help introduce anglers to the program. I fished the CATT Weekend Shootout Series,
CATT Division 1 Monday Nights, Western Michigan Bassmasters Federation Club, and a scattering of
opens when time allowed. Thanks to all my sponsors, and my partners, it was a fantastic year. Top 3
finishes in the Shootout Series, lots of 1st and 2nd place finishes in weeknight competition, and a great
time at the CATT Northern Championship.
2007 went by quickly, and though my fishing time was cut significantly this year, I feel as though my
education made leaps and bounds. I was unable to fish as many tournaments as I would have liked, but
was able to make the most of my opportunities. In weeknight competition, I was in double digits for first
place finishes, CATT Division 37 winners(with Scotty "Bud" Melvin as my partner), and a St. Clair weekend
victory.
So now in 2008, sweeping changes to my life and my sponsors will allow me compete again, and I look
forward to fishing with long time friend and fishing teacher Correy Mikel. As well, Scotty Bud and I hope to
return to take another crown in 2008. Also, I am fishing Bass Anglers United and hitting the BFL trail
again. I am blessed just to have the opportunity to hit the water again, and can't wait till Spring to get
back out there.
To those of you trying to make it throwing line I wish you the best of luck. Perseverance pays off, but the
true measure of a man's success is CHARACTER. Far too many "professionals" lack just that.....they are
not professional. Fishing is life, but it's also just fishing.....
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