It’s About More Than Fishing

Author:
Kelli Berry

At the final day weigh-in of the Pride of Georgia, Bassmaster Elite Series pro anglers made sure, being the great guys that they are, to wish a “Happy Mother’s Day” to their moms and wives as they took the stage. With $100,000 payday on the line, a nice little chunk of change for any bank account, these men of the water showed that although fishing is first in their blood, first in their heart is family.

Though I watch every weigh-in on-line with my husband, this was my first live Bassmaster event, and I couldn’t help but be a little giddy when I saw these guys in person. Over the course of the tournament at West Point Lake, I got to “rub elbows” with the anglers, even interviewing them and having my picture taken with them, but all the star-gazing quickly changed to admiration when I talked with them and saw “who” was really beneath those colorful sponsor-filled jerseys they wear.

These are true athletes in every sense of the word, but they travel with no bodyguards, and NEVER did I see them turn a fan away. I thought I knew them from all the articles I have read, but let me tell you, there is more to these men than the rod and reel. They seem to have a grasp on the fact that they are truly the lucky ones who get to fish for a living; actually getting paid for doing what they live and breathe.

I had a front row seat for the weigh-in, but not out in the huge crowd in front; I was behind the stage on the final day, peeking out from the right side. This was the best seat, in my opinion, because I could literally reach out and touch the boats as they were driven to the stage. I was so close, I could see myself reflected in the sunglasses of these pros. Now that’s cool! 

KVD gave a thumb’s down when he pulled his small bag out; I knew what he meant, thanks to the live blog on Bassmasters.com. My favorite comment from Vandam, who finished 7th, was when he said, “I was eating lucky cookies right and left – nothing worked.” The lucky cookies are one of KVD’s tournament rituals, made and packed by his wife, Sherry.

Jared Lintner, finishing in 4th place, simply stated when asked about his strategy, “I just went fishing.” Wow, I wish I could just fish like that!

8th place finisher Bobby Lane got a thunderous applause when he said, “At first I called this West ‘Disappointment’, but now I LOVE West Point!”

The vast amount of fans, many seen tailgating beforehand, were loud, enthusiastic, and on their feet for most of the weigh-in. “Quite a crowd!” stated rookie Ott Defoe, who took 11th but leads the rookie of the year race. Edwin Evers, who took home 2nd place and $25K, looked out over the standing room only crowd and, broadly smiling, said, “Man, look at all these people!”

Bill Lowen, who got a laugh from the fans when he was asked to show off his one and only fish for the day, was still satisfied with his performance, and told us, “I’m pumped. All my wife wanted for Mother’s Day was (for me) to make the top 12.” He fulfilled her wish, as Bill finished in 12th, accompanied by a $10,500 paycheck. That would have made my Mother’s Day, too.

Rookie, Andy Montgomery, who ended up in 9th, and who sits 2nd in the rookie race behind his roommate, Defoe, was trying to speak through his emotional “thank you’s” to his family for all their support. You gotta love a man who doesn’t worry about crying even when he knows he’s being seen on national TV.

My favorite moment of the day, maybe even of the whole tournament, was when rookie Nate Wellman, who claimed 5th, reached in his live-well and pulled out his big fish, holding it high above his head for all of us to see, and shouted through tears, “This one’s for my mom!” I couldn’t see very well through the tears that had sprung up in my own eyes, and when I looked at Nate’s mother, who was openly crying and blowing him a kiss, I might have lost my composure, but I gained a new respect. I was lucky enough to talk with both Nate and his mom afterwards, and the pride of a mother could not be contained, nor could the love of a son. (We’ll have more with Nate’s mom coming soon, like why was Nate known as “little Tom Sawyer” when he was young?)

And the last of the memorable quotes I heard came from the Pride of Georgia champ himself, Steve Kennedy. With the many Auburn University fans there to support him and, at times, chanting “War Eagle!” he smiled the way that only Steve Kennedy can, and says, “It turned out to be a pretty good day. It feels good to finally get it done again.” I spoke with Julia, Steve’s wife, as she came off stage after she and the kids gave him congratulation kisses and hugs. She was excited for Steve to win this one and showed me her nails she had been biting throughout the tournament.

“I’m looking forward to getting a manicure now,” she laughed.

“I believe you can afford that now, Julia,” I said. “And I KNOW you deserve it.”

What a day…what a memory…and what wonderful men (and women) behind a sport that is not given enough credit. I’ll have to admit that after this weekend, I’m “hooked” for life.

Next up, is a look at some of the amazing women that are the “pit crew” for these pros. Being married to a fisherman myself, these ladies made me appreciate my husband’s lifetime obsession a little more, and they sure didn’t mind giving me a look inside the superstitions, family life, and what they really think about the ever-present fish smell.

See ya at the dock!