Years Pro: 7
Boat: Nitro
Tow Vehicle: Dodge ¾ ton diesel
Other Sponsors: Tracker, Nitro, Bass Pro Shop, Mercury
What was your most important tournament win or high placement?
One of the kick-starts back when I was fishing regional is probably my most important. I won the Anglers Choice Regional in 1999 and that was another step in letting me know I could do it. There were a lot of touring pros fishing it – 15 or 20. It was at Lake Waco, a lovely little gar hole in central Texas. The next tournament that was a stepping stone for me was when I won a Bassmaster Open in Paducah on the Ohio River.
What’s your go-to when nothing’s working?
When I get frustrated I’m going to a crankbait like a Fat Free Shad. It’s hard for me to slow down so I tend to roll to a cranking situation.
What do you like about fishing tournaments?
I’m an extremely competitive person and I love the outdoors, so it’s great to be able to compete in something you love to do. You’re not trying to beat the other people, you’re actually competing against the fish. If you can figure them out you’ll do all right.
What’s your fishing goal?
I’ve never won at the BASS Elite level, so I want to win. At the start of every year making the Classic is a goal. But I want to win an Elite event. I’ve had second, third fourth, fifth. In my mind that’s my next logical step because I’ve won at every other level, and the way I look at it, if you don’t think you can win, you don’t need to be there.
What’s something few people know about you?
I really enjoy cooking. I cook for five of us that travel together. We stay in the same campgrounds and they like my cooking. My ribeye steak is my specialty. It’s the way I season it and marinate it.