Gary Klein starts today in second place with 35-8 pounds. Since I’ve been at BASS, five years now, I don’t recall him being at the top of the leaderboard often. So I wanted to know more about this native Californian, who now lives in Weatherford, Texas.
Klein is 58 years old. He started fishing Bassmaster around the age of 19. He’s said fishing is the only job he’s ever had. Since then Klein has fished 383 Bassmaster tournaments, and has been in the money 251 times. That adds up to more than $2 million in career earnings.
His last Top 12 finish was at Lake Havasu, Arizona, where he finished in 11th place. The last time he won was at Seminole in 2003. That same year he finished second, to Mike Iaconelli, at the Bassmaster Classic. Klein has fished in 30 Classics.
He’s currently sitting 61 in AOY standings. A strong finish here should move him up that list. I guarantee you Klein is very motivated to get back to the Classic.