Eric Stanbery asked on Facebook what it was about fishing that sparked my interest and what made me want to make a career out of it. Here’s my answer.
I’ve fished about as far back as I can remember. It was a family thing for the most part. Maybe the first thing that sparked my interest was the fact that it was an outdoors activity. I loved the water, being outside, messing around, sweating, catching fish and hunting snakes on the bank.
The fight with the fish was another thing. I don’t know what the percentage it is but I think most people who fight a fish like it and want to do it again. I know I sure did. Watching the bobber go down or seeing a topwater strike on one of my grandfather’s Devil’s Horse baits was a real thrill for me.
There was the competition part of it, too. We all competed to see who could catch the most fish and the biggest fish. That was with everybody. But the real competition was between Bobby, Arnie and me. Brothers are like that, you know. We love each other but that doesn’t mean we’re going to let one of the other guys beat us, especially not at fishing.
When I got older I worked as a salesman on the road. I loved that job. I was able to help people get things they needed. I had a real sense of satisfaction at the end of the day.
Still, I fished. It was a local thing in the early days. Fruit jar circuits and tournaments for the most part. I’d always dreamed of a Bassmaster Classic — we used to watch it on TV after the Dukes of Hazard was over—but I didn’t have any idea about how to get started or anything.
Thanks to my friend, Chris Novak, I fished as a co-angler on Okeechobee once. I loved the experience but didn’t win anything. After that I knew I wanted to fish bigger events but not with anyone else. I wanted one man tournaments.
Shortly after that I fished a B.A.S.S. Open. Within three years I was fortunate enough to qualify for the Elite Series. Now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
When you put it all together we’ve been very fortunate. Several things came together to make me appreciate fishing and want to make a career out of it.
Obviously, my family is the first thing. They gave me the right kind of start. They taught me to appreciate the outdoors in the right way. I also got a break with my fishing. I was able to climb up the competition ladder at just the right speed. I didn’t move too fast and I didn’t move too slow.
Then, I was lucky enough to marry Holly. She is the kind of woman who would let me chase my dreams. There’s no way I’d be where I am today without her. And, I’ve been fortunate enough to win a few events along the way.
B.A.S.S. played a role as well. Without Ray Scott and those that came after him this sport wouldn’t be where it is today.
Chris Lane’s column appears weekly on bassmaster.com. Follow him on www.twitter.com/ChrisLaneFish and www.facebook.com/chrislanefishing or visit his website, www.chrislanefishing.com.