SALISBURY, N.C. — Brian Sorrell works in the racing industry now, but he has his sights set on fishing for a living.
“It would be awesome to fish the Bassmaster Elites,” said Sorrell, 29, a finish fabricator for Hendrick Motorsports. “I know that can be a hard road, but ultimately I would love to be on the water doing what I love to do every day.”
Sorrell joined the Archdale Bass Club seven years ago as a fledgling nonboater.
“It didn’t take me very long to get my own boat,” said Sorrell who switched to the boater side in his second year in the club.
Since then, Sorrell has been one of the top anglers in the Archdale club. He has won some club events, including the club’s 2013 Classic. Sorrell took second in the 2014 Classic and was runner-up in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings. Despite missing three tournaments during the year, Sorrell finished only one point behind Bill Frazier in the AOY race.
“Brian was a consistent five-fish guy and we all know that is a key to stepping up from club to higher ranks,” said Frazier. “Of the eight tournaments he fished, he finished first, second (twice), third (twice) and fourth. It was his best shot at AOY but I suspect not his last. He and I also tied for lunker of the year.”
Sorrell credits the Archdale club with helping him become a better tournament angler.
“The Archdale club is a pretty tight-knit group of guys,” he said. “I feel like I can call any of those guys if I ever need anything. We all converse about different things. Bill Frazier took me out when I first got started and showed me different techniques, how to find fish and what to look for.”
Sorrell has branched out in recent years by fishing some Bass Fishing League (BFL) events and a full season with the American Bass Anglers Weekend Bass Series.
“I had a tough year in the Weekend Series, but I did end up finishing 11th in points in the North Carolina division,” Sorrell said.
Sorrell said he might fish a full season of BFL tournaments in 2015 and continue to fish B.A.S.S. Nation events in pursuit of his ultimate goal of becoming a pro.