Davy Hite’s career in pictures

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Davy Hite announced his retirement from competitive fishing after 23 years. However, Bassmaster fans will actually be seeing more of him as he will join the Bassmaster broadcast team as color analyst. Let’s take a look at Hite’s career. <p> <em>All Captions: Mike Suchan</em>
Davy Hite announced his retirement from competitive fishing after 23 years. However, Bassmaster fans will actually be seeing more of him as he will join the Bassmaster broadcast team as color analyst. Let’s take a look at Hite’s career.

All Captions: Mike Suchan

Hite was 27 years old when he quit his full-time job in South Carolina to pursue his lifelong dream of fishing professionally. “It was a leap of faith,” he said. “Some of my friends thought I was crazy. This is different, but at the same time it’s a leap of faith, as well.”
Hite was 27 years old when he quit his full-time job in South Carolina to pursue his lifelong dream of fishing professionally. “It was a leap of faith,” he said. “Some of my friends thought I was crazy. This is different, but at the same time it’s a leap of faith, as well.”
Hite first fished a couple of B.A.S.S. events in 1989 -- he even recorded a second-place finish to earn his first check of $4,400. Things really took off for him in the 1993 season, when he won more than $50,000 in 10 events.
Hite first fished a couple of B.A.S.S. events in 1989 — he even recorded a second-place finish to earn his first check of $4,400. Things really took off for him in the 1993 season, when he won more than $50,000 in 10 events.
Hite won his first event in 1994, the Alabama Invitational on Lake Eufala. His $35,000 payday topped his previous best of $30,000 for taking fourth in the MegaBucks the year before.
Hite won his first event in 1994, the Alabama Invitational on Lake Eufala. His $35,000 payday topped his previous best of $30,000 for taking fourth in the MegaBucks the year before.
It took him another two years to win his second tournament, which again came in Alabama.
It took him another two years to win his second tournament, which again came in Alabama.
Hite won $45,000 at the 1996 Alabama Bassmaster Top 100 on Lake Neely Henry, really establishing himself as a force on the circuit.
Hite won $45,000 at the 1996 Alabama Bassmaster Top 100 on Lake Neely Henry, really establishing himself as a force on the circuit.
A handful of top 10 finishes in 1997 led him to the Toyota Angler of the Year title, and in 1999 he became one of the few anglers to hold both of bass fishing’s top titles when he won the Bassmaster Classic. There are only 12 men who have won both.
A handful of top 10 finishes in 1997 led him to the Toyota Angler of the Year title, and in 1999 he became one of the few anglers to hold both of bass fishing’s top titles when he won the Bassmaster Classic. There are only 12 men who have won both.
Hite fought through 100-degree temperatures in late July at the Louisiana Delta to bring in 55.10 pounds during the 1999 Classic.
Hite fought through 100-degree temperatures in late July at the Louisiana Delta to bring in 55.10 pounds during the 1999 Classic.
He earned his $100,000 prize, topping his closest competitor, Denny Brauer, by nearly 10 pounds.
He earned his $100,000 prize, topping his closest competitor, Denny Brauer, by nearly 10 pounds.
Hite’s fourth Bassmaster title was up north, on Lake St. Clair in the 2001 Michigan Bassmaster Tour event. Nets were allowed then.
Hite’s fourth Bassmaster title was up north, on Lake St. Clair in the 2001 Michigan Bassmaster Tour event. Nets were allowed then.
In his 23 years competing, Hite, 51, totaled more than $2 million in career earnings. He also won the Forrest Wood Cup title in 1998.
In his 23 years competing, Hite, 51, totaled more than $2 million in career earnings. He also won the Forrest Wood Cup title in 1998.
The Michigan title was one of his eight tournament victories.
The Michigan title was one of his eight tournament victories.
Hite earned cash and prizes totaling $110,000, his biggest payday to date. But a trip back to Louisiana late in 2001 would see him top it.
Hite earned cash and prizes totaling $110,000, his biggest payday to date. But a trip back to Louisiana late in 2001 would see him top it.
With another grand in bonus money, Hite earned $111,000 in the Louisiana Bassmaster Tour event on the Red River.
With another grand in bonus money, Hite earned $111,000 in the Louisiana Bassmaster Tour event on the Red River.
Hite became one of the most popular anglers on tour.
Hite became one of the most popular anglers on tour.
With momentum from 2001, Hite added a second Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in 2002. Hite is one of only 11 anglers with more than one Bassmaster AOY title.
With momentum from 2001, Hite added a second Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title in 2002. Hite is one of only 11 anglers with more than one Bassmaster AOY title.
From 2002-05, Hite posted Top 12 finishes in four consecutive Classics.
From 2002-05, Hite posted Top 12 finishes in four consecutive Classics.
Of the 14 Classics he fished, Hite finished in the top 25 11 times.
Of the 14 Classics he fished, Hite finished in the top 25 11 times.
In 2005, Hite ended a four-year victory drought by winning the Elite 50 on Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle.
In 2005, Hite ended a four-year victory drought by winning the Elite 50 on Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle.
A year later, Hite blew away the field at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Georgia.
A year later, Hite blew away the field at Clarks Hill Reservoir in Georgia.
It was Hite’s seventh B.A.S.S victory, and it came during the inaugural Elite Series season.
It was Hite’s seventh B.A.S.S victory, and it came during the inaugural Elite Series season.
A victory looked in the offing in 2010 at Guntersville as Hite busted bags of 24-7, 27-0 and 28-6 for 79-13 and the lead heading into Championship Sunday.
A victory looked in the offing in 2010 at Guntersville as Hite busted bags of 24-7, 27-0 and 28-6 for 79-13 and the lead heading into Championship Sunday.
But the magic didn’t come as Hite only managed 13-6 and missed the Century Belt and the title. Skeet Reese topped 100 pounds and made him runner-up.
But the magic didn’t come as Hite only managed 13-6 and missed the Century Belt and the title. Skeet Reese topped 100 pounds and made him runner-up.
The following season, Hite broke through with his eighth Bassmaster title, tying him for sixth all-time in wins. Hite did damage at Pickwick Lake’s dam in totaling 84-9 over four days.
The following season, Hite broke through with his eighth Bassmaster title, tying him for sixth all-time in wins. Hite did damage at Pickwick Lake’s dam in totaling 84-9 over four days.
“I don't take for granted winning No. 8, I promise you,
“I don’t take for granted winning No. 8, I promise you,” Hite said at the time. “This is as meaningful to me as the first one I ever won. It’s like a drug; I can’t describe the way it feels to win one of these things.”
“I wanted it really bad. I'm just going to be honest here, although I hate to admit it: Probably at No. 4, 5 or 6 — somewhere in there — I kind of took it (winning) for granted. I wanted this one as bad as the first one I ever won.”
“I wanted it really bad. I’m just going to be honest here, although I hate to admit it: Probably at No. 4, 5 or 6 — somewhere in there — I kind of took it (winning) for granted. I wanted this one as bad as the first one I ever won.”
Hite was emotional on stage as he garnered the $100,000 check and berth into his 14th Bassmaster Classic, his first since 2009.
Hite was emotional on stage as he garnered the $100,000 check and berth into his 14th Bassmaster Classic, his first since 2009.
Hite fishes the Red River in his most recent Classic. The resident of Ninety Six, S.C., has finished in the money 140 times in 254 total tournaments, including 45 Top 10 finishes. He’s looking forward to his new endeavor in fishing.
Hite fishes the Red River in his most recent Classic. The resident of Ninety Six, S.C., has finished in the money 140 times in 254 total tournaments, including 45 Top 10 finishes. He’s looking forward to his new endeavor in fishing.
“I view this more as a transition, rather than a retirement,” he said. “In a perfect world, I wish I could keep competing for a few more years. But this was a golden opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.
“I view this more as a transition, rather than a retirement,” he said. “In a perfect world, I wish I could keep competing for a few more years. But this was a golden opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”
“This is a way for me to continue to have a positive impact and stay involved with the sport of bass fishing, which has meant everything to me.”
“This is a way for me to continue to have a positive impact and stay involved with the sport of bass fishing, which has meant everything to me.”
Jerry McKinnis said he’s thrilled to have Hite, who’s done great work on “First Look,” join the broadcast team. “I’ve known for a long time that Davy would be a great on-air talent. I realized very quickly how comfortable Davy was in doing this. He’s good at asking the right questions. But it’s not an interview with him, it’s more like a conversation, and that’s important,” McKinnis said.
Jerry McKinnis said he’s thrilled to have Hite, who’s done great work on “First Look,” join the broadcast team. “I’ve known for a long time that Davy would be a great on-air talent. I realized very quickly how comfortable Davy was in doing this. He’s good at asking the right questions. But it’s not an interview with him, it’s more like a conversation, and that’s important,” McKinnis said.
Hite’s inside knowledge of the sport should add depth to the coverage. “I’ve enjoyed working with all the folks at B.A.S.S., both on-camera and behind-the-scenes, but I never had a clue it could turn into something like this. Again, this was too good an opportunity to pass up,” he said.
Hite’s inside knowledge of the sport should add depth to the coverage. “I’ve enjoyed working with all the folks at B.A.S.S., both on-camera and behind-the-scenes, but I never had a clue it could turn into something like this. Again, this was too good an opportunity to pass up,” he said.