For any Elite Series angler, failing to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic is disappointing enough. But to be the “bump man” is arguably the most humiliating position in our sport.
I know firsthand what it feels like to miss by a few ounces — or using today’s measure, a few points. It happened to me back in the 1980s, and I came really close to holding that unenviable position once again this past season in the Elite Series.
More on that in a minute. For the moment, I’d like to focus on the guy who owns the record for first-man-out finishes.
Man Over the Edge
For more than 15 years, I traveled the circuit with Joe Thomas — a former B.A.S.S. pro and Elite Series angler from Cincinnati, Ohio. In that time, Joe and I became close friends. Much of what we learned, we learned together. And what we experienced — good and bad — we also experienced together.
Incredible as it may seem, Joe Thomas was the bump man to the Bassmaster Classic five times in his career. Think about that for a moment: He missed appearing on fishing’s grandest stage by mere ounces … five times!
When you stop to consider that he successfully qualified four other times, those five misses had even greater impact. They meant the difference between a good professional fishing career and one that would be considered outstanding. And believe me, there was never a more marketable angler than Joe Thomas. He’s undeniably one of the best promoters in our sport — the complete package — and he would have easily cashed in on the additional success. Instead, he suffered untold financial losses and personal humiliation.
The last time it happened, he was competing in the final event of the 2003 Bassmaster Tour (the predecessor to the Elite Series) on the Alabama River. When the final weights were tallied, Joe was tied with Matt Reed of Texas. Through a tie-breaker, Joe was awarded the last slot for the Classic. Of course, he was relieved … and thrilled. He made calls to family, sponsors and other friends, giving them the good news. The Classic qualification meant an additional $65,000 in sponsor incentives for him.
But while driving home from the event, Joe’s cell phone rang. It was tournament director, Trip Weldon, informing him of an astonishing turn of events. North Carolina pro, Dustin Wilks, had been disqualified for fishing in an off limits area. As a result of the DQ, there was a shake-up in the points which allowed Matt Reed to take the Classic berth that Joe thought he had just moments before.
The news was devastating. Now, instead of sharing good news with family and friends, he had to call them all back and explain what happened.
And he lost the $65,000, too.
While many in the sport would have called it quits, Joe hung on for several more years, claiming the losses made him tougher in other aspects of the game. Today he’s a highly successful TV personality on the Outdoor Channel, and still promotes the sport. When I asked if he would do it all over again, he said, “Heck yeah!”
Real Cliff Hanger
That brings me to this year’s bump man — Cliff Prince of Palatka, Fla. Ironically, Cliff and I traveled together throughout the entire 2014 Elite Series season, so it’s hauntingly familiar to have him in this position.
Like Thomas, Cliff is quite marketable. He has all the tools to make it in the sport — drive, versatility and smarts, plus an ability to connect with people.
Unlike Joe, however, Cliff’s career is just getting started, and he still has a chance of making this year’s Classic. With one more Bassmaster Open yet to be decided, he could easily qualify, and I like his chances. Here’s why.
Unless an angler who committed to all three Southern Opens wins this final event, the last Classic spot will automatically go to an Elite Series competitor. That’s how it’s structured.
Interestingly, Prince could directly effect that outcome — by winning the event himself. He entered this past week.
So, as you read this, Cliff Prince is dissecting Lake Norman in the hope of finding enough fish to control his own destiny. If he’s successful, that will mean I missed this year’s Classic cut by 8 points — which would make me the third man out. And even that would be too close for comfort!