Pam Martin-Wells has made her mark on the fishing world in several ways. She's won four BASS events, a WBT championship and will be the second woman to fish in the Bassmaster Classic. She's also among the all-time money leaders on the WBT. She will also be the first woman to answer our 20 Questions. Here's how she did.
1. Where are you from, originally?
Bainbridge, Ga.
2. How did you get started in bass fishing?
I've been fishing all my life. My parents used to take us fishing when we were little. I started tournament fishing as a way to continue to be competitive. I've always been competitive. I played basketball, softball, raced motocross. I just like to compete.
3. Who were some of your earliest fishing heroes?
Probably my grandparents and Jack Wingate.
4. When did you realize you had made it in the bass fishing industry?
It all became a whole lot easier once BASS and ESPN took it over, because with the exposure we can get through them it's easier to get sponsors because we have a way to promote them effectively.
5. What's the biggest bass you've ever caught?
10.57 pounds. I caught it at Sam Rayburn Reservoir during a tournament.
6. What do you love most about bass fishing?
The challenge.
7. What is your greatest strength as a bass angler?
I don't get stuck in any one particular pattern or technique. I like to think I'm pretty versatile.
8. What is your greatest weakness as a bass angler?
My husband says the wind because I fuss about it the most, and he's probably right.
9. Where is your favorite place to fish for bass and why?
Probably my home lake, Lake Seminole. It's home and it's a good lake to learn to fish on because it's got a little bit of everything — grass, trees. Just about any pattern that you're looking for, you'll find it at Lake Seminole. It's a good lake to practice various techniques on.
10. What question do you get asked most by fans and how do you answer it?
Probably, "How do you get in this sport?" Most of the time I'll tell them to start in a club like the BASS Federation Nation and work their way up. A lot of people also ask me for just a single piece of advice, and I always tell them the same thing: Believe in yourself, believe in what you're doing and live your dreams.
11. What's the biggest mistake you see from casual anglers?
Not believing in themselves and what they're doing, and not sticking with something that they know deep in their gut works and running around like a chicken with its head chopped off.
12. Do you have any fishing superstitions?
Years ago, when I first started tournament fishing, someone told me it was bad luck to put your fishing cap on your bed, so I try to keep my hat or visor off the bed. It was something about laziness, I think.
13. How big a part does luck play in fishing?
I suppose it plays some part, but it depends how you see luck. My father told me that luck is when opportunity meets preparation. If I'm prepared when my opportunity arises, then I'll be prepared to do what needs to be done.
14. What has been your greatest accomplishment in the fishing industry?
Being the all-time money winner in women's fishing used to be it, but now it's making the Bassmaster Classic.
15. What goals have you yet to accomplish in your bass fishing career?
My goal up until right now was to make the Bassmaster Classic, so now I would like to qualify to fish the Elite Series.
16. What keeps you motivated to reach those goals?
My love of the sport and the hope that I can inspire at least one man, woman or child to get outdoors or start to fish.
17. What has been the greatest regret of your fishing career?
Being away from my family and on the road so much.
18. When you're not bass fishing, how do you like to spend your time?
My husband and I both love to hunt, so just as soon as this Southern Open (at Santee Cooper) is over, I'll probably be in a deer stand somewhere. I like doing anything that keeps me in the outdoors and enjoying what the good Lord's given us.
19. What profession (other than your own) would you like to have tried?
I've done this so long it's all I know! I can't think of anything else I'd like to do.
20. When it's all over, how do you want people to remember you?
I'd like to be remembered as somebody who gave it 110 percent and was honest and trustworthy.