By Paul Fisler
I love being a Marshal because it allows me to get up close and personal with the Bassmaster Elite Series pros. The anglers go out of their way to be personable and explain what and why they’re fishing a certain bait (lure) or technique. They also have gone out of their way to autograph multiple magazines, pictures and lures for both myself and my nephew, who has just retired after 20 years on active duty as a Corpsman attached to the Marine Corps with several combat deployments.
These guys are in all honesty my rock stars. The coolest moment that stands out to me was during the first time the Elite Series stopped at the Sabine River in 2013. On Day 1, I was James Elam’s first Marshal in his first Elite Series event. On Day 2, I rode out with 2012 Classic champion Chris Lane and on Day 3, I rode out with KVD.
The moment that stands out was when I got back to the launch ramp with KVD, he tossed me his keys and told me to go get his truck and trailer. I didn’t have the heart to tell him I had never backed up a boat trailer, but I pulled it off without a hitch!
Being a Bassmaster Marshal has helped improve my fishing by giving me great role models to imitate. Organization, lure presentation, boat handling are just a few things that I’ve picked up from riding with the Elite pros. After the weekend is over, I can’t wait to get on the water myself and put the things I’ve picked up from them into practice.