Davy Hite is sure to experience a hard pang when that first Bassmaster Elite Series event launches without him, but he’s playing both sides of his move to work on Bassmaster television productions.
“I’ve thought about that quite a bit, and I’ve been asked that a bit,” Hite said. “Because that first tournament can be really cold, my answer has been, if it’s about 6 degrees and freezing, I’m going to be glad I’m in studio. But if it’s 60 and they’re catching those big smallmouths, I’m probably going to miss it.”
Either way, Hite, 51, knows he will miss it, but he’s had time to get used to the thought since announcing his retirement after the 2016 season. Hite was a consummate bass pro for 23 years, winning two Toyota Angler of the Year titles and the 1999 Classic among his eight B.A.S.S. victories. He said he’s looking forward to start this season, albeit from the other side.
“I’m really excited. Believe it or not, I’m more excited than I’ve been in a while.” Hite said. “I’m ready for a new challenge and being able to hopefully have some fun and help make a positive impact on the show.”
In early November, Hite accepted the position of color commentator for Bassmaster LIVE, The Bassmasters TV show on ESPN2 and all other B.A.S.S. programming. His first duties will be with LIVE, which after two years will continue its evolution. The web broadcast featuring live cameras in anglers’ boats expanded to six hours last year up from four, and it’s altering the format again for 2017.
Producer Mike McKinnis said there will now be two three-hour segments, from 7 a.m.-10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (subject to change) in the event’s local time zone. So LIVE will still air for 6 hours on Days 2-4 of Elite events, but the new times allow it to capture action earlier in the morning and closer to the weigh-ins.
Hite got plenty of practice interviewing anglers the past several years in his popular First Look segments, impressing Jerry McKinnis with his conversational style. Hite will work both with Tommy Sanders and Mark Zona in the studio and at events with Dave Mercer.
“I am so happy to have Davy joining our team,” Mercer said. “The fishing world has long known about and witnessed Davy’s on-the-water gifts. Now we will all be lucky enough to watch his years of incredible knowledge come pouring out as we are exposed to Davy’s other gift as an incredible communicator.”
Hite will be on site with Mercer at the Elite season-opener at the Cherokee Lake Elite, Feb. 9-12. Hite’s greatest strength is having a good idea exactly how the anglers are fishing, what they’re going through and even what they might be thinking.
“In my 23 years on the bass tournament trial, about anything that’s going on, I can say, ‘Been there, done that,’ and hopefully relate to the audience what’s going on in the angler’s head,” he said. “An angler might be focused on trying to win, focused on trying to catch that fish, and stop talking. Hopefully I can be the middle man and try to dissect what’s going on.”
Hite said he feels rather comfortable starting his second career. There won’t be any nervousness when the cameras roll.
“Call it anxious,” he said. “It makes me feel good I’ve worked with everyone. I’ve known Tommy and Zona, Mercer and Mike. I may not have even done this if I hadn’t done some First Look and gotten comfortable.
“Last year I worked at the Classic, but I had no idea that would lead into this. And that gave me some confidence. The folks I’m working with makes it real easy. They’re fun folks to work with, which led me to do this.”