Daily Limit: On the road of big dreams

Derek Hudnall approaches tournament fishing methodically.

Most every pro angler has a single moment of inspiration that made them dream big. Derek Hudnall’s came while watching TV with his father, who now serves as a main source of inspiration.

Hudnall, 38, grew up in Baton Rouge, La., and was taught how to fish by his father, Roger, who competed in local tournaments. While Roger had opportunities to fish on a national level, he didn’t have a support system.

“He had two chances to fish Top 150s,” Hudnall said, “but he was the breadwinner of the family. He couldn’t just go do it. They didn’t know anything about sponsorship then. I know how much that hurt him.”

That’s in part why Hudnall has mapped out his plans step by step. He said he knew he had to approach tournament fishing like a business, doing everything he could to set himself up for success.

“… Because if I get that opportunity, there’s no way I could turn it down,” he said. “It’s not just for me, it’s for him, too.”

The time is now

In October, Hudnall received an invitation to fish the Bassmaster Elite Series after finishing third in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Opens point standings. He also fulfilled another dream by earning a berth to the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.

During a visit to JM Associates’ Little Rock studio to record some videos, Hudnall said watching the Classic as a youth fueled his fishing fires, and envisioning himself on that stage is a dream that keeps it burning strong.

“It goes back to 1989, sitting on the couch with my Dad and watching Hank Parker hold up the Bassmasters Classic trophy,” said Hudnall, showing he’s somewhat old school by using the “s” on the end of Bassmaster. “That would be the epitome – holding that trophy at the Classic. For the rest of my life, I’d be like, ‘I’m good.’”

That dream of many is realized by few. In the 48 championships, only 38 men have hoisted the Classic trophy. Hudnall would certainly love to become No. 39 in Knoxville, Tenn., this March, but he knows that huge step might not come for a while, if at all. He’s hopeful but also a realist, saying he’s in pro fishing for the long haul.

Hudnall tapes a Livewell with Tommy Sanders at the Bassmasters studio.

“What I just accomplished in the Elite Series, and then the Classic, are just like steps four and five of many,” he said. “Now that I’ve achieved that, it’s time to redirect and focus on what’s next.”

So what are steps six, seven, eight, etc.?

“I want to do well. I want to be consistent, and I really want to win one of these events,” he said. “I’ve been so close in several of the tournaments the last three years. I want to win one, because that’s when a success-driven person really starts to get excited.

“I think the pressure is kind of relieved after you do win. When you first start competing with the big dogs, it’s, ‘Am I good enough? Do I belong?’ That first win in a pro angler’s career is probably the most important.”

Creating more symbiotic relationships

Following his motto on social media of “Dream Big,” Hudnall said he, like most, has the lofty goals of winning an Angler of the Year title and a Classic. Yet he knows he must have everything in order, which he’s worked on in his attempts to climb the B.A.S.S. ladder.

“First, I think it’s the business end of it. Three years ago when I took the first step in the Opens, I knew I had to be a good businessman,” he said. “In tournament fishing, you have to be one of two things – you’ve got to be good on the business end, or you have to win a lot – or you can have a good mixture. There’s marketability and my value to companies. In this industry, that’s on us.”

Hudnall seems to have a good handle on this end, approaching those companies he represents as partners.

“Each one is my partner,” he said. “I don’t call them sponsors. That still means money, handouts. Partnerships shows true value to both the business and the anglers.”

That was among his points during a “Build Your Brand” series of seven Facebook Live videos that received more than 100,000 views. In trying to help others prepare themselves for the sport, he espoused that an angler must give some sort of value to companies, a more symbiotic relationship than someone simply helping pay his way. An example was him helping with a fundraiser last week for Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, where he got fellow anglers involved.

“Giving them some value back is my No. 1 goal for my partners,” Hudnall said. “The other big tip that I tell everybody is to determine your value as an angler.

“Many ask how do I know what to ask for? How do I know what I’m worth? And if you don’t know your needs, you don’t know your value. That’s when my social media started to take off. I started to get good engagement.”

Hudnall arrives at JM Associates for a day of shooting videos.

Recently adding Skeeter and Yamaha, Hudnall has had working relationships with the likes of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Missile Baits, Trapper Tackle, Servpro of South Baton Rouge, C-Map/Lowrance, Power-Pole, Vidid Ink Graphics and Cajun Outdoors.

Work to be done on water

With the business end being tackled, now it’s how does he tackle the fishing side. Hudnall said that after studying everything he can about a tournament fishery, from historical events to moon phases, he approaches each day as it comes.

“I’m more instinctive on the water,” he said. “I’m trying to, in my head, know what I’m seeing going on right then.”

Time will tell if he can parlay that into his first win, or a second Classic berth, and beyond. Hudnall is simply working to make the next few steps in his career fruitful. Pleasing all those who’ve helped shape him are goals. That includes a quiet yet special connection with his father, who might just see his son’s success as a vicarious fulfillment of his dream.

“When I was a teen, I’m not going to say I enjoyed fishing a whole lot, because my dad he was so hard on me,” he said. “He got onto me about my technique and my casting. He was a corrector.”

A rather private man, Roger Hudnall gave his son a great big affirmation when he called the other day.

“It was hard for him to say, but he said, ‘You know I don’t say it much, but I’m proud of you,’” Hudnall said. “I have an awesome support group with my social media following, my family and everybody that’s my partners. So it would be selfish of me if I were to say this was just for myself. It’s for me, for my family, for my dad.”