Ronda Conway fishes from a 2004 Bassmaster Classic Limited Edition rig when back home in North Carolina. Recently, she experienced a bucket list trip of a lifetime by fishing with 10-time Classic qualifier Bobby Lane Jr.
Conway – a current member of B.A.S.S. – fished with Lane as winner of the Fish with Bobby Lane Sweepstakes. She was selected as winner from 325,000 entries in the sweepstakes.
Making the trip even better was a prize package of tackle and gear from sweepstakes sponsors. Valued at $12,000 the package included a three-night stay at Regal Oaks Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., from Visit Florida. She received a Humminbird Helix 10 SI fish finder and Minn Kota Ultrex 112 trolling motor. Also included were prize packs from Phoenix Boats, Abu Garcia, Spiderwire, Yamaha, Power Pole, Costa Del Mar, Bob’s Machine Shop, Yozuri and Gilz.
Editor’s note: See photos from the day of fishing.
“We had an amazing day of fishing on Lake Kissimmee,” said Lane. “We caught a lot of bass and shared great friendship.”
Her husband Steve joined them on the trip. The couple met Lane at Camp Mack’s River Resort and spent all day fishing with the Florida pro on his home lake.
“She out-fishes me all of the time so the chance to learn with a pro of Bobby’s caliber was a big experience,” said Steve.
“To go out with an Elite Series pro was just awesome,” said Ronda. “He’s like a regular guy and spent all day teaching us.”
The Conway’s arrived in Florida in time to meet Lane, who qualified for Championship Sunday, at the A.R.E. Truck Caps Bassmaster Elite at Okeechobee. Emcee Dave Mercer introduced Ronda on the weigh-in stage, where she met Lane as he weighed his final day catch.
Her passion for bass fishing led the couple to purchase the boat actually used in the 2004 Classic.
“We go fishing too many days to count,” she added. “Beginning in spring it’s just about every day we are off from work and sometimes afterwards.”
Conway’s personal best is a 9-pounder caught from Badin Lake. As a child she learned about bass fishing from her father and uncle. Sometimes she evened shared a boat with them during local tournaments around their home in central North Carolina.
“They taught me by tying on one lure that I would use all day to learn how to use it,” she said. “Then I would go from there and learn about more lures, so here I am today.”
Coincidentally, Conway plays Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing. Lane is one of her favorite pros.
“She asked a lot of questions and I was impressed with her skills,” added Lane.
The Conway’s went home with some of Lane’s hand-picked favorite lures and a bucket list of memories.