by Terry Pike
My name is Terry Pike, and I have been a Marshall in the Bassmaster Elite Tournament held on the St Lawrence River in upstate New York now for two events and plan to register for the 2018 tournament in August. As an avid fishermen, being a Marshall is one of the best experiences you can have. I have not only learned more about the St. Lawrence River, but I learned different techniques of fishing, like drop shot and presentations on top water lures.
These pros represent the sport as professionals, but also treat you like one of the guys while out there, as Matt Herren would say, “trying to make a paycheck.” I have had so much fun riding along that I plan to sign up for every Elite Tournament held in my local area. And I would consider traveling to other events, work permitting.
I have had the pleasure of riding with Matt Herren. He took time to show me and explain how he used his fishing graphs. He explained and answered any and every question I had. I rode with Keith Combs on the final day when he was competing for first place and $100,000. He also was very professional and explained the techniques he was using. He didn’t place first, but we had a good day out on the water.
This past year’s event of 2017 I rode with John Murray who was on a largemouth pattern even though the St. Lawrence river is noted for the big smallmouth. He caught both, and I was shown something about the largemouth in my area. Then I had the pleasure of checking off one of the pros on my bucket list I was hoping to ride with. Yup, I got to go out with Shaw Grigsby. What a day that was. He had me laughing the entire day. He told me stories about fishing and winning the Bassmaster Classic. Definitely a day I’ll remember for sure. Russ Lane was another pro I got to ride with and experience running 80 mph to his fishing spots. He was competing to make it to Day 4 and a chance at $100,000. He was already guaranteed $10,000 but first place was in his sights.
Every pro I’ve had a chance to ride with represent the sport as it should be and not only treat you as an equal, your safety is always priority. I strongly recommend if you have a chance to be a Marshall in a Bassmaster tournament, you jump at it. It’s money well spent, and the friendships and experiences you have are definitely worth it.
Not to mention the tournament committee that puts all these tournaments together take good care of you and do whatever it takes to make sure you have the best experience possible. So in closing, all I can say is you men and women out there that love fishing as much as I do, or if you’re someone who is fishing in clubs one day hoping to be in a Bassmaster tournament, sign up to be a Marhsal. The experience and knowledge you earn are well worth it.