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Is there a glass ceiling in every angler's career?
At the conclusion of his dominating 1984 Bassmaster Classic victory on the Arkansas River, Rick Clunn spoke of "no limits." He's used the phrase on occasion ever since. Indeed, a professional angler may be able to dig down deep, muster some additional strength or savvy, and propel his fishing beyond where anyone else thought was possible.
But it might also be true that some anglers learn to accept their limits, understand that they'll never be in KVD's class or a candidate for the Greatest Angler Debate.
There was a time when each of them realized he had what it took to make it to the Elites, but for many there also comes a time when they realize their likely station in the sport, whether it be as a megastar, star, journeyman or donator. But there are also turning points, critical junctures when their yet-to-be-determined final role is still in question.
Here's the lowdown on ten such Elite Pros:
Skeet Reese (1st in 2007)
Angler of the Year, a tour-level victory and mucho dinero in prize money and sponsor largesse. Except for a Classic victory, what does Skeet have left to accomplish? Who could possibly think his career is at a crossroads?
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The brass ring is the status of one Kevin Van Dam. He's in a class by himself. Even when he's not
AOY, he's right there, a constant in the top 5. In 2006 he almost claimed the title despite losing all of his points due to a
DQ. This year Skeet had to fish out of his mind to stave Kevin off.
If Skeet is going to cement his status as a consistent threat, one who never bombs, then he can't let down. No one has managed to stay up in that rarefied air with KVD for long. Ike looked like he could do it, but the 28th place overall finish he mustered in this aberrational season excludes him from the running. Swindle's not there yet, either. Martens might be there soon, but he's just inconsistent enough (and not yet enough of a finisher) to fall short. Scroggins and Kennedy may be there soon, but not quite yet. |
But Skeet's knocking on the door. Has he turned the corner into VanDam-ville, or is he just on a temporary guest pass? This year may give us a pretty good indication.
Forget knocking, the KVD door could be
busted wide open into splinters by Skeet
this year.
Jared Linter (5th)
Can the milkman ring twice?
Killer year from the previously-unknown and unfeared Mr.
Lintner. He made the KVD/Skeet slugfest into a three man race for much of the year, and he's en route to his
second Classic. But was it a fluke? The Elite Series won't visit his home state next year, and while that wasn't the only venue where he experienced success, it had to have given his confidence a boost. With no return visit on the calendar, and a long time away from his young family on deck, not to mention a target on his back now, will he be able to keep it up? |
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Davy Hite, Bernie Schultz, Kenyon Hill (53rd, 54th, 55th)
Three veteran pros, top notch sticks, and past Classic participants. No one questions their fishing chops or their marketing savvy. They're respected by their peers and known to the fans. But in a 108 man field they were dead set in the middle. If I still remember my 5th grade math, only about half the field can be above average. Which way will these three go?
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Preston Clark (75th)
In 2006, he was on top of the world. Despite a lackluster second half, he put himself on the map by making a run at the Classic (including a Classic-record 11 pound pig) and then by setting the four-day weight record in a Santee slugfest.
Perhaps he should have taken it as a bad omen when his weight record fell early in 2007. After all, at least Rojas had basked in the glory for 5 years. Preston had barely had time to let the ink dry on his resume after he added the achievement. While close friend and former team partner Terry Scroggins has become a star and finished 4th overall, Preston finished a lackluster 75th. Fairly or not, some fishing fans don't think he can hack it after the spawn. Will he prove the doubters wrong in '08? |
Charlie Hartley (79th)
One of the truly nice guys in the sport, Charlie is proof that Leo Durocher's quote about nice guys finishing last isn't always true. He had a Northern Stren points title a few years ago, but until he won the Southern Opens this year, he'd been something of a journeyman on the BASS side.
He's headed to his first Classic and he has to have it in his mind that this is his chance to make a big splash on the national scene. No one seems to enjoy their time on the water or time with the fans as much as the Snakeskin Skateboarder, but I bet he'd trade a little bit of that fun for a looping victory lap around the Classic arena. After his top finish at the Potomac, he'd probably also like to bask in some more Elite Series glory. Do this year's Open points title and 79th place finish in the Elites demonstrate that he's a AAA superstar, or does it portend a turning point in his career?
Marty Stone (92nd)
More than anyone else on the list, Marty has to be tired of pundits such as myself questioning the state of his career and using the dreaded "slump" term. He is a master of dealing with the marketing side of the job, and always has something positive to say, but one has to wonder if doubts are creeping in. He maintains one of the most profitable and recognizable sponsor stables in the sport, and
gets the press, but he'd probably rather let his fishing do the talking.
Marty could have one of the best
comeback performances on tour.
He is on a mission. |
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Jon
Bondy (94th)
Bearing the heavy burden of being Canada's
sole representative in the big show, Jon has
had a few minutes of glory, but otherwise
has not lived up to his known potential.
Without Moose Tracks on board, can he
weather a few months of struggle? Has he
figured something out in the offseason
that'll let him be known for his finishes
more than for his nationality?
Byron Velvick (107th)
The talent is there. He's been a force out west for years, and had a dominant BASS Open performance a while back at Clear Lake, but he hasn't put it together yet on tour. Maybe the positive feedback and exposure that came from his network-TV appearance made it easy to rely on his media-friendly personality and sponsor-friendly image.
After a dismal 2007 season, he went to the Wild Card on a mission and he flat out dominated to
requalify. Does he do better when times are desperate? If so, how does he replicate those conditions?
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