When it comes to qualifying for the BASSMASTERS Classic, you might say that Mike Gough is an 18-year overnight sensation.
Accomplishing his dream of making the Classic has taken the 56-year-old Florida pro 18 years of on-and-off angling. Since fishing his first B.A.S.S. event in 1984, Gough has competed on the circuit sporadically - depending on either his financial situation at the time or his chances of qualifying for the Classic.
"I've been out there a long time," said Gough, who owns an auto repair shop in Gainesville. "I told somebody the other day that it only took me (18) years to make the Classic.
"That's kind of a joke because there were a lot of years that I just wasn't able to try financially. It's always been a financial thing with me. I never could go out there and stay for long periods of time. I'd go out and have a couple of mediocre tournaments and know I wasn't going to make (the Classic), so I'd quit. Then I'd come back and try again. Then I took a few years off. I've just been out there grinding all these years."
Gough ended his three-year hiatus from B.A.S.S. after being attracted by the BASSMASTER Opens' new pro-am format. Surprisingly, he chose to compete on the Central circuit.
It turned out to be a wise decision. Gough finished fifth at the Red River, 52nd at Lake Ouachita and eighth at Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
"I took a chance this year and went out there where I thought the tournaments were on lakes that were more like what I should be fishing," he said. "It worked out pretty well."
As a bonus to making the Classic, Gough, whose primary sponsors are Triton Boats and Mercury Marine, also qualified for the 2003 BASSMASTER Tour.
"I'm trying to get enough (financial) help to fish the Tour," he said. "It's just a struggle and there's not much time to get everything together
"But I'm going to do it. For me, it's probably a once-in-a-lifetime situation. Being qualified for the Classic takes all of the pressure off of the Tour in one respect."
YOUTH MANAGER
B.A.S.S. Federation Director Al Smith has hired Stacey Twiggs to fill the newly created position of Youth Manager. Twiggs, who had served as President of the Texas B.A.S.S. Federation, will be responsible for developing the foundation of this important B.A.S.S. initiative. As part of his duties Twiggs will also oversee the Junior Chapter program, work with the BASSMASTER CastingKids program and work to create and grow companywide youth projects.
CITGO BASSMASTER University
Anglers eager to learn the favorite techniques of top pros can now register for one of the popular BASSMASTER University seminars online. A complete schedule of seminars and registration form are available at www.bassmaster.com.
TOURNAMENT HOBBY
Between fishing Southern Opens, BASSMASTER pro Joe Crosby of Georgia finished third in the Redfish Tour event out of Biloxi, Miss.
"I'm going to fish the whole trail," Crosby said. "It's really a lot of fun. I had a blast. I believe the redfish trail is going to be big because guys are going to be able to use the same stuff we use for bass fishing."
WORTHWHILE WEBSITE
Florida pro Bernie Schultz recently launched a new website (www.bernieschultzfishing.com) that is a cut above the average.
Among the most interesting parts of Schultz' website is a color, illustrated version of the impressive technique series that he did for BASSMASTER Magazine, as well as a detailed display of his extensive antique lure and reel collection. Fishermen will enjoy his tournament log feature that will analyze the patterns of the top finishers in upcoming BASSMASTER events along with an illustration. In addition to being a top tournament pro, Schultz also works as an illustrator for BASSMASTER and B.A.S.S. Times.
DID YOU KNOW?
Veteran North Carolina pro Guy Eaker is a serious gardener with an impressive garden that includes more than 500 azaleas. "I just enjoy doing that," he said. "It gets my mind off fishing and anything else. I get out there in the mornings and come in and eat something, and go back out there and work until dark. But I don't let anybody else mess with it, so it takes a lot of time."
PRO BIRTHDAYS
Two veteran BASSMASTER pros, Jim Bitter (60) and Terry Baksay (42), share Nov. 28 as their birthday. Alabama's Gerald Swindle becomes 33 on Dec. 17, while Chris Baumgardner of North Carolina turns 42 the next day.
IF I HADN'T BECOME A BASS PRO...
California pro Robert Lee, who won all three BASSMASTER Invitationals held on the California Delta, would be concentrating full time on the construction company he owns with his father.
THEY SAID IT
"I'm still making money off winning that Classic back in 1974. I can't think of all the other things but you still get invited to a lot of things because you were a Classic winner. I still do a lot of bookings... and (they) tell me that these sport shows want me because I'm a Classic winner. It's made me a lot of money, a lot of money. For the guys that win it today that have a lot of promotional ability, it's probably worth well over $1 million." Veteran Texas pro Tommy Martin, still appreciative of the impact of winning the Classic on his lengthy career.