Hank’s professional fishing career began in 1976 when he began fishing the National Bass Association Tournament Circuit, winning their national championship in his first season. He fished both the National Bass Association and American Bass Association for the following two years. With this success and help from newly acquired sponsors, Hank began fishing the Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s Society (B.A.S.S.) Tournament Trail, where he won the Bassmaster Classic in 1979 and 1989.
Also, he was the first angler to win the Grand Slam of Bass Fishing, which includes a B.A.S.S. qualifying tournament, the Classic, B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year title and the B.A.S.S. SuperBass Tournament. Amazingly, Hank finished “in the money” in 76% of all the tournaments he fished during his B.A.S.S. career.
“Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine” television series launched in 1985 with national syndication. The following season the series moved to The Nashville Network. More than 30 years later, Hank's show is still airing on The Outdoor Life Network, The Outdoor Channel, Pursuit Channel, and NBC Sports.
Over the years as an outdoorsman, Hank has been honored by being inducted into the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, the Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame, and the International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame.