The first Bassmaster Elite Series stop of 2024 is right ahead of us, but I’m still at work. It’s boat show season.
Like many anglers, I spend my winter working boat shows and dealer shows making appearances on behalf of Skeeter and Yamaha. Along the way, I get to do some seminars where I highlight Lew’s, Strike King and Seaguar. My seminars are the smallest portion of my time at shows, but in them I get to share tips and tricks and talk fish catching with fans of the sport.
I know for some boat show season is their least favorite time of the year, but for me it’s one of my favorites. I learned early on how valuable being at the shows was to my partners, but it’s also valuable to me. I realize the value they bring to me as an angler. When I figured that out, I fell in love with being at boat shows.
Don’t get me wrong; I don’t always look forward to the actual travel getting there. But once I arrive, I actually get pretty excited to interact with the fans and do what we both love to do – talk fishing. Fishing is what bonds all of us, and no matter our backgrounds, occupations or other hobbies, getting together with a group of people to talk fishing is what it’s all about.
I did my first public appearance as a professional angler in spring of 1992 in Indiana, right across the border from Kentucky. I was the “warmup” act for Harold Allen. I had a great experience there and met so many great people. I got great feedback from the attendees, and I really found a love of doing it. I’ve always looked forward to that time of the year.
I love doing seminars, but my favorite type are the smaller classroom settings we get to use from time to time. I used to do the Bassmaster University classes back in the day, and I’ve done some of that type in other venues too. Being able to get really close to the students in that setting and seeing their eyes light up when they grasp the concepts I’m sharing is a great feeling.
Altogether, my favorite experience is to be in the booth and talking to people on an individual basis. To be able to shake hands with people and talk about our sport is the best part. The funny thing about the whole scene is I’ve met some people who have become truly lifelong friends at boat shows. Some of them are people that have been a part of my life for years, and I would have never expected that.
From a professional perspective, working at these boat shows and being a part of the seminar circuit has helped me build connections to the fans and increase my visibility with them. It has also helped me provide the service to my sponsors that I’m required to do. It’s also expanded on my potential to provide income for my family that is not reliant on me catching a bass in a tournament.
My favorite part of the whole season – even with the professional benefits – is being with the fans of our sport. They are the lifeblood of our sport, and being with them refreshes and motivates me each year. So, stop by and visit with me if you see me at a show. I promise you I’ll enjoy it as much as I hope you do.
