Page 12 - Crappie NOW - May 2017

By Tim Huffman

This issue discusses the “professional” title, winning a classic and winning
Angler Team of the Year. Our series experts include Darrell VanVactor, General
Manager of Crappie USA; Mike Vallentine, President and Owner of Crappie Masters;
Matt Morgan, Co-Owner of the American Crappie Trail; and tournament fishermen.

Who is a pro fisherman? From the previous quotes, there is no
Few, if any, fishermen make a living one clear-cut definition of a crappie pro.
fishing tournaments, so what is a pro? A full-
time guide definitely qualifies. A fisherman Winning the Classic
who makes his living fishing tournaments, VanVactor says if a winning team will
but I don’t know of an angler doing that in take advantage of the opportunity they can
crappie fishing. So what about the term help support their fishing for many years
“pro fishermen” that is toss around a lot? to come. The key is for them to align with
Fishermen give their ideas. products they are comfortable with using
Jim Westerberg, Arkansas, says, “I and communicate to those sponsors how
believe if you have sponsorship it shows you the team can help them sell more products.
obviously have experience, have contact Winning a classic opens doors for a team
with the public promoting your sponsors to advance themselves, fish more and
and are at some level a pro.” different places and have support doing it.
Todd Huckabee, a full-time guide Vallentine says, “Winning a National
in Oklahoma says, “I’m a pro. No income Championship means a lot because it means
except from crappie fishing.” the team beat the largest and best field of
Kevin Rogers from Missouri, 2016
Angler Team of the Year, and sponsored by
Missouri Soybeans, says, “I’ve got a full- “…winning the AOY shows
time job. I fish for a hobby so I am not a fishermen have fished a
professional.” variety of techniques on a
Jonathan Sheridan, Ky Lake, says,
“It can be somebody who does respectable variety of lakes.”
in the sport and goes out of their way to
help others. A true pro is a sportsman and
respectful of the sport.” fishermen gathered at one lake, at one
Bart Gillon, Tennessee, tournament time, fishing one tournament. The winner is
fishermen, owner of Rod Safe, says, “I the champ of the biggest tournament of the
believe it is a person who has established year.”
himself either on a local or national level and Morgan says, “I’ve won two classics.
is a good fisherman. It’s a person someone These tournaments are ones that everyone
can go to and ask for advice. You don’t have wants to win because it’s against the best
to be in a wrapped boat, sponsored or on fishermen in the country. There are many
a tournament trail because it’s deeper than good fishermen who have not won a
that.” classic.”

12 Crappie NOW May 2017