From time to time, Bassmaster Elite Series pros are asked to participate in tournaments outside the B.A.S.S. tour. Some are held for kids, others for various charitable causes. And while we can’t always participate fully, we do try to support them in some way.
Some of these events are large and well organized. Others are quite small and working to get established. Regardless of their size, if the cause is just, we try to help.
Among the more rewarding are tournaments held for young people entering the sport — local and regional derbies arranged for recruitment and/or fund raising.
I try to help by donating time, money or fishing tackle to those in my area, and my sponsors are fully onboard. Companies like Rapala, VMC and Yamamoto always step up, which makes me doubly proud to represent their brands.
Kids on the line
Bobby Lane’s Challenge Cup is an invitational for school kids, whereby participants compete for merchandise and scholarships. Bobby’s event is held on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in central Florida, and it draws hundreds of youths from across the country, all eager to test their skills in friendly competition. Whether they catch a fish or not, thanks to the generosity of supporting sponsors, every child will leave with much more than he or she came with.
I also contribute to Reeling for Kids — a program supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of North-Central Florida, founded by former Gator and NFL quarterback Doug Johnson. His is a saltwater tournament held on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and it too draws hundreds of participants, including entire families. It’s like a fishing festival, bringing the community together for a very good cause.
The Ike Foundation — founded by former Bassmaster Classic champion, Mike Iaconelli — hosts an annual pro-am event on the Delaware River near Philadelphia. Its purpose is to get kids involved in the sport — especially those for whom access is a challenge.
Charitable causes
Equally important are those held for charitable causes, like St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors, Project Healing Waters and others. They offer the opportunity to give back in a very meaningful way. I’ve been a donor of St. Jude’s since the early 1990s, and I have visited their hospital. Those people work miracles.
Elite Series pro John Crews gives back in a unique way. Each year he holds a fundraiser for Autism Awareness, whereby Elite pros and their individual sponsors pledge money in a pay-by-the-pound format. The more weight that pro catches during Elite Series tournaments in the month of April (Autism Month), the more dollars go toward the fund. John has raised thousands upon thousands for his cause.
We try to support memorial events, as well — like those that honor lost friends or important figures in the sport. The Glenn Browne Memorial Bass Fishing Tournament is scheduled for this October on the Harris Chain of Lakes. Glenn was a former Elite Series pro who died from cancer. His wife Melissa is holding the event to raise money for the Suwannee River Cancer Awareness Association, and for the Marion County Youth Bassmasters — a group of young anglers Glenn helped mentor.
These are just some of countless similar events held nationwide. By participating in those in my area, I feel I’m giving back to the sport and the people that make it possible for me to earn a living doing what I love.
