I write this watching Drew Benton kick dust up behind his truck driving across an open pasture in front of Elite Series pro and Palatka resident Cliff Prince’s house. Benton is headed north to his new Georgia home in a big hurry. He has family business to attend to.
His boat is covered, unhooked and parked awaiting his return.
Day 1 of the 2020 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River was cancelled due to high winds that would have made for very dangerous boating conditions. This is especially true during the afternoon when the pros would have been landing their boats at a launch that will be receiving the brunt of the blustery winds.
The right call was made by B.A.S.S. officials, as no bass is worth risking lives.
That means a day off for the 88-angler field. Well, for the most part anyway. Many of the Elite Series anglers will take advantage of the free day by rigging more rods, finish rigging their boats for the season, a nap or a round of golf, perhaps. Regardless of what activity consumes their time while boats are on trailers, the tournament will carry on when conditions allow.
For Florida native Drew Benton, the day might provide an opportunity for him to be by his wife’s side during the early birth of their second son.
“Amanda was originally due on February 28th, which would have worked well between the second Elite event on Chickamauga and the Classic,” he laughed. “She has been dealing with high blood pressure during this pregnancy, and last night the doctor decided it would be best to bring Colt Joshua Benton into the world a little early. She was given the medication to induce delivery early this morning.
“I haven’t been thinking about anything else since.”
For Benton, being able to fish on Thursday’s opening round of competition might have been helpful.
“I really wanted to fish,” he said. “My original goal was to catch five bass, weigh them early and get some points on the board, then hurry home to Amanda. But the weather and cancellation threw a wrench in those plans. Don’t get me wrong, the decision to go home was easy. It’s family first for me, no question about it.”
The glory that is often associated with professional bass angling is envied across the country through all levels of the sport. But it comes with a tremendous amount of support and sacrifice on the family front. It takes a very strong and independent spouse to make a team successful, not to mention an immeasurable amount of selfless emotional support. It’s truly amazing to see the strength wives like Amanda Benton — and countless others — eagerly provide.
It’s inspiring.
The same family strength and support becomes increasingly evident on stage when a new champion is crowned. He often breaks down in tears as he thanks his wife and family for all they do to keep the dream alive.
Dry eyes in the audience seldom exist. It’s a special moment that fairly represents the accumulation of a team effort. That’s the glory we see, but how it’s earned often doesn’t make headlines. It’s not just about the fishing, far from it.
The struggle is very real, and it takes special people like the Bentons to keep the wheels on the bus.
“This is how I support my family,” he continued. “Sure, it’s something I love to do, I’m very blessed, but getting set back in the points at the first event of the year is tough to recover from and it could cost us money in winnings by the end of the season. We both realize that, and it was a part of the conversation. If I miss a day, I can make up that lost ground, but missing an entire tournament would be tough.
“If that’s how I have to do it, then that’s how I’ll do it. Again, family first.”
If you look at the forecast for Friday, the weather doesn’t look much better. Day 2 could potentially be cancelled, too, if the winds don’t subside. That may play well for Benton.
“I can’t bank on a second cancellation day, but if it does happen that will ease the stress of traveling — and provide more time with my family. I’ll deal with that decision when the time comes,” he said. “Your kids are only born once, and it’s very important to Amanda and I that I’m there. I wouldn’t miss it.
“The goal is to drive five hours home, be with Amanda until Colt is born, spend as much time is necessary to assure both Amanda and Colt are healthy and comfortable. Then I’ll turn around and drive five hours back to Palatka to fish the tournament.”
Benton can miss take-off, show up and fish any time before the afternoon check-in, which is based on his flight number and take-off position. The only rule he needs to abide by is checking in on time.
“Anglers have been sick before, or have dealt with mechanical issues that delayed when they started fishing,” said Trip Weldon, Bassmaster Tournament Director. “In Drew’s case, he can begin fishing whenever he gets here, as long as it’s a full-field day and before the official check-in time. He’ll communicate with us, and we’ll work with him to get him fishing as soon as possible.
“Everyone at B.A.S.S. is anxiously awaiting the good news, and keeping the Benton family in our prayers.”
After Benton’s truck disappeared in a cloud of Florida dirt-road dust, his travel buddy and 2019 Bassmaster Rookie of the Year Drew Cook said he’d make sure Benton’s boat was launched and ready for him at the ramp when he returned.
“Of course, if all goes well and he can make it back in time, we’ll make sure he gets on the water with as little hassle as possible,” Cook said. “We’re all competitors on the water, but we’re a band of brothers off the water. We help each other out, support each other, it’s the way we do things. As he heads home to be with family, I’ll make plans to get his boat prepped, launched and ready to fish when he gets back.”