![<p><b>1. What do you do for fun away from fishing?</p></b>
I like to hunt and spend time with the family on the water. A few years ago we bought a pontoon and now spend time on water with the boys and friends when I have a break from tournaments. We swim, do other watersports and have caught a lot of big bass while fishing off that pontoon boat.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/1_kvd_and_boys_with_deer.jpg)
I like to hunt and spend time with the family on the water. A few years ago we bought a pontoon and now spend time on water with the boys and friends when I have a break from tournaments. We swim, do other watersports and have caught a lot of big bass while fishing off that pontoon boat.
![<p><b>2. Is there one tournament that bugs you the most because you came up short of winning? </p></b>
Lots of them! One that sticks out in my mind occurred earlier in my career during the 1996 Classic at Lay Lake that George Cochran won. I led after the first day and had a good spot where I was catching them suspended. When I showed up the next day there were 35-40 spectator boats sitting there waiting for me. It got me flustered and I didnât adjust soon enough. However, it was a great learning experience and taught me to think about the spectator element when planning my strategy â not only for the Classic, but all tournaments. As good as the learning experience was, Iâd love to have that tournament back.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/2-1996_kvd_top100neelyhenry.jpg)
Lots of them! One that sticks out in my mind occurred earlier in my career during the 1996 Classic at Lay Lake that George Cochran won. I led after the first day and had a good spot where I was catching them suspended. When I showed up the next day there were 35-40 spectator boats sitting there waiting for me. It got me flustered and I didnât adjust soon enough. However, it was a great learning experience and taught me to think about the spectator element when planning my strategy â not only for the Classic, but all tournaments. As good as the learning experience was, Iâd love to have that tournament back.
![<p><b>3. Who is the one athlete outside the sport of fishing that you admire most and why? </p></b>
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady because of his mental toughness and the high level of play heâs displayed throughout his career. I met him at the ESPYs and he is a very humble person. I donât think anyone across all sports has been better at his craft. In my opinion, heâs the greatest QB in NFL history and heâs still going strong.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/3-1w4a1198.jpg)
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady because of his mental toughness and the high level of play heâs displayed throughout his career. I met him at the ESPYs and he is a very humble person. I donât think anyone across all sports has been better at his craft. In my opinion, heâs the greatest QB in NFL history and heâs still going strong.
![<p><b>4. We hear you love cooking. Whatâs your favorite meat to cook and whatâs your secret? </p></b>
I love to grill all different types of meat, but my favorite is pork tenderloin. The secret is to give it a quick sear on the outside, add seasonings then slow cook it to finish. We found Pattieâs Seasoning while fishing Kentucky Lake 30 years ago and itâs still my favorite.
I slow cook the meat on a Traeger Pellet Grill because it gives me precise temperature control. I sear the meat at 500 degrees then turn it down to 225 for slow cooking.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/4_img_4141001.jpg)
I love to grill all different types of meat, but my favorite is pork tenderloin. The secret is to give it a quick sear on the outside, add seasonings then slow cook it to finish. We found Pattieâs Seasoning while fishing Kentucky Lake 30 years ago and itâs still my favorite.
I slow cook the meat on a Traeger Pellet Grill because it gives me precise temperature control. I sear the meat at 500 degrees then turn it down to 225 for slow cooking.
![<p><b>5. Was there an experience early in life that made you decide to pursue a tournament fishing career? </p></b>
I fished my first tournament at age 14 and loved it. Honestly, when I fished my first few Bassmaster events I didnât think of it as a career; I did it for the thrill of competing. I followed guys like Larry Nixon, Rick Clunn and Denny Brauer in Bassmaster Magazine and on TV, admired their dominance at that time, and it really piqued my interest.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/5_img_4142001.jpg)
I fished my first tournament at age 14 and loved it. Honestly, when I fished my first few Bassmaster events I didnât think of it as a career; I did it for the thrill of competing. I followed guys like Larry Nixon, Rick Clunn and Denny Brauer in Bassmaster Magazine and on TV, admired their dominance at that time, and it really piqued my interest.
![<p><b>6. Michigan is known for its multi-species. What fish, other than bass, do you like catching the most? </p></b>
Probably salmon and steelhead. As a youngster, I spent a lot of time wading Michigan rivers and streams when the trout and salmon were running. It taught me a lot about river fishing and current and little nuances that apply to bass as well. I caught fish on everything from spawn bags to spinners and spoons, and when the time was right, I caught a ton on a fly rod.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/6_img_4143.jpg)
Probably salmon and steelhead. As a youngster, I spent a lot of time wading Michigan rivers and streams when the trout and salmon were running. It taught me a lot about river fishing and current and little nuances that apply to bass as well. I caught fish on everything from spawn bags to spinners and spoons, and when the time was right, I caught a ton on a fly rod.
![<p><b>7. Who among the all-time great pro anglers had the biggest influence on you? </p></b>
I was lucky to have some of the veteran guys like Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin on the Nitro team when I first started and they helped me a lot. Denny Brauer became a great friend and mentor as well, and they all gave me solid advice. We spent a lot of time together through the first half of my career.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/7-1992_megaguntersville_larrynixon01.jpg)
I was lucky to have some of the veteran guys like Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin on the Nitro team when I first started and they helped me a lot. Denny Brauer became a great friend and mentor as well, and they all gave me solid advice. We spent a lot of time together through the first half of my career.