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NOVATO, Calif. — Gerald Sensabaugh, a 30-year-old aspiring pro angler from Gray, Tenn., has joined the Powell Rods pro staff.
While Sensabaugh may be fairly new to the world of pro bass fishing, he is not a newcomer to professional sports. From 2005 to 2012, Sensabaugh played defensive back for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL.
It was a love of fishing and competition that drew him to bass fishing. “I’ve always loved to fish, and tournament fishing has given me a place to combine my love of fishing and my competitive side,” he said.
“I got talked into fishing my first tournament at a BFL at Sam Rayburn a few years ago and finished 19th,” he said. “I've been hooked ever since.”
Sensabaugh said he likes knowing he has great equipment to fish with, as well as great people to work with at Powell Rods.
“Powell makes one of the best rods I’ve ever fished with,” he said. “But even more than that is that Keith [Bryan, the president of Powell Rods] has stood behind me and my fishing. I love the products and the people. I look forward to growing with them as I try to become a tour level angler in the future.”
Bryan, a competitive angler and collegiate football player, relates to his new team member.
“Gerald is a great guy, he is well-spoken and is driven to become a great angler, and he’s shown flashes of it already,” said Bryan. “I love that someone who has experienced the highest level of traditional athletics has decided to make fishing a part of his future, and I’m happy to be working with him as he proceeds along his path to achieving his goals in the business.”
Watch for Sensabaugh as he competes in the 2014 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern and Northern Opens presented by Allstate as he works toward securing a spot in the Bassmaster Elite Series.