The BP Difference

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, I do not have a direct say in who is inducted, but I do play a role in determining how the inductees’ identities will be announced. Telling the story properly keeps interest in the Hall elevated and properly recognizes the importance of those who’ve been added to the list. I am thrilled to say that this year we hit a home run by asking Brandon Palaniuk to notify Ray Kerchal of his son Bryan’s induction.

It’s always hard to ask someone to do you a favor, especially for free, but Brandon readily agreed to our request, not only to notify Mr. Kerchal, but also to produce a short video of the process. I assured him that the video didn’t need to be long, or technologically advanced, but he exceeded our expectations in every respect. Watch the video, now available on the Hall’s YouTube page, and you’ll see what I mean. He strikes a balance that demonstrates his understanding of our history, his place in it, his own emotions, and his deep passion for the sport. It’s flawless. What amazed me the most is that he thanked us for the opportunity to do this – the only other pro who consistently makes a media figure feel that way is GYCB’s Larry Nixon.

We shouldn’t have expected any less. The guy never mails it in. Last fall, my friends Billy Chapman and Bill Siemantel organized the first Big Bass Junior Championship at the former’s Willows Club marina in Idaho. Palaniuk showed up unannounced and the kids went crazy. Many pros would resist these extracurriculars or resent them, but BP seems to relish his role as an ambassador for the sport. It’s why he’s such a great spokesmen for his sponsors, too – although he never mentions any of them in the Kerchal video, it’s the type of presentation that builds instant credibility. I fear that I am coming off as too much of a fawning fanboy, butt at 33 years old he doesn’t appear to have much more room to get better – on or off the water – nevertheless, somehow you know that he’s barely scratched the surface of his abilities.