Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Goes Ike

I’ve participated in many fun projects throughout my career in the fishing industry, but my service to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame ranks at the top of the list. Since I joined the all-volunteer board just five years ago, the organization’s efforts have grown substantially – I don’t mean to show that there’s a causation there, or even a correlation, but rather that I was fortunate to get on at a good time.

The hallmark public-facing event of the Hall’s efforts is our annual induction banquet at the Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife facility in Springfield, Missouri. What’s really cool about this is that not only is just about everyone in the fishing industry there, but that it’s open to anyone who buys a ticket. Even if you can’t make it, there’s an online auction, with jerseys, tackle, and all sorts of trips (last year there was a Bahamas bonefishing trip with KVD and Johnny Morris; this year we’ll once again have a day on the water with Bill Dance). If you’re strategic about it, you can get some one-of-a-kind items at great prices.

This year, we’re all looking forward to the induction of tournament legend Glen Andrews, rod pioneer Bruce Holt, and Mike Iaconelli. Not to take anything away from the other two inductees, or past inductees, but I have a feeling that Ike’s speech and simply his appearance are going to make it one that you shouldn’t miss.

Indeed, his induction is meaningful to the sport simply because he was so far outside the mold – not just his state of origin, but his accomplishments on and off the water. Twenty years ago, there’s no way that someone with his record of lashing out, controversies, and emotions would make it past the gatekeepers of our previously staid institution. Today, I think most if not all of our selection committee saw him as a first-ballot entrant. The Hall has changed a lot in five years, but the sport has changed and continues to change, just as rapidly. To some extent, we’re still in our infancy, and that’s what makes it so exciting to me – the chance to watch the sometimes painful growing pains that lead to progress.