4/9/12:
One of the coolest things about winning the Boat US Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship last year was the berth to the recent TBF National Championship, held on Bull Shoals Lake. When my partner, Casey O’Donnell, and I learned of our qualification to fish against the best The Bass Federation had to offer, we were immediately excited for the opportunity.
The college qualifiers from the Collegiate Championship each year are rotated between the different TBF divisions. This year, Casey and I were honorary members of the Northwest division.
Just fishing at the event was an unforgettable experience and a true honor, but I was also fortunate to finish 3rd overall and earn a ticket to the 2012 BFL All-American.
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4/3/12: I’ve said it before – I’m a hopeless optimist.
That, mixed with the fact that I’m still young and relatively inexperienced, means that whatever bubbly perspective I have on what it takes to make it as a professional angler in this day and age probably leaves something to be desired as far as credibility.
I could talk all day about my beliefs on what it takes to turn professional, or how possible it is to make a good living in this sport, but in the end I’m still just a guy living in a trailer with dreams of making it big.
I must admit that despite my optimistic tendencies, I often experience doubt and uncertainty when it comes to my future in the sport, and the future of the sport itself. That’s why I wanted to talk with someone who knows firsthand what it takes to make it big in the fishing industry.
Fortunately, I was honored with the opportunity to speak with none other than co-owner of B.A.S.S., and one of the people whose passion for the sport has elevated it to new levels – Mr. Jerry McKinnis.
Following are some of the things that Jerry and I talked about over the phone during a short break from my pre-practice at Bull Shoals for the TBF Championship.
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Goining into the final day of the TBF Championship held on Bull Shoals Lake in northern Arkansas, Sonar was in 7th place, nearly 11 1/2 pounds out of the lead. On that final day, Sonar was able to amass 15lbs 10oz. of Bull Shoals largemouth- the day’s largest bag of fish, and the third largest of the entire event- to come within 3 ounces of taking home the title. In the end his efforts landed him a 3rd place finish, and a berth to the BFL All-American, to be held May 15-19th on the Potomac River.
To read more about the Championship CLICK HERE
1/26/12:
What a busy couple of weeks! The beginning of January always seems to blindside me. I’m trying to get my bearings at school, trying to make the best of the first tournaments of the year and getting all my other business in line.
Usually it isn’t all that bad. After all, most tournaments usually don’t start until later in the month, which usually gives me a buffer between the beginning of school and the beginning of the season. But that wasn’t the case this year. I’ve had an event every weekend, including a BFL on Jan. 14 and my last FLW College Fishing qualifier on Jan. 21, both of which were on the Big “O” (Lake Okeechobee).
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1-21-12:
Sonar and Casey O’Donnell finished 3rd at the FLW College Fishing Qualifier on Lake Okeechobee, with a five-bass limit weighing 12-0. Finishing within the top-5 qualified the duo for the 2012 FLW College Fishing Southeastern Regional Championship. Where and when the championship will be held has yet to be announced.
This is Sonar’s third FLW College qualifying tournament, two of which now are 3rd place finishes.
12/15/11:
Man, am I bored!
I find December to be one of the slowest months of the year. All regular-season tournaments have been over since September and all regional championships for weekend tours like the BFLs are completely over by November, at the latest. Also, the fall semester usually ends the first week of December, and though I don’t consider school very much fun, it keeps me occupied.
I still get out on the water at least 3 days a week. But I guess once you’re addicted to tournament fishing, life seems pretty bland if you don’t get your “competitive fix.”
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Nov. 21, 2011:
“Get me outta this thing!”
I can tell you one thing, there have been many a time I have cried out something along those lines, frustrated by the tight living quarters in my travel trailer.
I have lived in my 27-foot (no pop-outs) trailer for about 5 1/2 years now, and although one side of me would like to tell you it’s been a curse, my more reasonable side would have to tell you that it’s been a blessing.
When I was making my preparations to move from California to Florida back in 2006, my main concern was how and where I needed to live. My main focus was to train myself to become the best tournament angler I could be, and my living situation needed to help facilitate that growth instead of hampering it. I decided that being mobile, solitary, versatile and keeping costs to a minimum were the main factors that would decide where I could live.
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Miles “Sonar” Burghoff’s jersey, worn by him in the 2010 FLW College Fishing National Championship is up for auction on Ebay. Proceeds from the sale of the jersey will go to the Tackle The Storm Foundation, which gives children in areas, stricken by devastating natural disasters, fishing equipment to help them cope with the bit of childhood that they may have lost in such a disaster.
To visit the Tackle The Storm Foundation’s website CLICK HERE
To visit the auction for Sonar’s jersey on Ebay CLICK HERE
10-6-11: Lately I have been comfortable with the way things are going. If my progress as a competitor was represented in a graph, I feel that it would show that I am performing better than I ever have, in every category, compared to my recent past.
I’m not comparing myself against anyone, I’m just saying that I’m personally experiencing a level of progress that I feel is healthy enough to stay on track with my lofty goals for the future.
That’s good, right?
Just the other day, I was having a conversation with my good friend Brad, the owner of Topwater Clothing. Brad and I talk at least once a week and I consider him a mentor, since he has been living around athletes from extreme sports his whole life and understands what makes great athletes tick.
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