I never would have guessed that someday I’d be one of the thousands of bass anglers who'd been beaten in a tournament by Bill Dance. But it just happened. Good Lord, the irony.
As an aggressive young tournament angler, I relentlessly made fun of the made-for-TV fisherman, all the time feeling jealous of the crowds of people who would wait in line to get his autograph. On Tuesday, Dance showed he could still bring the heat.
Well, maybe it’s not quite so drastic, as the event I’m speaking of was this week’s media-friendly ICAST Cup tournament, kicking off the annual mega tackle show in Orlando. I jumped at the chance to take part, as I continue to have a serious crush on Florida and it’s mystical waters. So strong is my emotion for bass fishing’s first capital that I’m looking at property while I’m here; but more about that another time.
My usual pre-dawn jitters weren’t there for the ICAST Cup, as it was more of an event celebrated to promote the gathering of manufacturers, sponsors, media and bass pros, but it sure was great to watch the sun come up over Lake Toho. The ride out to the lake was a 4 a.m. nail-biter; the Florida Department of Transportation may as well just remove all of their speed limit signs, from what I can tell.
But after a drive around the Orlando area, and observing man’s attempt to destroy the landscape through urban sprawl and theme parks, I was again amazed when I first got on the water in Florida. I’ve never seen somewhere that so drastically different from one place to the next; one minute you’re in a traffic jam filled with people who think gators only exist inside the walls of GatorLand, the next you’re in a remote jungle inhabited by the majestic beasts.
My partners for the morning were Plano’s Jesse Simpkins and FLW standout Mark Rose. Anyone who’s anyone in fishing knows Simpkins. He’s been in the industry for decades, once giving me my first shot at a sponsorship in the infancy of my career. He’s always the guy I turn to for any type of advice on the business, as he’s truly seen it all, from Megabucks to MLF. Along the way, Simpkins loves to give me a little grief, as he should, after putting up with me all these years as both a boss and a friend. This latest trip provided me the opportunity to blow up one of Rose’s casting reels and snap off a $15 hardbait; that should give Jesse plenty to go on for a while.
Rose couldn’t care less, or so it appeared. He’s the kind of guy that’s so nice he often makes me feel bad about myself for not being a better person. Ah, but it’s not his fault, it’s mine.
There I go again.
It was funny to see Roses’ take-no-prisoners attitude come out, despite the tournament’s top prize being only a trophy and some bragging rights. But there it was, right off the get-go, as Rose expressed his desire to make a big run to a promising locale. The event’s short, 3-hour duration quickly ended those thoughts.
I was happy just to be on the water. I once considered that to be cliche', but, the older and busier I get, the more I find it to be true. Along the way, our team caught a limit of fish in pretty short order, Carolina-rigging hard-bottom areas. It was great to be bass fishing back in Florida, where an angler can start the day in shorts, raingear is only for when it rains, and the biggest wave is from a fellow basser’s boat.
And everything looks so good. That part of it must drive the local fishing guides nuts: how many times have they heard those thoughts expressed by their rookie Northern clients? Water lilies, hydrilla, hyacinths and Kissimmee grass start at the ramp and seem to go on forever.
Weigh-in was hosted by the FLW crew and coincided with on-the-water demos, sponsor booths and a chance to peak at some new gear. Temperatures rose. The sun peaked in and out, and a few rainclouds could be seen in the distance, as they can every summer day in Florida. No one really cared.
Our monster bag of fish pushed the scales past 8 pounds. For a minute, we led the event, due in part to weighing in second. More big names came across the stage, some with fish, some without. Regardless, everyone wore smiles.
It gave me time to reflect on what fishing really provides. Lately I’ve thought about how competition can sometimes take away from the draw of what bass fishing still offers to some, but used to offer us all, before things got so complicated. It was nice to see that again in an environment filled with folks who are otherwise all business.
And, although I never thought I’d say it, it sure was nice to get my butt kicked by Bill Dance.
(Joe Balog is the often outspoken owner of Millennium Promotions, Inc., an agency operating in the fishing and hunting industries. A former Bassmaster Open and EverStart Championship winner, he's best known for his big-water innovations and hardcore fishing style. He's a popular seminar speaker, product designer and author, and is considered one of the most influential smallmouth fishermen of modern times.)
