Entry 308-5
From Bull Riding to State Bass-Fishing Pro and then National Bass-Fishing Pro with Brian Clark
Editor’s Note: Brian Clark of Fort Worth, Texas, one of the newest Strike King Pros, went from being a professional bull rider to a professional bass fisherman. This week, we’ll find out more about Clark and learn what leaving the world of bull riding and transitioning to being a local state-fishing pro in Texas and then moving to the BASS Elite Series has been like.
Part 5: You’ve Got to Have the Right Lady – One Day the Classice.
Question: Brian, what’s your future on the BASS circuit?
Clark: My main goal is to make it to the Bassmaster Classic, but I take one tournament at a time. I want to build on what I’ve learned last year and continue to add new knowledge to what I already know. There’s just so much to be learned on the BASS Elite Series level of bass fishing. I have to learn to fish new water, different types of baits, various water depths and new styles I may not be accustomed to fishing in Texas. My long-term goal is to one day appear in the Bassmaster Classic. My short-term goals are to concentrate all my efforts on the next tournament.
Question: How old are you, Brian, and are you married?
Clark: I’m 33-years old, and I have been married for 6 years to my lovely wife Heather.
Question: What does your wife think about you being a tournament fisherman?
Clark: A tournament fisherman has to travel a lot, which can be stressful to a marriage. But my wife has never complained about me traveling. I couldn’t be a professional fisherman without my wife standing behind me. Heather stays at home, takes care of our two kids and doesn’t complain. I feel really blessed to not only have a wife, but a business partner as well who understands me and my job commitments as a professional fisherman and a Strike King pro.
Heather and I dated the entire time I was bull riding and rodeoing, and I thought if she could endure me being gone all the time as a bull rider and all the medical problems I suffered from bull riding, I’d better marry her. I realize those types of women are rare.
Question: How does she like your being on the road as a professional fisherman, as compared to your being a bull rider?
Clark: Heather told me recently that she liked me getting in the truck with my boat and going to a bass fishing tournament much better than when I loaded-up with three other bull riders and stayed gone for 2 or 3 weeks.
Question: What do you want to do in the future? Do you want to be the next Kevin VanDam?
Clark: (grin) I don’t believe there ever will be another Kevin VanDam. He’s the best fisherman bass fishing ever has seen or ever will see. I set goals for myself and realize that if I want to be the best I can, I have to take baby steps and learn each step of the way. My first goal is to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic and then continue to build and grow my career as a professional bass fisherman.
Contents:
- Part 1: From a State Pro to a National Pro - Big Jump
- Part 2: Bull Riding to Bass Fishing
- Part 3: Local Pro to Strike King Pro
- Part 4: Sexy Swimmer?
- Part 5: You've Got to Have the Right Lady - One Day the Classic
