Angler takes fishing pastime to whole new level

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS – The feel of a tight line, screaming drag and doubled-over rod can be an exciting and rewarding weekend-fishing experience in the South – for a lucky few, that personal reward can come with a paycheck.
“At first it was fun,” said Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation team member Bud Thacker. “Now it’s at the point where it could pay off.”
Thacker, an Eglin Air Force Base retiree and nine-year resident of DeFuniak Springs, began semi-professional fishing in local and regional tournaments two years ago and made the FBFN team last November with a fifth-place finish in the organization’s state championship.
He became interested in bass fishing at an early age after his brother took him to a friend’s lake near his home in Jacksonville, N.C. Since then, he has rarely put down a pole.
“I had been fishing for years and years and years and never did it on a professional level,” he said. “I didn’t know many people when I moved here (DeFuniak Springs), so I tried to find a (fishing) club that was close.”
After joining the Hub City Bass Masters club in Crestview three years ago, Thacker began bass fishing in many local tournaments in places such as Eufala, Ala., Panama City and the Mobile Delta; catching a fever for professional angling.
Today, he is the club president and has several sponsors that include Nitro Powerboats, Esox fishing rods and Blue Marble Motor Oil and appears on the ESPN.com and Florida Bass Federation Web sites. Last year he finished 30 points shy of being the Florida angler of the year and most recently, finished 23rd and second for his team at the FBFN Southern Regionals earlier this month.
Thacker said he would one day like to compete in the B.A.S.S. Elite series tournaments and fish in the Bassmaster Classic, but right now is focused on doing well in upcoming events this year.
“The championships for The Bass Federation are coming up soon,” he said. “I think I can do pretty well in that one because I know the lake in Seminole (Alabama).
“I hope things work out where I can continue to do this on a professional level and I can advance and make the team again and go through the divisional, regional and national championships.”
When it comes to fishing a spot, Thacker said he will typically fish for 30-40 minutes with different techniques (lures etc.) – depending on conditions and if he knows fish are there. Many times he will run great distances to try various spots.
His favorite type of fishing line is P-Line fluorocarbon and loves using baitcasting reels – particularly the Shimano Calcutta and Monarch series. When asked about his favorite type of lure, he couldn’t name just one.
“I really like Strike King for lipless (soft baits),” he said. “I also like the rattle traps. They produce a lot of big fish for me.
“When fishing worms, Zoom is one of my favorites, as well as Gary Yamamoto.”
In terms of inspiration, Thacker said a lot of his drive for fishing comes from his wife, who encourages him to do his best every weekend.
“She’s my mental coach per say,” he said. “She encourages me to visualize the win.”
When asked how long he thought he would finish professionally, he smiled and said, “as long as I’m able to.”