Facing off with the ‘Masters’: Local angler competes in fishing’s ultimate championship
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Stiles, a full-time contractor and part-time professional bass fisherman from McMinnville, is in New Orleans this week competing in the 2003 Bassmaster Classic, which pits 61 of the nation’s top fishermen against each other with $700,000 in prize money on the line.
The tournament begins today, and concludes Sunday with fishermen weighing in their catches each evening at the New Orleans Superdome
“I do the best I can do, and this year, no matter what, I have made the biggest fishing tournament in the world,” said Stiles, who is making his first trip to the Classic. “It’s like the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 or the World Series of our sport. It’s the tournament, and it’s a tremendous honor, and the thrill of a lifetime for me, to make it.”
A lifelong angler, Stiles joined the pro tour three years ago, but still isn’t considered a full-time pro.
“I don’t do it for a living,” he explained. “I’m a contractor, I travel and work like everybody else. It’d be hard for Jeff Gordon to race and be a golfer at the same time, and it’s kind of same for me.”
“I’ve never been able to spend the time like some of these full-time pros, because I just don’t have as much time to dedicate my life to it. So I juggle fishing and my regular career, which is not really the best way to do it. You’ve really got to focus on it completely.
“But I’ve spent 10 weeks fishing this year, and I don’t know why, but I seemed to have a really good year.”
A “good year” is almost an understatement, considering through 10 tournaments, Stiles has accumulated almost $30,000 in prize money. Through 41 career tourneys, the local angler has finished in the money 12 times, including a ninth-place finish this May in Arkansas — his best showing so far.
Using a point system, B.A.S.S. — the Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society — narrows its field of competitors down to 61 before its annual Classic. A group of 175 pro fishermen began the season, with the number being trimmed to the top 100 after six tournaments and the top 10 after the eighth tourney of the year. After the season’s 10th tournament, the top 40 fishermen went on to qualify for the Classic, along with the 2002 and 2003 B.A.S.S. Anglers of the Year and 15 qualifiers from the Bassmaster Open division.
This year’s Classic, the 33rd in B.A.S.S. history, pays out $200,000 to the champion. Stiles noted a Classic championship can mean an even more lucrative payoff, as it is usually accompanied by several endorsement opportunities.
“I’m one out of 61, and somebody’s got to win it,” Stiles said. “I hope it’s me, but even if it isn’t, I’m just real proud to be competing.
“If I never make another Classic, I’ll have this one, anyway. Ever since I was a kid I’ve wanted to make this tournament, and now I can say I’ve accomplished everything I’ve dreamed of doing in fishing.”