| Bruce Camp's Local Fishing Report Feb. 10 edition |
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 Guy Eaker, Sr.
Two thousand eleven will mark the first time since 1979 that the B.A.S.S. season started without Eaker on board. Eaker retired last year to spend more time with his wife Pat, whose health has worsened in the last few years. “I want to be here for Pat, she has supported me all these years and she needs me here now more than ever,” said Eaker. “It’s very tough on her when I am away and to follow the circuit, I would be gone for weeks at a time.” Eaker isn’t hanging up the fishing rod and reel just yet though. “I will fish the PAA circuit, it’s only 4 events.”
I asked Guy what one of his best memories were in his long fishing career. “I fished American Bass from 1975 to 1979. I picked up my first win in 1977 at Lake Seminole and won Angler of the Year that same year, and took second ( in A o Y ) the next two years. The fall of ‘79 I joined B.A.S.S. and have been there ever since.
While we were talking fishing and the Classic, I couldn’t resist asking my old friend his thoughts about this year’s Classic. “Oh, I think it will be one heck of a tournament. Guys will be making very long runs and I think there will be a lot of fish caught,” shared Eaker. “Ok, I said, who do you think has the upper hand.” “You have to pick Greg Hackney”, says Eaker. “He knows that area as well as anyone, all the little creeks and hidden areas, deep holes and such. You can never over look Kevin Van Dam either, he excels in this type event.” “What about a dark horse, someone that most haven’t heard of that could do really well”, I followed up with. “My buddy Bill Lowen. This could shape up to be his kind of tournament, “ he fired back. “Ok, one last question, what’s it gonna take to win this year’s Classic”, I ask. “A lot of things can play into this year’s event,” he started. “All this snow, rain and ice that the middle of the country is getting is going to flow down river and make it down to the Delta eventually. Will it make it before, during or after the tournament could mean awesome catches or just a so-so event. A guy has to find quality fish, because most everybody will find fish, but you have to have quality AND, you have to have enough of them to last for all 3 days of the tournament. One good day just will not work in my opinion”.
Congrats to a very good friend and very deserving man on making it to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.
Our conversation ended like thousands before, take care my friend and call me, lets go fishing again sometime.
If anyone has any suggestions on stories or pictures of their catch or kill, you can e-mail me at plail5@carolina.rr.com. TITLE THE E-MAIL STORY OR PICTURE “FOR SHOPPER” OR I WILL ASSUME IT’S JUNK MAIL AND NOT OPEN IT.
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