Craig Schuff Shapes Up For a Classic Repeat

Craig Schuff of Watauga, Texas, is right where he wants to be: first place in the 2010 Bassmaster Central Open points standings.

And that puts him on the road to a return trip to the Bassmaster Classic.

Schuff competed in the 1996 Classic on Alabama’s Lay Lake. He qualified by winning the 1995 Bassmaster Federation Nation Championship, the highest amateur-level competition. He also has two Federation Divisional wins to his name.

He’s hoping for one of the Central Open’s two berths in the 2010 Bassmaster Classic. He’d welcome an invitation to move up into the top-tier Bassmaster Elite Series, invites issued to the top seven in points.

Schuff took the front-runner points position in April by winning the season opener. He stayed No. 1 when he finished as runner-up at the Red River Open competition last weekend.

It’s been a long road back to BASS competition for Schuff. After the 1996 Classic, he took on a new job selling insurance. Contrary to plan, he found he had no time to fish. He was forced to sell his boat, to quit fishing altogether.

“I didn’t pick a rod up for three and a half years,” he said. “Here I took the job because I thought I could set my own schedule, but it worked just the opposite.”

Now self-employed in the same business, he has more freedom. He can enter tournaments and practice for them; he was able to invest in eight days of practice for the Red River contest.

“Now, it’s not like I have to be in a certain place at a certain time every day,” he said. “I practice, then work hard later (on the job) to make up for it. So perhaps it all worked for the best because I’m starting to get on top of it.”

He is not, however, overconfident.

“Just because you’re in first place now doesn’t mean you will be when all three tournaments are over,” he said.

He is ready to think about competition as a new career.

“I think I might, could do that now,” said the 2011 Elite Series hopeful. “I would consider it.”

With his current lead of 55 points over fellow Texan Keith Combs, Schuff is likely to have the chance to decide on joining the Elites, rather than have the decision made for him. The points race will conclude with the third of three Central Open events in October on Lake Texoma.