Guy Eaker — at 70 the oldest pro in Bassmaster Elite Series history — ended his 35-year career at the finale event of the regular 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series last week in Oklahoma.
Eaker had announced late last year that he’d retire after the 2010 season. Actually, Eaker says now, he wasn’t absolutely sure he’d really quit until the eve of the AutoZone Sooner Run.
“I hadn’t really made a decision until this past Wednesday at registration,” Eaker said. “I just sat down in a chair, and the answer came to me: I needed to go ahead and say it would be my last tournament.”
His career ended with a bang-up season. It was one of his best and, perhaps, the one that garnered more publicity than he’d ever enjoyed. The story of the 70-year-old competing at the top level of his sport captured the continuous attention of fans and media. He was the subject of a New York Times article published in May. He caught the largest bass of his life, a 14-1. (Unfortunately, he is quick to point out, he boated the behemoth during practice, not during competition.)
If he could change one thing about his final season, it would be “to catch them a little bit better” and qualify for one more Bassmaster Classic, which would have been his 11th appearance at the big show.
Early on, his chances looked good for the 2011 Classic: He was 3rd in the points standings after two events, and he was still within the 37-place Classic cutline after five events. Over the final three tournaments, he slid down to end at 67th.
“But I wouldn’t change many things. I’ve been lucky. Mercury, Triton, Pure Fishing and Bojangles’ are my four major sponsors and they stuck by me for years and years and never said one thing about me not making the Classic. The CEO of Bojangles’ told me that my truck and boat wrap was some of the best money they’ve ever spent in advertising.”
Eaker said his wife’s fragile health and his reluctance to travel far from her guided his decision to retire. Although he’s in good condition — he’s slim, he eats right, he exercises regularly — he said his body complained about being outside on the water for up to 12 hours in the summer heat.
He plans to remain in Cherryville, N.C., the town where he grew up, married, raised two children, and entertains his grandchildren. He said he will continue with appearances and seminars.
Eaker said he enjoys that type of “work,” but for pure fun he will play more golf and he will go fishing on nearby Lakes Wylie and Norman, where he got his start fishing competitively in the early 1970s. He plans to continue putting in hours at his local tackle shop, where his pay is the enjoyment of talking with people who love the outdoors (plus a small discount on tackle).
Future plans were among his thoughts last weekend as he towed his boat 900 miles from Oklahoma home to North Carolina. Most of the road hours, though, were spent on memories.
“Probably 10,000 things went through my mind — things I’ve done over the past 35 years, people I’ve met, the friendships I made all over the United States and other countries, too. It’s been a good 35 years.”
No comments:
Post a Comment