Entry 160-5

Dr. Joe Tanner and the Fishers of Men Tournament

A Place for the Whole Family

Editor’s Note: This year Mossy Oak Fishing Line will be a state sponsor for the Fishers of Men tournaments. What is the Fishers of Men tournament trail? Why and how was it started? Why did Mossy Oak Fishing Line become involved? We interviewed Dr. Joe Tanner of Atlanta, Georgia, to learn more about this bass fishing tournament circuit.

Question: What have you enjoyed most about the Fishers of Men tournament circuit?

Tanner: I’ve really enjoyed the Christian atmosphere, and the opportunity that this organization gives to families. I also like the idea that you can fish in whatever state you live in, if there is a tournament being conducted there by the Fishers of Men organization. For instance, if you’re going to be in Oklahoma for a business trip, and there’s a Fishers of Men tournament going on close by, you can compete in that tournament, just like you can in a tournament in your home region.

I started fishing the Fishers of Men tournament with my son-in-law. We love to fish together, so we decided to give it a try. After we fished our first tournament we were hooked. We liked the idea that there was no cursing and no drinking, the weigh-ins were handled professionally, and the money was paid out as soon as the tournament ended. Winners didn’t have to go home and hope to get their check in the next two to three weeks.

Question: Why would a sponsor like Mossy Oak Fishing Line choose to be a part of the Fishers of Men organization?

Tanner: Our group has a proven track record of getting products out to the fishermen and also getting reports from our fishermen on how their products performed. Our TV show and webpage also add value to their sponsorship dollars, and we actively recruit fishermen for our tournaments.

Question: Why are many of the pros lending their support, and their endorsements to your tournament circuit?

Tanner: I think that due to their personal faith, they feel confident in recommending our circuit to others. We’re happy to have Mossy Oak Fishing Line as a sponsor for two of our states, and we hope our relationship will grow as our organization grows.

For more information on how to join the Fishers of Men organization, you can go to www.fomntt.com. It contains all the information about the Fishers of Men Tournament Trails. You will also find the schedule of all the tournaments in the states where the Fishers of Men tournaments are held and a downloadable entry form.

The Fishers of Men Organization also has a TV show that began October 6, 2005, and currently airs on Fox South at 6:30 am on Sundays and 2:00 pm on Thursdays.

To learn more about the Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society, visit www.focas.org.

Contents:

• Part 1: Fishers of Men Tournament Trail
• Part 2: The Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society
• Part 3: The Competitors and the Pros
• Part 4: Tournament Times
• Part 5: A Place for The Whole Family