Entry 209-3
Fishing in the Women’s Circuit with Debra Hengst
Editor’s Note: Debra Hengst of San Antonio, Texas, longtime member of the Strike King Pro Staff, fishes the Women’s Bassmaster Tour (WBT). In 2007, she moved up to the national team level on Strike King’s Pro Staff. With the start of the WBT the entire fishing industry is becoming more conscious and supportive of women’s fishing than it has been in the past. Strike King always has been a strong supporter of women’s fishing, especially women’s competitive fishing. We’re extremely proud of Debra Hengst and our other women fishermen. As you’ll see this week, ladies know how to catch bass.
Part 3: Behind Women Tournament Fishing
Question: Debra, you’ve been fishing competitively for 10 years. Are there more women getting into competitive fishing now than there were when you first started?
Hengst: Yes, there are definitely more women, which is primarily due to the WBT starting its second year in 2007.
Question: What types of ladies are fishing the tournament circuit?
Hengst: We have a wide variety of female anglers. Some of the ladies are still in school, while others are retired. We have some women who have been fishing their entire lives, and others who are just getting started. We have nurses, insurance agents and people from all walks of life who are beginning to recognize how much fun and what a challenge tournament bass fishing can be.
Question: What’s the biggest challenge for you in tournament fishing?
Hengst: Determining where the fish are, what they’re doing, and what will make them bite. When bass fishing is no longer a challenge, I’ll give it up and start doing something else.
Question: What do you like about tournament fishing?
Hengst: Tournament fishing is a new arena for women’s competition. It’s a different venue from most traditional women’s sports.
Question: Why would you encourage other women to compete in tournaments?
Hengst: Women and men are not that different. There are some men and women who really like to compete, and who enjoy trying to win and seeing how good their skills are compared to other people with the same interest. I love a challenge, and I love to compete. But every woman isn’t wired the same way I am, and every man who likes to fish doesn’t want to go through the competition steps required to be a Bassmaster Classic winner. For the anglers who enjoy competition and fishing, sooner or later, they’ll find a way to combine the two like I have on the women’s bass circuit.
Question: How did you learn to be a tournament fisherman?
Hengst: I went to the same school all tournament fishermen have to attend, if they hope to be successful – the school of spending time on the water. I spend every moment I can out on the water, not only to go fishing, but to learn more about how to catch bass.
Question: How long have you been a Strike King pro?
Hengst: I’ve been a Strike King pro for 8 years, and this year, they moved me up to the national level.
Contents:
- Part 1: Fishing the Zero and the Z TOO
- Part 2: Fishing the Pure Poison
- Part 3: Behind Women Tournament Fishing
- Part 4: Debra Hengst’s Favorite Lures
- Part 5: More of Debra Hengst’s Favorite Lures
