Entry 236-4
Preparing for the 2008 Classic with Mike Wurm
Editor’s Note: Mike Wurm of Hot Springs, Arkansas, the oldest of the three Strike King contenders in the 2008 Bassmaster Classic, has qualified for 10 Classics in the past 20 years. At 55-years old, he’ll be one of the oldest contestants in this year’s event. How is Wurm preparing for the biggest fishing tournament of the year, how will he fish the Classic, and what did he learn in practice before the cut-off? We’ll learn the answers to these questions this week.
Part 4: Age is Only a Number
Question: Mike, how long have you been tournament fishing?
Wurm: For 20 years, and I’m 55-years old.
Question: How long can you continue to compete?
Wurm: Health will be the determining factor. As long as my health holds up, I plan to fish as long as I can. Right now, I’m in fairly-good health. I have regular checkups with my doctor and try to exercise and stay in shape. When I’m not fishing, I like to play golf. So, as long as my health holds up, my competitive fire will stay lit.
Question: There are very-few sports where an athlete can compete until they’re 55-years old at the level you’re competing. You’ll be fishing against the best bass fishermen in the world in the Bassmaster Classic. What do you think about being 55 and competing at the highest level of your sport?
Wurm: It’s wonderful. The age card isn’t really as big a factor in tournament bass fishing as it is in other sports, if you stay healthy. 
If you still have the competitive fire, as you’ve had when you’re a young man, you still can compete in bass fishing as long as you can keep your head and your wits about you. Age and experience can be an advantage for an older tournament fisherman. It can become your strength instead of your disability.
One of the problems when you get older is being able to keep sponsors, because sponsors are usually looking for younger fishermen. It’s hard to attract new sponsors as you grow older. But I’ve been fortunate enough to have really-good sponsors throughout my career who have stayed with me through the good and the bad times.
Question: How long have you been a Strike King Pro?
Wurm: I don’t really know. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t a Strike King Pro. Strike King has always been there for me. They’re wonderful people. I’ve been very fortunate to work with a great pro staff. All the Strike King Pros have not only been allowed to have input on how the baits are made, but Strike King encourages us to help design lures and come up with new color patterns. Working with Strike King, we’ve been able to come out with some outstanding lures.
Strike King is one of the few bait companies that realize that pro fishermen know what they’re talking about when they suggest new and better ways to create lures. They take our input and match it with their technology and material selection and the end product is amazing lures that not only catch bass for pro fishermen, but for all fishermen.
Next: The Classic Hoopla
Contents:
- Part 1: The Warm Up
- Part 2: What I Learned at Practice
- Part 3: Preparing for Freaky Warm Fronts
- Part 4: Age is Only a Number
- Part 5: The Classic Hoopla
