Entry 267-5

Doing It All with Shaw Grigsby

Part 5: Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number

Question: Shaw, how long have you been a tournament fisherman?

Grigsby: I competed in my first bass-fishing tournament in 1972 when I was 16-years old, began hardcore fishing in 1974 at age 18, became a professional in 1984 at age 28, and fished my first Classic in 1977. I’m now 52-years old.

Question: How long will you continue to fish at the top of your game on the BASS Elite circuit?

Grigsby: Wow, that’s an interesting question because I love tournament fishing. Rick Clunn is older than me, and although he didn’t make it to the 2009 Classic, he fished strong all year nearly winning a couple of tournaments and just missing the 2009 Classic by a few points. Paul Elias, who’s also older than me, won a tournament at Lake Falcon this year. Guy Eaker, who’s older than me, still fishes strong in all the tournaments. I don’t see myself getting out of this profession any time soon. I love the sport, and I’d hate to think about leaving.

Tournament bass fishing is a very-competitive sport, and each year, there are numbers of great young anglers entering the Elite circuit. When you have these young anglers doing well, the older guys are pushed down in the rankings sometimes. On the Elite Series, you must remain in the top tier to continue to compete on the circuit. If you slip, you must go back and re-qualify to enter again through the ranks. I’m not sure I’d have time to re-qualify, if I ever was knocked out of the Elite Series ranks. At that point, if I don’t make the Elite Series, I may consider retirement. I’m still not sure. I hope to enjoy tournament fishing for many years to come.

Question: Have you been surprised that many of the older fishermen, like Rick Clunn, Guy Eaker or Paul Elias, have been able to not only stay on the Elite circuit, but also remain highly competitive?

Grigsby: Don’t forget Denny Brauer. He’s phenomenal. Not only has Brauer been fishing BASS for years, but he’s remained competitive for all those years. Even after having back surgery and lots of physical problems, Brauer is a threat in any tournament he enters. Look at George Cochran. He could have retired many years ago, but he’s probably better now than when he first began or won his first Bassmaster Classic. That’s what’s cool about tournament bass fishing. In many sports, you must be 6-feet, 6-inches tall, 250 pounds and between 18-and 25-years old to compete. Then, your career ends. Today, we have guys in their 50s and 60s competing better than some of the 6-foot, 6-inch, 250-pound youngsters.

I fished at the Junior World Championship and witnessed 12-year olds competing and winning bass tournaments. So, you can begin competing in bass tournaments at a very-young age and continue to compete for many years. You’ve also got the Wonder Man, Clay Dyer, with no arms, hands, legs or feet, competing on a very-high level in tournament bass fishing. There’s no other sport that allows such a wide variety of people to begin to compete at such a young age and continue competing for many years. As long as you can cast, retrieve and set a hook, you can compete in bass tournaments.

Question: Do you plan to prove an 80-year old can remain a competitive bass fisherman?

Grigsby: You never know. If I last that long, I’ll let you know.

To learn more about Shaw Grigsby, visit www.one-more-cast.com.

Contents:

• Part 1: Filming and Fishing
• Part 2: So Many New Lures, So Little Time to Fish Them
• Part 3: It’s Okay to Be Me
• Part 4: What’s that Weird-Looking Bait?
• Part 5: Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number