Entry 277-5

How to Win with James Niggemeyer

Part 5: The Woman Behind the Man

One of the biggest decisions a fisherman has to make is not whether to stay with the fish he’s catching, move to another spot or change tactics, lures or water but whether to change his marital status from single to married. The question Strike King Pros are often asked is, “How do you stay on the road more than 100 days a year and often more than 200 days a year, fix the roof when it leaks, pack lunches for the kids to take to school, deal with the business of being a professional fisherman and still have a balanced family life?” It’s the woman behind the man and the role she plays that allows fishermen to become pros and live the life of a tournament fisherman. Sandy Niggemeyer is Strike King Pro James Niggemeyer’s wife, support unit and an integral part of his business.

Question: James, what does your wife, Sandy, do for you?

Niggemeyer: She allows me to live my dream. The biggest dream in the world for me has been to be a professional fisherman and earn a living as a fisherman. This job is wonderful, and I love it. I’m excited to fish every day. People ask me what I do in my spare time, and I tell them, “I go fishing.” I’d encourage any young fisherman to get an education first. Now, I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to fish. But I completed my education at the urging of my parents. Now that I’m old enough to look back on the wisdom they shared with me, I’m glad I finished school. But I couldn’t live the life on the road and have a family without the support of Sandy and the rest of my family.

Question: How much does Sandy help you in the professional fishermen business?

Niggemeyer: She’s beginning to learn her way around the fishing industry and becoming more involved every day.

Question: What does Sandy do when you’re in a tournament, and there’s an emergency at home or an emergency in the family?

Niggemeyer: We’re really lucky because her mom and dad live about 1/2-mile down the road from us. For half of the year, she has them for support. Then, she has a lot of other friends and neighbors as a support group at home.

Question: What’s the hardest part about being a tournament bass fisherman?

Niggemeyer: Being away from home and my family. But Sandy has a great support group with her family and friends when I’m not there.

Question: How did you meet Sandy?

Niggemeyer: I met Sandy at a party. She was set-up on a blind date with a friend of mine. I went to the party she and my friend was attending. Things didn’t work out with Sandy and my friend, but nothing happened between us at the party either. About 6-months later, when I changed churches, I met Sandy again, emailed her and asked her to join me at the movies as a friend. Neither of us was looking for a serious relationship, but it’s good to have a friend when you come home from the road. So, we went to see “Spiderman.” To make sure I didn’t think this was a date, she paid for her own ticket for the movie before I had the chance to suggest paying for both of us. For a long time, we were just friends.

Question: How did your relationship grow from being friends to sweethearts?

Niggemeyer: We grew on each other. We started calling each other more, and our relationship finally reached a point where we called each other every day. Finally, I asked one of my friends if it was normal to talk to your friend as much as Sandy and I did. I knew I liked Sandy, but I’m one of those people who has to be hit in the head with a 2x4 before I notice certain things, especially in relationships. One night, she just came out and told me she had feelings for me. That’s when I knew Sandy and I had more than a friendship. I was really excited she cared about me as I obviously cared about her.

I was driving home one night talking to Sandy on the phone, and she finally said, “I know you love me.” When I heard those words, I nearly drove into a ditch. The only thing I could come back with was, “How do you know that?” Sandy said, “By the way you treat me. I know you love me.” I was pretty blown away, and I didn’t know what to say. I knew she was right. I was head over heels for her. After about 2 years, we were too much in love to ever turn back, and we’ve been happily married ever since.

Contents:

• Part 1: How to Decide to Make a Long Run or Fish Close
• Part 2: When to Change Lures
• Part 3: When to Leave Fish that Are Biting
• Part 4: Deciding When to Fold ‘Em
• Part 5: The Woman Behind the Man