Entry 308-2
From Bull Riding to State Bass-Fishing Pro and then National Bass-Fishing Pro with Brian Clark
Editor’s Note: Brian Clark of Fort Worth, Texas, one of the newest Strike King Pros, went from being a professional bull rider to a professional bass fisherman. This week, we’ll find out more about Clark and learn what leaving the world of bull riding and transitioning to being a local state-fishing pro in Texas and then moving to the BASS Elite Series has been like.
Part 2: Bull Riding to Bass Fishing
Question: Brian, what did you do before bass fishing?
Clark: I was a professional bull rider on the Professional Bull Riding Association (PBR) circuit and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) circuit. I rodeoed all through high school, went to college 2 years on a rodeo scholarship and then started competing on the PBR and PRCA circuits. Too, I can lay ceramic tile.
Question: How far did you make it on the two rodeo circuits?
Clark: I earned a PRCA card, which enabled me to compete on the PRCA tour, and I competed in the PBR World Cup tour. I rode big bulls and small bulls that bucked hard like big bulls.
Question: What was your worst bull-riding accident?
Clark: I injured my elbow three times and sustained other minor injuries, including losing teeth and facial cuts and bruises.
Question: Why did you decide to give up a career in bull riding to become a professional bass fisherman?
Clark: My dad took me fishing when I was young. After my bull riding career ended, I began fishing local tournaments. I’d always wanted to ride bulls. But when the doctors told me after my third elbow injury that if I continued to compete I might risk losing function of my arm, I decided to hang up my rope and pick up my rod. So, I bought a bass boat and began fishing in local north Texas tournaments. 
My first year, I earned several first-place wins, three Angler-of-the-Year titles and one championship title. I continued to win championships and Angler-of-the-Year titles.
After 2 years of competing in local tournaments, I began competing in the Bassmaster Weekend Series. On this tournament trail, I qualified for the Bassmaster Open tournaments and the Bassmaster Southern Regional Championship. Then in 2007, I won my first Bassmaster title and qualified to fish the 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series. So, bass fishing became my retirement business after bull riding.
Contents:
- Part 1: From a State Pro to a National Pro - Big Jump
- Part 2: Bull Riding to Bass Fishing
- Part 3: Local Pro to Strike King Pro
- Part 4: Sexy Swimmer?
- Part 5: You've Got to Have the Right Lady - One Day the Classic
