I just got back home from the classic in Tulsa where I had the chance to be a Marshall for the all three days of the event. I will try to put into words how awesome of an experience this was. So many people were bashing the fact that the cost was $350 but honestly it was worth every penny!!
On Thursday we were invited to the Expo Center for lunch and where able to be around the Pro's while they rigged up for the first day of the Classic. Was incredible the way these guys would answer any questions you asked them (FYI if you want a good laugh walk up to GMAN and ask him about Taylor Swift). At the Marshall briefing that afternoon we where treated to some sweet SWAG from Carhart, Mercury, Mustang Survival, Humminbird, Lowrance, Dicks Sporting Goods, Tulsa Chamber, Berkley and BASS. Then BASSTRAKK meeting, man every forum was going nuts over the whole BASSTRAKK issue but what was crazy the Pro's didnt care, they could careless about it. They had qualified for the BASS MASTER CLASSIC and their focused was on fishing, not caring about where this guy was fishing or that guy (they already knew where most of the guys where fishing from all the practice days not the mention these guys travel together and share information like no other with each other).
Friday Day one of the Classic and I am paired up with Marty the Party Robinson. I can tell you we had a ball, he was on fire limiting out in about an hour. We where fist bumping and high fiving like we where fishing a team event. He caught 17 keepers that day and had over 18 pounds (I am sorry if BASSTRAKK was off for Marty I was getting an error on the unit, plus its better to be 4 pounds under than 4 pounds over). After coming out of the water he offer for me to ride back to Tulsa with him, spending all day in the boat and then another 90 minutes on the ride back to weigh in and to be able to pick his brain was priceless! Oh and he fished in Ariat Cowboy boots all day!
On Day 2 I was given the privilege to be with Ott Defoe, when I say privilege I mean that. Ott is the nicest guy not only in fishing but in life I have ever meet, so down to earth, humble oh and one heck of a stick when it comes to bass fishing. Fishing was a little tough for the first hour or so then the bite turned on for Ott and had a small limit and then he sets the hook on a good fish (probably 4 pounds) he is playing the fish and the bass just comes unbuttoned, most would have said a choice word or two but Ott simply mumbled the Lord didnt mean for me to catch that one! WOW.... The whole day was more than a fishing clinic it was a life lesson on staying positive, he is the most positive person in the world and I promise he will be around bass fishing and at the top for a long time. After coming off the water, Marty finds me and tells me he had a camera man in his boat and asked if I would back down his truck and drive it back to Tulsa so he could relax. Sure, Marty was a little frustrated by only have 4 keepers that day but was still up beat on making the cut. Before leaving Grand Lake to head back to Tulsa he ran back to the boat grabbed us bottles of water and sits a zip lock bag on the console. He ask me if I know what are in the bag, there are 3 cookies in the bag, so I reply "Cookies", folks these weren't any cookies these were KVD cookies. Marty told me this was his way of repaying me for driving him to Tulsa. I think the payment was fair!
Day 3 I was in the boat with Tracy Adams he was in 9th place and knew it would take a big bite (5 of them) if he had a chance. I was given a priceless lesson on jig fishing, he limited out the fastest I have ever seen someone limit out and was culling every 15 to 20 cast. He was working the jig in a brush pile under the dock sets the hook and has a 5 pounder on, it wraps him under a cable, around a leg of the dock and to watch him take his time to get that fish untangled and land it was amazing. Tracy didn't lose a fish that day just needed a big bite or two and he would have won this event.
All three days and all three guys where incredible they talked the entire day, they would high five after a good fish, answer any question you asked, to wrap it up $350 was cheap for the 4 days of fishing and life lessons I was shown!!

Great write up! I'd do it in a second!

Awesome post.....

Great Read! Memories that you wont ever forget

Great write up! 350 seems totally reasonable.

Ditto on the great memories. To hang out with those guys and see them in action covers the fee. That just sounds like a great time.

Good for you.

Jackson

Man, what an experience, I'd love to do it. Thanks for sharing!

Sounds like fun. I bet it was cold ride.

cool story

Awesome post, thanks.

How did you get selected to be a Marshal? Is it simply a matter of signing up and paying early? I would love to do it next year but know nothing about how to get in.

I tried to register for that event but was filled before the registration was open to regular Bass members, was told it opened first for Oklahoma Bass Federation members and they filled all the spots the first day. It would've been fun, but got to be in the next two events here in Texas. Congrats for being selected and also for the nice report, hope mine will be as fun as yours was.

Very cool

Leever, that is one wild arse dog you have...

Awesome write up for the entire event. It says a lot about the folks that are involved in the bass fishing community. Good people from the pros all the way down the the weekend warrior. I wish I could have made the trip up there or been a marshall, but my schedule just wouldn't allow it. Awesome post, but dang I bet it was a chilly ride!

3 day guided trip by the best in the world for $350? I'd say it's worth it. I know you didn't fish, but the education you got (if you were paying attention) is well worth the money. Good write-up.