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Kingston, Okla. – The bass fishing world at large has yet to get to know the name Jay Fuller, but if the 24-year-old angler has anything to say about it, by this time next year, he hopes to be a household name.
Fuller, a guide on Lake Texoma out of Alberta Creek Resort and Marina spent 2007 competing in the Bassmaster Central Opens, and in finishing third in the points, has become a 2008 Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series Qualifier.
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Fuller,
who left his home in Norman, Okla. in
pursuit of a fishing career, has been
fishing all of his life, but has spent
the past three years competing. “I
have been doing well in a lot of local
and regional tournaments around
here,” Fuller told The BASS ZONE.
“I felt like it was time to try my
hand against the best in the world;
and I think I belong on that level.”
Fuller cashed a check in all three of
the Bassmaster Central Open events in
2007, has official BASS career
earnings of $10,480, but has estimated
average earnings of nearly $20,000 a
year in other tournaments over the
past three years.
His Open finishes included a 6th place
finish at Texoma, his home lake in
March, a 19th place on the Red River
in June; and ended the year with a
26th place at lake Amistad in
September. The three finishes add up
to a 3rd place overall finish; giving
him the Classic berth and Elite Series
status. |
Fuller takes hope in the success of another angler who started his Elite Series career at the age of 24-years old; 2007 Toyota Rookie of the Year, Derek Remitz. “I saw how Derek did this year and really want to follow in his footsteps,” Fuller said. “I will definitely have Rookie of the Year as my goal for next season.”
Fuller told The BASS ZONE that his primary fishing strength is fishing deep structure with a jig, and that he considers himself an expert on smallmouth bass. However, he feels he has shown his versatility as an angler with his run in the 2007 Central Opens.
He said that his biggest advantage heading into next year is his youth, which allows him to fish hard from daylight to dark. “I will work very hard at practicing for each event,” Fuller said. “This was the ultimate goal when I moved from Norman to Kingston, and I plan on working hard at making the best of this.
He says that he knows he faces a disadvantage when it comes to fundraising. “Aside from Alberta Creek Resort and Marina, I don’t have any other sponsors right now,” Fuller said. “I am working at putting those things in order right now, and thank The Lord that for the way this has all happened this year, being in the Classic, and the Elite Series was the ultimate goal, and I made it.” |
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To
Listen to a recent interview with Jay Fuller
from the BASS ZONE Live Radio Show on the
REFF Sports Network - Just press play on the
player below.
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