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Fayetteville, N.C.
– 2007 was a difficult year for several veteran anglers on the Bassmaster Elite Series, but for an angler with a history like Marty Stone, it was extremely difficult, from an angling perspective. Stone has been one of the most recognizable faces on the Bassmaster Tour for many years, and it was his familiarity with success that made 2007 a most rewarding year.
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“It
was definitely the worst year I’ve
experienced from a fishing
perspective,” Stone told The BASS
ZONE. “But, from the perspective of
a professional in the bass fishing
industry, I will never forget it. The
support I received from my friends,
competitors and sponsors was
amazing.” |
Stone, a veteran of four Bassmaster Classic with career earnings of more than $500,000, managed to finish in the money only twice in the Elite Series. The result was that not only did Stone not qualify for his fifth appearance in the Classic, but his 92nd place finish in the points left him in danger of not returning to the Elite Series in 2008. “I think the only way I would have done worse was to leave my Bass Cat at home and fish from the bank, and even then, I’m not sure.”
In spite of the difficult year, Stone managed to receive an invitation to return when three of his counterparts double qualified through the Opens, and when a few others decided not to return; he was back in. The end result was that Stone would not have to go to Florida to fish in the Wildcard Qualifier to try and get back in.
“I’m glad I don’t have to fish the Wildcard to get back in,” Stone exclaimed. “At this stage in my career, I can’t see fishing a tournament without a payback, and I think it points out that we still have room to improve our sport. The good news about it is that BASS is listening.”
Stone
said that he really didn’t worry
about being in the 2008 Bassmaster
Elite Series, as he said he had looked
at the standings and figured that he
would probably be in. “I thought I
was okay, but there are things we need
to do to make it different,” Stone
said. “The way things currently are
we are only a couple of seasons away
from some of the big names being out
of the game.”
He cited the example of Rick Clunn,
who despite 31 trips to the Bassmaster
Classic, four Classic Championships,
an Angler of the Year title and more
than thirty years of entries into
Bassmaster tournaments; only has a
couple of exemptions. “This tour
wouldn’t be the same without some of
the anglers who helped build this
sport,” he said. “The truth is
that we are only a couple of years
away from it being reality.” |
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The situation is such that he has been in contact with BASS about it, and that they are interested in hearing angler input. “I am grateful that people are listening,” he said. “BASS officials all the way up to Tom Ricks are interested in our input.”
When it came to his standings at the season’s end, he said that he has been on the phone with all of his sponsors apologizing for his season. “I felt like I had let them all down with the way I did this season,” he said. “I wanted to let them know that I am still passionate about performing well, and letting them know that I am going to work hard and do better next year.”
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He
reported that his sponsors have been
very supportive, and that he received
a complement from one of his sponsors
that put the whole year in
perspective. “He asked me if I
remembered who finished 12th in the
points this year,” when Stone
responded that he did not, his sponsor
told him he was happy with his
performance this year. “He told me
that the way I handled the year did
more for them than if I had a decent
year; that meant a ton to me.”
To return his sponsors faith, Stone
said he is going to devote his off
season to improving as an angler in a
new way. “I’m going to spend more
time working on my skills in leading
up to the season,” Stone said. “I
plan on spending more time on the
water each week. I feel like I
could’ve come into the season a
little sharper last year and I will
work to be in better position next
year.” |
“I will say this, I learned a lot about the support system I have in my family, friends and sponsors; it was humbling” Stone said. “Despite the difficulties on the water, this has been the single greatest year I’ve experienced as a professional, and I want to make 2008 even better across the board.”
NOTE:
Marty Stone will be featured later this
month in the BZ's "In the House" segment.
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