AMERICA'S GREATEST BASS FISHERMAN

The Future For Clay Dyer

EDITOR'S NOTE: He's a giant among bass fishermen, and in my opinion Clay Dyer of Hamilton, Alabama, is the greatest bass fisherman with whom I have ever fished. Fishing since he was five years old, Clay has tournament fished since age 15 and has been a full-time professional bass fisherman since 1995. Clay, at 24 years old, is almost 40 inches tall and weighs 86 pounds. He has no legs, but he does have a partial 16-inch-long arm on his right shoulder. If you see Clay in a fishing tournament, you won't think he has a disability either. Clay is highly competitive and fishes two to four bass tournaments a month. Clay's sponsors include: Skeeter boats, Yamaha outboards, Minn Kota trolling motors, All Star graphite rods, Strike King Lure Company, Lowrance electronics and Team Fish fishing line. Rather than tell Clay's story to you, I'll let Clay tell his own story.

QUESTION: Clay, what does your future hold?
ANSWER: Right now I feel like I am doing what God wants me to do. I'm going to keep on doing what I'm currently doing. But as much as I love competitive fishing, if God tells me to put this down and go do something else, I will. I have explained this to my sponsors, and they understand and agree with my desire to follow the Lord. But with what God has been able to do with me and with my life through fishing, at this point, I don't see any reason to change. As long as my health stays good and I can cast a bass rod, I plan to be fishing. My dad says I'll be fishing until I'm six foot under.

QUESTION: Does professional fishing give you a platform from which to speak?
ANSWER: Yes, it does. And I enjoy speaking. Many times I hear fishermen say they can't compete because they lack the money, time or are just not that good at fishing. They tell me they want to be tournament bass fisherman but know they just can't be. But I can say, "Hey, listen. I started out when I was a teenager, and I didn't have nearly as much as you've got. Surely, if I can be a competitive fisherman or be good at anything, you can achieve any goal that you truly want. I've finished two years of junior college and since then I've been a professional fisherman, and you can too."

QUESTION: How many tournaments do you fish each month?
ANSWER: Depending on the time of year, I usually fish from one to five tournaments a month. From February until June, I generally fish a tournament every weekend.

QUESTION: Who goes with you to these tournaments?
ANSWER: I've got 10 to 12 other fishermen who go to tournaments with me. I have really been blessed to have so many friends and so many fishermen who want to fish with me. My dad fishes with me a lot. My mom goes to tournaments with me. And I'm also fortunate that my family backs me and sponsors my fishing. My grandfather, who just turned 80-years-old, used to go with me. But now he says he's afraid he will get in my way too much.

QUESTION: What do you do when you get to the ramp and have to back in the boat?
ANSWER: I can back my own boat down the boat ramp and pull it out. I just need someone else to punch the gas and the brakes. I'm legal to drive. So far I have not gotten a truck that is adapted to me, so that I can operate the gas and the brakes. However, I'm working on that. And I believe that within the next few months, I'll have my own truck that I can drive to tournaments. I am always thinking about what I can do to perform any task that anyone else can perform. Usually by the time that I have the opportunity, I have figured out what I'm going to do.

QUESTION: Clay, what do you say to young people who dream of becoming a professional bass fisherman?
ANSWER: I tell all youth groups I speak to, number one, get your education first. Number two, get a really good job so you can pay for your fishing. Number three, buy the best equipment that you can afford and work at tournament fishing as though it is your only job. Number four, learn all that you can from everyone you can. Then you will be able to earn money at tournament fishing just like anyone else does. I am the "You can" man. I believe that if I can, you can.

You can contact Clay Dyer at 5321 Steel Street, Hamilton, Alabama 35570.