10 Questions with Elite Rookie Bradley Roy...

3/3/2010 9:16:37 AM

By John Neporadny

 

Ten Questions with Elite Series Rookie Bradley Roy



 
Bradley Roy won the Junior Bassmaster World Championship in 2004  and this year he will be the first  junior world champion to fish in the Bassmaster Elite Series.  The following questions address his thoughts on his accomplishments, the Junior Bassmaster program and  the high school bass fishing movement.
 
 
1. How does it feel to be the first Junior Bassmaster World Champion to compete in the Bassmaster Elite Series?
 
Roy:  It is exciting. I am a product of the whole program and to be the first one to do it—and I know I won’t be the last-- is an exciting thing.
 
2. What have you learned from the junior program that helped you reach the Elite Series?
 
Roy: Learning the  basics of being a tournament fisherman, the A to Z basic tournament stuff such as preparation and early morning launches. I also learned how to fish multiple-day tournaments and find fish that will last more than one day.
 
3. Who do you think influenced you the most during your time in the junior program?
 
Roy: Probably my father (Anthony) because he took me to tournaments and we always prefished together. I learned as much as  I could from him.  He was with me all the way through the juniors and he also fished the Federation Nation tournaments.
 
4.  What advice do you have for other juniors striving to reach the level of success you have achieved?
 
Roy: Get on the water -- no matter where it is at -- as often as you can. The more you do it the better you get at it, which goes for any sport. Study what other guys do and learn what they do well. Build your weaknesses up by using someone else’s strengths.
 
5. What do you think about Illinois sanctioning fishing as a high school activity and the movement of other states to do the same?
 
Roy: I think it is a great opportunity for kids. I got an early start in fishing because I was blessed to have a father that fished. For some kids who do not have that, it is a great way to get them started when they are in high school and then they can develop into better fishermen. It gives them  another option besides the standard basketball, football and baseball.
 
6. Eddie Goode has been working on getting a high school program started in your home state of  Kentucky. Are you interested in helping in this effort if your schedule allows?
 
Roy: Yes. Any  way I can because I realize I am a product from a similar type of program. That is what helped me develop so I would be more than happy to give back and do stuff like that.
 
7. Kalem Tippett and you are two world champions that have graduated from the  Kentucky Junior Bassmaster program, why do you think your state’s junior program has been so successful?
 
Roy: There are a lot of good fathers in the program who are willing to put us out there, teach us how to fish and trust us with their equipment.  Credit should also go to our presidents and youth director of the Kentucky Federation Nation. They have been geared and dedicated toward the juniors. It is a strong Federation all the way through the adult and junior programs. They always make sure we have plenty of tournaments to fish.
 
8. Who do you predict will be the next Junior Bassmaster World Champion to qualify for the Elite Series?
 
Roy:  It is hard to say. You mentioned Kalem who is an unbelievable fisherman. I see in him the natural raw instincts that certain fisherman have. He certainly could be there in a heartbeat if he chooses to take that path.
 
9. Some of the pros who came up through the Federation Nation ranks are still involved in various Federation Nation functions such as speaking at banquets or helping out at club events, would you like to give back to the junior program in some way if you find time in your schedule?
 
Roy:  Yeah. I realize where I came from and what developed me. so I would be more than happy to do that. In past years, I have been a boat captain whenever juniors needed one  for their tournaments, and I plan on doing that this year with my wrapped Elite Series boat if I can work it out with my schedule.  
 
10. What are your goals for your rookie season on the Elite Series trail?
 
Roy: My first and foremost goal is to win Rookie of the Year and re-qualify for the Elites. The biggest goal will be to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.