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A few short years ago Preston Clark set the bass fishing world on its ear by shattering the weight record at Santee Cooper. He weighed 115-15 for 4 days. He also still holds the record for the largest bass caught at the Bassmaster Classic with an 11 pound 10 ounce fish caught on Lake Toho. The tournament record was once held by Dean Rojas was later broken by Steve Kennedy in Calfornia.
Not too soon after that Preston wife gave birth to triplets and his life as an angler changed as well. He decided to concentrate on helping raise his family and due to the fact of losing his main sponsor Beef O'Brady's. They backed out as the economy worsened. He tried to do it on his own but without a title sponsor going was tough.
He is now working on getting another title sponsor and has been guiding and fishing the Bassmaster Opens. He has also started a couple of new business's that are doing well. He is working with municipalities on water conservation issues.
His guide business is going gangbusters as well. His parties have caught two over 12, 8 over 10 and over 50 over 8. "I have had a blast with this deal. I can't remember how many 30-50 fish days our parties has had."
He is wanting to get back to the Elites. "I miss the competition and sitting here watching the results is really tough. It has never been about the money for me but its more about the competition. I miss that."
"I talk to Greg Hackney a lot, I also speak to Terry Scoggins, Peter T and Shaw on occasion and to tell you the truth I am ready to go back and take some of their money" he laughed.
"I am getting valuable time with my family and that is important but I'm dying to get back out and compete" said Preston. "There is something inside of me that has to compete at the highest level."
"I still have a great stable of sponsors including Triton Boats, Mercury, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Deep South Rods where he has a signature series of rods, Stick Jackets, Ecclectic Lures, JJ's Magic that is a dipping dye with scent added, and I am working shows and the media all the time as well" said Clark.
Sounds like he is on the way back to us!
Clark Tidbit: There is a great story on Poling Florida Style with Preston Clark on Bass Tackle Depot by Terry Battisti that is worth a read. To read
click here.
