Sondra Rankin's Blogspot
Ribolov Croatian Magazine Interview, www.ribolov.net
Sondra Rankin

Ribolov Croatian Magazine Interview, www.ribolov.net

To start this interview, can you tell me something about yourself? How and when did your fishing affair begin?

I am a single mother to a beautiful six year old little girl, a traveling professional angler, and a host of a reality fishing show, in a really small nutshell! I fish the FLW Tour and I've been touring for about six years, but have been fishing since the time I could walk. I was raised by a family who appreciated camping, nature, fishing, and all things involving the great outdoors. Some of my earliest memories are those of my dad and me fishing together, hunting together, and setting fire to marshmallows atop a fire. My childhood is swarmed with memories of such and I find it of great importance that I raise my daughter in the same manner. It wasn't until my teenage years however, that I began participating in local tournaments and clubs, dating guys that had bass boats simply to impress my father, and learning that there was a certain aspect of self pride in catching more than the 'boys'! I had no idea in those early times that I was paving my way for a career in competitive bass fishing.

- So, you've been fishing from the early days. You do believe that children should be introduced to goods of nature from the earliest days. How does fishing help on that matter in your opinion?

I believe that it's EXTREMELY important to introduce our youth into outdoors recreation and sports. I believe that the true appreciation for nature and our environment comes from our previous generations efforts to instill it within us. Fishing is such a great sport to introduce to children essentially because it's active, challenging, and it gives us a wonderful opportunity to bond with friends and loved ones. I do know many anglers who have picked up 'fishing' later in life, but it seems as if the enjoyment was there, but the passions aren't. For each competitive angler there has been somebody, somewhere, early on in their childhood that took them fishing, that taught them the respect and love of the sport, and left their mark. I can thank my dad.

- You are competing with some of the best anglers in the world... Being a woman – does it make it easier or tougher?

I have to say both! It's easier because I am able to "stand out" from a huge field of predominantly male anglers. I'm able to spark interests in sponsorships and endorsement deals because I "don't" fit the norm. However, it's also quite the contrary. Being a woman is tougher, simply because the respect that I have to earn is TEN times higher than that of my male competitor. Many of my competition are very fashioned in thinking that fishing is a male only sport and women should just be in the stands waving hello to their husbands as they walk across the weigh-in stage. I had to work very hard to earn respect and it's taken several years to do so! I still deal with instances that arise from time to time, but for the most part, have been well accepted.

- Is it only and strictly bass fishing? And why bass fishing?

I fish strictly bass on my circuit, however I enjoy all types of fishing! On my tour, there are three specie of bass you legally weigh in; smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass. I obviously spend most of my time practicing and perfecting my craft in that field, but as long as I'm fishing, I really don't mind what I'm catching! I love fishing for crappie in the colder months. I've recently been turned onto trout fishing as well and can definitely see myself in waders in my near future! I can stay on the water from daylight until dark, it really doesn't matter what I'm catching. I can catch a suntan and feel accomplished!

- If you put aside the whole competing part... Just you, your rod and some nice water. What would be the best part of bass fishing?

I remember and live by something my father used to always tell me. "Fishing is just fishing...catching is a bonus"! Being outside and sharing time with loved ones, casting a line or two and hoping for a bite is what fishing is all about! I love the challenges of landing big bass and the anticipation of waiting for a strike, but my favorite part of bass fishing is something completely different! Being able to witness countless sunsets on some of God's most beautiful sanctuaries by far supercedes any temporary thrills I could receive by a bite! I can close my eyes and still paint the pictures...

- Now, tell me something about your favorite techniques, baits and rods. Is there a method you are best at, the one that always works?

I grew up power fishing. All I knew was strong line, baitcasters, big baits, and fast retrieves! It wasn't until I began fishing the tour that I was introduced to different bodies of water, different specie of bass, and all the different techniques to catch them. My love then of power fishing was quickly replaced by the finesse approach. My favorite technique now is with light line, (mostly six to eight pound fluorocarbon), a medium action spinning rod and reel, tossing around a rigged eight ounce shaky head jig worm and patiently fighting the big bass to fatigue. I have caught more fish and made more competitive dollars using a finesse technique than anything I'd ever depended upon before. I would definitely say that I have perfected that particular style of fishing and no matter what the conditions or locations, I know I can depend on a few keeper bass with a finesse presentation!

- Bass is known as a very strong and powerful fighter. But also as a very slick and tricky. With your experience, what makes a good bass angler?

Bass are a very strong fish! They are both very aggressive and generally, will fight until they have absolutely no fight left in them. The key to making sure you can land these fish is to remember to never rush. A good drag system in crucial also. I will check my drag periodically throughout my day to make sure it's set properly....in landing a big bass, you have no room for error. Sometimes during boating or if your reels are in transit, a drag can get loosened or tightened and can be a cause of a lost fish. It's essential to have a strong, sharp hook and to also be able to choose the correct line in the proper conditions. I want to always throw the smallest, most invisible diameter line as possible, but depending on the structure or cover in the water, I want to make sure that I have the abrasion resistance in a thicker line also. I lost several fish before I figured out the importance of changing your line and retying your knot often!

As far as being a good bass angler, I believe that knowing why you're using certain baits and techniques, not necessarily knowing how to use them, is what will set the avid angler apart from the touring pro. It's key to understand bass, their habitat, their mating rituals, and feeding patterns before you can take a bait and learn how to make it dance.

- What is you personal record?

Ha, ha. Truthfully? 8 lb largemouth bass, Lake Guntersville, Alabama.

- Sondra, besides being a passionate angler, you are also a musician? Can you tell me something more about that?

As a small child I had dreams of becoming a country music singer. I learned to play the guitar and write music while still in elementary school. I competed in talent competitions throughout my youth and truly believed my destiny was to pursue a career in the music industry! I'm still working on music, however since my schedule as a touring angler has taken up much of my time, my music career has sat a bit on the back burner. I still write often and do some studio work from time to time. I recorded a new single and the theme song for my television series this summer, which definitely inspired me to get things in gear for a new project. We'll just have to see what happens in my fishing endeavors in the next couple years to know if I want to dive back into the music business.

- Hunting is also one of your hobbies. Do you think there's a difference between hunting and fishing? Because, you can always enjoy a good drill and release the fish after the fight...

I can say there are definitely similarities, but I believe there are many differences as well. I definitely practice catch and release with my sport fish, which is very important in the preservation of our game, but I choose to keep panfish that I catch for a meal. I can still practice 'hunt' and release in hunting....take a camera, not a gun! I have been hunting on countless occasions where I have passed up 'harvest' opportunities because I was completely content and satisfied with watching. I only harvest mature animals and generally only one or two whitetail deer a year, just to provide food for my daughter and me. I am a believer that God intended the wild animals on this planet to be respected and that He provided them to us as a means of fuel and energy for our bodies. I am a very ethical 'huntress'. Just as fishing is just fishing.... 'catching' the bonus, hunting is about the hunt...a 'harvest' the bonus.

- It's always nice to get a good and worthy advice from someone with years of experience. What would be yours to all anglers and nature lovers?

My advice to anybody who has passions in the outdoors is to follow your heart! If you dream of taking your passions to a professional level, don't let anybody tear you down and detour you. My path crossed over several friends and acquaintances who told me I would never make it, I had no place in the industry, and that fishing should be kept as a 'hobby'. Had I listened to them, I would have never known the capabilities within me. I am stronger, wiser, and have fallen even more in love with this sport that identifies me. Another thing to remember is to always perfect your craft. The one that spends the most time on the water is the one who will end up being the one with the most skilled 'luck'. In fishing, there will always be room to grow. You will always make that one mistake that will cost you a tournament victory, you will always have a story of the one that got away, and you will always find yourself coming back for redemption! I live and breathe the sport. I could not imagine my life lacking a career in the fishing industry. I have worked very hard and paid a significant amount of dues to get where I am today, there is no turning back! I suggest that if anybody is hoping to take fishing to that competitive level, that you stay true to your sport, stay true to who you are, and remember WHY you're doing it. I've always said that if you're in it to make money, you'll never make it. If you're in it to win it, you'll never win. The true test is if you're in it ONLY because you can't live with out it...., then comes success and complete satisfaction. Guaranteed.

- Dear Sondra, thank you very much for doing this. Best wishes from all bass anglers from Croatia and readers of Sportski Ribolov magazine!

Sondra Rankin

Paducah, KY