The Big Bend BASS Bass Man of the Year for the 2004 season is Mike Prindle.

The Bass Man of the Year title this year, like many in recent history, was a hard fought battle that came down to the very last tournament. The guys that were in contention all had one thing in common. They all worked very very hard, pre fishing for the next tournament at every opportunity, getting to know what the fish were doing on that body of water at that time of year... spending way more time than others would call normal, all for a chance at a couple hundred bucks and, perhaps more important, braggin rights. The knowledge that you bested some of the best in the game. Our champion this year had another motivator, one which has brought him to this point and will serve him well as he moves toward his ultimate goal of fishing for a living. Mike Prindle was on a quest for knowledge. A desire to figure out the object of our obsession that drove him to work just a little harder than the other guys. Mike was consistently able to put fish in the live well even under the most difficult conditions because he worked to understand how the conditions effected the fish... to gain the knowledge and use it to his advantage. Mike did it all year and the title of Big Bend BASS Bass Man of the Year is his reward. Let's meet Mike!

Age 31

Occupation – Construction Manager

Family – Angela Johnson

How did you get started bass fishing? – I needed a way to get away from the house. So I read some books on bass behavior, went down to the local store with my allowance and bought a fishing rod, some line and a couple lures.

How did you get into tournaments? When we moved to Merritt Island I became a member of BASS. I read about how the professionals were catching fish and how I could learn from them by joining a BASS Federation club. I called BASS and joined Suncoast Bassmasters. I learned from guys like Marvin Berdinsky, Charlie Antemossa, and Rob Smithwick. 

How long have you been fishing with Big Bend Bass? – I called Jerry Shook 3 years ago. I attended a couple of meetings then decided to join. It has been an eventful 3 years.

What is the highlight of your fishing career so far? Fishing my first BASS Tournament as a pro during October 2004. I have been trying since I read that first Bassmaster magazine to become a professional. My life dream is to just be able to fish and compete with the best anglers in the world. I don’t care if I ever win as long as I am there.

Favorite body of water – I really don’t have a favorite. I guess the lakes that give me the most challenge tend to be my favorite (Columbus Pool, Blackshear). They force me to stop, evaluate, and think. Lakes that have an over abundance of fish and prove to be relatively easy don’t provide much of a challenge.

Favorite fishing method – I don’t have one. I believe that in order to be a great angler it is important to stay versatile and not lean on one or two particular techniques.

What are your aspirations as far as fishing go? – I would love to be able to compete professionally. I started down that bumpy road this year and it has proved to have a few major potholes. I am confident that that will change soon and I will be back on the blacktop.

What advise would you give someone thinking about getting into tournament fishing? – Don’t take it so seriously. When people think back about their best days on the water most people don’t remember the tournament day when they ran 600 miles on a 5 mile lake looking for fish number two. They talk about the day that they went out just to get away and they couldn’t do any wrong. Keep it simple, understand that a bass cannot read, try what you think would work not what everybody else says should work.

Sponsors – Falcon Rods, Power Pro Fishing Line, Mercury Outboards, Triton Boats, Boyd’s Marine Dothan, L and J Tackle Shop, Abu Garcia Reels. Most of all Angie. Without her support, and understanding. I would not be traveling all over God’s creation chasing a little green fish.

Anything else you want to add?. – To the membership of Big Bend Bass. Please remember why we do this in the first place. Club fishing is a way to get away from the day-to-day hassles of our normal lives. For a fleeting moment, to put down the hammer, pen, and books, to get away from the computer and the kids, to match wits with an animal with a brain the size of a pea and wonder why they always seem smarter than us.