Few anglers have accomplished more in their lifetime than two-time Bassmaster Classic winner and television host Hank Parker. Having seen the growth of competitive bass fishing firsthand, Hank is eager to see what the future holds for our sport. Enjoy this unique segment where Mr. Parker dives into his historical career, the advancements he has witnessed, and an abundance of advice to young anglers.
Out of everything he has done throughout his career, Hank Parker ranks high school tournament fishing at the top of his priorities. His involvement with the future of fishing has been instrumental in getting youth into the sport. As times have changed and student angling has grown, Hank has seen both positive and negative impacts. He simply asks going forward that individuals heavily involved change their perspective on the sport we all know and love. Although we have witnessed an uproar in youth participation, the rise in competitive fishing isn’t the only thing that has evolved.
In all the revolutions in the sport of fishing over the decades, Hank Parker says the biggest single change has been in electronics. Spending his entire career with Humminbird electronics, Hank has been overwhelmed with the progress that has been made. “I used a Humminbird Super Sixty and thought it was amazing…”, Parker chuckles. The innovation Parker feels has been most impactful thus far has been side-imaging. The capabilities on the water, especially with technology, are far greater than ever imagined at the beginning of Hank’s career.
Hank Parker fished his first B.A.S.S. event in 1975 on Santee Cooper Lakes. After having a successful practice, Hank explains how changing conditions completely altered his plans. Hank Parker finished 108th in a 125-boat field. While most would have hung it up, Hank used this as inspiration and motivation to learn new techniques. Upon returning to the tournament scene the next year, a young Hank Parker borrowed $10,000 on a 90-day banknote to go live out his dream as a professional bass fisherman. And the rest was history.
Parker says the key to success is simply having a love for the sport. He closes his remarks with, “It’s a competitive world in bass fishing today. You got to love it. So you love it and prepare and go after it.”
• Hank Parker Website:
► SUBSCRIBE for more AWESOME FISHING TIPS:
FOLLOW US HERE:
►
►
►
►
Watch more new videos about fishing | Synthesized by Mindovermetal English
I just like to catch them and have something to bring home to eat. I have a canoe, so have to find places to go, but fish from the bank mostly. I have to find someone who wants to go and knows where because I go by myself all the time. When I use to tell my colleges at school that I was going to teach fishing in gym class, they just laughed. Now, I see bass fishing teams and just smile. I'm not involved with a team since my school distict doesn't have one, but am seriously thinking to try to introduce a few lesson to my middle-school boys soon.
We are too competitive today. And it’s discouraging some. It discourages me on my bad days. We all forget that fishing, baseball, football, basketball, life in general is not about winning, it’s about relationships, helping one another in this thing called life, and last but definitely not least, have fun and enjoy yourself enjoy your company and enjoy life!!!
Hank Parker, one of the best, you can learn a lot from him
Glad for the kids, but the sport has lost me. Electronics and all the focus on specialty rods, reels, or lures…. it's sad. I watched Jerry M, Bill D, Jimmy H, and you for a couple decades on TV and it became my life passion along with motorcycles.
It used to me about experience, putting in the work to learn…. you appreciated the small victories. Wading a creek to learn how to read current… a Jon boat and a small motor to learn boat skills…
I say all this owning a Ranger Z117 in my garage that I still PREFER to fish out of a canoe or my fishing kayak. Nothing fancy and no electronics…. it's the simple things that make a day fishing great.
Tournaments are absolutely awful with every angler spouting all their sponsors every time they open their mouth. The MCs are trying to be PT Barnum at a circus… just awful to watch a weigh in and I've quit it all.
I really appreciate you, Hank. Your stand for God…your supporting the kids… and your joy of just going fishing.
God Bless.
Well said Hank. A legend speaking the truth. We get so caught up in tournament fishing as it comprises most of our year in team championships etc but we manage to get out and just fish and get back to the fun of fishing. The love of the outdoors and the camaraderie of fishing together. Thanks
I loved watching Hank on Sunday evenings.
It's like the saying if you do a job that you love you will never work a day in your life. The fishing is only a small part of a pro fisherman's life. The rest of the time your a truck driver and a sales man away from home and family.
Live to fish…Fish to live. Reason why I fish is that it allows me to live with PTSD from the military. A tournament is a by product. Some good words from one of our sport is greats. Hope y’all youngsters listen.
I'm 44 yrs old & I remember watching Bill Dance, Hank Parker, Roland Martin & Jimmy Houston on T.V. Hank & Bill are Legends in my Book. They are old school & use old techniques as I do due to them. I continue to catch Bass due to sticking with their techniques.
i also blame social media and highlight videos too. too many people see the rewards of fishing only and not the grind it takes to catch them
Awesome…As he always is!
Hank thank you for sharing your experiences 🙏 Thanks so much.
Definitely grew up watching Hank on tv. He always seems like such a nice guy, a big player for sure. Great to see him still enjoying time out there after all these years 💪🏻😎👍🏻
Let's ban electronics
Well said hank…
Great advice – 613BASS'N
Love this guy. I still buy the cheaper Hank lews rods. Best 40 bucks you'll spend on a rod.
Just gotta chill out. I just love taking my12 year old grandson Crappie fishing, just him and I. He said the other day, just being on the water is good enough !
I’ve been watching Hank Parker for 35 years plus and I learned a lot. Enough so that I smoke my 2 brothers with size and quantity and when they finally ask how I say Hank Parker taught me.
That’s some solid advice from one of the greatest anglers/ people in the sport!
Like lots of people, I watched you as a kid. I love what you're talking about with using the textbook approach vs improvising.
It's satisfying in one way to go out and think you know exactly what to do, and often it works and you catch them. But I think it's a lot more fun to have your plan not work out and then suddenly, with plan B (or C or … or X) , everything falls into place and you catch them doing something totally different.
I grew up fishing the best waters in East Tn watching all the same great as everyone one else who's in thier early 50's. I would have given anything for an opportunity to have had a young fishing group like they do now. Soo it's great to see all the greats helping & sponsoring all that's available to the high school as well as just the new & upcoming next greats in fishing. And you're correct. It should be so pressured to always win
Hank I learned from a great man who at 93 still has the bug! I was 5 an must of made him crazy but he never left me home! I'm 65 an myself son is absolutely one of the best I've fished with! You know what thanks dad my son never leaves me at home.
That last piece of advice is spot on. Learn to be a versatile fisherman. Versatile fishermen catch most of the fish most of the time.
Mr. Parker, I met you a couple times at Bedford Sales open house in Illinois. I so much appreciated your POV as well as how friendly you were. I love what you say here. I fished tournaments for a while and found it was taking the joy out of fishing and making it a job so I stopped entering tournaments. My formal job had plenty of pressure. Fishing was and still is my outlet. I started a fishing club for families. No tournaments allowed as a club function. We share info and enjoy fishing to the utmost. Keep up the great work.
wow, great guy, wish to have a body like him.
Amen, Hank… AMEN!
I like this guy.
Love the Sport of Bass Fishing it's my passion and therapy! Not liking all the Tournaments that take over the Lakes on the weekends it's chaotic and not Liking the New Video Game fishing Techniques of today's anglers,thanks for all your knowledge over the years,I'm a 54 yr.old,weekend fisherman or when I'm on Vacation and get those special quiet weekday fishing trips!
There’s no better advice than that right there on this subject!
Living Legend – Hank Parker
Great video Hank! You are spot on.
Wisdom galore, every lover and hater of professional bass fishing should watch this video!
Watched Hank Parker on TNN every Saturday morning in the 90's. Always enjoyed his demeanor and passion for fishing. I am turning 40 but when I hear him, Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston or Shaw Grigsby do one of these segments it brings right back to Saturday mornings in the 90's.
Ok. First off I agree that the purpose of a HS team should be to encourage and improve the team. However, their attitude of quit has nothing to do with intimidation or competition, it is culture, kids these days want everything easy. Kids are raised soft and entitled, in my day falling short encouraged growth, not submission. Until we correct the culture nothing will change. Effort equals success, that will never change. I guess next we will just have fun fb games on Friday night and everybody gets to score?
Great words of wisdom from one of the most fierce competitors on the tour. I'm glad you de-programed. I hope every angler gets to watch this video. Thanks Hank for sharing your story and advice. Well done.
Love listening to Hank. Met him long ago in ATL at the Fisharama. Such a kind man who loves Jesus and fish'n.
If you aren't having fun, you're doing it wrong. My old HP Classic spinnerbaits are still catching fish. I wish they were still available.
I still use the Hank Signature 6'10" medium spinning for free rig/light drop shot and light ned.Just copped the new design and grew up lookin up to this legend and "grass needs mowin, house needs paintin' …doot deet deet dooh dooh -GONE FISHIN!!" #LEGEND