As one of the premier icons in the sport of professional bass fishing, Hank Parker has been entertaining outdoor fans for years. After turning pro in 1975, Parker has had nothing short of a dream fishing career. In addition to capturing the Bassmaster Classic in 1979 and 1989, Parker also became the first angler to win the “Grand Slam of Bass Fishing,” which includes winning the coveted Bassmaster Angler-of-the-Year title, the Classic and the BASS SuperBass Tournament. However, since that time, Parker has probably become best known for his groundbreaking fishing show: “Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine.” Since 1984, Parker has entertained bass-fishing enthusiasts with a variety of informative fishing information both on and off the water. However, now Parker has set his sights on his latest outdoor adventure – celebrity host of “FLW Outdoors” television.
In an effort to allow our readers to get a little bit more familiar with the bass-fishing legend, the staff at FLWOutdoors.com sat down with Parker to get his take on everything from the new “FLW Outdoors” television program to the state of professional bass fishing in general. The following are excerpts from that interview.
FLW Outdoors: How did you first get into fishing?
“With my dad when I was about three years old.” Parker, who was raised in North Carolina, would spend part of his summer vacations with his grandparents in Georgia, and he would go fishing frequently with his grandfather. “I’d spend that entire week every year fishing.”
FLW Outdoors: How did the Hank Parker bass-fishing program come about?
The origin dates back to 1983 when Parker had been fishing professionally for about eight years where he had “pretty much maxed” out all of his service possibilities. Parker said that at the time, he was looking for a bigger, better platform for exposure. The impetus was also financial. For example, before the FLW existed, Parker won the Bassmaster Classics twice, although he only received about $75,000 for both titles combined. According to Parker, what anglers were looking for to make money back in the day were “personal service contracts,” including in-store appearances and other related sponsor activities. These service possibilities would then generate exposure for an angler, which could lead to bigger and better sponsorships.
“You would have to come up with ideas that would make great stories for (publications),” said Parker, who tried to promote himself as an angler by pitching story ideas to sports writers, outdoor writers, etc., to boost exposure and to justify the personal service contracts. “In my day, you still had to generate a lot of coverage on your own.”
Parker said that Hank Parkers Outdoor Magazine, now in production for more than 19 years, afforded him “a bigger soap box,” to share his enthusiasm for the sport. Parker also pointed out that his show has been airing longer than did the hit television series “Bonanza.”
FLW Outdoors: Personally, what is your greatest bass-fishing accomplishment?
“The grand slam. I was the first angler to ever win Angler of the Year and the Classic.” Ironically, it was co-host Larry Nixon who achieved the same distinction a short time later. The “grand slam” refers to Parker being the first angler to win the Bassmaster AOY title, the Classic, a qualifying tournament and a Super Tournament.
FLW Outdoors: Have you noticed any significant changes to tournament bass fishing over the years?
“The pageantry of the sport, thanks in large part to FLW, has become very similar to NASCAR. It’s a lot of excitement, with all the corporate boats – the sponsor boats.”
Parker went on to describe the current crop of professional anglers as “more polished, refined and professional.” He attributes this in no small part to dramatically increased payouts. He said the money has brought the best anglers into the sport, and he said that constantly fishing on the tournament trail inherently makes pro anglers better than 10 or 20 years ago when there just wasn’t as much action or opportunity. Parker believes that the big payouts have raised the bar on a competitive level.
FLW Outdoors: Where do you see this sport headed in the future?
“I thought it maxed 15 years ago,” said Parker, “but I see a lot of enthusiasm with the youth.”
Parker went on to say that with the growing corporate interest in the sport, “there are no limits” to the future of the sport.
FLW Outdoors: What do you think you bring to the new FLW Outdoors TV show? What are you looking forward to most regarding the show?
“I find a tremendous amount of satisfaction in being able to interview my comrades to let the public know – to give them some insight – into how to display to the viewers how knowledgeable the anglers actually are.”
Parker argued that his insight into professional fishing should allow him to better illuminate to the public how hard it actually is to be a successful professional fisherman. He said so much of the public thinks there’s a huge luck factor, but it is actually hard work and skill that “creates luck” for the best of them.
“We’ve done a bad job in the past of explaining to the public how good these guys are,” he said.
Parker believes “FLW Outdoors” will give him an opportunity to show how the anglers’ hard work pays off.
FLW Outdoors: Do you have any ideas on how to improve the show in the future?
“I think the Dempsey (production) group we’re working with is like a fisherman developing a pattern,” said Parker. Instead of deciding on one “set format” for the show, Parker said he is encouraged that the current production team is flexible and opened minded enough to make slight modifications to the show each passing week to improve the overall quality.
Parker said there is enough communication among those involved in the show – from the production team and administrators to hosts – that there is an open dialogue allowing the opportunity for anyone with good suggestions to speak up and have those ideas heard.
FLW Outdoors: Are you looking forward to working with Larry Nixon?
“I love Larry and he has always been a hero of mine. It’s a privilege to work with him.”