Up until 2 weeks ago, Jami Fralick had planned to compete on the 2014 Bassmaster Elite Series. However, the unexpected death of a good friend, who was also his off-season employer, has put the South Dakotan's career in limbo.
Fralick told BassFan today that the money he earned as a soil-sample collector this fall is tied up in his late boss' estate, which is being contested by the deceased man's brother. At this point, Fralick doesn't know when – or if – he'll see it.
"I make all my fishing money doing that job," he said. "I told B.A.S.S. that I just can't put $8,000 (the amount of the initial 2014 deposit) on a credit card right now, and then there's another $8,000 due in February. It was a very tough decision, but I've got to go with what seems like the best move at the time."
He hopes to fish the FLW Tour, which doesn't require such substantial up-front deposits.
"I'm going to miss Billy McCaghren and Brian Snowden and all my other friends on the Elites, but life goes on. I'm just going to have to pick myself up and move forward."
