Family, Friends, Work
Pros Reveal What They're Most Thankful For This Year

Photo: BassFan Alton Jones is thankful for the time he and his wife have had with all their kids together 'in the nest.'

While the life of a pro fisherman might seem glitzy and glamorous, truth is it's a very grueling life, filled with pressure, long months away from home, heartache and only occasional exhilaration.

For this year's Thanksgiving Day observance, BassFan asked several pros what they're most thankful for this year. Here's what they had to say.

Alton Jones – Waco, Texas
I've been thinking a lot about that lately, and this is the last year that I'll have all my kids at home. Little Alton is 17 now, so that's one thing I'm really thankful for this year – having us together this year, and all the time that Jimmy Sue and I have had with all the kids in the nest.

Another thing I'm extremely thankful for this year is for being able to compete professionally as a fisherman. To be able to do something you love and are passionate about as a vocation – it's an amazing blessing.

And I'm also extremely grateful just for God's love and his presence in my life.

Dave Lefebre – Union City, Pennsylvania
I'd say that this year I'm especially thankful for the troops overseas, and for the freedom they protect. To not have to worry, and to do the things we get to do – it's almost to the point where you feel a little guilty. Yesterday morning I sent a card overseas. Xerox is doing something really cool. You go to their website, pick a card, write what you want, they print it out and it goes to a soldier overseas for Thanksgiving. Everybody can do it and they already have over a million cards going overseas.

Editor's note: To participate, go to LetsSayThanks.com.

Skeet Reese – Auburn, California
Number one, I'm thankful for my family – my wife and my little girls and the rest of my family who are all here this year. That's first and foremost. But I'm also thankful that I had an incredible season, and a profitable one, which allows me to keep going next year.

Ray Scheide – Russellville, Arkansas
I'm most thankful for my awesome family – my wife and my two kids. I couldn't be doing what I do for a living without their support. We're all going to be together this week. The kids are out of school, so we'll have a good time – do a little hunting and a lot of eating.

Larry Nixon – Bee Branch, Arkansas
I'm most thankful just for the opportunity to fish and hunt for a living. To be able to do the things that you really love, and have a wonderful family around you, you just can't ask for more than that.

Clark Wendlandt – Leander, Texas
I'd say I'm most thankful for my family – my wife Patti and my daughters Emily and Katie – and that we can spend time together this time of year. That's one thing, but I'm also pretty thankful just for the fact that I get to fish for a living. Most people in this sport take it for granted, and I don't think we should. I'm very thankful we have the ability to do this.

Todd Faircloth – Jasper, Texas
I'm most thankful for my family and being able to spend time with them at home. I'm here with my wife and kids, but we've got my mom and dad and aunts and uncles coming this Thanksgiving. We spend half our lives on the road, or more than that, and it's nice to be home and see everybody and just be relaxed and not feel like you need to do a whole lot.

Photo: BassFan Ron Shuffield never thought he'd fish this long, and he's thankful for that opportunity.

Ron Shuffield – Bismarck, Arkansas
The thing I'm most thankful for is to still be able to be in this sport and be able to survive. And I'm glad that my youngest has gotten involved in it. Hopefully he has a good future in it. I've been out here a long time – it'll be 24 years full-time in December – and I never thought I'd have fished this long.

Cliff Pace – Petal, Mississippi
I'm thankful for the ability to go fishing again next year, and that I'm able to do what I grew up wanting to do. Sponsors help a tremendous amount, and I'm very thankful for all that I have, but as far as what got me there, it was my family and friends I grew up with. As a young adult, a lot of people spent a lot of time with me fishing and in the outdoors. Without all of that, I don't think I'd ever have been able to compete at the level we're competing at now.

Kelly Jordon – Mineola, Texas
There are so many things to be thankful for, but this year with the economy, I'm especially thankful for still being able to do what I love for a living. But I'm most thankful for my friends and family. And this is going to be a great week. We have a lot of family coming down – probably 20 people counting the kiddos. It's just a great time to be around your family.