If David Kilgore and Byron Haseotes compete as rookies on the Bassmaster Elite Series next year, they'll have more to talk about than just fishing. Both are heavily involved in the real estate business.
Kilgore, a 35-year-old from Alabama, works as both a realtor and an appraiser in a firm that his family has operated for 60 years. Haseotes, 36, and his brother-in-law are partners in a commercial real estate company in Massachusetts.
Kilgore's spot on the Elite Series is secure if he wants to take it – he finished 3rd in the Southern Open points, and the Top 7 are automatically invited. Haseotes (pronounced HASS-e-otis) was 10th in the Northern Open Angler of the Year (AOY) race, and it's a virtual certainty that he'll get a call as well as BASS works its way down the list of qualifiers to fill the 2010 field.
Kilgore is a newlywed with no children, and Haseotes is engaged with a 9-month-old son. Both feel the time is right for them to take a crack at fishing's top competitive level – if it doesn't work out, their "regular jobs" will be waiting for them next summer.
Solid All-Around
Kilgore says his greatest strength as an angler is his versatility.
"Down here in Alabama where I live, we get a chance to do a little bit of everything," he said. "We've got Smith Lake, which is a total finesse lake, and then Guntersville and Wheeler are just an hour from my house.
"I can do everything okay, but I'm not great at anything."
He's compiled a strong record fishing Bassmaster events since 2003, notching Top-20 finishes in 15 of 32 outings with two victories – a co-angler division triumph at an Open in 2004 and a Weekend Series win in '05. He was supremely consistent on this year's Open circuit, finishing no higher than 15th and no lower than 22nd in the three tournaments.
He climbed five spots in the points race at the final event at Santee Cooper, but came up one short of a Bassmaster Classic berth.
"I missed it by 17 points and that just cut my guts out. I drove all the way home with a bowling ball in my stomach."
He's just waiting on word from a couple of existing sponsors before he fully commits to the Elites. He's fully aware that acquiring new backers in this economy is next to impossible.
"I've talked to some of the (established tour pros) and I know how tough it is. There's not a lot of money out there for David Kilgore. I can do most of it out of my own pocket because I'm not doing this for a living."
Chris Dutton, a longtime friend who works for Vicious Fishing, has offered to tow his boat to California and back for the two March events, so that'll allow him to work an extra week. He said that pleases his father, who's also his boss.
His new wife didn't need a lot of convincing.
"Her opinion is if I'm going to do it, I'd better do it now because we don't have any kids yet."
Byron Haseotes plans to start pre-practicing for the 2010 Elite Series season as soon as he's notified that he's in the field.
Time on the Water
Haseotes makes no bones about it – he fishes a lot.
"I'm on the water as much as the Elite guys are," he said. "Unless there's ice, I'm out there. My business has been good to me, it pays the bills and supports my family, and I'm fortunate to be in a position where my brother-in-law can run it."
He used to be primarily a saltwater angler, but he's become obsessed with competitive bass fishing. He's rapidly climbed the competition-level ladder – he fished local events in 2008 before moving up to the Opens this year. His three 2009 Open finishes ranged from 28th to 41st.
"Power-fishing is my strength," he said. "I like to fish fast and throw a lot of crankbaits and spinnerbaits and do a lot of flipping with heavy braid."
His primary sponsor is Gulf Oil, a company that his family has long been involved with. He'll soon meet with the entire board of directors to determine how much help he'll get for the 2010 season.
"It can be pretty tough if you're a family member trying to get money. It has its good points and its bad points."
He plans to start pre-practice for the 2010 campaign as soon as BASS notifies him that he's in.
"I'm going to go down south and fish three of four lakes that are on the Elite schedule. As soon as I get the word, I'm good to go."
