The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame today announced its 2011 class of inductees, and it consists of pro anglers Guy Eaker and Ken Cook, plus journalist Dave Precht.
The three will be officially inducted Friday night (Feb. 18) at the Hall of Fame banquet during the 2011 Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans.
Although BassFans certainly recognize each of the three names, here's some biographical information.
Guy Eaker
Eaker, from Cherryville, N.C., went from guiding on Santee Cooper to casting for cash first at American Bass events and then on to B.A.S.S. He qualified for 10 Bassmaster Classics and
won the 1994 B.A.S.S. Texas Invitational at Sam Rayburn.
Eaker's fished in B.A.S.S. events for more than 35 years and has had the pleasure of fishing with both Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
At the age of 71, he's ranked 134th in the world.
His B.A.S.S. stats sheet includes 286 total entries and 28 Top 10s.
Dave Precht
From covering the Bassmaster Classic as Houston Post outdoor editor to his current position as senior director of B.A.S.S. publications, Precht's career spans more than 35 years of writing about bass and the professional tournament scene.
Dave Precht's contribution to the sport through writing, editing and all forms of communication is immense.
Like Eaker, Precht's also talked fishing with the most powerful man in the world. In 1989, he represented the interests of bass anglers and the bass-fishing industry during roundtable discussions about America's fisheries with President George H.W. Bush.
Ken Cook
Cook started his career as a fisheries biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. In 1983, he won the Super B.A.S.S. 1 event at the St. Johns River and the $100,000 cash prize was, at the time, the richest payout in bass-tournament fishing history.
He's best known for his 1991 Bassmaster Classic victory at the Chesapeake using a spinnerbait he designed.
Now 63 years old, Cook's pro career spanned 26 years until he walked off the tour stage for the final time at the 2009 Oneida Bassmaster Elite Series.
Along with his Classic and Super B.A.S.S. victories, Cook's B.A.S.S. stats sheet includes 300 total entries with four other wins, 13 other Classic appearances and a total of 24 Top 10s. On the FLW Tour, he posted four Top 5s and fished three FLW Tour Championships across 4 years on the Tour.
About the Hall
The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization dedicated to all anglers, manufacturers, tackle dealers, media and other related companies who further the sport of bass fishing.
President Sammy Lee stated in announcing the class: "On behalf of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame board of directors, we all look forward to February 18 when the bass-fishing community will come together to honor these true greats in our sport."
Former Bassmaster Classic champion Ken Cook collects his final weigh-slip and walks down the tour-stage stairs for the last time at the 2009 Oneida Bassmaster Elite Series.
Notable
> For more information about the Hall of Fame and banquet, visit BassFishingHOF.com or call (888) 690-2277.
