By John Johnson
Managing Editor

Kevin Snider is about to embark on his third year of FLW Tour competition, but it'll mark the first time he's fished back-to-back campaigns. The Kentuckian sat out the 2010 season due to financial constraints.

In many ways, he's the epitome of the guy who'll do whatever it takes to try to make a career out of pro bass fishing, as he'll again bankroll an entire season

out of his own pocket. The year-to-year gambit is a bit less risky for him than it would be for some, as the 44-year-old former cabinet installer is a bachelor with no dependents.

"I'm probably one of the only guys out there doing this with no other income whatsoever," he said. "I'm really kind of amazed that I'm still doing it.

"It's really a mental struggle to have to do it that way. I had a good year last year and made like $120,000, but it's like, 'Where the (heck) did all the money go?' Of course, it's something I love to do, and that's why I do it.

"I'll just keep doing it until I go busted, then I'll pack it up."

Just Short Twice

Snider's solid season, which saw him qualify for the Forrest Wood Cup for the second time, was buoyed by back-to-back 2nd-place finishes at Kentucky Lake (his home water) and Pickwick in June and July. The nearly $62,000 he pocketed from those two events represented roughly half of his winnings for the year.

He popped a tournament-best 21-08 on the final day at Pickwick, but that left him 5 pounds shy of winner Mark Rose. At his home-lake stop, he watched good friend Chad Grigsby take the trophy, partially on the strength of a big worm that Snider produced in his garage and from an area that Snider had promised to stay away from.

He's proven himself to be a major threat when the big fish are away from the banks. Unfortunately for him, he sees few opportunities for plying his deepwater skills this year.

"I wish we had more offshore, post-spawn stuff," he said in regard to the 2012 Tour schedule. "Kentucky Lake might be the only one we have – at least in the Majors. In some of those tournaments I'll be happy if I can make a Top 50."

He said he might have a much tougher time getting into contention at Kentucky Lake this year due to the proliferation of the Alabama Rig. He's not a fan of the umbrella-style gizmo that's been all the rage since last fall.

"That freaking thing is killing them there – people are catching 10-pounders, and anybody can do it. Last week it took 29 pounds (to win a local derby) and there were 10 bags over 20.

"You just don't see that in January, and I'm going to hate to see what happens in February and March. The only time it's not going to work is when the fish are on the beds. I'll have to use one if I want to compete, but I wish something would be done to outlaw that thing."

Decision to Make

Snider will be at the Potomac River in Maryland when the Tour Major is contested there in mid-May, but he might bypass that tournament. He qualified for his fourth BFL All-American by placing second in the Wildcard at Lake Barkley (which adjoins Kentucky Lake) last year and may opt to compete in that event instead.

"I'll have to see how I'm doing in the points by then," he said. "If I'd had a major sponsor I wouldn't have even messed with the Wildcard, but my chances of winning the same amount of money (like a Tour event, the All-American rewards the winner with a six-figure payday) could be a lot better in the All-American."

Whichever event he chooses, he'll be in pursuit of the big check that would simplify his financial picture. He came close twice last year but, in his own words, it just wasn't his time.

"I'll just keep going out and trying to win and trying to make championships – whether it's the Cup or the All-American or EverStarts or whatever. If I keep putting myself into position to fish those, one day it may pay off."

Notable

> In addition to worms, Snider makes all sorts of other baits (including swimbaits), but he doesn't market any of them. "I make just about everything except crankbaits," he said.

> His runner-up finish at Pickwick came despite two rough days to begin the event: He lost several quality fish on day 1 and endured severe engine troubles on day 2.

> He's been engaged twice, but has never tied the knot. "The first time I was pretty young and that might have worked out okay, but the second time I was glad I didn't do it. Then I said, 'Enough of that, I'm going to do something I love to do (fishing).'''

> He finished 2nd to Shayne Berlo in the 2008 All-American at Arkansas' Lake Hamilton.