By Todd Ceisner
BassFan Editor
A quick scan of the top half of the Toyoya Tundra Angler of the Year (AOY) standings will turn up some of the usual suspects when it comes to the coveted award. Skeet Reese is on top. Todd Faircloth’s in the mix. Kevin VanDam’s right there -- again. Other names like Scroggins, Grigsby, Swindle, Biffle and Evers all are within spitting distance of No. 1.
Scroll down to No. 24 and that’s where Jeremy Starks’ name can be found. It’s noteworthy for a couple reasons. The most important being that his name never appeared in the standings a year ago as he was granted a medical hardship by B.A.S.S. and did not fish the Elite Series. Secondly, after a year away he put together a couple Top-50 finishes during the season-opening Florida swing to give himself a good foundation for the rest of the schedule.
The West Virginia angler, who won the Lake Wheeler Elite Series in 2008, has a newfound appreciation for his craft and a renewed passion for being on the water and competing.
“After a year off and missing it so much, you’re that much more hungry,” he said. “I think, maybe, I’d gotten a little lazy even before and didn’t realize how important it was to me. Having that year off, I fish harder and I find myself thinking about it more and really putting 120 percent into it and not taking it for granted.”
Pain And Suffering
Starks has long dealt with migraine headaches, but nothing compared to what he experienced while fishing Lake Erie one day in 2010. He found himself extremely dizzy and struggled to get his equilibrium right. He immediately sought medical attention.
Doctors told him he had an inner ear problem where fluid would build up and the constant pounding from the waves would bring on the dizzy spells. He’d never felt anything like it.
“It was pretty miserable for a while,” he said. “It wasn’t something I could live with. I was really sick.”
He’s taking medication now to counter the problem and he’s eating a low-sodium diet so as to help his body avoid excess fluid retention. His doctors are unsure if the inner ear problem is tied to his history of migraines.
“They understand so little about this kind of thing,” he said. “It’s a possibility. The pounding of the waves is something that aggravates it and creates the problem. I’m never going to be 100 percent, but I’m managing it. I still fight it, but it’s nothing like it was.”
The time away was torturous and therapeutic at the same time. He was able to catch up on work around his house and focus on getting his health in order, but he wasn’t out competing in the Elite Series and that wore on him. He was concerned sponsors would cut ties with him, but he’s grateful that didn’t happen.
“It was horrible. I didn’t even want to watch it on TV and I didn’t want anybody to mention it because I missed it so much,” he said. “With the travel, none of us like to be away from home that much, but there’s nothing that compares to getting out on the water and figuring fish out.
“To me, one of the biggest joys of fishing is to catch them somewhere you’ve never fished before or know nothing about. There’s a big difference between somebody giving you waypoints and telling you to ‘Fish here, fish there’ and when you pull up and it looks right and you catch them. That’s one of the best thrills in fishing.”
Better Appreciation
During his year off, Starks managed to fish a few team tournaments around home -- events where he could get off the water quickly if need be -- to keep his fishing senses sharp and competitive juices flowing. Last May, he fished the SportMart Tournament, a large team event held every year in West Virginia at the Ohio and Kanawha rivers. He and partner Randy Huffman took 1st place.
“That was something I’d always wanted to do,” he said. “Growing up, that was the biggest tournament in the area. It always drew a lot of boats and paid good money. I’d always wanted to add that to my list of trophies.”
Earlier this year, as he packed up his truck and boat to head to the St. Johns River Elite Series and make his return to tour-level competition, he felt confident he’d be able to withstand the rigors of tournament fishing. More importantly, he was looking forward to connecting with his passion again.
He took 24th at the St. Johns having never fished the river before and cashed another check with a 47th-place showing at Lake Okeechobee, where he hadn’t fished in 8 years. They are his first back-to-back 50-cuts since he sandwiched two 33rd-place finishes around his Wheeler win 4 years ago.
“I thought everything was going to be okay. I was actually excited and anxious to get there,” he said. “I don’t really know where it comes from, but any one of us can have a bad tournament and there’s something to be said for fishing with confidence. Right now, I feel like I have more confidence than I’ve had in a long time. I’m enjoying it. We can’t all be Kevin VanDam, but when you can build up your confidence and fish harder it goes a long way.
“I fished those tournaments how I like to fish -- with a spinning rod and light line. I did something nobody else was doing and it worked out.”
His goal this year is simple: Qualify for the Bassmaster Classic, something he’s not done in 5 previous Elite Series seasons.
“I think it’s very attainable,” he said. “We’re going to a lot of bodies of water that I have no experience on, but that’s not always a negative.”
As his condition has improved over the recent months so has his appreciation for being able to fish for a living.
“It was more a fact of not realizing what I had until it was gone,” he said. “I think a lot of guys -- and I was the same way -- take it for granted. We don’t look at how many thousands of people there are that want to be where we’re at. Sitting at home, I was one of those guys who wanted to be out there and I think it gave me a whole new perspective. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.”
Notable
> Starks offered thanks to Freedom Outdoors, a local boat dealer that was very understanding and helpful during his hiatus.
