While out trying to dial things in during my last day of practice for the Lake Guntersville MLF Pro Circuit event, my wife sent me a text informing me of the passing of Ray Scott.

Here I was, out on a bass boat, practicing for a tournament where I could win up to $135,000, and overall living a dream I have had since I was a kid, and I just got word that the man who made it all possible had passed. It certainly was a somber moment.

To say that Ray Scott is the reason I am able to make a living in this sport wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

I was very fortunate to not only meet Ray Scott, but get to call him a friend at the beginning of my journey pursuing my dreams of becoming a professional bass angler.

A Bold Move

The story of how I met the father of the modern-day bass fishing industry is one that I still can’t believe actually happened.

I was in my final year at Paradise High School in Northern California and was charged with completing a senior project in order to graduate. The project had two parts – organizing an event of some sort, as well as a written component that required an interview with a professional in a career path you were interested in.

At this point I was already addicted to bass fishing, and so I had already known about Ray and his impact on the sport I was passionate about. I even had read and reread his biography, Bass Boss, numerous times already. When it came to who to interview, I knew exactly who I wanted to reach out to.

I wish I had kept a copy of that original letter I wrote to Ray, because I don’t recall exactly what I wrote, but I do recall the sentiment; expressing thankfulness to Ray for essentially creating the sport I loved most, as well as a request for an interview.

Even though I was aware that the likelihood I would receive a response at all was very low, I held out hope that I would hear back from him. One day, weeks or maybe months after sending the letter, I received the call that likely changed my life forever.

I remember immediately recognizing his signature southern drawl and I remember how elated and nervous I was at the same time. There were two things I remember from that initial phone call – how proud he was that the most recent Classic saw the first international champion, Takahiro Omori, being crowned, and my large request for an in-person interview in his home state of Alabama, of which Ray accepted.

I look back on this moment in my life with bewilderment because I still don’t know how a high-schooler could have the guts to make such a lofty request. Not only did I make it, but Ray Scott accepted. I like to think he recognized how big of a leap of faith I was making and appreciated the boldness.

Months later, I flew down to Florida to meet with my dad, and we both made the trip in his RV to Pintlala, Alabama.

To go into details on this trip would leave me writing, and you reading, all day. What I can say is that it was indeed a life-changing trip. Not only did I get to meet Ray and his wife Susan, but I also got to fish on his legendary lake (of his own design), meet the wonderful team of people working with him, and was introduced to the one and only Ken Duke, who continues to be a friend to this day.

I remember leaving Pintlala feeling for the first time in my life that anything was possible. Ray had been transforming dreams into reality for his entire life, and spending a few days with him made me feel like I could, too.

The Bass Boss

After my meeting with Ray, I started making big moves toward achieving my goals and I always kept Ray in the loop whenever I could. I’d often see him at the Classic, or give him the occasional phone call. He always remained encouraging and was always willing to help.

It’s no exaggeration to say that there are thousands of people who wouldn’t be able to realize their dreams in this industry, or even be able to have those dreams in the first place, without Ray.

Ray Scott had a visionary mind, an entrepreneurial spirit, and was a juggernaut of a promoter. He was able to transform a quaint pastime into an exciting sport and booming industry.

There are many people over the years whom we have to thank for where our sport is today, but in my mind there is none who’s contribution was greater and influence as definitive.

Not only do I have Ray to thank for paving my career path that I love, but I also have him to thank for much of my willingness to keep dreaming big.

Just like the Bass Boss did.

(Miles "Sonar" Burghoff is an MLF Pro Circuit competitor and the co-host of the TV series "Sweetwater." To visit his website, click here. You can also visit him on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (SonarFishing) and Instagram (@sonarfishing).