I can beat the fishermen before they leave the dock.
What was it that gave you a jump start to going pro?
If it weren’t for companies like Fenwick, Ranger, Mercury and Motorguide and when I talk about Ranger, I am talking about Forrest Lealand Wood, now. If it hadn’t been for those guys there wouldn’t be no Dee Thomas. That’s the end of it right there.
How do you feel about your whole fishing career?
Early on, I recognized that I didn’t want to fish the full tour down South, after I tried it for a little bit. The reason why was that money was only a means to an end, that’s all it is. It took too much away from my family back home, my job and everything I had on the West Coast. I had
to make a decision back when I was real young. My wife wanted me to go back and fish full-time but I didn’t want to give up everything that I was going to miss by not being home. I made the right decision to stay on the West Coast because I was able to retire from my job at 55-years-old. I was able to use my fishing to supplement my income
and it’s been a real good ride.
At 74-years-old, Dee’s “real good
ride” isn’t over yet. He still remains
a force to be reckoned with on
the waters of the West Coast.
He currently sits atop 135 pro
fishermen in the Angler of the Year
standings in U.S. Angler’s Choice
Pro/Am tournament circuit with
only the TOC left in their 2011
season.
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