Summer 2021
®
started with a kick boat to access many of the hard to get to areas. I then came across the kayak scene on Facebook. In 2016, I jumped into a local club that just happened to be one of the biggest kayak clubs in the country (KBF TN). I met some guys there and we started traveling to the national tournaments. I still travel and fish the national level tournaments (Hobie BOS, BASS and KBF) with my original group, they are some of my best friends.
WB: You have amassed quite the record over the past five years. What is your secret?
SNYDERS: No secret, just work ethic, preparation, organization and map study. I’m also really into designing my own lures and gaining a deeper understanding of bass fishing on all levels. This helps me step up my fishing knowledge. I also spent a lot of time guiding. I was not only teaching people to fish, but I was also paying attention and learning from them as well. It didn’t matter if I was guiding a pro level or novice angler, I could always learn something from them.
WB: What are your goals for 2021?
SNYDERS: My plan is to repeat what I did last year. (Eleven wins with one or more win on all three national circuits). A lot of things fell into place and there was a lot of
luck on my side. I will be fishing Hobie BOS, BASS and KBF circuits again this year and traveling across the country.
Photo: Rus Snyders
WB: Do you have any advice for other anglers who want to pursue fishing the national scene?
SNYDERS: Entry fees, travel and gas all add up. I developed a system to do it as cost conscious as possible. I have converted my truck into a camper, so I can be self-sufficient on the road. I meal prep and live out of my truck and that helps me save a lot of money.
WB: With kayak
fishing gaining in
popularity and the
tournament scene
growing exponentially,
is it possible to do this
at a professional level,
full-time and is that
your plan?
SNYDERS: I am pursuing it full-time in 2021. Sponsors are coming along and we are right at the jump off point. I am excited to see what I can do with this as a full-time career.
At the time this article was written, Snyders has already captured a national level event title at the 2021 Hobie BOS on Broken Bow Lake and a victory at the second stop of the 2021 Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Kayak Series at Lake Eufaula. •
Photo: Rus Snyders
Photo: Rus Snyders
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