Bassmaster Open competitor Kyle Fox wants to be Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kyle Fox.
Category: press release
Sep 5th, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Sep 5th, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Bassmaster Open competitor Kyle Fox wants to be Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kyle Fox.”That’s exactly what I’d like to do,” said Fox, 20, of Lakeland, Fla. “That’s what I’m working toward.”In 2007, Fox, then 19, made an unsuccessful bid to join the Elite Series alongside Corey Waldrop of Fort Worth, Texas. About one month older than Fox, Waldrop became the youngest Elite angler when he qualified for the 2008 Elite season through the Bassmaster Wild Card. Fox fell short of gaining Elite status when he finished in 24th place.But it could happen for Fox this year. Now, with one event done and two to go, Fox is fourth in the Bassmaster Central Open standings. The top 10 at season’s end will receive invitations to join the 2009 Bassmaster Elite Series – but there’s no last-chance Wild Card event this year for those who fall below 10th place.The top three in the Central Open division also will qualify for the 2009 Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 20-22 on the Red River out of Shreveport-Bossier City, La.”I’d like to make the Classic in 2009 and, at 21, be one of the youngest ever to be in a Classic,” Fox said. “But if I don’t, I’ll still be happy. I’d be going to the Elite Series.”Next up for him is the Sept. 25-27 Kentucky Lake Central Open out of Paris, Tenn. He wants to finish high to shore up his points going into the tour’s final event, Oct. 30-Nov. 1 on Lake Texoma out of Denison, Texas. “I’ve never been to any of the Open lakes,” he said, “but I’ve talked to people who have, and I’ve read about them. I feel pretty comfortable about Kentucky Lake. It looks like it’ll be good fall fishing. I’m ready to go, I’m excited about it. I’ll go up about four days before the tournament to practice.”Fox has evaluated his competition for those 10 Elite slots. “Just about everybody’s got experience on me,” he said. “I try not to let that get to me. And if I have a bad tournament, I don’t feel disappointed, I just keep on going. I learned something.”Fox works a full-time job cutting grass for Progress Energy in Florida. He has a small stable of sponsors, including Triton Boats and Mercury Marine, and he just added Strike King and Power Pole.”That’s mostly all I do, just go to work to save money for this year and next year. Any money I win I put into my savings for when I do go pro. I don’t have enough saved yet, but I’m working on it. I know it will take a lot of money. I’ll need more sponsor help.”And if he doesn’t have enough saved to finance a season on the road? “I’m going to do it, no matter what,” he said.