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Will 30 be lucky for Klein?

Category: Tournament

 Sep 3rd, 2013 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Sep 3rd, 2013 at 12:00 AM

When the day comes for Mercury/Repel pro Gary Klein to hang up his competitive fishing gear, the record books will likely show him to be one of the most consistently solid anglers of all time. He has already achieved that level of praise with two B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year titles (in 1989 and 1993) and eight wins with B.A.S.S. over the years. Oh yeah, he just qualified for his 30th Bassmaster Classic, too. Also of note, Klein has fished all of them with a Mercury engine.

	From 1979 to 2013, Mercury pro Gary Klein has racked up an impressive 30 bids to the Classic. (Joel Shangle)

Talk about brand loyalty.
 
At 55 (Klein will be 56 at the time of the 2014 Classic in Birmingham, Alabama), he is not publishing any final chapters for his career in the near future.

 
“I’ve been at this game for a long time,” said Klein. “The first Bassmaster Classic I made in 1979 was a big deal for me. Making it my first year was like a dream come true. It means different things to me now, making a 30th Classic. It shows I am still a relevant angler in this game. I think qualifying 30 times is a big deal. Not many people can make that claim or show that kind of longevity and productivity in this sport.
 
“The last couple of years were a real let down to me because I didn’t make the Classic. I don’t want to say that I took for granted that I would qualify, but it sure wasn’t as easy as it used to be. In fact, it kind of sucked. My enthusiasm for the sport, if anything, has increased. My desire to win has increased. I am all in.”
 

	Klein with a pair of smallmouth from Lake St. Clair. (Joel Shangle)

Demands outside of fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series may have impacted his fishing over the last few years.

 
“I’m not allowing it to be an excuse,” said Klein. “But I have been heavily involved in several projects that have impacted my fishing over the few years.
 
“Developing Major League Fishing for Outdoor Channel has taken a lot of my time and energy. Of course, obligations besides the tournaments and TV also keep me occupied.  Product development, sponsorship obligations, etc., can take a lot of your time. Again, none of it is an excuse for not making the Classic over the last couple of years. It is most important for me to learn from it and not have it happen in the future.”
 
Retirement is not on the menu for Klein.
 
“I’m 55 years old,” said Klein. “I turn 56 in October. I have never thought of not competing. This is the only job I’ve ever had. I only fish the Bassmaster Elite Series. This is what I do.
 
“Like everyone else, I’d really like to win the Classic. I’ve had it won on three occasions only to have little things go wrong. I hope the next Classic is cold, nasty and tough. That is what I like.”