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Mark Davis Reflects on Two Toyota Texas Bass Classics
April 28, 2008
Mark Davis has led the Professional Anglers Association through its early stages, serving as a Board Member and as the organization’s first President. His role has been to be anything but a figurehead – he’s spent countless hours on the telephone and in transit to various meetings and obligations, trying to best serve the collective interests of his constituents.
But one of the greatest rewards of his tenure has been the realization of two Toyota Texas Bass Classics. While it’s still up for debate how the 2007 and 2008 events will be viewed ten years hence, it may not be hyperbole to say that they made the fishing world sit up and take notice.
“This event is different – but it’s a good kind of different,” Davis said. “Usually we fight tooth and nail for points and money. Not that we’re one bit less competitive here, but it’s a little bit more fun and more laid back. The fishermen seem to enjoy it more than a normal tournament.”
For staunch competitors like this former Bassmaster Classic champion, it can at times be a difficult event, simply because so much is left in the hands of each participant’s teammates.
“It can be a little tough to sit in the hospitality area and watch the standings on the TV. When your team is catching them, you don’t mind at all, but when they’re not and you can’t help, it can be a little bit bothersome.”
He saw the level of organization increase slightly from 2007 to 2008, but characterized both tournaments as “big successes.”
“The fishing wasn’t quite as good this year, but it was still great,” he said, referring to dozens of seven pound plus fish and Bobby Lane’s 11 pound lunker.
If he had his way, would he keep the event at Lake Fork?
“Lots of folks would like to stay here,” he said. “There wouldn’t be anything wrong with that. I might like to see it move. I’m sure it will stay in Texas, but maybe Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas. There’s great fishing in all directions.”
With results of the current PAA Board of Directors election pending, Davis is currently serving the last days of his term, but it would be incorrect to characterize him as a lame duck. He continues to work diligently on the organization’s behalf. Even though he’s not yet out of his forties, he has a grandfatherly wisdom that earns respect from almost all of his peers. No doubt they will continue to seek out his counsel and it’s every bit as likely that he’ll continue to give freely of his time to make sure that the PAA and the TTBC continue to make great strides.
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