Over the next several weeks, leading up to the 2011 TBF Federation National Championship April 12-16 on Nickajack Lake near Kimball City, TN, we will be spotlighting all of the qualifiers (in no particular order). Please help us congratulate these great anglers for making it to the top of their State Federations!
Don Watts - Michigan Angler
Name: Don Watts
Age: 40
Hometown: Gowen, Michigan
State Federation: Michigan
Division: Northern
Occupation: Excavating
Family Members: Wife Stacey, Son Alex, Daughter Cayla
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: Jerkbait and Jig
Favorite body of water to fish: White Lake
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? A lot of hard work and dedication.
Dez Ruffin - Washington Co-Angler
Name: Hernandez Ruffin, aka "Dez Ruffin"
Age: 35
Hometown: Renton, WA
State Federation: Washington State Bass Federation
Division: Northwest Division
Occupation: Collections Manager
Family Members: Ollie Garrett (mom) Roy Ruffin (dad)
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: I would say that my best strengths on most lakes is my ability of making the proper selection of baits for that day.
I am very big on Crankbaits and jerkbaits for bass fishing; I love to find that reaction bite whenever opportunity presents itself.
I’m also very well versed in the art of Dropshotting, this rig is one that anglers from the Northwest use on a regular basis to target smallmouth bass in our area .
Favorite body of water to fish: Lake Washington
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? Good question - This tourney (TBF NATIONALS) means the world to me. I first started competitive bass fishing in Nashville, Tennessee 7 years ago when I join my first bass club in Nashville. I managed to make the top 10 in angler standing my first year in the bass club, well that qualified me to compete at the 2004 TBF Divisionals on Lake Chickamauga. I didn't make the final cut at that event so I didn't get chance to advance on to the Nationals.
Shortly afterwards, my mother started her own financial firm here in Bellevue, WA (PMT Solutions). I decided to leave the company (Ford Credit) and relocate myself out to the cool state of Washington. After being here for over a year, I found a local bass club to join (PuyallupHawghunters). After my first year in the club, I again made the top 10 in angler standings which sent on to the TBF qualifiers. From that point ended up taking 5th place and making the Washington State Team in 2009 as a co-angler. I then advanced to the 2010 Divisional in Hardin, MT. I managed to finish in 5th place overall in that event also as a co angler. After that making the final cut from my state team, I advanced to the 2011 National Tournament a Co-Angler.
You have no idea what it means to me to make a full 360 in my fishing career that has brought me right back to the state of Tennessee where it all began 7 years ago. This event to date is the biggest and most important bass event of my life. I'm extremely humbled and honored that organizations like the TBF has made this all possible for me to be "LIVING THE DREAM". [8743]
Jody Linder - Oklahoma Angler
Name: Jody Linder
Age: 43
Hometown: Ponca City, Oklahoma
State Federation: Oklahoma
Division: Central
Occupation: Research Technician
Family Members: Wife: Brook Linder; Son: Landon Linder; Daughter: Landrie Linder
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: Fishing very fast and covering a lot of water.
Favorite body of water to fish: Anything that’s wet.
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? My Dad and support of my family and fishing friends I’ve that I have acquired throughout my career.
Larry Hardy - Arizona Angler
Name: Larry Hardy
Age: 67
Hometown: Tonto Basin, AZ
State Federation: Arizona
Division: Southwest
Occupation: Retired
Family Members: Wife, Linda Hardy
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: Drop shot, Carolina rig and crank baits
Favorite body of water to fish: Lake Havasu
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? Qualifying for the State Team numerous times and finally making it to the Nationals.
Nicholas Fitzsimmons - Oregon Co-Angler
Name: Nicholas Fitzsimmons
Age: 29
Hometown: Lyle, WA
State Federation: Oregon
Division: NorthWest
Occupation: Telecommunications Project Manager
Family Members: Wife: Katrina Fitzsimmons, Son: Micah Fitzsimmons, Son: Kaden Fitzsimmons, Son: Gage Fitzsimmons
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: Finesse fishing/Bed Fishing; Offshore and deep structure fishing
Favorite body of water to fish: Columbia River
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? GOD. A lot of family support. Last, unfortunately I don’t get much time for pre-fishing due to my job, so I rely heavily on doing a lot of studying of the body of water, weather trends, time of year and so on and try and put a couple of patterns together before I even set foot on the water. So far this has been very successful for me and really breaks down the time I need on the water.
Donnie Cobb - Arkansas Co-Angler
Name: Donnie Cobb
Age: 63
Hometown: Russellville, AR
State Federation: TBF of Arkansas
Division: Central
Occupation: Lumber Yard Manager
Family Members: Spouse – Shari Cobb
Fishing Strengths/Techniques: River Fishing, Shallow Water
Favorite body of water to fish: Dardanelle
What has it taken for you to get this far in your fishing career? I am old and fish a lot
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