We can pick up a basketball easily and shoot it thru the hoop, but the dynamics of fishing is totally different. Not anybody can just go out and return with a bucket full of flapping fish.

The bottom line is, if you net a lot of fish day in and day out, you’re either very good, a blessed fisherman, or a pro! We learned that several of the fishermen we encountered at the NBAD Tournament are actually pros.

One such individual is Dennis Bacon of Missouri, the Deaf son of a Pro Bass Hall of Fame inductee Basil Bacon, a legendary angler. Many fishing innovations that changed the sport of bass fishing is named after Basil, he invented the first “flippin” deck for bass boats. This raised casting platform is now the standard equipment on every Bass boat built. Like father and son, both are very talented in fishing. Basil of Springfield, MO., is a nine-time qualifier of the esteemed CITGO Bassmaster Classic.

Dennis Bacon did strongly at the NBAD tournament, finishing second, with a total of 12.74 lbs, with his partner Ron Stanford of Oklahoma.

DeafNation asked him how he got his start, and he happily obliged. Said Bacon, “I fished all my life because that is what my father did. In 2005 I participated in the Full Circuit Central Pro-Am, fished in the BFL (Bass Fishing League), and was in the Bassmasters 5 times.” He fishes with his Dad once a year, because Basil is a very busy man, speaking in seminars, and traveling all the time.

“I am very proud of my son Dennis, for doing so well,” says the legendary Hall of Famer.

Dennis also runs his own business called “Bacon Outdoors, LLC.” It’s the premier online retailer for American Eagle Rods. American Eagle Rods are the finest combination of quality and affordability on the market today, and you can check them out at www.baconoutdoors.com.