Is there a better tour-level bass story this season than Larry “The General” Nixon?
Most of you who were raised in the social-media age only have a passing acquaintance with Nixon, who has competed quietly on the FLW Tour since 1998. He’s done pretty well for himself in those 20 years, amassing just shy of $1.8 million in earnings and racking up seven Top 10s in the Forrest Wood Cup.
Go back a few more years, though, and you’ll get a full view of why he’s also occasionally referred to as “Larry Legend”: 14 B.A.S.S. wins; 25 Bassmaster Classic appearances; 129 Top 20 finishes; a Classic title (1983 on the Ohio River); and two B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year titles (1980 and 1982).
Nixon is 66 years old, started his tournament career 40 years and 4 months ago, and has competed in 434 FLW and B.A.S.S. events.
And he’s currently fourth in FLW Tour AOY standings!
Nine months after a quadruple bypass and heart-valve replacement, “The General” is fishing better than he has since 1999 (he was third in AOY that year).
“I feel good and I can still catch ’em pretty good; I can’t complain too much,” Nixon said as he bagged his fish on Championship Sunday at the recent Mississippi River FLW Tour stop. “I get a little tired by the end of a tournament week, but who doesn’t? This isn’t an easy job. But I feel like I can still compete pretty well.”
NOTE TO B.A.S.S. MANAGEMENT: THIS IS WHO YOUR NEW “LEGEND” ELITE QUALIFICATION IS DESIGNED FOR!!!!
Bass Nomad Online 