ANGLING FOR A CAREER FOR EDWARDS, TOURNEY'S ONLY PART OF PROFESSION.

Byline: Keith Lair Staff Writer

POMONA - The professional bass tour is renowned for swallowing its young 'uns and spitting them out whole.

Jarrett Edwards insists it will not happen to him. That's because he is approaching the tough world of bass angling a bit differently. And it's not just with his fishing.

The 22-year-old, who looks closer to 14, owns an 8,000-gallon aquarium, which he carts around the country half of the year to outdoors shows. He estimates 6 million people have seen the bass and trout that populate the tank, which he uses for demonstrations. The other half of the year, the Colorado native operates Lake Powell Professional Guide Service out of Page, Ariz.

``Those who try to become professional anglers, they last maybe two years,'' Edwards said during one of his infrequent breaks at the International Sportsmen's Expo last weekend at Fairplex Park. ``There's only a handful who can make a million dollars fishing in a tournament. I discovered that when I was young. You have to do more than just fish. You have to create opportunities that sponsors would like you to do and to promote yourself.

``I figured out early that I didn't have to be great in tournament fishing to be in the profession. But I have to promote the sport, promote my sponsors and get out in the media.''

He's currently tied for 27th place in the BASSMaster Western Open standings, and will need to move up 22 places, and 51 points, to finish in the Top 5 and earn a spot in the BASSMaster Classic, bass fishing's biggest event. He still has competitions at Lake Mead, March 11-13, and Clear Lake, April 25-27. Aaron Martens of Castaic leads the series.

``There's definitely a spot for young people in fishing,'' Edwards said.

It's that go-get-'em attitude that could make Edwards a BASSMaster champion.

It's certainly not his family's fishing background.

Growing up near Chicago, Edwards became a karate black belt and won a bronze medal at the 1993 Junior Olympics. Neither of his parents fished, but Edwards got the itch while in grade school.

``I loved it,'' he recalled. ``It was such a relief for me. I enjoy the outdoors, enjoyed fishing and the challenge of fishing.''

He says he listened to everyone who had an opinion and, when the family moved to Del Norte, Colo., located on the eastern edge of the Rockies near New Mexico, Edwards caught an 11-pound, 7-ounce bass, a Colorado state record that still stands.

``The neat thing about fishing is that it's all about experience,'' said Edwards, who is not much more than 5-foot-4 and 150 pounds. ``In other sports, like football or basketball, you have to be a certain size. And once you reach a certain age, you've reached your peak. In fishing, size and age doesn't matter. You can be 6 to 60, or 80, and have the ability to fish.''

That size/age issue plays into Edwards' hands when dealing with youth. He frequently preaches about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, even earning an interview with NBC's Tom Brokaw on the subject.

By spending an estimated 200 days traveling to shows, three months on the water of Lake Powell and venturing to tournaments, Edwards admits he has little time for much of anything else. But he wouldn't trade his profession, either.

``I thank God I received the opportunity to do what I do,'' he said. ``It's a dream of mine, and at 22, I know I have nothing but time to do it.''

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Jarrett Edwards does what's required of a professional, giving a demonstration at the International Sportsmen's Exposition last weekend in Pomona.

Greg Andersen/Staff Photographer