It wasn ’ t the first time in his career Davis had to adapt his fishing based not only on the conditions and cover but his body . He also used exclusively spinning gear during the 2001 Bassmaster Classic on the Louisiana Delta — a power fishing paradise — due to one of his shoulder injuries . Davis ’ experiences might be extreme , but he ’ s far from the only touring pro to grit through injuries even as they impacted his ability to put fish in the boat . Ketchum noted that several of the anglers he ’ s worked with said they ’ ve been battling pain for years , and they often don ’ t seek medical help until it becomes unbearable .
“ These guys are tough , man ,” he said . “ They ’ re not coming in unless they ’ re just absolutely miserable , and even when it ’ s like that , they can ’ t take the time off , and so they just keep plugging along .”
Several anglers pointed out that , even if it doesn ’ t limit them from a technique standpoint , dealing with chronic pain makes it difficult to stay focused , and thus to make good decisions on the water . Chapman credits a stretching and exercise regimen that he adopted following the 2011 season for alleviating his back pain and helping boost him from a 36thplace finish in the season-long standings for the Elite Series to an Angler of the Year title in 2012 . Scroggins , who tried to manage his knee pain using cortisone shots for several years , said he ’ s both feeling and fishing better after his surgeries .
“ It was just hard getting up and down in the boat , everything was hurting , and you get in rough water , you couldn ’ t stand there like you normally would ,” he said . “ And when you ’ re competing at that high level , when everybody else is so good , you start hurting a little bit like that , your mind ’ s not functioning right , and things just don ’ t work right .”
According to Ketchum , there ’ s a simple fix for the issues ailing most anglers : rest . But during the tournament season , that ’ s not an option many are willing to consider . Time on the water is everything to touring pros . And sitting out events not only them costs potential paychecks in those tournaments but could limit their opportunities the following season . With seven events in the BPT regular season , scoring zero points in one of them makes qualifying for REDCREST difficult and losing a spot on the tour roster a real possibility .
“ To stay competitive , you can ’ t miss stuff ,” Grigsby said . “ It ’ s not like a golf tour where the golfer , if he ’ s good , he can participate in X amount and make enough money in those tournaments that he stays qualified . In fishing , you have to fish them all .”
how to avoid the operating room
Do the experiences of Davis and Grigsby mean everyone who wants a long career should prepare to become friendly with their local orthopedic surgeon ? Thankfully , no . There are things anglers can do to limit their pain and avoid trips to the operating room .
“ The best advice I think I could give a young angler , or any angler , is there ’ s some maintenance .”
For one thing , modern technology has made fishing easier on anglers ’ bodies . In addition to Spot-Lock taking the burden off his right leg , Davis believes the advent of hydraulic steering and longer-handled , lighter rods has reduced wear and tear on anglers ’ arm joints .
“ No one uses a pistol-grip rod anymore , but we used to use them all the time ,” he said . “ I remember cranking all day with a pistol grip . Can you imagine the torque on your wrist — and if it ’ s on your wrist , it ’ s also on your elbow — of doing everything with a little , shorthandled rod ?”
Exercise science has also come a long way during Davis ’ career , and he believes young anglers would be wise to take advantage by incorporating some sort of mobility and stretching routine . Ketchum agrees . While medicines and injections can help anglers cope with repetitive-use ailments , the best thing they can do is try to prevent them by increasing flexibility and building muscles around their joints .
“ The key is the preventative side , because we know we ’ re going to get the use during the season ,” Ketchum said . “ If they can do a lot of this rehab and strengthening prior to the season and come in in pretty good shape with it , that ’ s going to greatly decrease their risk of having issues throughout the year .”
Chapman is walking proof of that . At one point , he was prescribed pain medication to manage the arthritis in his left shoulder , and his doctor recommended he undergo surgery . Viewing that as a last resort , he instead tried out a daily , 10-to-15-minute exercise routine recommended by his friend Travis Perret , the proprietor of Exercise Therapy of Kansas City . Nearly a decade later , Chapman is still using the regimen , and he ’ s mostly pain free .
“ I ’ m 10 years older , but really I ’ m more flexible than I was at 39 , and knock on wood , I don ’ t have any pain to speak of ,” Chapman said . “ So yeah , it ’ s pretty amazing how just a little , simple routine can make a world of difference .”
Davis and Grigsby have incorporated similar regimens in recent years to minimize further wear on their joints . More than any technique tip they ’ ve picked up during their combined 77 years on tour , the two veterans advised aspiring anglers to remain diligent about their health . Staying active ( it doesn ’ t have to be through traditional workouts , per se ; Grigsby said he gets a lot of his physical activity by helping a friend capture nuisance alligators ) and incorporating regular exercise routines has helped extend both anglers ’ careers . They only wish they ’ d done so sooner .
“ The best advice I think I could give a young angler , or any angler , is there ’ s some maintenance ,” Davis said . “ Just like we have to maintain our equipment , but we tend to ignore our bodies . But there certainly is some maintenance we could be doing that , if they know what to do , it could possibly prevent a lot of the stuff that ’ s happened to me .”
34 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2023