Inductees

Growing up in the Ozarks, Rick Emmitt usually could be found by a lake or river, with a fishing rod in hand. And all these years later, well, nothing has really changed.

“I remember catching a 5-pound largemouth at age 10 on a Mann’s jelly worm and a Zebco 33 reel,” Emmitt recalled. “It was all I could do to get the fish in the boat.  From then on, I have been ‘hooked.’”

Even better, the industry is all the better for it, as Emmitt has made a lifetime of throwing his love for fishing into a quest to grow the sport. And it’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted Emmitt with the Class of 2021.

Emmitt has more than 35 years of experience in the fishing industry, including 13 years as manager of the Bass Pro/Nitro Pro Fishing Team as well as marketing manager for angler programs and pro staff for Bass Pro Shops/White River Marine Group.

He also appears on radio shows and podcasts, plus is a co-host of a weekly fishing tips segment that airs 13 weeks each spring on KY3 TV. His dad, Jack Emmitt (MSHOF 2011), hosted that show with Charlie Campbell (MSHOF 2003) for more than 25 years.

“Dad taught me the love of the sport,” Emmitt said. “When I was a kid, we would go camping with my Mom in our motorhome almost every weekend and fish. I couldn’t get enough of it. Charlie was also like a father figure and taught me a bunch about boat driving and preparation as well as honing my fishing techniques.  Both were well-respected and well-liked in the industry.  I never heard a bad word from anyone about either one.”

While attending Missouri State University, he started out selling boats for Bass Pro Shops. Then, as Tracker Boats grew, a full-time opportunity came about as a technical service rep for Bass Pro’s Dealer Network. He eventually became manager and moved to marketing in 2000. He accepted the Marketing Manager-Pro Staff position in 2008.

“I handled the day-to-day management of the best pro staff in the industry,” Emmitt said. “I would order their boats and sponsored product, helped design their boats wraps and jerseys, schedule their appearances, negotiate their contracts and all other opportunities that would arise each day.”

The role also put him in charge of working with some of the biggest names in the business, such as Bill Dance, Roland Martin and Jimmy Houston – anglers he had read about in Bassmaster magazine.

A few years ago, he was bass fishing in Mexico with a group from Bassmaster and on the last day – with a goal to catch a 10-pounder – he and his fishing guide were 10 minutes from having to head back to the States. And then, with a Strike King 10XD crankbait, he hooked a giant largemouth. It’s weight? Try 10 pounds.

“True story,” Emmitt said.

For fun, Emmitt fishes Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Stockton lakes. His favorite fishing trip was catching  peacock bass on the Amazon River.

Emmitt continually tries to improve his fishing skills.

“I still use some of the old techniques along with new techniques that come along,” Emmitt said. “The biggest change to fishing over the years is the advancement and evolution of the equipment. Rods and reels have evolved along with fish finders, GPS and live forward scanning technology. Sometimes it is good to get away from all the expensive equipment and just fish off the river bank with the basics.”

Additionally, Emmitt is in his sixth year as the head coach of Drury University’s bass fishing program.

In 2019-2020, Drury’s fishing team cracked the top 10 nationally, finishing eighth in the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year rankings. Drury also was 30^th among more than 300 programs in the country in the points race for the previous two seasons. They are now ranked ninth nationally.

All of which is why Emmitt still thanks his parents as well as his fiancé, Vicky, and his son Brandon. They always supported his love for fishing.

“I am thankful for Johnny Morris and his vision of Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Boats for providing a place for me to have a career doing something that I love – fishing,” Emmitt said. “Also all the pros and employees I have worked with over the years. I have developed life-long memories and relationships that I will always cherish.”