Name: Dennis Becker

Age: 62              

Occupation: Retired as result of bicycle/auto accident   

Position(s)  Past President

President: 1989-2004, Past President: 2004-present

  Number of Years on Board: 25              Number of Years in Federation: 28            

  Most Memorable Federation Experience: The opportunity to attend so many national events and meet the legends of this sport.  Accompanying junior and senior members to national events and seeing their enthusiasm in being a part of them.  Seeing Bryan Kerchal win the ’94 Classic.  Being named Federation Man-of-the-Year the same year we won Federation-of-the-Year (1995).

  Federation’s Strength: The fellowship and common interests of our members.  The support I have received in non-fishing areas that are critical to our sport.  There are some very special board members (you know who you are) that can always be counted on to get a job done.  Thank you!

  Federation’s Weakness: The fact that too much of the work is done by too few of the members.  The failure of many members to see and understand the big picture.  Too many clubs not fully supporting past raffles that could have enhanced a lot of programs and events with someone else’s money.  Paperwork is not always a strong point and many are not taking full advantage of our web site.

  General Comments: While this Federation is among the best in the country, there are several areas that can be improved upon.  We have allowed too many CastingKids local champions to “slip through the cracks.”  While we are probably THE leader in release boats, other states greatly exceed our charities activities.  I am proud of our youth program but it has stuck in neutral the last year or two.  With changes coming at the national level, I hope we will see an increase in junior chapters and a junior federation.  We have also made major accomplishments in the conservation arena, but too much of it has been done by too few.  All members should take an active part in protecting our waters and our future.

Favorite Fishing Hole: Grand Lake St. Marys!  Good old shallow water!    

  Favorite Brand & Style of Rod: I use Quantum’s 6’8” Carolina Rig rod almost exclusively.  It is versatile AND collapsible for convenient storage.

  Favorite Brand & Style of Reel: Quantum EX-501 (left-handed model) since I’ve never learned to cast left handed!  

  Favorite Brand, Size & Color of Line: Berkley Trilene XT and Sensation, both in green.  Use mostly 12 and 14 lb. test, some 17 for flippin’.

  Favorite Lures: 4” black and blue Berkley Power Lizard, black Tadpolly, fire tiger Bagley Killer B1, ¼ oz. black and blue Stanley jig and pig.        

  Favorite Fishing Technique: Flippin’ or pitching the heavy cover in Grand Lake St. Marys and Indian Lake.    

  Favorite Boat: Triton Tr-186 DCPD

  Favorite Motor: : Mercury 150 h.p. EFI

  Favorite Trolling Motor: MotorGuide  FW 82 FB

 Favorite Electronics: Have never used anything other than Lowrance.

  Biggest Largemouth: 4.51#   Where: Big Bass in Cancer Open on St. Marys

Lure Caught On: ¼ oz. black and blue Stanley jig and pig          

  Biggest Smallmouth: 3-1/2#   Where: Lake St. Clair (Divisional practice)

Lure Caught On: Blue shad Nichols spinnerbait: tandem willow leaf blades    

Most Memorable Fishing Experience: Finishing third in back-to-back Regionals on St. Marys: first with Miami Valley (Region 5) and then with Northside Bassmasters (Region 1) the following year.  Winning the Miami Valley club championship, then finishing third and catching the Big Bass in the only Ohio Bass Classic I fished (1988).   Finishing tenth in the State Individual Finals… back when the State Team came from that event (1980)… but we sent only six men!