by Kurt

The question was "How do you feel about the success that you've achieved, compared to the vision you had for your career when you were first starting out?" "Disappointment" and "failure" were not the answers I was expecting to hear…or were they? If you've read any of my other articles, you've probably noticed that I spend a good amount of time considering the psychology of successful fishing. I'm deeply appreciative to Outdoor Channel Pro Joe Thomas for sharing some very personal insight on this topic.



Joe Thomas is definitely successful. He is arguably one of the most successful people in the entire fishing industry. Few anglers have been able to transcend their professional status as a tournament pro into success as a television personality (multiple shows viewed by as many as 40 million people worldwide), author, spokesperson and ambassador of the sport. And don't forget that these accomplishments have come while continuing to compete at the highest level of professional bass fishing. So how could the word "disappointment" be the answer to my question? Let me go back a bit earlier in my conversation with Joe.

"When did you realize that you wanted to fish for a living?"

"I remember seeing my first issue of Bassmaster magazine when I was a freshman in high school. I picked it up because I liked fishing and thought I might learn how to catch more fish. But then I saw that there were guys out there that were fishing tournaments, and actually making a living. I never realized that was even possible, but I knew that was for me. I wanted to be a tournament angler."

So early on, Joe did something that most successful people do. He created an image in his mind of what his future would be. He set a goal and he visualized it. It was amazing to hear him describe the moment he knew what he wanted to do. I could tell by the way he described it, that he still has that very clear image in his head, still driving him forward over 30 years later.

But he IS a tournament angler…and then some. How could he feel "failure"? Joe said he "wanted to be a tournament angler", but in his mind, I believe he wants to be THE tournament angler. Later in our conversation he revealed that he "wants more than anything to be what Kevin VanDam has become." And please let me be clear, he said that with nothing but admiration in his voice. In his vision, the name Joe Thomas would be synonymous with bass tournament fishing, the way KVD has become. He sees VanDam as proof that his goal can be realized. It makes the image in his head a little clearer and the fire in his belly a little hotter.

But doesn't he have enough? Should he be using the word "disappointment"? Joe Thomas has a couple traits that seem to be consistent with most successful people I've studied. Successful people are almost always very competitive, incredibly driven, and never 100% satisfied. Joe was quick to point out that he is deeply grateful for everything he has. He has a very positive attitude and recognizes that he has many great accomplishments. He just has that feeling in the back of his mind that he's still after something very specific.

So is this feeling of "failure" a curse or a blessing? In his quest to become THE tournament angler, Joe has won (and had very high finishes) in many of the sport's biggest tournaments. He has maintained a team of high-profile, satisfied sponsors who gain much through their association with him. He has authored a book, and countless articles that help fellow fishermen enjoy the sport we all love. He has created, produced and starred in several highly rated television shows. Thousands of fans follow him online. It seems like this curse creates a lot of blessings along the way.

I believe that if Joe Thomas set the record for most Classic tournament wins, he would always want one more. That's not greed, that's drive. That's the fire in his belly. That's a lesson in success.

-Kurt Mazurek
Keep Fishing Forward