Here’s something that might surprise you—we don’t just film weddings! We actually do commercial work as well, and one group of people that we absolutely love working with is fishermen! That’s right, our owner Bill is a huge fishing enthusiast and earlier this month had the honor of fishing with and filming Bassmaster Elite Angler Carl Jocumsen. Carl came to the United States from Australia six years ago to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a professional fisherman. And you know what? He did it.
Out on the water with Carl, Bill had the opportunity to film some amazing aerial footage of Carl’s Basscat. Powered by a mean Yamaha Sho motor, Carl’s boat tears through the water of the James River as he practices for the 2016 Bassmaster Northern Open. One of the things that we really love about Carl (besides his sweet Aussie accent) is that fishing isn’t just a career for him—it’s a way to inspire others to achieve their dreams. You see, back in Australia, Carl was just a teenager when bass fishing became popular. He started fishing competitively early on and working in a tackle shop to save money. Almost a decade later, Carl had saved up enough money and made the brave decision to leave it all behind in Australia and come to America with just his backpack and his dream. And through hard work and dedication, Carl has now made fishing into more than just a dream—it’s his career.
Carl’s ability to achieve his dreams has made him want to inspire others to do the same. He has had some amazing opportunities to take people out on the water and show them that fishing can provide a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of solace, and the joy of comradery with nature. Even though Carl didn’t have the finish he hoped for on the James River this summer, we know he has the drive, passion and skill to make a major comeback. Wishing him the best of luck as he heads to Wisconsin for his next tournament!