|
photo
courtesy of Jo Dee Bucki
Jo Dee would like to introduce Bette Anne
V
If
you would like to know what WWII bombers and a 20 ft Triton boat
have in common, ask Jo Dee Bucki of Birmingham, Alabama. She
will be proud to tell you that her grandfather flew bombers in
WWII and they were all named after her grandmother. His last
plane was # IV, so when Jo Dee purchased her new Triton last
year, she named it Bette Anne V(five) to show her gratitude to
her grandparents who have been her support system and biggest
fans since she joined the Women’s Bassmaster Tour.
Jo
Dee finished the 2006 WBT season in 14th place
overall as a co-angler. She says that last year was a learning
experience for her and she recommends anyone starting out
tournament fishing to go as a co-angler their first year, even
if they have their own boat as she did.
Jo
Dee Bucki says that her genetics are the deciding factor that
influenced her decision to go pro in 2007 after fishing the
inaugural year of the WBT as a co-angler. She likes to be in
control of her destiny and make her own decisions. Jo Dee labels
herself as “a control freak”.
When
asked if she was nervous about the move, Jo Dee said that she is
so comfortable at the front of her boat that the move to pro is
exciting. She feels like Lake Amistad is the first test of the
first semester of college. You are not sure what to expect even
though you have taken tests before, but this is the big test and
she feels that any pro has to get the first tournament under
their belt before they can feel comfortable about the rest. She
does admit that she has a few butterflies.
Safe
boating skills are at the top of her list and Jo Dee wanted to
get several hours of experience running her boat before she made
the move to pro. She said that the pro has a responsibility to
herself, her co-angler and other watercraft to practice safe
boating. You have to respect the power of a 225hp engine. Jo
Dee’s first boat was a Carolina Skiff with a 50 hp motor.
Jo
Dee loves her new boat and feels that Bette Anne V will be her
lucky charm as she fishes the 5 WBT events in 2007. “Five alive”
in the livewell at each event would be the icing on the cake!
Let’s
see…. Bette Anne V, 5 events and 5 alive to weigh in. Hmm…sounds
like a winning combination to me! Good luck Jo Dee
Pro Angler Jo Dee Bucki Jo Dee knows how to find the big ones!
Photos courtesy of Jo Dee Bucki
|
