'Five by 11' is no 'fisherman's tale'

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
Eddie Kidd's motto is "Five by 11." 

"If I can catch five fish by 11 a.m., I know I'm probably going to win some money," said the fisherman, who's on his way to compete in the "Duel in the Delta" fishing competition - also known as the California Delta - March 22 to 25, in a freshwater area near San Francisco Bay, Calif. 

After that, he's hoping to reel in a prize at a second competition, the "Golden State Shootout" at Clear Lake, Lakeport, Calif. - both contests are for top professionals and co-anglers of the Bassmaster Western Elite Series. 

"The rest of the day I'll be fishing for bigger fish than those I've already caught, so I can just throw back the smaller ones before the judging time (after 3 p.m.)," he said.
Mr. Kidd, a school-age program coordinator at the 100th Services Squadron Youth Center, has been fishing professionally since 2003, and in the top ranks since 2006. 

He started fishing when he was a child, going out with his dad every chance he got. 

"When I was about 11, I was out fishing with him at Remington fishing lake in Cincinnati. We were going to stay out overnight, and at one point he went off to get firewood and left me in charge. 

"A fish suddenly got a bite on one of his rods - I grabbed it, and it turned out to be a 29-pound carp! It kind of scared me, when I saw how big he was - I didn't want to net it by myself, so I waited for my dad to come back. But he didn't take the rod - instead, he let me reel it in and do everything," said Mr. Kidd, his eyes shining as the memory came back to him. 

The Marina, Calif., native has placed in many competitions since he has been fishing professionally ... in 2005 alone, he earned second place in the regional California Delta competition, winning $1,300 and a trophy ... he placed fifth in a contest in New Melones, Calif., winning $800; and taking fifth place at Lake Don Pedro brought him $1,060. He has also won numerous other cash prizes. 

Though winning large cash amounts for fishing may sound like Mr. Kidd is living on easy street, there's a lot of skill involved, and certainly a lot of expensive specialty equipment. 

"I've got three spinning reels, three flipping and pitching sticks (a kind of fishing rod) that are more than 7 feet long - you have to flip and pitch into weeds, then be able to muscle fish out," he said. "I also use swim bait (artificial trout, between 9 and 11 inches long), have two crank baits and three jigging rods. 

"If you have your own boat, you might see a fisherman with between 15 and 30 rods - you have to have what you need if a situation changes." 

In the local area, Mr. Kidd said he fishes at Paradise Lodge fishery in Lakenheath, and also at Mills Pond, on Undley Road, between RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath. 

But of all the fishing holes, in all the world, he has a hands-down favorite. 

"Lake Caspe in Spain - I know it like it's my back yard," he said proudly. "There's no pressure there; there's been bass in it since 1972, but you may only get a few fisherman a year fishing for bass there." 

When he was stationed in Germany between 1996 and 2002 (Mr. Kidd was formerly a special forces combat engineer in the Army) he volunteered on numerous Morale, Welfare and Recreation trips to his favorite fishing spot in Spain. 

"The guys on the bus would put together a tournament, all putting money in a pot. We'd challenge each other to see who could catch the biggest fish, the biggest bass and the most fish - there were only two times I didn't win it!" he laughed. 

Being such a successful fisherman has taken time, but Mr. Kidd offered up some secrets to those wanting to learn more of the world of a "Bassmaster." 

"If a fisherman wants to do well, he (or she) first has to learn about the lake they plan to fish in - the depths and shallows (the structures above and under the water), what time of year you're going to be there, and how the weather is. 

"Once you identify these, you need to know how to present your lure to the fish there -the color of the lure means a lot and water clarity is important - if it's muddy, a different presentation is required," he advised. 

"I use just about everything, but my specialty is jigs (a hook with a weighted head, with a skirt around it). It's important to get close, as bass are predators. I find weeds or see grass that I can pitch up into and go down the edge. One of my secrets is use soft plastics, so you can fish weightless, and put it on a jig as a trailer." 

The man knows what he's talking about - he caught a 155-pound catfish in July 2000, at Lake Caspe. "I lay in the boat next to him on the way back - it was longer than me! (Mr. Kidd is 5 feet 9 inches tall)," he exclaimed. 

"Once I've hooked (a fish) I make sure I do everything the right way to keep him on and keep him from running under the boat or into weeds," he added. "When I'm waiting for one to bite, I try to be ready at every cast - because if I fall asleep I could miss a bite." 

The biggest bass he's ever caught was 13.75 pounds, in April 2005; the world record for a bass caught is 22 pounds, 25 ounces. 

"Anyone who catches that will become an instant millionaire!" he said. 

At the California Delta contest, Mr. Kidd will be interviewed by sports channel, ESPN. 

"It kind of shocks me as I didn't expect it to be so serious, but it's exciting," said the Californian. "I hope I don't get too nervous - I'm shaking right now. There are about 400 people competing in this competition, and I was reading up on the top 30 people - none have an income of less than $1 million!"