Following his last return home to the States four years ago from a tour in Iraq, Army Major Cody Roberson knew it was time to make his dreams of becoming a professional bass angler come true, thus forming the ArmyBassAnglers, a group of active duty soldiers who share his passion for fishing and supporting fellow military personnel.
“When you’re in a combat zone you have lots of time to think about the things you have, and have not, accomplished,” says Roberson, who formed the team with Sergeant First Class, retired, Don Bailey.
ArmyBassAnglers consists of eight pro staff anglers, and three reserves, all of which are active duty soldiers in the U.S. Army. “We fish in the toughest team tournaments by design, because the “buddy system” is something that has been instilled in all of us during combat,” says Roberson. The group of anglers is currently fishing the Fishers of Men National Tournament Trail and Bass Champs.
While ArmyBassAnglers was only formed two years ago, the organization has made a tremendous impact on the two charities it supports, including Returning Heroes Home and Fishing for Freedom.
“We’ve already raised approximately $150,000 for these two charities, but most importantly, we’ve been able to generate interest and raise awareness of the causes,” says Roberson. The team is currently running four Skeeter wrapped boats including three ZX225 and one 20i-Class bass boats.
Roberson added that it is a natural fit for the ArmyBassAnglers team to support two charities that make significant contributions to fellow soldiers, and assist those returning from battle.
Returning Heroes Home is in the process of completing a 12,000 square-toot rehabilitation center at Ft. Sam Houston’s Brook Army Medical Center near San Antonio. The facility, funded solely by private donations, will provide space for wounded soldiers undergoing treatment in San Antonio, allowing them to spend private time with their friends and families when they are not actively participating in rehabilitative treatment.
“Many soldiers return home with serious injuries that require significant rehabilitation, including amputations, burns, disfigurement, and post-traumatic stress,” says Roberson. This facility will provide a place where injured soldiers can recover in privacy, but allowing them to be surrounded by their own support network of friends and family members,” Roberson added.
Returning Heroes Home anticipates the new facility to be completed this September, and the organization is discussing building several additional facilities at other military installations across the country.
In addition to supporting Returning Heroes Home, ArmyBassAnglers is dedicated to taking soldiers fishing, through Fishing For Freedom. The team will support a “Take a Soldier Fishing” tournament, scheduled for October 4 on Lake Belton near Ft. Hood in Killen, Texas, where local boaters will be teamed with any soldier in the Ft. Hood area who is interested in fishing the event. A second event will be held on Choke Canyon Reservoir, south of San Antonio, on October 25. During this event, anglers will be paired with wounded soldiers from the San Antonio area for a day of competitive bass fishing.
“ArmyBassAnglers is a great concept, and one that Skeeter is proud to support,” says Jeff Stone, Senior Vice President/General Manager of Skeeter Products, Inc. “We salute all of the service members who support and defend the liberties that we, as Americans, enjoy on a daily basis,” Stone continued.
Roberson added that he hopes to encourage the fishing industry to reach out to the 4.5 million service members, many who actively support and participate in fishing.
The Major deploys to Iraq sometime in the early spring for his second combat tour, and plans to take his fishing rod, with hopes of getting the opportunity to fish the many lakes around Saddam Hussein’s former palaces in Baghdad. “The Team and I will provide regular updates through our web site,” says Roberson.
Anyone interested in learning more about ArmyBassAnglers, Returning Heroes Home or Fishing For Freedom, or making a contribution, can visit the ArmyBassAnglers website.
Skeeter Products, Inc. makes fishing and boat ing fun and rewarding with owner’s tournaments, tournament incentives, and a top-notch dealer network. Skeeter, celebrating its 60 th Anniversary, manufactures innovative and high-performing bass, walleye, fish & ski and saltwater boats. Skeeter is the recipient of six consecutive CSI customer satisfaction awards, and its boats are NMMA certified to meet strict U.S. Coast Guard and American Boat & Yacht Council standards. To order a catalog call (800) SKEETER, or visit the Skeeter Boats website.By: Bob Bartels
