JoNell

My name is Jonell Whitstine, I am a professional angler on the Women's Bassmaster Tour. During my teenage years, I didn't get to fish as often but on Oct,3 1969 (how could I ever forget that date)I married the man I planned on spending the rest of my life with, Buddy Whitstine. We were only married one week before he was sent to Vietnam for 10 months. He returned after receiving a gunshot wound. Soon after, we started our family - two daughters, Carla and Sammie Jo - born 9 months and 22 days apart. During the girl's childhood, we lived on Iatt Lake. I always thought bass fishing was a waste of time – to fish all day and only catch 4 or 5 fish after hundreds of casts. Then one morning, Buddy went fishing and came home with a limit of bass. He said they were still biting when he left, and said he would take me if I wanted to go. My Brother talked us into fishing a McDonalds Big Bass Splash on Lake Fork - 3400 anglers were competing. I finished in 7th place for the hour and won $100.00 with a 6.22 pound bass. Buddy still reminds me how that $100.00 win has cost him thousands of dollars since. Sammie Jo blessed us with two wonderful grandchildren, Kyle 13 and Lindsay 12. Carla and Sammie Jo both enjoy fishing competitively and have fished several of the WBFA Tournaments. I joined Bass n Gal in 1995 and WBFA in 1997. I qualified for six consecutive World Championships, won a National Title in 1999, Angler of the Year 2000 and have had multiple top ten finishes. I’ve worked as a Phlebotomist, a fancy word for drawing blood, in a Hospital Lab for 23 years. I recently called it quits, and now fish full time. I also do some freelance writing for several newspapers and my sponsors. Still, I couldn't pursue my fishing career without the support I get from Buddy. Fishing has always been a big part of my life. All the drugs and alcohol in the world could never give me the “high” that I get out on the water, catching fish. With every fish I catch, I get that same heart thumping experience all over again. Fishing the WBFA has allowed me to meet women from all over the United States and we have a common bond in "FISHING." Just because you’re a woman, don't feel intimated about learning to fish or drive a boat – just do it!JoNell has been guest speaker and weigh master for the opening and ribbon cutting of the Red River water way in Colfax, La. June 2002.At the present time, JoNell is teaching a class of basic bass fishing to women who are eager to learn about the great sport of fishing.ACHIEVEMENTS: 1994-Sept., Participated in the McDonald's Big Bass Splash at Lake Fork, Texas and placed 7th in one of the big bass hours.1995 - Joined and participated in the Bass N Gal's Tournament Trail.1997 - Joined the WBFA (Women's Bass fishing Association). Qualified for the WBFA World Championship 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002.Placed 7th in the WBFA World Championship 1999 also a double qualifier.April 1999 - Won a National title on Toledo Bend Lake winning a fully rigged Triton Boat with a 150 hp Mercury Outboard.1999 August - Placed 9th in The WBFA All American Invitational on Kentucky Lake.1999 November - Placed 5th in the Louisiana Invitational on Red River in Pineville, La.2000 March - Placed 4th in the WBFA Alabama Invitational on Lake Eufaula.2000 May - Placed 4th in the WBFA Texas Invitational on Sam Rayburn Lake.2000 July - Placed 2nd in the WBFA Tennessee's Invitational on Kentucky Lake.1999 WON "Angler of the Year" Title WBFA Numerous top ten finishes.2002 October - Won Big Bass honors on Pickwick Lake a small mouth that weighed 3.81 pounds.I would like to thank my sponers, for without them I would not be fulfilling my dream of fishing.Nitro Boats,Mercury Motors,Eagle Claw,Sufix Fishing Line,Lowrance Electronics,V&M Baits,PLANO,Rat-L-Trap,DUAL PRO BATTERIES,CYCLONE BAITS,PRO IMAGE,BIOSONIX,