Bob Cobb
When Ray Scott formed the Bass Anglers Sportsmen Society, over thirty-five years ago, no one would have ever known about it had it not been for the media. As a matter of fact, had it not been for the media, it's possible no-one would have ever found out about organized bass fishing.
Without the support of the media and the ability of the press to share the knowledge of the professionals' how-to techniques, that were being developed in the late 1960's and early 1970's, probably none of us would've ever learned the habits and seasonal patterns needed to catch bass on a year-round basis.
Bob Cobb has probably done more to promote the profession of bass fishing, and the individuals who will be inducted into the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame for the next several years, than any person in the history of the sport.
When he first met Ray Scott, in Springdale, Arkansas, in 1967, he was working for the Tulsa Tribune, as their Outdoors Editor. His natural talent, easygoing personality and mild demeanor, plus his inquisitive nature, to find out everything he could about a bass, allowed him to blend in with everyone, especially tournament anglers, that he came in contact with.
As a matter of fact, Bob Cobb and Ray Scott bonded from the very beginning. Over the years, Ray Scott has often said, about their first meeting: I must have spoken to Bob for about two hours, after my presentation to the folks of Springdale, Arkansas, about my first attempt at a bass tournament. But, when Bob finished interviewing me, after my presentation, I felt like a Christmas turkey. I felt like I'd been picked to the bone.
In 1969, he became the first editor of Bassmaster Magazine. a publication that has been called: the bible of bass fishing.Upon his appointment, Ray Scott said he was: the first editor I've had who can read and write.
In taking over the job as Editor of BassMaster Magazine, he found handwritten collections of manuscripts, in a cardboard box, mailed in from bass anglers across America. It was these notes and letters that provided the launching pad for how-to techniques and the wisdom of years of on-the-water experience that anglers were willing to share with their fellow B.A.S.S. members. He marveled at the "buried gems" that were being uncovered in the various innovations and winning ways of the successful bass anglers everywhere.
From 1969-1986, Bob Cobb switched hats between being the BassMaster Magazine Editor, to Director of B.A.S.S. News Services, Author, with angling greats: Bill Dance; Tom Mann and Al Lindner, as well as the Press Director for the Bass Masters Classic and Editor of the Bass Classic Report.
In 1984, while producing TV news footage of Rick Clunn's dramatic BassMaster's Classic victory, on the Arkansas River, a story that was so compelling that the news clips were compiled into a 30 minute television special, The BassMasters television program was created.
The BassMasters, which went inside the B.A.S.S. Tournament Trail and showed weekend anglers how the pros solved the bass fishing puzzle, was to receive the highest tribute offered from the TV Cable industry. It was twice nominated for the annual Ace Awards, for excellence in programming, once again, proving Mr. Cobb's talents and abilities.
During his tenure, he served in multiple roles: as the producer, director, writer and, at times, even, on-air host of The Bassmasters, through the 1999 season on the Nashville Network and served on the original advisory board for the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society.
Mr. Cobb has been honored as the Conservation Communicator of the Year, by the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation and presented the Award of Merit by the American Association for Conservation Information.
Photo courtesy of bassmaster.com.