Hank Parker
"…Pro bass fishing comes complete with its own heroes. Hank Parker is the rod and reel answer to Michael Jordan, in popularity and talents." CBS Host Greg Gumble used this quote in introducing Hank Parker to a national television audience viewing the CBS Morning Show. Mr. Gumble’s introduction couldn’t have better described Hank’s impact on the bass fishing industry!
Hank Parker is a two-time BASS Masters Classic Champion and host of one of America’s highest rated and most popular outdoor programs, Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine.
Hank’s career began in 1978 when he competed on both the Bass Angler’s Sportsman’s Society (B.A.S.S.) Tournament Trail and the National Bass Association (NBA) circuit. In his first year of competition, Hank won the NBA Angler of the Year and kicked off a very successful career on the B.A.S.S. Tournament Trail.
During the course of the next 13 years, Hank entered more than 120 B.A.S.S. events and finished "in the money" in over 76% of them! Hank won the prestigious BASS Masters Classic on two occasions, 1979 and 1989. He also won the 1983 B.A.S.S. Virginia Invitational and the 1988 B.A.S.S. Super Bass Tournament, the predecessor of the current MegaBucks event. In addition to these accomplishments, Hank was the first professional angler to ever win the prestigious B.A.S.S. Grand Slam event, including the B.A.S.S. Masters Classic, B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year and Super B.A.S.S.
Hank Parker’s Outdoor Magazine Television Series premiered in 1985 in syndicated markets throughout the country. A year later, Outdoor Magazine entered into what has become a long-standing relationship with The Nashville Network as Outdoor Magazine is now in its 18th season on TNN.
Hank’s goal then and now is to produce an outdoor program not only showcasing his knowledge of outdoors in general and fishing in specific, but also to highlight the family and promote an enjoyable outdoor experience.