Rookie of the Year

Five years ago, Lakeland's Bobby Lane was just another small businessman. The 34-year-old Polk County man had landscaping business but always dreamed of cashing it all in and becoming a professional bass fisherman.

Lane sold his business in 2003 to follow his dream. He eventually worked his way up to the BASS Tournament Trail, and last week at a Bassmaster Elite Series Event on Lake Oneida near Syracuse, N.Y., clinched the coveted "Rookie of the Year" title after catching 12 pounds 4 ounces worth of bass on the first day of competition.

With the honor came a $25,000 check, not bad for a day's fishing. He also qualified for the 2008 Bassmaster Classic, the "Super Bowl of Fishing," which will be held this year on South Carolina's Lake Hartwell.

The BASS tour is freshwater fishing's oldest and most prestigious freshwater fishing organization. Originally headquartered in Alabama, the organization recently moved its opeations to Florida to be closer to the world's best bass fishing. The organization runs several tournament series, for every level of fisherman, from weekend warrior to professionals such as Bobby Lane.