Enthusiasm and hard work have paid off in a steady climb up the tournament ladder for Joe Thomas. The 46-year-old Cincinnati native received his first visibility as a tournament angler at the young age of 18 by winning the Ohio State B.A.S.S. Federation Championship in 1980. The years that followed led this young man from the pursuit of a Fisheries Biology degree to prominent status on both the B.A.S.S. and the Operation Bass Tournament Trails. Joe has qualified for the prestigious Bass Masters Classic four times.

Joe ultimately became a true champion as the winner of the 1990 Red-Man All-American Championship Tournament in Buffalo, NY, with a cash prize of $100,000.

His total career tournament winnings have recently surpassed the $800,000 mark.

Joe's accomplishments as a professional angler do not end on the tournament trail. He can be seen nationally on Outdoor Channel as host of Ultimate Match Fishing. Starting in July of 2008, Joe will host the exciting freshwater fishing show, Stihl's Reel in the Outdoors. Additionally, Joe's NASCAR-like Outdoor Channel Boat and Truck are fixtures at many trade shows and promotional events nationally. His one-of-a-kind rig is recognizable wherever it goes.

As an author, Joe's book, Diary of a Bass Pro, reveals a year on the inside of fishing's fast track, which provides a rare view of the lucrative and highly competitive world of tournament bass fishing. His consistency on the national tournament circuit and ability to communicate have made Thomas a much sought after representative of companies both in and outside the fishing industry.

Joe currently competes in the prestigious FLW Tour and FLW Eastern Series. He also speaks at more than 40 sport shows and fishing schools each year.

Joe Thomas has combined fishing talent, speaking ability and All-American charisma to make him one of the nation's leading and most marketable tournament anglers, representing these corporate sponsors:

Outdoor Channel
Ranger Boats
Evinrude Outboards
Toyota Trucks
Berkley
Stihl Power Tools
Lucky Craft Lures
Blackhawk Custom Outfitters
AES Optics
Snag Proof Lures
Arkie Lures

 Joe's MyOutdoorChannel blog and photo gallery