Dan Fay: Family man, Godly man and Fisherman

This week Co-Anglers.com travel to the City Beautiful, Orlando, Fl. Here we meet Dan Fay. In addition to an avid fisherman, Dan is a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. Dan opens up to us about his family, fishing and his faith.

Co-Anglers.com: What tournament trail do you fish?

Dan Fay: ABA Ram Opens, FL Bass Nation, Winter Springs Bassmasters.

CA: What was your best tournament finish?

DF: My best finish in the Ram Open Series was in the 2015 at regional championship. On day 1, we were fishing open water brush piles. I was throwing rattletrap and the Zoom Ol’monster worm. I didn’t have a fish until noon but then I caught a 6 pounder on the Ol’monster worm. On day 2, I drew out with Pete Saraf, a great angler, but he hadn’t done well on day 1. After fishing some of his stuff in the morning, he agreed to go where I had some confidence. We locked out of Toho and headed to Lake Kissimmee. On Kissimmee, I was fishing grass edges and lily pads again with the Ol’monster worm. I caught another solid limit and ended up with 2nd place. At the same time, I also earned Co-Angler of the Year.

CA: Did you learn anything new from your pro?

DF: What I learned from Pete is that he is a competitive angler, who does well in tournaments, but also believes in helping his co-anglers catch fish.

CA: What or who inspires you as a co-angler?

DF: Any co-angler who finishes in first place inspires me to keep striving to do the same.

CA: What do you expect from tournament fishing?

DF: Tournament fishing keeps me on the cutting edge of the best techniques and tools to catch more bass.

CA: How long have you been a co-angler?

DF: I have been a co-angler for 20 years. I have owned my own boat for most of that time, but with my family and job I’m not able to invest the time needed to be a competitive boater.

Most anglers at this point would have given up on a fishing career, but not Dan. Even with 20 years of tournament fishing, he still has not achieved his dream goal but that does not stop him at all. Dan is a great inspiration for all co-anglers to follow on their long term goal. He also shows us not to give up no matter how long it takes. We continue to ask Dan several questions about his favorite places and what inspires him to keep on going. 

CA: What is your favorite lure?

DF: The Yo-Zuri 3DB prop topwater bait is my favorite lure. It has a unique UV prop that seems to draw fish.

CA: What is your favorite rod and reel combination?

DF: Favorite Rod and reel combo is the Vexan 7ft 4in. heavy with a Lews high speed tournament series reel. It’s one of the most versatile combinations a co-angler could own. Great for worming, swimbait and even a rattletrap.

CA: Anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?

DF: I’m a Christian who believes in treating others as you want to be treated. I’ve been married 32 years, (which is unusual among fishermen), and have 3 boys and a 5 year old granddaughter Annabel, who loves to fish. I am also a third degree black belt in Taekwondo. I no longer compete, but in 2012 I earned the World Champion title for sparring with the American Taekwondo Association.

CA: What advice would you give to another co-angler?

DF: I would advise other co-anglers to try to work as a team with your boater. Explain to him or her that you want to do well in the tournament, but that you also want to help them do well.

CA: What or who inspires you to fish? 

DF: God has created me with a love for being on the water. A love for sunrises and sunsets on the water, and a love for that feeling you get when there’s a tug on the end of the line.

CA: Who is one person you would like to fish with but haven’t had the opportunity to fish with yet?

DF: I would love to fish with Bill Dance. He is a talented and knowledgeable fisherman, who is also entertaining and doesn’t take it too seriously.

CA: Do you have a fishing goal? If so, what is it?

DF: My fishing goal would be to earn a first-place finish in a major event such as a ram open series.

Follow Dan on social media for more information about his tournament experiences and his sponsors.

https://www.instagram.com/dfaymous_fisherman/

https://www.facebook.com/danfay.profile

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClSOpwVMZLd8aplsLJBKtXQ

Seaspin USA- www.seaspinusa.com

Vexan Bass rods https://tackleindustries.com/shop/musky_pike_bass_walleye_crappie_fishing_rods/bass_rods/vexan-bass-rods/

Yo-zuri-http://yo-zuri.com/

TTI Blakemore/Daiichi hooks

http://www.ttiblakemore.com/shop/

We thank Dan for taking time to talk with us and share some of his favorite lures, rods and reels with us. We look forward to seeing him at the next ABA Event.

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