Mike O'Shea On the Tee With A.J. Ali

by A.J. Ali

Mike O’Shea is a professional angler on the Bassmaster Elite Series Tour and an avid golfer. In addition to sponsorship from fishing’s usual suspects (Ranger, Mercury, Maxima, Motorguide, Pinpoint and others), he’s secured sponsorship from Golf Digest Schools. Mike is the first pro angler to offer corporate hospitality outings including both golf and fishing at destinations like Las Vegas and Orlando. I’ve seen him in action, and he’s got a great career as a corporate hospitality host waiting for him. The man’s as funny as Richard Pryor and makes everyone feel like an old friend. Mike lives in Westlake Village near Los Angeles, an 8-iron away from some of the best bass fishing out West. He tours with his wife Deena and is managed by his son Justin. Between casts and drives, Mike O’Shea goes On the Tee with A.J. Ali:

Most people fish to relax. How do you relax?

O’SHEA: A variety of outdoor activities. I love golfing, motocross and street bikes. I also like surfing and water sports.

When you surf, are you ever worried about sharks exacting some revenge on behalf of their bass brethren?

O’SHEA: Oh, pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaase. Bass are my buddies. We catch and release, so I look at every bass as money. P.S. — bass are fresh water; sharks are salt water.

OK, so they’re distant cousins. In any case, I’d be careful. How long have you been a golfer?

O’SHEA: 12 years. I’m a lefthanded player that had to learn righthanded after my uncle gave me my first set of clubs, but I still putt lefthanded.

That’s interesting. Phil Mickelson is righthanded but plays golf lefthanded. Maybe you and Phil can swap professions.

O’SHEA: I enjoy the sport too much to ruin it. I’ll keep it for pleasure and relaxing.

When you play a hole that has water, do you get nervous?

O’SHEA: Yes, absolutely. There is probably bass in that pond like most golf courses, and I am afraid I’ll hit one.

Carry any fishing poles in your bag?

O’SHEA: I’d love to, but I’ll slow the course down.

Do you get to play much golf?

O’SHEA: Every chance I get.

Who’s in your dream golf foursome?

O’SHEA: Tiger Woods, Greg Norman and Chi Chi Rodriguez.

Who would win, who would have the most fun and who would lose the most money?

O’SHEA: There’s no question I would lose the most money and have the most fun! Tiger would take it away!

Are you the best golfing angler you know?

O’SHEA: No, absolutely not. Mike Wurm and Kevin Wirth are always bragging about how good they are. They back it up.

Are there many other pro anglers who love to golf?

O’SHEA: At least 40 percent of the field enjoys a day on the golf course if it doesn’t conflict with opening day of deer season or a turkey shoot.

What’s the perfect day for you?

O’SHEA: I’d start by fishing, then a quick 18, a trail ride on my dirt bike and catch an evening surf session.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen on the pro angler circuit?

O’SHEA: Bigger entry fees and smaller fields. More exposure on ESPN making the sport more visible. The fishermen are more diverse athletes today. We’ve had pro football players, baseball players, etc., fish with us who are just as worn out as if they played a game that went into overtime.

I guess they are using muscles they normally don’t use.

O’SHEA: Back, arms and legs really take a beating. You stand on a trolling motor all day and cast about 700 times. I’ve had tournaments where I’ve cast well over 1,000 times throwing reaction baits. If you make 1,000 casts per day at 50 feet per cast … you do the math.

Well, I’ll tee up the last question: What’s your funniest fish story?

O’SHEA: On a tournament in the California Delta, friends of mine caught a duck and put it in my rod locker on my boat. The next morning at 5 a.m., I’m getting ready for the tournament blastoff inspection and I opened my rod locker and the duck flew out, scaring the $#@& of me! FG