I got the chance to ask NASCAR driver and former Cup Champion Bobby Labonte about fishing. He is an avid fisherman and spends some of his spare time on the water.

1.What is you favorite kind of fishing? Why?  

I really like Bass fishing. It’s easy to find time for it because of where we live in North Carolina. We’ve got a pond behind our house with some nice size ones and a lake house with a good population.


I’ve done a variety of fishing – fly fishing, deep-sea fishing before and had a blast, but it’s nice to be close to home and enjoy it at the same time.

2.  Tell me about the big one that got away.  

Which one!?  Sometimes I feel like more get away than get in the boat!

3. What do you think of tournament fishing?   

I haven’t done much tournament fishing myself, but I love the thought of it.  I went once with a NASCAR group and Jack Roush actually won it. Obviously I’m a competitive guy, so I’d like to go more often if I had the opportunity.

4. NASCAR and Bass Tournaments seem a natural match - with many of the same sponsors. Do you see any common elements in the two?  

Absolutely.  I think the fan base is very similar because both sports are so social and family friendly. There’s a tangible outcome too where both offer an activity that anyone can do at some level.

5.  Where do you get information on the hottest fishing spots and lures to use?  

I do a lot of research on Ask.com to find new lures, jigs and out of the way fishing spots, but I also pick the brain of my brother Terry who is a big angler.

6.  Describe your most fantastic fishing trip - was it because of the catch, scenery, companions or what?  

I’d probably have to say fishing off the coast of Mexico near a place called Island Mejor.  The water was incredible and I did pull in the biggest sailfish I’ve ever caught!

7.  What kind of fishing equipment do you use?  

Whatever will fit in my Ranger Bass boat.  The folks at Ask.com gave me these fancy new Shimano Calcutta rods as a gift not too long ago and I’ve really enjoyed them so far.

8.  Did you fish growing up? What is your favorite childhood fishing memory?  

Yep, my brother Terry and I did a lot of surf fishing when we lived in Corpus (Corpus Christi, Texas).  I don’t know that I could pinpoint a specific memory – probably just fishing with him back when we actually had time to just take a whole day goofing off.  Those were good times.

9. If you could go fishing anywhere in the world for a week, where would it be and why?  

To be complete honest, I’m not sure. I am sure there are some great places out there that I haven’t experienced and maybe haven’t even heard about yet. With racing every weekend, it’s hard to find that kind of time to go. Right now, at this moment, I wouldn’t mind spending a week fishing at my lake house. I just caught a six pound bass off my dock last week.

  10. Do you cook your catch? What is your favorite way to cook fish? Or have them cooked for you?  

Yes, we almost always eat what we don’t throw back. And we almost always grill them. We’re pretty health conscious and fish on the grill is good for you.