Pro fisherman's life not what you think.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Byline: Scott Fowler

LAKE WYLIE, S.C. _ There are few activities in America more steeped in nostalgia than fishing.

Country songs are written about how if you have to choose between a woman and fishing, you better take the fishing. People still hang signs outside their stores that say, "Gone fishin'." The sport conjures up an image of total relaxation _ throwing out a line, waiting for a tug, taking a snooze.

Making a living as a bass fisherman is nothing like that.

The fishermen who descend upon Lake Wylie for the Citgo Bassmaster Classic July 30-Aug.1, 2004, promise you that. When you're in the Super Bowl of bass fishing _ trying to outguess 50 or so competitors and a moody underwater creature for a $200,000 first prize _ you don't mess around.

These fishermen actually prefer to be called "anglers," and that's appropriate. They are always looking for an angle. They roar off at 70 mph in their speedboats, trying to outthink every man and fish around.

They cast and retrieve as fast as they can. When they catch something, they don't play with it. They get it in the boat and get going.