Texas Fishing Legend Bob Sealy Passes Away, I Will Miss My Friend

Maya Angelou once said, "Nothing can dim the light that shines from within."

There was no dimming the light that shined from Bob Sealy. His light was bright, it was warm, it was loving and loyal, and he invited everyone he met into his light so that their lives would be better, stronger, and brighter.

I use the past tense concerning his life on this earth, but I'm sure that light continues to shine in heaven where he has been told, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

The Big Bass Splash Legacy

Bob Sealy, founder of Sealy Outdoors and Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee, passed away Tuesday night.

Bob brought professional-style bass fishing to the amateurs through the Big Bass Splash tournaments. Those payouts of around $40 million over the course of the last 40 years have made his tournaments the richest payouts in all amateur fishing.

Some Bob Sealy Insights

To me, Bob Sealy is family. I met him in 1990 when I was first introduced to broadcasting the Big Bass Splash on KICKS 105. Over the next 35 years, I grew to love the man.

Bob Sealy had the market cornered on character, integrity, and being an original. He took the job of running his tournaments very seriously, yet, on stage and in person, he was an entertainer who loved to bring the audience into his world of humor and good times.

I think that's one of the reasons we bonded so well, we know there is a time to be serious about our jobs, but when it comes to entertaining, we both love being that kid that never grew up.

Bob's Patriotism

Bob was genuine as a person and in his beliefs. He loved this country and the military veterans.

Only Bob Sealy could take a country song like Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA", and turn it into a national anthem. At every Big Bass Splash awards ceremony, thousands of spectators would rise, remove cover, and place their hands over their hearts when that song was played.

"I'm proud to be an American...how 'bout you?!" Bob would emphatically say at the end of the song.

Bob taught us many lessons, such as:

• He educated many anglers that their fish was only a few drops of water from winning a big exact weight check
• He taught a lot of contestants that if you left before the awards ceremony and your name was drawn to win cash, keep your phone handy because he was going to call you, and call you out to the crowd
• Most recently, Bob taught us that a cancer diagnosis was not going to stop him. He continued to be at the Big Bass Splash tournaments. He loved the anglers and spectators too much to miss out. It was therapy for him.

His Legacy Will Continue

Bob's light will continue to shine in everyone's lives that he touched. It will be hard for us because the source of that light has now moved on to a much better place, where his spiritual body is free from pain and free from sickness.

After years of handing out cash and prizes to others, Bob is finally getting his reward in heaven.

Please keep Bob's family and vast congregation of friends in your prayers.