It’s time to say “hi” to Caleb Sumrall and wish him the best of luck when he fishes the fast-approaching Bassmaster Classic.

Residents in New Iberia, Iberia Parish and all of Acadiana can meet and greet the young man from New Iberia during an event starting at 4:30 p.m. next Sunday at the gazebo in Bouligny Plaza. The event, which is free and open to the public, anyone and everyone, is a perfect opportunity for bass anglers, young and old, to get to know him a little better.

The theme is Sumrall Strong. Geaux Caleb. Win the Classic! Yes, we are proud of our native son.

Caleb’s wife, Jacie, daughter, Clelie, 6, and son, Axel, 3 months, plan to be there. So will the family pet, Sky, a silver Labrador retriever, and his wrapped B.A.S.S. Nation boat, a Phoenix high-performance bass boat powered by a Mercury, decked out to carry him through a whole year of tournament bass fishing at the highest level possible.

New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt and Iberia Parish President Larry Richard have accepted invitations to honor Caleb. There will be free soft drinks and water, thanks to our friends at Coca-Cola United, and hot dogs for the taking, courtesy of Iberia Parish Councilman Warren Gachassin.

Ever since the 30-year-old bass angler won the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, Caleb has done everything possible to prepare for a full year of competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series and in Bassmaster Opens. Foremost in his mind has been taking care of his family financially, which he has worked hard to do since he was let go from his oil field job in August.

He’s got a full schedule but this upcoming weekend was open, probably the only time he’ll be home before the Bassmaster Classic, which is the Super Bowl of bass fishing, because after last week’s Elite opener he’s off to prefish for the Bassmaster Central Open on March 1-3 at Ross Barnett Reservoir in Mississippi, then devote his attention to Lake Hartwell in South Carolina, site of the Bassmaster Classic.

He’ll be returning to the lake where he persevered, where he never quit in the waning hours, where he made a dream come true by winning the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in October. He overcame the odds and the pressure on the final day to hoist the trophy  

So many people have been on board with this idea for a meet and greet with Caleb. The event is a chance for the city and area to congratulate him on one heckuva accomplishment.

There are high school bass fishing teams in the area. Those young team members, any students, for that matter, can see living proof of what can happen if they work hard to pursue their dreams in bass fishing, sports and academics.

Sometime during the event someone plans to pass a hat, er, pass a basket (like at church, er, pass a landing net and, maybe, some of the people there can donate to join others who are pitching in to help Caleb, like retired 16th Judicial District District Attorney Phil Haney plans to do this week for the Sumralls.

In pursuit of a new career, a new horizon, Caleb is scheduled to fish 15 Bassmaster Elites, Bassmaster Opens and the Bassmaster Classic. He figured he’ll travel 60,000 miles.

He has been looking for sponsors, people who believe in him like we do. Gas for his boat and tow vehicle, lodging and food are the daunting expenses that face him on the road.

Caleb has been been working part-time  at Deepwater Rental Supply and just started guiding at Toledo Bend.

Let’s show him we care and are behind him each and every cast along the way.

 

DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.