Leading the Charge

Fishing is and always has been a male-dominated sport. Yet, the ladies on the LBAA are doing their best to change that, one in particular: Pam Martin-Wells.

As the LBAA continues to gain traction and grow, we may see new female talent enter our sport. For now, Martin-Wells is already proving to be quite talented.

The No. 1-ranked angler on the Women World Ranking, she has won her last three LBAA events, and has beaten 93.1 percent of the field over the last 36 months. Considering the decreased field size in LBAA events and how even one place in the standings can have significant consequences, that’s a significant feat of consistency.

A look at the standings shows Juanita Robinson is not far behind with a 915.281. However, Robinson has only fished four events since June 2009 compared to Martin-Wells’ 17, on both the LBAA and BASS Opens.

The other notable challenger is the No. 6-ranked angler: Kim Bain-Moore. After fishing only one event in 2010, a BASS Open, Bain-Moore fished the entire LBAA in 2011, winning the two events Martin-Wells didn’t.

Then there is LBAA Rookie of the Year Pam Ridgle. Considering she had only fished three events in the five seasons prior to 2011, her 691.095 and No. 7 ranking are an impressive start.

So while Martin-Wells is the clearly the LBAA’s version of Kevin VanDam or Brent Ehrler, it should get exciting as the LBAA enters its second full season.