Wilks Misses Elite Series Excitement

While the nation’s best bass pros were in Syracuse, N.Y., last week for the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series Empire Chase presented by Mahindra Tractors, one of the anglers who has earned such Elite status was stuck at home in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Dustin Wilks has tried to stay busy and not think about what he is missing since the pain of a severe, lingering elbow injury forced him to drop out after the Series’ season opener at Texas’ Lake Amistad.

“It’s disappointing not to be out there in the first season of the Elites,” the 29-year-old pro said. “I’ve watched it on TV a few times.”

After months of increasing pain, Wilks reached his lowest point at the Battle on the Border in March. “Right after Amistad, I was really bummed out because I could not move my elbow at all.”

Wilks finally surrendered to complete reconstructive surgery of his right elbow May 31 at the famous Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. To repair extensive ligament and tendon damage, he underwent the so-called Tommy John surgery, which includes replacing a torn ligament with a tendon from elsewhere in the body.

“The doctors were really happy with the surgery,” he said. “They were visibly excited when they came in afterwards. I hope they’re right.”

Wilks returned to Minnesota recently to have the accompanying cast replaced with a brace that immobilizes his arm. Physical rehab is still weeks away and even light fishing is at least three months down the road, according to doctors.

Meanwhile, Wilks stays as busy as possible at home, while some of his best friends are competing for fame and fortune.

“It’s tough not competing,” he said. “But then, in another sense, it’s kind of nice because I have never known anything but competing. It’s nice to spend time at home, which I have never done for very long. But then another part of me wants to be back out there.”

Wilks reports that his sponsors (Skeeter Boats, Yamaha, Daiwa, KeelShield, Culprit and Yo-Zuri) have been very supportive during his downtime. And he is taking comfort in the knowledge that a medical exemption has assured him a spot in next year’s Bassmaster Elite Series.

Until this hiatus, the longest Wilks had gone without fishing was less than two weeks.

“I finally couldn’t stand it and I went down to a little pond the other day,” he admitted. “I had to run up the pond bank to drag the fish up the bank, and then run back down to the fish. I’m hard-pressed.”


 

From BASS