Born in Sanford, Florida, in 1954, Bernie Schultz spent his youth along the shores of
Lake Markham, and the Wekiva and St. Johns Rivers. Having few childhood
companions within reach of his family’s lakeside home, he entertained himself by
spending countless hours on the water or in the woods, then sketching those
experiences.
At age 14, his parents relocated to Miami, Florida, where he discovered the world of
inshore saltwater angling. His father owned and operated Sunny Acres Fish & Poultry
Market in Coconut Grove. This opened the door for fishing adventures with the
commercial fishermen that supplied his father’s market. During this period, he was also
involved with surfing and competitive swimming. These interests carried him to many
distant places where he also fished. From the Outer Banks of Cape Hatteras to the
islands of the Caribbean and west to Mexico and California, Schultz quickly developed a
passion for places where the water meets the shore.
After high school, he ventured back to north-central Florida to attend college at the
University of Florida. His childhood interest in art had also developed and he was now
enrolled in the College of Fine Arts. It was there that he befriended one of his instructors
who introduced him to the local bass club. Through this club, Schultz discovered the
world of competitive fishing.
Since graduating college
in 1979, Schultz has become one of Florida’s most accomplished anglers.
His achievements include two Canadian and two U.S. titles, while qualifying
for nine Bassmasters Classics and five FLW Championships – the sport’s
highest levels of competition.
His pursuit of saltwater angling has also expanded. Over the years, Schultz has
participated in numerous light-tackle tournaments around Florida, including many
charitable events like the RedBone Series for Cystic Fibrosis.
When not on the water, he can usually be found in his studio producing art related to
angling. Serving as a freelance illustrator, his works appear regularly in various
magazines and books dedicated to the sport, such as Bassmaster and BASS Times. He
is also a longtime columnist to Florida Sportsman magazine. Schultz is a devoted
conservationist, concerned with the preservation of Florida’s fisheries. He has donated
considerable time and original art to the Coastal Conservation Association.
Schultz is also an educator and promoter of angling. He conducts instructional
seminars and clinics across the country at sports shows and angling club appearances.
He serves as an advisor to several tackle and marine industry manufacturers, and he
has been instrumental in the design of many highly successful products.
He has appeared on numerous television and radio shows, and has hosted six foreign
instructional fishing videos for Shimano, both on bass and light-tackle saltwater angling.
Recently, he hosted a series for ESPN called The Lure Collector – a ten-part series on
antique tackle. Schultz has a keen interest in vintage tackle and studying the lore of the
sport. He spends countless hours pursuing and researching what he calls “the tools of
his trade.”
Currently, Schultz competes on both the BASS and FLW pro tours. He remains a
consistent performer and has become one of the most sought after professionals in the
business. He resides in Gainesville, Florida, with his wife, Kim and two young sons,
Daniel and Trevor.
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Tournament Accomplishments: |
Bassmaster Classic Qualifier (B.A.S.S.) 1989, 91, 95, 96, 98, 00,
04, 08,16
Forrest Wood Tour Championship Qualifier (FLW) 1997, 99, 00, 01,
2002
3rd Place, Forrest Wood Open (FLW Tour) $50,000, 1997
2nd Place, WalMart Open (FLW Tour) $50,000, 1999
1st Place, Golden Blend New York Invitational (FLW Outdoors) 1990
B.A.S.S. Pro Tour Qualifier since inception
B.A.S.S. Elite 50 Tour Qualifier 2004
Canadian Open Champion, $50,000, 1990
Canadian Cup Champion, 1993
Pro-Celebrity Grande Champion, BayBone Keys Tournament, 1997
15th Place, Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament (1000 entries), 1991
3rd Place, Mako Owners Billfish Tournament, 1992
2nd Place Millies Jigs Snook-A-Thon, 1994
Ranger/Mercury Redfish Tour Championship Qualifier, 2001
Over $1,500,000 in career winnings
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Other Accomplishments: |
Host of ESPN
TV-series The Lure Collector
Author of Techniques Illustrated, Bassmaster Magazine
Columnist for Florida Sportsman Magazine
Host to 6 Instructional Fishing Videos
Award recipient for Best New Lure Design,
Sportfishing Magazine
Illustrator to Numerous Books & Fishing Periodicals
Coordinator, Ranger Inshore Saltwater Team |
Print-Media Exposure: |
Bassmaster Magazine |
Southern Outdoors |
Florida Sportsman |
Texas Game & Fish |
BASSN |
B.A.S.S. Times |
Sportfishing |
Field & Stream |
Tournament Angler News |
Basser Magazine |
Fishing Facts |
North American Fishermen |
Tackle Box |
Ultimate Angler |
Pescare & many others |
Electronic-Media Exposure: |
Bassmaster Classic
Yearbook, ESPN |
The Lure Collector, ESPN |
The Bassmasters, TNN,
ESPN |
Tight Lines With Sammy
Lee |
The FLW Tour, OLN |
American Outdoorsman
Radio |
Walkers Cay
Chronicles, ESPN |
Fishing With Roland
Martin, TNN |
Real Fishing With Bob
Izumi, TSN |
In-Fishermen Radio |
Outdoor Trails With Barry
Stokes, PRIME |
Disney
BassnGolf Classic, ESPN |
Angler Profiles, ESPN |
Ultimate Outdoors, ESPN |
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