Bob Williams is passionate about sport of bass fishing

Published 12:45 pm Thursday, June 4, 2015

If ever a man loved fishing, then Bob Williams is that man.

Why not?

It’s a sport that he’s enjoyed since his days as a youngster, teenager and now that he’s in his late 50s.

Asked if he truly loves the sport of bass fishing, Williams remarked in a recent interview, “I’ve sure been accused of it.”

A parole officer with the Georgia Department of Corrections, Williams, a Milledgeville resident, says he tries to fish as much as possible.

“Fishing is a great stress reliever for me,” said Williams, who supervises about 100 parolee cases in Greene, Morgan and Hancock counties.

Prior to his becoming a state officer nine years ago, Williams worked for several years as a jailer, road patrol deputy, and later as a criminal investigator with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.

Even though Williams still was fond of fishing back in his earlier days in law enforcement, he didn’t always have the time that he now has. He enjoys the excitement that comes with fishing for bass from his boat when competing in tournaments throughout Georgia.

The biggest thrill for him comes when he happens to win one of those tournaments.

“It’s a great feeling to get out there and compete with a bunch of other fellows, and see who can catch the most fish,” Williams said, with a big smile.

Even if he doesn’t catch any fish, it’s OK with him.

“I like the feeling of relaxing out there and trying to catch fish,” Williams said.

Such wasn’t the case several years ago when he landed his biggest bass ever — a 10 pounder, which he caught at Lake Sinclair.

Williams doesn’t keep any of the fish he catches.

“I catch and release all the fish I catch,” Williams said. “It’s just thrilling to me to catch ‘em.”

He also likes the camaraderie of spending time with local fishing friends, as well as those he’s become close friends with in other places through the years.

“Bass fishing is a great way to meet a lot of new people and establish a lot of lasting friendships,” Williams said.

For the past 25 years, Williams has been a member and officer with the Baldwin Backlashers, a Bass fishing club, based in Milledgeville, where they call Lake Sinclair their home lake. He currently serves as president of the club.

Several of his close friends also are officeholders. They include: Shawn Sanders, who serves as vice-president; Steve Clay, treasurer; Michael Eubanks, secretary; and Dwayne Baughcom, tournament director.

The Baldwin Backlashers meet monthly at a local restaurant. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at what used to be known as China Buffet in Milledgeville.

“We think we have one of the best fishing clubs around,” said Williams, who claims a membership of a little less than 25. “When we get together, we have a lot of fun, regardless of whether we catch a lot of fish or not.”

Williams said he and members of the Baldwin Backlashers participate in three or four big bass tournaments every year.

“It’s all about trying to become one of the top six teams,” Williams said, noting that those who get to that level advance to the state tournament.

From that point, they then have an opportunity to win the coveted state championship.

“We didn’t do as well this year, as we have in past years,” Williams lamented. “But it’s like that some years; everybody experiences an off-year sometimes.”

He and fellow members of the Baldwin Backlashers already are hoping for much bigger things the next time tournament fishing rolls around.

Williams said the fishing club got its name more than 25 years ago.

“Buck Eubanks came up with that name for our club,” Williams recalled, noting that the club also is FLW affiliated.

The Baldwin Backlashers are the only federated based bass club in Baldwin County, today.

As a bass club, Williams said local members maintain a lot of integrity.

“I can’t say enough about the members that we have in our club,” Williams said. “They are real good people and enjoy doing for others in our community. We try our best to look after one another in the community.”

He pointed out that every Christmas, club members try to help out with a charity organization, such as the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots Campaign or to help a locals struggling to provide for their family.

“We do those kinds of things because that’s what good people are supposed to do in their communities, is to help one another when they can,” Williams said. “You should never pass up on a chance to help people, if you can. That’s what is the most fun about being a member of our bass club, is that we’re just basically a bunch of good people trying to help others in this life.”

Williams said he considers fellow members like his extended family.

“There isn’t anything any of us wouldn’t do for one another or someone else.”