Man divides time between shop, fishing

In 1972, when William Sasser was 12, his dad landed a largemouth bass that still holds the distinction as the Thurmond Lake record.

"It weighed 14 pounds, 14 ounces," he said. "My childhood was all about fishing."

Today, the Evans man operates a family car repair and transmission business, but he gets to pursue his love of fishing as a licensed guide.

Which is more work?

"I probably work more at fishing than I do at the transmission shop," he said. "I leave the house at 3 a.m. and get on the water at 4 a.m. You really have to be on your toes to put fish in the boat every single day."

Becoming a fishing guide requires a lot more than a boat. There is insurance, equipment and lots of course work to obtain a captain's license.

"You get the same license a charterboat captain in the ocean would use," he said.

And there is the expectation that you will catch fish.

"You can't always make everyone happy, but when you do it's a lot of fun," Mr. Sasser said.

Some clients are more eager than others.

"Crappie have a huge and dedicated following," Mr. Sasser said. "I've learned people will travel further to catch a big bunch of crappie than stripers or hybrids."

At the end of the day, it is traditionally the fishing guide who gets to clean all the fish.

"I've gotten pretty good at that," Mr. Sasser said, laughing. "I don't usually have someone who just wants to spend some time on the water and relax. I usually get four guys who put their money together, and they want to catch their limits."

Reach Rob Pavey at 868-1222, ext. 119, or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.