Glioblastoma claims one of the best in professional angling
By Luigi De Rose
Aaron Martens,
a fun loving, innovative angler who embraced all aspects of being a professional
angler passes surrounded by family.
After blacking out
while fishing in Alabama in 2020, tests relieved brain tumors. Aaron, one of
the physically strongest athletes on tour, focused on recovery and kept on
fishing. His tenacity was fierce as he continued to compete even after
surgeries and treatments. During his last MLF event, Aaron’s vision wasn’t strong, so he had a friend pilot his boat so he could still complete. Cancer became too overpowering and Aaron passed after a 19-month battle with
Glioblastoma.
Lesley, his wife
wrote in a Facebook post, “We are
heartbroken beyond words. I can’t imagine life without him but we take solace
in knowing that he’s walked into glory - the only glory that truly matters.
Thank you to everyone that supported us during the past 19 months through
texts, posts, phone calls, visits, and fundraisers. Your kindness, prayers, and
love encouraged us every day and Aaron and I wholeheartedly felt your love.”
Groomed at a young
age, Aaron spent years along side his mother competing in California and neighbouring
western States. During the 1990s, he was part of the second wave of western
anglers who descended upon BASS and dominated.
Considered one of the most successful professional bass
anglers of all time, Aaron Martens captured three Bassmaster Elite Series
Angler of the Year awards (2005, 2013, 2015), 11 wins, more than 80 Top 10s and
over $3.6 million in career earnings. Martens last win was at the 2019 Bass Pro
Tour Stage Six on Table Rock Lake in Branson, Missouri. Aaron has also
won the US WON Open a record three times and scores of regional and state
tournaments.
Martens’ strength
was finesse. Proudly displaying his talents, he schooled southern anglers with
proven Japanese and West Coast techniques. Aaron’s natural ability to catch
bass, particularly big bass, was uncanny making him a fan favourite and granted
himself the name the “Furious Hog Snatcher”.
Aaron popularized
obscure techniques like Scrounger jigs, underspins, shaky heads but he’s best
known for drop shotting. Bassmaster Magazine once wrote an article titled, Aaron
Martens Drop Shots Better Than You! They were correct. He was the best.
He is survived by his wife Lesley, his two chiildren and his mother
Carol.
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