Charlie Campbell passed away

[mosebass]

One of the ozarks Finest fisherman and a true gentleman.

KY3 is saddened to learn of the passing of Charlie Campbell.

From 1982-2019, Campbell co-host the Bass Pro Shops Fishing Tips segment on KY3 with Jack Emmitt and later Jack’s son, Rick.

Charlie’s first professional experience on the water was as a fishing guide on Bull Shoals Lake in 1958.  When he wasn’t teaching school or coaching basketball, Campbell would take people out on excursions.  Along the way, Charlie invented the “Charlie Campbell CC Spinner Bait” which lead to the Zara Spook’s regained popularity.

In 1974, while owning a marine dealership in Branson, Campbell won the B.A.S.S. Federation National Championship and placed fifth in the Bassmaster Classic.

In 1977, Campbell started his employment with Bass Pro Shops, Inc.  While there he helped design the Bass Tracker boat, field tested many products for the company, and represented Bass Pro at many national seminars.

His love was on the lake.  Over the years Campbell competed in five Classics, he won 67 tournaments, and participated and helped out with numerous other national fishing tournaments.

Charlie was inducted into the Drury University Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2008.  The Missouri House of Representatives named Campbell an “Outstanding Missourian.”

Campbell graduated from Ava High School in 1951 where he played basketball, baseball, track, and tennis.  He also won a state title in 1973 as a basketball coach at Forsyth High School and was honored as the coach of the year in the state of Missouri.

Charlie Campbell was 87 years old.

[Mitch f]

I met Charlie and his wife 15 years ago...very nice couple

[Jerry Rapp]

ran into him at Truman years ago.  I was going down a bank and he was coming the opposite way.  We had a pleasant chat and actually just talked about how the fishing was going as we were both getting ready for different events.  

[dblades]

Had the pleasure of being in a boat with Mr Campbell on a couple of occasions. That included a August day on Table Rock when I witnesses first hand his ability with a Zara Spook,  trying to pull fish out of submerged trees.  As fine a gentleman as ever picked up a rod. Prayers for his family.

[dtrs5kprs]

😓

[dtrs5kprs]

Seems appropriate to post this, one of the better pieces I've read about him, and about his favorite bait. Sorry it took a while to find the link.

https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/the-heddon-zara-spook-according-to-charlie-campbell/156550

 

[JB3]

My Dad played on the basketball team with Charlie at Southwest Baptist University in the 50’s. Dad said he was as good of a friend as anyone could ever have. We stopped by his house several times when going through Forsyth. Always very pleasant to visit with.

[doroger]

I had the honor to draw Charlie on the second day of a Heartland Pro Am championship.  I found him to be one of the finest people I have ever met.  I am a school teacher, so we had a lot of common ground to talk about besides fishing.  This event was on LOZ, I was the point champion for the year on the Am side.  Charlie was so happy for me, I think he enjoyed it as much as I did.  Charlie spent all day fishing that Spook!  He told me the night before to have a jerk bait tied on at all times, and if he got a fish to blow up on the Spook and miss, throw that jerk bait at the spot, no matter where it was!  He even offered me the use of one of his Megabass 110's, but I was too scared to lose one of his baits!  We didn't have a great catching day, but boy we had a day of fishing I will not forget.  Thank you Charlie!

Don

 

 

[Guest]

i had known charlie from way back.  we was as down to earth and anyone you will ever meet.  i've butted heads with charlie many times fishing local derbies.  he used to fish the all nighters out of mill creek on fairly regular basis as well as the sprig and fall daytime tournaments.

everyone marvels about his ability with a spook, but let me tell you, he was actually more amazing with a spinning reel.  will miss him.

bo

[SplitG2]

6 hours ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Seems appropriate to post this, one of the better pieces I've read about him, and about his favorite bait. Sorry it took a while to find the link.

https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/the-heddon-zara-spook-according-to-charlie-campbell/156550

 

Thanks for looking it up.  A great article by someone that knows a little about fishing himself.