Worlds collide with Aussie and American

LEESBURG, Fla. — Dean Silvester and Andy Thomasson live 10,000 miles apart, and how they ended up becoming friends proves the power of social media, but above all else, how bass fishing has no boundaries.

Silvester is an Australian pro angler and member of the Australia B.A.S.S. Nation, while Thomasson works for Missile Baits in Salem, Va. After becoming mutual followers on Instagram the friendship took on meaning when Thomasson read a post that grabbed his attention.

Silvester was confirmed as a pro for the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Opens. The Australian had sold his house and planned to come to America on nothing more than a dream of becoming an American bass pro.

“The fact that he would come over here and throw everything on the table to make fishing a career was just incredible,” recalled Thomasson, 28, who hand ties Missile Jigs for the brand. “I love fishing just as much as him and also want to someday become a pro, so it was an inspiration to me.”

Silvester might still be dreaming of coming to America without the generous offer extended by Thomasson. The use of his truck to tow a borrowed boat and sharing travel expenses appealed to Silvester, who spends up to $10,000 to compete in a tournament here. In return, Thomasson, a co-angler, would practice with Silvester at each event. Unknowingly Thomasson would also become a mentor for his new friend.

“He never used baitcasting tackle, didn’t know how to flip or pitch, none of it,” said Thomasson. “But I did know that fundamentally he was a competitor and had done well in Australian tournaments.”

Last week worlds collided when Thomasson arrived at Orlando International Airport to meet Silvester after his 28-hour flight. At baggage claim all Thomasson had to go on was matching an Instagram profile photo with the real person.

“When he started working on tackle soon as he arrived I knew he was legit,” said Thomasson. “I knew it would be good getting to know him, teaching our ways and eventually getting to our goals, while learning about his competitive instincts.”

Silvester initially planned to borrow a boat, although not ideally suited for fishing the shallow waters of Florida. Once again, credit bass fishing and social media for bridging a gap and filling a need. Another Instagram follower offered Silvester the use of his NITRO Z9, complete with Power-Pole shallow water anchors.

“We drove to his house, met up and drove off with his boat,” said Silvester. “I knew as bass fishermen we all speak a common language but never expected this kind of generosity.”

Silvester isn’t a newbie to tournament fishing. In fact, his Australian tournament credentials put him at the top of his game there. Now 38, he began competing at the age of 26. Tournament titles and point championships became routine. Silvester holds the distinction as the only angler to hold tournament titles for Australian bass, barranundi and bream.

Silvester had won everything within reach by 2014 and he was hungry for more. His competitive spirit was reignited when the Australian B.A.S.S. Nation formed and affiliated with the grass-roots backbone of B.A.S.S.

That year he earned a sponsorship with the Australian importer of Quantum tackle and was invited to a media event in the U.S. Silvester was awestruck when sharing company with the likes of Kevin VanDam, Gerald Swindle, Matt and Jordan Lee. Through them he saw his future.

“I got to experience firsthand what coming here and being able to do this would be like,” he recalled. “It was everything I wanted and just made me want it even more.”

Silvester would soon get a taste of that life. He qualified for the 2017 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship as the Australian champion. At Lake Hartwell in South Carolina he was dazzled by the professionalism of the anglers and the formality of the event. The overall first-time experience of competing in a premier American tournament was inspiring. 

“That week I caught around 300 fish,” he recalled. “Catching that many bass allowed me to spend more time learning to pattern American bass.”

Silvester missed qualifying for the 2018 Bassmaster Classic by only three pounds. What he lost in weight was gained in practical experience. A quick learner, adapting his mental game to American bass fishing was easy. More challenging was mastering unfamiliar tackle and lures.

“I have a good idea of how to make a decision on when to bail on a pattern, do something else,” he said. “What took effort was learning about all the lures used to catch the American bass.”

He admitted, “I couldn’t pick up a lure and know how to use it.”

At Lake Hartwell Silvester did that on the fly, learning the drop shotting technique by watching other competitors. Time management came easier. 

“In Australia we fish a four-hour session that includes running to and from a spot,” he explained. “So to have eight hours to catch a limit was like being on a holiday for me.”

He continued, “I was able to learn more about patterning, how and when to make changes, and adapt to my mental capabilities to fill a limit.”

Silvester last year budgeted money to fish two Opens and he wanted to make the most of the limited time. He wanted opposite fisheries to gain more exposure to unfamiliar water and chose the Arkansas River and Lake Champlain.

Tempering his fantasies is easier now that reality has set in. Making the move comes with a steep learning curve that Silvester accepts as destiny. It is another goal to be conquered, just as he did in his homeland.

“I am very fortunate to have been befriended by the people whom I’ve met through social media,” he said. “I am very humbled and grateful and hope it all pays off, that I can make myself and friends proud.”