Fishing with Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer

One of the coolest events at the 2019 Classic was American military hero Sgt. Dakota Meyer attending on behalf of Toyota and the Hiring Our Heroes program. Meyer is a very rare Medal on Honor recipient who led dozens of fellow Marines to safety under enemy fire. He started his Classic visit by fishing with Team Toyota’s Terry “Big Show” Scroggins.
One of the coolest events at the 2019 Classic was American military hero Sgt. Dakota Meyer attending on behalf of Toyota and the Hiring Our Heroes program. Meyer is a very rare Medal on Honor recipient who led dozens of fellow Marines to safety under enemy fire. He started his Classic visit by fishing with Team Toyota’s Terry “Big Show” Scroggins.
Scroggins loves people, and he became fast friends with Dakota Meyer.
Scroggins loves people, and he became fast friends with Dakota Meyer.
Scroggins found something funny to laugh about while teaching Meyer the importance of swapping out treble hooks on crankbaits.
Scroggins found something funny to laugh about while teaching Meyer the importance of swapping out treble hooks on crankbaits.
The two idled out of a cove full of seagulls feasting on dying shad.
The two idled out of a cove full of seagulls feasting on dying shad.
Dakota loves good humor, and enjoys the outdoors. He grew on a farm in Kentucky and once caught a 400-pound Marlin in saltwater.
Dakota loves good humor, and enjoys the outdoors. He grew on a farm in Kentucky and once caught a 400-pound Marlin in saltwater.
Scroggins works an awesome looking stretch of ‘transition’ shoreline where rocks were blended with red clay.
Scroggins works an awesome looking stretch of ‘transition’ shoreline where rocks were blended with red clay.
A look at Scroggins’ starting lure line-up.
A look at Scroggins’ starting lure line-up.
Dakota Meyer takes aim at his next cast.
Dakota Meyer takes aim at his next cast.
Scroggins loves to make his own lures, including this underhead spin.
Scroggins loves to make his own lures, including this underhead spin.
Back at the ramp, the two have a “tailgate talk” about a fun but tough morning on the water.
Back at the ramp, the two have a “tailgate talk” about a fun but tough morning on the water.
Time to pack the rods under the Leer cap on the Tundra and head to the Expo and weigh-in.
Time to pack the rods under the Leer cap on the Tundra and head to the Expo and weigh-in.
At the Classic Outdoor Expo, Scroggins and Dakota Meyer handed out free bags of soft plastic lures Scroggins made to all former and active duty military at the Hiring Our Heroes section of the Toyota booth.
At the Classic Outdoor Expo, Scroggins and Dakota Meyer handed out free bags of soft plastic lures Scroggins made to all former and active duty military at the Hiring Our Heroes section of the Toyota booth.
Dakota was a special guest on Bassmaster Live.
Dakota was a special guest on Bassmaster Live.
Dakota concluded a great day at the Classic as a special guest at weigh-in, where he talked to Dave Mercer and thousands of fans about the goodness of the Hiring Our Heroes program that helps place former military members in meaningful civilian jobs and careers.
Dakota concluded a great day at the Classic as a special guest at weigh-in, where he talked to Dave Mercer and thousands of fans about the goodness of the Hiring Our Heroes program that helps place former military members in meaningful civilian jobs and careers.