Bass pioneer and Humminbird co-founder Blake Honeycutt dies, aged 92

Blake Honeycutt, the co-founder of Humminbird Electronics and a pioneer in structure fishing for bass, has died at the age of 92.

Bob Cobb, former editor of Bassmaster magazine, told the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame (BFHOF) website: “When we talk about deep water fishing for bass, the angler that changed bank beaters to structure fishing was Blake Honeycutt. In the early 1970s he ruled the Tournament Trail. His legendary catches on Lake Eufaula, Alabama, are still talked about. He was my hero and friend.”

A 2014 inductee into the BFHOF, Honeycutt holds the Bassmaster Tournament Trail record for the heaviest three-day catch, weighing in 138lb 6oz at the Eufaula National on Lake Eufaula in 1969 when the daily creel limit for bass was 15.

He partnered with Tom Mann and electronics innovator, Yank Dean, of Eufaula to found Humminbird. He was also East Coast representative for Ranger Boats for 20 years and helped design the popular Ranger TR series of bass boats. He owned and operated an electrical services company in North Carolina and used his expertise to develop an electronic anchor for boats.

He is survived by a daughter, DeDe Ellen Honeycutt Eckhoff, three sons, Rhodney Neil Honeycutt (a tournament competitor alongside his father), Douglas Lee Honeycutt and Bradley Flay Honeycutt, a sister, Peggy Jo Honeycutt; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Source and picture: Bass Fishing Hall of Fame website