Professional angler Delayne Collins (@DelayneNicole) takes pride in such titles as the “Bikini Bassmaster” and “the Kate Upton of bass fishing.” She may be in a male-dominated sport, but according to The Washington Free Beacon and sports-centric Busted Coverage, the native Floridian doesn’t shy away from showing off the feminine side of angling.
Standing political correctness on its head, Collins and her old-fashioned appeal are single-handedly drawing more women to sport fishing, or “angling,” as the pros call it. A recent study by the Outdoor Foundation indicated that roughly 47 million fellow Americans cast their lines in 2012. A whopping 4.5 million of those were trying fishing for the first time in their lives — and a record 41 percent of the new anglers were of the fairer sex. It’s a fair assumption that Collins had something to do with that.
But don’t be fooled by the traditional girly look. Collins may have the face and physique of a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue cover girl, but she could well aspire to grace the cover of Sport Fishing Magazine. The Fort Lauderdale resident is no novice: she’s been hooked on fishing since she was barely old enough to handle a pole. At the tender age of three, she was already learning the difference between crankbaits and jigs.
And she’s in the “big boys” league in the fishing world. Collins has already landed a nine and a half pound bass. That less than one pound away from the world record.
