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.
