Kyle Bock, the man of many talents, spends much of his time out on the rocky waters of the Lake of the Ozarks. Bock first picked up fishing at a very young age of 5, watching his dad throw the lure out and bringing big fish back in, sparking his curiosity.
At the age of just 7, Bock was a very curious boy, determined to follow in his dad’s footsteps. He and his father enjoy fishing Lake of the Ozarks for the thrill of catching pounds upon pounds of crappie. The more Bock went, the more he learned, knowing the best spots such as the Lake of Ozarks and southern Canada, becoming more familiar with the correct lure to use.
When Bock first went to Canada with his father, he was just 11 years old. “I have never seen anything like this, the beautiful water, different environments, nice cool weather,” he said he told his dad. Since then, he wants to go back every week if he can. “The fishing is way better, but the 12-hour drive really burns you out,” Bock said.
Bock believes there is a skill to being a good fisherman. “Everyone can fish but not everyone can be good at it,” he said. Bock is very picky about the rod, reel, and lure that he is throwing in different types of waters. When Bock is fishing in Canada he throws a three-eighths weight vertical jig with minnows. “It caught me the most fish, and the lure will never let me down,” Bock said. While Bock sticks to the same lure, he tends to switch up his rod and reel combo. When he and his father make the journey up to the Ozarks, Bock uses more of an ultra light or bass rod. “It gives me more control over the lure and the fish I’m targeting,” he said.
Aside from fishing, Bock also enjoys teaching younger kids how to fish. He often brings along his younger brother on weekend trips, showing them how to cast, reel in, and pick the right bait. He believes fishing is more than just a hobby; it’s a skill that takes patience, knowledge, and respect for nature. Watching others succeed at fishing brings him just as much joy as catching one himself.
Bocks’s passion for fishing continues to grow with every trip. Whether he’s casting a line in the quietest waters of Canada or feeling the fight in the Ozarks, his love for the sport remains strong. For Bock, fishing isn’t just a pastime, it’s the way of life.
