Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour angler Fletcher Shryock has spent years battling giant bass, brutal weather and the relentless grind of professional competition.
But one of the tougher fights of late came from something far smaller. A random fish fin lodged deep in his hand.
The injury, which initially seemed minor, turned into a months-long ordeal involving infection, nerve damage and surgery. Through it all, Shryock never considered stepping away from competition.
“When that fish fin got into my hand, it got infected at first,” Shryock said. “But the doctor told me that in order to take it out, he’d have to put me under. I figured that was unnecessary so we tried it with local anesthesia.”
For anglers, cuts and punctures are part of the game. Hooks, fins and sharp gill plates routinely leave scars on the hands of professional fishermen. Most heal within days but this one didn’t.
What doctors initially believed would be a relatively simple procedure quickly became far more complicated.
“We tried it in the doctor’s office and without graphic details, it did not turn out well,” Shryock said. “He couldn’t find it even though the scans showed it in there.”
The unsuccessful attempt created a new problem.
“That first go-round caused nerve damage unfortunately,” Shryock said. “I couldn’t even shake someone’s hand. I had to learn how to grip a steering wheel and fishing rod again.”
For someone whose livelihood depends on feel and precision, the damage was significant. Competitive bass fishing requires constant contact with equipment, from controlling the steering wheel in rough water to detecting subtle bites through a rod handle. Even basic movements became difficult.
The Vicious Fishing pro describes the loss of strength in stark terms.
“If there were a rope hanging off a cliff and I had to hang on for dear life, I’d let it go,” Shryock said.
Despite the setbacks, Shryock continued competing on the Bass Pro Tour schedule while searching for answers. Pain management, rehab and adapting to limited hand function became part of his daily routine. Professional anglers are accustomed to pushing through discomfort. Long practice days, repetitive casting and harsh weather conditions demand toughness. This situation, however, tested Shryock in ways that went beyond tournament pressure.
Eventually, doctors determined surgery was necessary.
“I finally had a proper surgery last week and they still don’t know if they got it,” Shryock said. “I’m still bandaged up but I can guarantee you I won’t miss an event because of it.”
That mentality reflects the toughness that has defined Shryock throughout his career. Known as one of the sport’s most intense competitors, he has built a reputation for fishing aggressively and refusing to back down from difficult conditions. Missing events was never viewed as an option, even while dealing with uncertainty surrounding the injury.
For anglers across the country, Shryock’s experience also serves as a reminder that seemingly harmless fishing injuries can become serious quickly. Fish fins, particularly from species with rigid spines, can carry bacteria and create complications if fragments remain embedded beneath the skin.
Still, the veteran pro has remained focused on recovery and competition rather than frustration. Fellow anglers and fans have rallied behind him as he works to regain strength and feeling in the hand. The road back remains uncertain. Nerve injuries can take months to heal fully and there is still no guarantee the fin fragment has been completely removed.
Yet Shryock continues approaching the process with the same stubborn determination that has carried him through years on tour. In a sport built on resilience, few stories capture that reality better than this one. A tiny fish fin became a major medical issue, threatening something every professional angler relies on. Touch, grip and control.
But if Shryock has proven anything through the ordeal, it’s that adversity rarely keeps competitors off the water for long. Bandaged hand or not, he plans to keep fishing. Because that’s the Vicious way.