Hilary Sue Martin Brings Her Own Spark with KICKER Marine Audio

Hilary Sue Martin, a petite, vivacious blond, blends a bit of the girl next door, one of the guys, an attentive student and serious angler together in one dynamic package. As the third generation of the well-respected Martin family, granddaughter of Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Famer Roland Martin and daughter of B.A.S.S. Master Champion Scott Martin, Hilary Sue is following in their footsteps as a tournament angler and fast-rising media star. While both Roland and Scott have hosted successful fishing TV shows, Hilary is taking her father’s lead as a fishing influencer on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube as @thereelilarysue. She is both the real, and the reel deal.

“It means a lot to me to be a part of this family—it’s very sentimental and hopefully I am working my way up to that level,” she says humbly. She has been fishing ever since she can remember.

“I caught my first fish at about three years old. I figured it out by myself and caught the bug. That is the greatest feeling—it’s the challenge that is my favorite part of fishing,” she states. The University of Alabama sophomore and tournament angler is studying Business Marketing and takes her studies as seriously as she takes fishing. “It all plays into what I’m doing. I started on YouTube at 14 (years old) and it’s kind of crazy, but I’ve never been interested in anything else—that just started my business side.”

Hilary’s videos and photos demonstrate her smart approach to fishing. While some other lady anglers use bikini-clad photos for attention, Hilary Sue endorses Lew’s Rods and wears AFTCO gear exclusively. She’s beautiful, comfortable in front of the camera and is using her head and fishing prowess to earn her place in the sport. She aspires to start her own fishing line with the goal of supporting women in a male-dominated sport. Hilary Sue encourages girls starting out in fishing to continue to do what they enjoy and “ignore the haters,” recognizing the hurtful comments made on social media by men who feel threatened by women’s success.

Being raised around strong family, including her mother who is often featured on The Scott Martin Challenge, helped build that character. Hilary Sue reports, “My family is very competitive! There is always a challenge between us when we fish--and I enjoy fishing with them anytime I can!” She missed her father’s B.A.S.S. Master win in home waters this spring when she was at school, but she followed on Facetime and shed some tears as her father hoisted that trophy over his head. He was also emotional, standing in the same place that his father had stood. “My whole family shared that moment!” she recalls proudly.

Hilary Sue shares her father’s choice of Skeeter bass boats and is awaiting a KICKER Marine Audio sound system installation in her new FXR 20. “I had a basic system in my old boat and this time, I want to get a 10 or a 12-inch sub if there’s room!” she says, “While I’m getting out on the water, I’m usually blaring music and having fun. When I’m seriously tournament fishing, I keep it quiet, but if it’s slow, we use the music to get the vibe up! I’m usually listening to country, feeling in a chill, unstoppable mood, but I do dive into some rap too!” she adds with a laugh. “I can’t go a day without music!”

Hilary Sue is in until the last cast. “I will always fish and hopefully have my own business for women to help them build confidence.” Leading by example--that is what Hilary Sue does best.

Fishing seems better in pairs! Hilary Sue with “Grandpa” Roland, father, Scott and solo with a great catch!