Who's Your Mentor?

[BigSkyBasser]

I've been prepping myself mentally for that one day, far into the future, where I know I will take the plunge into trying to make it as a professional fisherman. This includes me reading hundreds of articles in book and on the web to better understand everything that it entails.

 

I came across this article during my daily lurking over the bass master page. ---------> http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/who-are-you

 

This made me take a moment to think about the anglers and outdoorsmen that I pull my inspiration and wonder from. They are as follows:

 

   - Doug Stange (In-fisherman Editor)

 

   - Al Linder (Angling Edge Editor)

 

   - Aaron Martens (if you've never heard of him, then look him up....he's the best)

 

   - Tim Johnston, he is a local fisherman from Kalispell, MT that has qualified for the bass master classic 3 times through the Federation B.A.S.S. tournament trail.

 

I learn from all of these people, all in different ways. I have fished the latter of the four and dream of fishing with the rest but still am taught by them on a daily basis.

 

Who are any and all of your inspirations and mentors?

[RoLo]

I've learned the most by far from the In-Fisherman staff,

and still have handwritten letters I exchanged with Al Lindner.

In the final analysis however, there is no better instructor than hands-on experience.

 

Roger

[the reel ess]

Jimmy Houston teaches me the most. But Bill Dance entertains me the most and is my all-time favorite. Scott Martin explains well too. Hank Parker's another who instructs well. For all the catching Roland Martin does, he instructs the least.

 

But with all these guys, I have to take what I can use and leave what I can't. I don't fish exactly like any of them. I mostly fish smaller waters now. I'll definitely stop and watch a show about frogs in the lily pads or kayak bassing in an oxbow.

[Master Bait'r]

I can't honestly say I have a mentor, but I am ALWAYS trying to better myself.  In terms of fishermen I look up to, I know this may sound corny but Glen is pretty much my fishing idol.  He's not famous for anything except trying to pass on the love of fishing and helping people be better anglers out there, and I respect the heck out of that.  The forum he runs is adamant about staying friendly and he is truly a class act all around- he is always happy to share or help.  I hope he knows how much what he does actually does for others- I don't have any real fishermen in my life so for him to share his wealth of knowledge is an invaluable resource for me and I know I'm not alone.  I hope I get to meet him someday!    

[blckshirt98]

YouTube, magazines, TV, forums.  Some of the pros that I like to watch and pull for and listen to more carefully when I see them post a video or written piece are Chris Zaldain (local guy that made it), Aaron Martens (because he made his name with the dropshot which I fish most of the time, KVD (all time money leader must know a thing or two about catching fish), Andy Cuccia (retired pro and highly regarded CA Delta guide).

[CeeJay]

I never had a mentor who took me out fishing and taught me how to fish.

But I did learn quite a bit, especially when I first started fishing, by just talking to other friendly anglers I'd meet on the banks of my favorite lakes and ponds. 

 

Also learned from In-Fisherman magazine which I used to read cover to cover regardless of which species the articles were about, and a modest collection of books.  And now, of course, the internet.

[BigSkyBasser]

Jimmy Houston teaches me the most. But Bill Dance entertains me the most and is my all-time favorite. Scott Martin explains well too. Hank Parker's another who instructs well. For all the catching Roland Martin does, he instructs the least.

 

But with all these guys, I have to take what I can use and leave what I can't. I don't fish exactly like any of them. I mostly fish smaller waters now. I'll definitely stop and watch a show about frogs in the lily pads or kayak bassing in an oxbow.

 

Jimmy Houston has a way about integrating lessons into some of the best fishing stories I've ever heard. His humor is timeless and he is can get a message across in a really tasteless manor. I read one of his books recently and took way more from it than I thought.

[Senko lover]

-My Grandpa taught me the basics of fishing. 

-Scott Martin, and dozens of other YouTubers taught and still teach me how to fish for bass. 

-Robert Montgomery taught me a lot through his book Better Bass Fishing (highly recommended) 

-An older man in my church who used to fish tournament trails has taught me a ton about bass behaviour, lures, and tackle. 

-I'm always trying to improve my game and try new things

 

And last but not least, the family of BR, who's taught me more than I'll ever know. Thanks guys!

[Montanaro]

My dad!

Couple guys in my club help me out with nuances and tricks I hadn't figured out.

[Long Mike]

I truly had a mentor. My late friend, Jack Yates (known as Fishfordollars on these forums) took me under his wing and taught me how to become a much better fisherman and boat operator.  He passed away suddenly three years ago.  I still miss him to this day, and think about him often.  I was standing on his boat when he took the picture shown in my avatar.  That morning I caught a 4+, a 5+ and the 7/11 in the photo.  I'm not the only one he has helped.  Many of the long term members on these forums can attest to that.

[that possum]

His name was Jerry. Was best friend to my dad. We tube fished together and be taught me the basics of bass fishing while I was young. As I got older he taught me more complicated techniques. He died about 5 years ago and his wife gave me all his gear. His biggest bass was 10#. When I break or equal his biggest with his equipment I plan on having a mount made in his honor.

[scaleface]

I'm pretty much self taught . Before I was a Bass fisherman I was a kid who just fished all the time. I read a lot of magazines. The one pro who I   identify the most with is Rick Clunn. 

[hoosierbass07]

 

and still have handwritten letters I exchanged with Al Lindner.

 

 

 

  That's cool!  

[hoosierbass07]

  I just started bass fishing three years ago.  I don't know anybody personally that fishes for bass.  My brother is more a fly fisherman and that's it.  So I had to learn on my own and Youtube has helped more than anything and online forums.  The six or seven books I have have helped some.  

[ABW]

I remember seeing Bill Dance use a Yum Dinger on the show. I immediately went out and bought some and looked up how to rig them. Immediately hooked onto bass fishing after that. My answer is the internet / media.

[WRB]

My mentor was Jerry "red" Cowen, manager of the boat dock my older brother worked for when I was 10. Red taught me how to cast a baitcaster and catch bass. Jason Lucas was my pen pal, editor of Sports Afield who took the time to write notes and send to me as a 12 year old, taking interest in my bass fishing.

Priceless.

Tom

[travis23]

My papaw would take me fishing when I was around 4-5, and I had an older friend when I was around 10 that would take me fishing for bass in the creeks and ponds. He taught me the basics back then, but I have definitely learned almost everything from here or other sources online. I have a lot of respect for the older anglers who had to learn the old fashioned way.

[BASSPATROL247]

Hands down my grandpa.... the first fishing show i can remember watching was virgil ward with my grandpa but before that he introduced me to fishing when i was 3 or so and i didnt know it at the time im sure but grandpa said i was "hooked" and he knew what he was talking about because ive fished my whole life and still love it and him and hope one day we'll fish together again up in the big lake in the sky.......

[scaleface]

Hands down my grandpa.... the first fishing show i can remember watching was virgil ward with my grandpa but before that he introduced me to fishing when i was 3 or so and i didnt know it at the time im sure but grandpa said i was "hooked" and he knew what he was talking about because ive fished my whole life and still love it and him and hope one day we'll fish together again up in the big lake in the sky.......

My grandpa had a magic bobber. It would jiggle . Mine just  sat there . LOL

[HoosierHawgs]

Jimmy Houston teaches me the most. But Bill Dance entertains me the most and is my all-time favorite. Scott Martin explains well too. Hank Parker's another who instructs well. For all the catching Roland Martin does, he instructs the least.

But with all these guys, I have to take what I can use and leave what I can't. I don't fish exactly like any of them. I mostly fish smaller waters now. I'll definitely stop and watch a show about frogs in the lily pads or kayak bassing in an oxbow.

Watch Chad Hoover on Knot Right Kayak Fishing. I have learned a good bit from him. Also entertaining. As for me, my mentor is my father, who first taught me to fish. While I've learned a lot from others, probably more than I ever learned from him, I'd never have gone fishing without that man.

[BassinLou]

I was self taught from a young age. My Dad who knows nothing of fishing took me out once with a friend of his and I have been hooked ever since. Before  there was the Internet, I read a lot from books and magazines that I came across. Much of it was trial and error on the water. Since I have always lived in urban areas, I learned to fish in canals. My first experience fishing in a big lake was just last yr. I was fortunate enough at the age of 24-25 to have a mentor. His name is Bill W. He is much older now and sadly doesn't fish any more, took me under his wing. I thought I knew about bass fishing until I met him. He also taught me how to handle a boat, and because of his teachings I mustered up the $$ to buy my bass boat that I still have today. Over that time the internet took off and up until 3 yrs ago I became involved in forums. I can happily say I am still student of these green fish I love to go after

[the reel ess]

Watch Chad Hoover on Knot Right Kayak Fishing. I have learned a good bit from him. Also entertaining. As for me, my mentor is my father, who first taught me to fish. While I've learned a lot from others, probably more than I ever learned from him, I'd never have gone fishing without that man.

I do watch him on Kayak Bassin' on WFN. It's what really got me interested in the hobby.

 

My dad was my first mentor and I was neglectful by not thinking of him first. And he had a buddy who introduced us to bass fishing. But to be honest, once I was bitten by the bug, I became his mentor. I would drag him fishing. He bought a fishing boat for me and I know he went a lot with me when he didn't really feel like it. Now he's in his 70's and doesn't really want to go anymore. I think he would if we could take it easy, like fishing from a pontoon, but I don't have one.

 

I have a daughter, and she has her own kayak, but fishing isn't really her thing, as much as I'd like it to be. At least she's not into fishing for 3 hours at a time.

[Chris S]

Fresh Water Papa and Grandear 

Saltwater My Dad and Crazy Uncle Kurt! 

[Canyon explorer]

Denny Brauer

[Darren.]

Welp...

 

For me it is mostly self taught. A ton of reading, watching

anglers do their thing, asking questions, then more questions.

 

I can't really point at one person to say "they were my fishing

mentor".

 

Most certainly I CAN say that this very forum, and the articles on

this site were VERY helpful to me in my fishing education