Interview with Ish Monroe. Gotta question?

[BASS fisherman]

I recently contacted Ish Monroe and asked if he would be interested in participating in an interview that would be posted on the BassResource forum. He has graciously agreed, now all I need are your questions. I will pick the best ones and then conduct the interview. After it is complete, I will post the complete interview on the forum for everyone to enjoy.

So, what do you want to ask Ish?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

He's been interviewed here before so do a search first and make sure you don't ask any repeat questions.  

[BASS fisherman]

Thanks for the tip.  Already taken care of.

[Bass XL]

I have a few:

What is your favorite lure and presentation for clear water?

In a stained shallow and fairly small lake (deepest being 32 feet, has a 100 yrd. rock dam, not too much cover, and about 100 boat docks) which part of this lake would you target for the biggest bass?

those are all I can think of right now, but I may come up with some more.

[fourbizz]

Can I fish Clearlake with you? I'll buy gas!

[edbassmaster]

If you didnt become a pro what would you have done for a living?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Are there any other baits you use in "saltwater" sizes like that 8" white tube?

[BASS fisherman]

Great questions so far folks!

Here is a small article from the site here:

Ish Monroe Headed for Classic History

Career Season Takes California Pro to Bass Fishing's Biggest Event

California pro Ishama Monroe has never fit the profile of the average professional angler.

First, the 29-year-old angler grew up in the San Francisco Bay area - hardly a traditional hotbed for bass pros. It was only through summers spent in Michigan that he was exposed to bass fishing.

Then there is the fact that Monroe is African-American. Several black anglers have competed on the CITGO Bassmaster circuit over the years, but none have enjoyed the success of the California pro, who has five top-10 finishes to his credit.

Monroe recently became only the second African-American to ever qualify for the CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer - exactly 20 years after Mississippi's Alfred Williams accomplished the feat in 1983. He is the first African-American to ever qualify through the professional ranks - Williams earned his Classic ticket via the BASS Federation.

"Making the Classic means a lot," Monroe said. "To me, it means everything. It's a lifelong dream.

"I've met Alfred a few times. We didn't get a chance to talk about the Classic, but we talked about the whole demographics of bass fishing. He said making the Classic meant a lot to him. I think from an all-around standpoint, it brings a different demographic to the whole sport of bass fishing. So I think it will make kids in any ethnic group think, 'I can do this, too.'

"This is the 20-year anniversary (of Williams' Classic). And that makes it a big deal."

Monroe has had his sights set on making the Classic since childhood. It was a dream that separated him from his friends as he grew up in California.

"I was about 10 years old when I decided I wanted to fish professionally," he said. "I remember watching some tournament on television and thinking that's what I wanted to do. I already had the love for fishing.

"I pretty much decided that I wanted to fish, so I went and started talking to sponsors. They said they wanted somebody that could speak well, and somebody that could sell their products. I went to summer school every year so that my senior year I could go to business school. From there, I graduated and went to college where I took public speaking and marketing.

"Growing up in the San Francisco Bay area, my friends were into everything else. There's drugs, there's violence, cars. While my friends were going out on dates, I was going fishing. It was a little bit uncool, but personality goes a long way with my friends so it worked out well."

Monroe was asked if he feels any added pressure as only the second black angler to qualify for the Classic.

"I don't think there's any pressure at all," he replied. "More than anything it's going to be exciting. ... I'm going to become a hero to some kid now, and that's pretty impressive.

"There's definitely more responsibility. Any time you do something like this it's a major deal. And I can't go out there and be ignorant or do something wrong. I just have to do everything pretty clean cut."

[Guest avid]

What custom crankbaits do you use and why?

[eyedabassman]

Hi Ish, I have two for ya.

 I live in Wisconsin and our bass spawn about late May to mid June. Would it be a good idea to fish at night for pre and post spawn bass?

When fishing rainbow swimbaits in a lake that has no rainbow it, would this be as good of bait or would you change to a different color swimbait?

 

[TheBeast]

Not really a question but just a comment, that Ish is one of my favorite tour pros.  I really like the way he handles himself on the water and how he handles things that most would get plum upset over and just calms himself relaxes and goes back to fishing, i.e. when he just kept going after those 2 biguns witht that 8" white tube until he landed it.

[Hawgin]

I've heard he is building a house in Texas, why move from the big bass lakes in Cali, to the big bass lakes in Texas?

[Deuceu72]

I read that a lot of pro's change the hooks on their crankbaits as soon as they take them out of the package. I understand that after time, the hooks will dull,or they want to change the action by adding a larger or smaller hook, but is it necessary to change them right out of the package or are the hooks, for the most part, good to go as is?

[KenDammit28]

Taking tournament fishing and sponsorships and the like out of the situation for a minute...what is it about fishing that draws you in and keeps you in?

If someone asks you(not a competitor in a tourney) "what are they bitin on today?", what is your response?

[BassChaser57]

How did you handle the financially lean years when no one knew you and sponsors were difficult to compete for?

[Valascus]

When you approach unfamiliar water, be it in a tournament setting or just recreational fishing, what steps do you take to locate and catch fish? What conditions do you pay most attention to? Thanks for your time!

[Bass XL]

great question valascus!

[BASS fisherman]

Thanks for the questions from everyone. I sent the interview to Ish, so when he responds to the interview, I will post his answers.

I was surprised so few asked questions.

I believe I sent all the questions, but if I missed one I appoligise.

Thanks again!

No More Questions Please

[Bass XL]

thanks, cant wait to see the answers!