Interview with Ish Monroe

[BASS fisherman]

Here are the questions I sent to Ish from the forum members. Thanks for submitting the questions, and thanks to Ish for taking the time to answer them. Avid, I am sorry I missed your question, I'll ask him and get back to you.

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

Sorry I dont fish with anyone. thanks for the offer.

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Questions:

BassChaser57 wrote:How did you handle the financially lean years when no one knew you and sponsors were difficult to compete for?

I have always had good sponsor relations. When I was not catchin them I was doing as many articles as I could to keep the sponsors happy. I worked any show they asked and even some they didnt. And I took baby steps into the business. I caught them in CA and saved before I thought of going on the pro Tour.

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Valascus wrote: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!

You cant control conditions. I just go fishing and have fun. Its not complicated, it's just fishing.

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Deuceu72 wrote: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?

If they are not gammies, they get changed. And if they are and they're not the right size, I change them.

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eyedabassman wrote: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?

Anytime you can go fishing is a good idea!

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

Color does not make that much if a difference when your fishing a big bait. its the size of the bait thats makes them react. I catch fish all the time on rainbow trout colored baits when they have no trout in the lake.

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Low_Budget_Hookers wrote:Are there any other baits you use in larger "salthingyer" sizes like that 8" white tube?

I have 8in lizzards and craws. And the big swim baits like the new Tru Tungsten swim bait that is coming.

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

Marketing for some fishing industry company.

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Bass XL wrote:I have a few:

What is your favorite lure and presentation for clear water?

Topwater!

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?

If the Dam had the deppest water then it would be the dam. Or the thickest cover I can find.

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KenDammit28 wrote:

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

I tell them the truth. Because I believe that people cant catch someone elses fish. Thats why I dont hire guides or get help.

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Hawgin wrote:I've heard you are building a house in Texas, why move from the big bass lakes in Cali, to the big bass lakes in Texas?

I am not moving to Texas, I am just building a second home there I have no plan to live in Texas full time.

Ish

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Thanks, Andy.

Wayne

[Guest avid]

Andy,

That was great.  Well done.

I don't miss my question at all.

The interview was so cool.  He seems like a "regular" guy.

Thanks a million for the interview.

avid

[Deuceu72]

Thank you very much! Who's the next pro to answer questions??? I loved this!   ;D ;D ;D

[BASS fisherman]

I would LOVE to interview Ike, but those pros are very very hard to get ahold of.

Anyone got any connections?  

[Bass XL]

Thanks man, that was great, glad you got a hold of him.

[NEBassMan]

Thanks for doing that!  That's very awesome.  And thanks to Ish for taking the time to answer the questions. 8-)

Jason

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Most pro's charge a fee for their time.  Many are still so inundated that they up the fee just to get a little more personal time and even that doesn't work.  Ish is alot like most here, he is very comfortable with the internet (many pros are not)and uses it to further prove he is an ambassador of the sport by helping out forum boards like ours by taking the time to do these interviews.

Thanks Ish and Andy

[Long Mike]

Guess what folks?  The annual Tulsa Boat Show starts tomorow.  None other than Ish Monroe will be conducting seminars.  Also, a local pro by the name of Gary Mullins will also be holding seminars on Oklahome bass fishing.  If any of you folks have questions for either of them, then PM me and I will try to get answered.

[burleytog]

I would love to fish with Ish.  He seems like he would be really fun to be around.

I started to post a question about the show he did with Roland Martin, but I didn't want to put Ish on the spot.

[JT Bagwell]

Most pro's charge a fee for their time. Many are still so inundated that they up the fee just to get a little more personal time and even that doesn't work.

I have to disagree with that statement. Even when I first started writing articles,

I had no trouble calling the biggest names in the business and getting some of their

time. Even when they weren't around for the original telephone call, I had returned

calls from guys like Hank Parker, KVD, Gerald Swindle, Larry Nixon, Jay Yelas, and

dozens more. Heck, I even got a prank call from Ike one night (that was rather amusing).

These guys are more than willing to talk because it gets them more press. More press

for them, usually equates to more press for their sponsors and that is what drives

the business. Nobody has ever even implied that they wanted to charge me a fee for

an interview. They just ask that I send them a copy of the magazine, newspaper or

internet column that they are quoted in.

JT Bagwell

[KenDammit28]

you shoulda done a follow up on the first question and asked him why he chooses to fish alone.

[BassChaser57]

Hey JT--Sounds like you just got nominated to get us connected to some pros for interviews. All in favor of having JT set this up for us say I.

Ish did a nice thread, thanks.

[BASS fisherman]

Hey JT--Sounds like you just got nominated to get us connected to some pros for interviews.

All in favor of having JT set this up for us say I.

"I".....

[JT Bagwell]

Hey JT--Sounds like you just got nominated to get us connected to some pros for interviews. All in favor of having JT set this up for us say I.

Ish did a nice thread, thanks.

I would if I had time, but I don't.

Sorry

JT Bagwell

[Catt]

I've had emailed correspondence with Doug Hannon, Denny Brauer, Shaw Grisby, and Larry Nixon. I talk to Tommy Martin and Harold Allen when ever I see them around the lake; believe it or not they feel honored in the fact that armatures believe in them enough to ask questions. You will find most Pros are very willing to share their knowledge of our sport at no cost; they are like us in their love of this sport, and will talk fishing at the drop of a hat. Shaw will usually drop the hat!

I fished the B.A.S.S. Top 150 on Toledo Bend back in 2001; the first day was delayed for 3 or 4 hours due to fog. We had a dozen boats all tied together and had a major bull s*** secession with the Pros and amateurs. Other Pros and amateurs were in groups on the bank laughing and cutting up like we do here.