If you had the chance to sit down with one professional angler 1 on 1 and honestly talk FISHING...

[OkobojiEagle]

Larry Nixon

[Fat-G]

My good friend Mike Ostrander, and a biologist friend, then on to the pros: Scott Martin, Al Lindner (DEFINITELY), Paul Elias, and basically any other southern type guy. Pros shaped like a healthy bass are funny to watch ;D (Dion Hibdon)

[Fat-G]

Almost forgot Edwin Evers! Seems like such a nice guy

[devinjm]

for my high school graduation two years ago, i got a 14ft john boat with a small outboard and trolling motor. when i think of deep water, i think of the length of my boat. one angler started the same way i did with the same boat at the same age. and has the same thought process as me in nearly every aspect on the water. MIKE IACONELLI

he is the man and my personal fishing hero. my goal is to be him someday. the signature on my phone is even "Mike Ike Jr." lol

[brianbass]

Ike and skeet would be my choices, but so many others too.

[CJ]

Well I got to talk to Rick Clunn one time and I was lost after a few seconds but, still a nice guy.

I would like to have a good chat with KVD.

[Mottfia]

Thats a great question. Persoanlly I would have to go with Al Linder. I used to watch his videos all the time over at a friends house. I like his style of teaching in those videos. I guess if I had to choose a pro I would take KVD. He is one of the best. Other than that I'd like to pick the brains of some older guides around cental Alabama. I think they would give you the best understanding of an individual lake.

Mottfia

[CWB]

Al Lindner. He grew up in my neck of the woods fishing the same waters I fish. I won the northern region catch and release bass several years ago with a 23 1/2 incher and he personally wrote me a letter saying he was glad to see the lake I caught it from was still producing lunkers. I've chatted briefly with him at a few shows but would love to sit down with him. A true pioneer.

[Sam]

Ike. 

[zero]

wow hard choice to pick only 1

but i pick ike iaconelli and kvd

[eastkybass]

I would have to go with either Larry Nixon or Denny Braur.  I think with both of these being in the sport for so long and all they have seen you could learn so much.

[Grey Wolf]

KVD.

[bassmedic46]

I would like to sit down and talk with Ike.

[Dalton Tam]

Most definately Randy Howell. Great fisherman. fishes similar to my style and just an all around great person.

[Olebiker]

I won the northern region catch and release bass several years ago with a 23 1/2 incher

Leave it to a Yankee to refer to the size of a big bass by its length. I agree about Lindner, though. As a Southern boy it pains me to say this, but I think that, if he had stayed with tournament bass fishing, he would have been the superstar of BASS.

[A-Rob]

You might be interested in this then:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/mike-iaconelli-video.html

and this:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/bass-fishing-pro-Mike-Iaconelli.html

Thanks!!

[Darren.]

First post here. Great site, great resources!

If I could only pick one guy: "Uncle" Homer Circle. So many years on the water, so much wisdom, so practical.

[A.Maxwell]

Mike Long is an excellent choice, but for me Gary Dobyn's would be my choice.

[Big-O]

Terrific question and gives much food for thought I am partial to detailed discussions on why fish react positively in different situations to different presentations. Like many of the above responses, spending time with pro's and guides and discussing their intimate knowledge of home waters is where I would start.

Example: If I wanted to learn about tractors, I would talk to the farmers who work them instead of a dealership. The dealership will tell me what it's suppose to do, the Farmer will tell me what it really does.

Often, we're on the fish and won't know it because we're not getting bit. We're too fast, too slow, too shallow or too deep and the fish aren't interested in our presentations.

With that said, discussing the approach, styles and order of presentations to take advantage of each fish holding area is first priority for me.

I live in Texas and 90% of my fishing is done here but really enjoy fishing other waters. When at Kentucky Lake earlier this year, CJ, Bud, Kent and others had great insight on these details for that lake and made everyones success improve thru their casual conversation.

Although I'm blessed with the opportunity to fish with each of the SK Pros learning their favorite patterns on home waters, I receive just as much enjoyment and understanding from the everyday folks who spend quality time on their lakes too.

One of these days, I'll slide over to Toledo Bend and get Catt in the boat.....now that'll be a good time Fo Sho

www.ragetail.com

[fishermantony]

The angler I would most like to sit down with 1 on 1 passed away 15 years ago this month.  Bryan Kerchal was a model person as well as a bass fisherman.

[Triton21]

I would love to spend one more day in the back of Billy Westmoreland's boat.  Was lucky to have him for a friend several years and learned tons about 3 species, Smallmouth, Spots, and Largemouth.  He was a great guy and the worlds best Smallmouth fisherman. 

Kelley

[CHEVYRIDAZ]

Very hard choice for me really............................probably Bill Dance because i always admired him and grew up watching his shows. KVD CLOSELY in 2nd place though.

[shootermcbob]

too many great fishermen to name just one:

Hank Parker

Bill Dance

Al Lindner

KVD

Edwin Evers

Tim Horton

and just for fun

Mark Zona

[RockvilleMDAngler]

I don't think one day would be enough.  If I fished with any elite pro for a day I would probably end up with more bad habits then good since I would continually try to do what he did on that one day. 

The only way I would really come out of an experience like that with an improved fishing sense is if I fished with the pro for 10-20 times in a season and learned why he makes the decisions he makes.  There is too much to learn for one day.

I have been out on the Potomac River several times with well respected guides and each trip has improved my fishing but the drastic impact was felt on the 5th and 6th trips, not the first.

Anyway if I could go for 10-20 trips I would want to fish with KVD, his knowledge of fish movements and migrations is second to none and I want to learn to fish better with the trolling motor on high.

[Northern Strain]

Mike Iaconelli, He is fun to watch, and probably more fun to fish with, and I think everyone could learn from his never give up style of fishing.