Fishing/Expert Profile

Expertise

PLEASE, PLEASE, READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION. THANK YOU. PLEASE, I HAVE BEEN GETTING MANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANTIQUE RODS, REELS ETC. I hate to refuse questions but I really can not be of help in this. If you have an old rod, reel, lure etc. try contacting the maker if still existing or try antique fishing tackle on the web. I am genuinely sorry that I CAN NOT ANSWER SUCH QUESTIONS. I have been bass, crappie, brim and catfishing for over 70 years. Most of my recent experience has been on the Apalachicola R. in Fl. panhandle, and Lake Seminole. I can answer many questions on places to go and some ideas on tactics especially for largemouth bass in these waters. I can`t tell you what fish will bite but can give some lures and methods that have worked well for me over the last 33 years in this area. I am also well versed on boating safety and small boat handling.

Experience in the area

I am not a guide nor a writer or publisher of any magazine on fishing. All of my ideas would come from my experiences and those of fishing partners in local bass clubs in Panama City, Florida or from reading many books and magazine articles over the years.

Organizations

Basmasters. Past member (25 years) and instructor in boating and navigation classes in the United States Power Squadrons.

Publications

ST. Andrew Bay Power Squadron local publication "Stuffing Box"

Education/Credentials

United States Power Squadrons courses in Piloting and small boat handling, celestial navigation, trouble shooting on outboard engines and other non eletronic equipment in boats.

What do you like about this subject?

I started fishing when I was about five years old and have loved to fish ever since. I guess when I put that first worm on a hook and caught my first fish it was in my blood ever since. Dad used to take me out to Flat Branch when I was only about five years old and he and I became fishing partners until his death in 1987.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

I guess if I ever stop learning I will be through fishing. Of course I would love to catch a 26pound bass but I doubt I will achieve that. Perhaps a lake record. LOL

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Some people say that fishing is a sport that causes fish to be mistreated by hooking them in the mouth and then killing and eating them. My take is that "that is the way the world works." Every living creature must take life from some other living creature's death. It has been that way since living creatures were on the Earth.