Fishing and Fatherhood

            When I was fifteen, my father was taken from me suddenly by cancer. He was in my life one day and then gone the next.  Whenever I think back to the great times we had, they were usually out on a boat where he was telling a good story, a bad joke, or just spending time with his eldest son.  The lessons he taught me can still be applied to today  Read More

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Jim Juntunen
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Master Angler Programs & Contests

Let’s face it.  Bass fishermen primarily fish because we like the adreneline rush, right?  Whether it’s the blast-off in the morning, bugs in your teeth as you scream down the lake, or setting the hook like a champ, we are not out there to listen to birds chirp.  Of course, there are exceptions.  My problem is that on non-tourney days a lot of the excitement is missing.  I need something to strive for so I participate in alternate programs. 

 

Hall of Fame, Master Angler, Big Fish or Big Catch (just to name a few) are all State run programs that promote sport fishing through an awards program.  Award items vary by state but could include; patches, certificates, shirts, hats, listing in Hall of Fame, titles (like Master Angler or Expert Angler) …etc…  If you have not heard of an organization in your state you can visit the BadBassBoys.com Maps of Interest for details.

There are a few companies out there that also have free programs to participate in.  The MEPPS Master Angler Program comes to mind as well as the Angling Master International free derbies.  Both are a fun way to add a little competative edge to your day on the water.  The MEPPS program is great and very easy to understand.  The critiria is simple, catch a fish, take a picture and submit it, receive your certificate and patch.  I, myself, have the Trophy Fish Award.  The Angling Masters International is like MySpace for anglers.  It’s a great way to meet fishermen and women from everywhere.  Share stories and ideas and participate in some unique, online derbies.  There are to many details for me to explain here so you will have to check it out yourself.

Last but not least, Anglers Legacy Kids Fishing Hall of Fame offers nice certificates you can make for any kid you take on the water.

Bottom line is these programs can be used to create friendly competition and add a little excitement to you fishing trip.  Get involved!

Jim Juntunen

BadBassBoys.com

The Old Fisherman

 

A day fishing is not always about catching fish.  My last two outings are a testament to that.  The water is very low this summer, it’s been very hot and the fish have not been biting that great but being on the water can give you opportunities to meet some interesting people.  Yesterday about 6:50 am I was exploring a small bay that I had never been in.  The sun was warming the morning air, the water was calm and really clear and the sunfish were feverishly attacking my scum frog.  I had the bay all to myself.  Can you think of a better way to start the day?   As I was enjoying the peaceful setting a little old aluminum boat with a small outboard puttered around the corner and into my bay.  At the helm was an elderly gentleman.  As he pulled his boat up to the dock and killed the motor I ask how his day was going.  He said he caught about 15 bass and kept 3, motioning at the 5 gallon bucket in the boat.  I asked if he fished this lake much and he replied with, “50 years.  My friend usually fishs with me but he is sick and the rest of my friends have passed away.”  We spent a good 10 minutes or so talking.  I learned that he is a WWII Veteran and that he only goes fishing from 4:30 am to about 7 am.  He only uses topwater plugs because “they are the most exciting.”  When his grandson, from Idaho, came to visit he taught him how to topwater fish for bass and now that’s all he wants to do.  We talked about several other things as well.  As we said good-bye and I picked up my rod again I thought to myself, today has already been worth the trip.  If I don’t catch any fish today, just meeting this old fisherman with a lifetime of stories is as good as a livewell full of fish.  Take the time to meet your fellow anglers.  You will be surprised at where they have been and the things they have done.

Kid’s Fishing Hall of Fame

If you’re mentoring a kid, recognizing their accomplishments, no matter how large or small, is a great way to keep them interested. From first fish to catching the big one, you can post a photo, tell a story and create a custom certificate that commemorates their special day.    Visit the Kid’s Fishing Hall of Fame 

Do you have a ’special’ fishing buddy?  This is a great way to make a memorable day on the water unforgettable.

Eye am hooked on fishing

Ouch!!! Who wants to go through that? Now tell the truth, how many close calls have you had? I know I have had a few. One that involved a utility knife and me balancing on top of a chain link fence but that’s a whole different level of stupid. Maybe we’ll discuss that another time, right now I want to talk about fishing and one of our most valuable assets, eyesight. How many times did your mom tell you “don’t run with scissors, you’ll poke your eye out”? But you kept on doing it. What are the chances that you would actually fall and happen to poke yourself right in the eye? Probably about the same chances as hooking yourself in the eye. I bet this guy is thinking “Man, how could I be so stupid?” His situation could have been a close call that he and his fishing buddy could have laughed about years down the road if he had used a little caution and used the proper protective gear. I had two close calls last summer. The first one happened during a tournament. I had found a “honey hole” and I was catching 2 to 3 pounders like crazy. I set the hook on one like I was Kevin VanDam only to get a face full of bass slime. The 8″ bass was yanked clean out of the water, skipped off my face almost knocking me out of the boat, and landed 10′ on the opposite side. After I looked around to make sure nobody saw that, I had to laugh. After I started fishing again I thought how bad that could have been. On another occassion I set the hook like a champ but missed the fish. There was nothing I could do as I watched and listened to the lure hissing through the air directly at my son. It smacked him in the forehead and continued on for another 20-30′. He was not wearing glasses and could have been seriously injured. Thankfully mine have only been close calls but they could just as easily been life changing events. These close calls happen so fast that there is no time to react. I have decided to always wear glasses when fishing and always make sure everyone in my boat follows suit. I carry 4-5 pair of glasses in my boat for a couple reasons…one is if my fishing partner forgets theirs or doesn’t have any and the other is so I have different glasses for the changing conditions. During low light it is easy to remove your glasses or it’s just as easy and much safer to switch to a clear or light tint lense. Your eyesight and that of others in your boat can not be replaced. Use glasses to guard against injury and enjoy many more days on the water.

The Original Bad Bass Boy