I really like him. He has a great and simple approach to bass fishing. He doesn't try to promote any particular companies to the extent that many other professionals do. He is full of stories and is very personable. He admits his faults and is downright honest. A true fisherman.
Paul Hong i was looking to compliment him in a similar way but you nailed it. an interesting guy with cool stories that isn't making you watch his commercial. i will try his techniques this week.
This guy is awesome. I like how honest he is, you don't need to be all extra fancy to bass fish. You don't need all different variations of lures that can do the same thing. Most of the time pros are just promoting baits from companies that sponsor them rather than telling you what you really need to be doing to improve your fishing. One good jig can be fished any type of way, with any type of trailer. It is more about who is holding the pole than what is tied on it.
Yeah Tom, I’ve been a fan for a few years now and it’s great to see “old school” tips, cause I’m the same age as you and that makes me “old school “ 🎣👍😂😂
Your life making trout flies is like mine. Started at age 12. Then making jigs and spinnerbaits and adding Hildebrandt blades and Sampo swivels. Pouring lead for everything. Now airbrush paint on custom paints hard baits. Very rewarding and better lures and better fish.
Tom, I love your style, and I was pulling for you on tour this year and watched you win...I grew up on the Ohio River and sad to say there are fewer good bass there today, but I used the grub trailers at Kentucky lake and Cumberland . Great tips...Thanks, and Huge Success for 2018. 🎣🎣🎣. Will 👍
I am 69 years old and have bass fished since about 6 with my dad. We fished in Louisiana on False River where there was a lot off moss and grass. We used a spinner bait called an H&H and by mistake discovered if we pull our spinner bait across the grass, the bass would hit it. Well before the invention of the buzz bait we were doing it with a spinner bait....
I just watched him on bass after dark and you would think "maybe Tom is just saying this to be different" but 10 years ago he's says, "sharp hooks, you don't set the hook with a sharp hook, you just reel into them"
50 yrs. ago I read a very short article that said a jig was the only lure one needed to catch fish yr. around. I wish I'd of kept that article because now with all the craze about '' swim jigs '' it looks like that article was right.
Tried "not setting the hook" today as he said, lost back to back fish. Went back to setting the hook like i always do and stuck 5 fish no problems. Think i'll stick to setting the hook on a swim jig.
Spinnerbait, Chatterbait, Crankbait, Swimjig, Swimbait, Soft jerkbait, shakeyhead/dropshot. If i don't find fish with those baits (in that order) i go home.
TheUnluckyFisherman man you're forgetting a lot. And I'd change that order if I were you because not everyday does the weather change to fit all those baits
"I always fish it slow as I can"......that's in direct contradiction with what most pros say, they say fish it fast and keep it in sight the whole time. I fish mine slow especially when it's deep myself.
12lb line? Really? I'd get my heart broken fishing a spinnerbait or chatterbait with 12lb line. Hackney fishes his with 65 lb straight braid and he cracks em. Kvd in his video was using 20lb test mono I believe. Whatever works for ya I guess
Depends on where in the country you are fishing. Some places catching a 5 + isn't all that common and when you do you can fight them with your drag. 12 pound usually covers just about all you need and allows you to feel the bite more. Heavier lines are usually used by the pros more so because of the type of cover they are fishing rather than the fish themselves ( like 65 pound braid ) I've caught plenty of 4 and 5 pounders on 6 and 8 pound mono lines. Cheap brands and all. If you know what your doing you can catch em with what u have. Of course if I was fishing heavier stuff or fishing down south where catching close to 10 pound and even 10 plus pound bass is much more common heavier line would be a must.
Jared C Dmgolfer22 Where he is on the Mississippi there aren't too many 6-pounders, so that's a big consideration for him. But Monsoor is maybe the best swimjig guy around, so it is at least a good starting point that you can adjust from.
I believe the video you're referring to with Hackney is on Kentucky lake and he's skipping back up under bushes and overhangs. Obviously you're not going to throw 12lb test in thick bushes. Monsoor is in pretty open water on a river with fish that aren't nearly as big as what KY lake has to offer. So while they're both swimming a jig, they are also both in two completely different situations. Some things to consider -- the heavier the cover, obviously the heavier the line. Also, line choice can depend on water clarity, on how high you want the jig to ride in the water column at a certain speed, etc. There's a heck of a lot more too it than "hey, these guys are both throwing swim jigs, so everything has to be the same."
TheUnluckyFisherman ya, definitely can be. I don't have a problem with any of them until you start getting into the bigger fluoro because it starts getting stiffer and more difficult to manage.
I really like him. He has a great and simple approach to bass fishing. He doesn't try to promote any particular companies to the extent that many other professionals do. He is full of stories and is very personable. He admits his faults and is downright honest. A true fisherman.
Paul Hong i was looking to compliment him in a similar way but you nailed it. an interesting guy with cool stories that isn't making you watch his commercial. i will try his techniques this week.
My thoughts exactly......
This guy is awesome. I like how honest he is, you don't need to be all extra fancy to bass fish. You don't need all different variations of lures that can do the same thing. Most of the time pros are just promoting baits from companies that sponsor them rather than telling you what you really need to be doing to improve your fishing. One good jig can be fished any type of way, with any type of trailer. It is more about who is holding the pole than what is tied on it.
Discovered swimming a jig last year and won a couple of tourneys with it and enhanced my fun fishing sessions, thank you!
Been following you since the ole days, back in the 90's
Thank you Tom for this video.
This guy is my idol and definitely a legend 🙌 💯
Yeah Tom, I’ve been a fan for a few years now and it’s great to see “old school” tips, cause I’m the same age as you and that makes me “old school “ 🎣👍😂😂
I watched ur video about two months ago and learned the technique and today I caught my personal best Largemouth Thanks to ur video..!!
robbie5826987 Awesome! Can't beat that!
Your life making trout flies is like mine. Started at age 12. Then making jigs and spinnerbaits and adding Hildebrandt blades and Sampo swivels. Pouring lead for everything. Now airbrush paint on custom paints hard baits. Very rewarding and better lures and better fish.
Happen to sell any?
Awesome simple approach!
Thank you!
Awesome stuff with Tom
Met Tom in FL. Very nice guy, he gave me a few jigs to try out. I traded him a special frog I was using.
Really enjoyed this video. I am one of those guys who has not done well with jigs and I just need to tie one on and stick with it.
Tom, I love your style, and I was pulling for you on tour this year and watched you win...I grew up on the Ohio River and sad to say there are fewer good bass there today, but I used the grub trailers at Kentucky lake and Cumberland . Great tips...Thanks, and Huge Success for 2018. 🎣🎣🎣. Will 👍
My home waters, and this man knows what he's talking about on the Mighty Mississippi River.
Some great information 👍👍
Done very well,ya helped this old guy out😎
Just got a Lew's combo rod and reel and I'm really impressed with it. I can cast weightless soft plastics with no rats nest and honestly huge for me.
great video.
very good video. great advice from a guy who knows bass fishing.
def my fav angler
Those hooks must be wicked sharp
I am 69 years old and have bass fished since about 6 with my dad. We fished in Louisiana on False River where there was a lot off moss and grass. We used a spinner bait called an H&H and by mistake discovered if we pull our spinner bait across the grass, the bass would hit it. Well before the invention of the buzz bait we were doing it with a spinner bait....
Awesome stuff ............
I just watched him on bass after dark and you would think "maybe Tom is just saying this to be different" but 10 years ago he's says, "sharp hooks, you don't set the hook with a sharp hook, you just reel into them"
Tom what hooks do use on the jigs you make? Thanks for sharing.
50 yrs. ago I read a very short article that said a jig was the only lure one needed to catch fish yr. around. I wish I'd of kept that article because now with all the craze about '' swim jigs '' it looks like that article was right.
Very clear lakes
Wow i went fishing yesterday and caught a lot of small ones with what you were saying too!
The same technique also works pretty good with the spinnerbait!
Tried "not setting the hook" today as he said, lost back to back fish. Went back to setting the hook like i always do and stuck 5 fish no problems. Think i'll stick to setting the hook on a swim jig.
I think it depends on how heavy the wire of the hook is as well as sharpness
oldschool reel yo
Are you fishing by Villa Louis?
You are giving away all my secrets!
I got some swim jig vids off fox lake wis
Black and Purple are bluegill colors
They aren't big this day but it sure looks fun
i live right by la crosse :D cool
My neck of the woods...
Graham county NC
"it felt bigger".... thats what she said haha
Black and blue is good because because the Mississippi River is nasty brown in color.
👍
also i live in lacrosse wisconsin^^
Wish I could wear a jig out in one trip
Banjo minnows have super better action than those do and can be fished at all depths. Its old school but has been working for 15+years.
Spinnerbait, Chatterbait, Crankbait, Swimjig, Swimbait, Soft jerkbait, shakeyhead/dropshot. If i don't find fish with those baits (in that order) i go home.
You're leaving out some great lures, ones I'd go to much of the year before any of the ones you list. Frogs, for one.
James Ritchie i live in ontario, and all lakes are different.
TheUnluckyFisherman man you're forgetting a lot. And I'd change that order if I were you because not everyday does the weather change to fit all those baits
NBbassin yup
thats basically my order too except ill start with topwater if its real early in the morning
Swim baits are awesome. Ive had better actiong using them on rivers.
Am I in the wrong video? I thought I click on beyond the basics, cuz I'm pretty sure video is FAR BEHIND the basics
#minibass
"I always fish it slow as I can"......that's in direct contradiction with what most pros say, they say fish it fast and keep it in sight the whole time. I fish mine slow especially when it's deep myself.
12lb line? Really? I'd get my heart broken fishing a spinnerbait or chatterbait with 12lb line. Hackney fishes his with 65 lb straight braid and he cracks em. Kvd in his video was using 20lb test mono I believe. Whatever works for ya I guess
Depends on where in the country you are fishing. Some places catching a 5 + isn't all that common and when you do you can fight them with your drag. 12 pound usually covers just about all you need and allows you to feel the bite more. Heavier lines are usually used by the pros more so because of the type of cover they are fishing rather than the fish themselves ( like 65 pound braid ) I've caught plenty of 4 and 5 pounders on 6 and 8 pound mono lines. Cheap brands and all. If you know what your doing you can catch em with what u have. Of course if I was fishing heavier stuff or fishing down south where catching close to 10 pound and even 10 plus pound bass is much more common heavier line would be a must.
Jared C Dmgolfer22 Where he is on the Mississippi there aren't too many 6-pounders, so that's a big consideration for him. But Monsoor is maybe the best swimjig guy around, so it is at least a good starting point that you can adjust from.
I believe the video you're referring to with Hackney is on Kentucky lake and he's skipping back up under bushes and overhangs. Obviously you're not going to throw 12lb test in thick bushes. Monsoor is in pretty open water on a river with fish that aren't nearly as big as what KY lake has to offer. So while they're both swimming a jig, they are also both in two completely different situations.
Some things to consider -- the heavier the cover, obviously the heavier the line. Also, line choice can depend on water clarity, on how high you want the jig to ride in the water column at a certain speed, etc.
There's a heck of a lot more too it than "hey, these guys are both throwing swim jigs, so everything has to be the same."
Chris W Also, it's a little bit easier to skip with braid IMO.
TheUnluckyFisherman ya, definitely can be. I don't have a problem with any of them until you start getting into the bigger fluoro because it starts getting stiffer and more difficult to manage.
So don't 'pull a Bill Dance' when fishing a swim jig got it. Ole Billy tries to real in nothing. But lips with his hook-sets.
Boring
not boring for me. I enjoyed every second of the video and learned some more about swim jig fishng