The Fishing Machine PAA Interviews:

Learn bass fishing tips and techniques with The Fishing Machine.

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Alton Jones

2008 Bass Masters Classic Champion

Fishing Machine: Alton, thank you for taking time out of your crazy schedule to join us on The Fishing Machine Weekly Pro interview ! Congratulations Alton ! Tell us how it feels to be the World Champion of Bass Fishing?

Alton: Well thank you very much Gene, it does feel incredible. I think one of the best feelings for me has been not just fulfilling a dream or achievement but getting to share this experience with all my friends and especially my family. Having them in the boat with me for the victory lap and doing those sorts of things is neat for all of us.

Fishing Machine: That is great Alton! It was a fabulous tournament for you at Lake Hartwell. And as you know, on “The Fishing Machine” Pro interviews, we try to get insights for anglers who are aspiring to get to the level that you are at. With that in mind, would you share with us the process that you employed to prepare for Lake Hartwell and the Bass Masters Classic ?

Alton: Sure. I have always felt that preparation before a tournament is more important than game day performance. I think if you talk to any athlete, in any sport, who has been successful, they will tell you the same thing. So, it is really a matter of preparing yourself for success.

For me it started with developing a strategy that I hoped would be successful. One of the mistakes that I have made in Classics past, is the pre-practice is so far removed from the actual event that I would go to a particular part of the water to find fish and when I would go back 2 months later for the tournament, I had preconceived notions in my mind of areas, lures, depths, speed and all of these different things. Well, patterns and locations never hold up for two months. This year when I went in and pre practiced Lake Hartwell, I never broke a rod out of my box. The lake was way down and my goal was simple: to ride the lake and look to see what types of water cover and habitat was available for the fish. All I really wanted to do was determine the areas of the lake that I wanted to spend my practice time in when we would come back for the official practice period. That way, the four days of practice just before the event, would allow me to focus on finding fish and establishing patterns that could actually count for something. This is how it kind of started. I think all of us, as we are planning for events, and especially for aspiring anglers out there, it is important to have a carefully mapped out plan of attack. Your strategy is not always going to work but you are always going to be more effective and more efficient if you have a plan to follow.

Fishing Machine: Thanks Alton that is a great answer ! During a 3 or 4 day pre-fish period, what types of things are you trying to accomplish on the water ?

Alton: I am trying to hit a home run and fish to win, but at the Classic, that is even more true ! When you qualify for the Classic, you are only fishing for one position - there are no points to be gathered. My goal for practice was simple: to figure out 1) where in the water are the quality fish that I am looking for (to give myself the chance to win the classic) and then 2) figure out sub-patterns within that location, including lures and techniques that would have to be used to get those bites, and frankly, after 3 days of practice I was a little concerned. After the third day of pre-practice I had figured out where the big fish were but I had not done a very good job of figuring out how to catch them. It was not until the final day of practice and just trying many different things, that I was able to finally come upon a bait that would work.

Fishing Machine: That’s great. At what depth were you catching the quality fish during the Classic?

Alton: My better fish were coming from 30 to 40 feet, however my best depth was 30 to 35 feet. What was interesting was that I really didn’t have any other competitors fishing in the area I felt the big fish where really located. The fish were laying on the bottom of ditches, and actually laying on the bottom part of the creek channel. Normally, when fish are feeding, we are usually fishing a slope or the top lip of a drop off and those sorts of structure. These fish were in a “classic lake winter pattern” laying on the bottom of these channels. What I had to do to get them to bite, was to throw a bait that was almost too light to be fishing with. If we would have had a real big blow, 30 to 40 mph winds, I probably would have not been able to effectively fish that deep and that slowly, because I scaled all the way down to a ½ oz. jig, a proto type BOOYAH Jig that is coming out soon. It will be called the “Alton A Jig” or the “Alton Classic go to Jig”. The key feature about this jig is that it has a “living rubber” skirt. It is not a silicone skirt, it is a living rubber skirt which gives the bait a bigger profile and these fish wanted a combination of slow fall and a big profile. During the Classic, any other combination that I put together was not effective.

Fishing Machine: That’s incredible ! We will all be running out to Bass Pro for your new BOOYAH jig ! Alton, you now have to turn your attention to getting ready for the 2008 Elite Season. What will be your number one goal for the 2008 tournament season?

Alton: Well I think every fisherman, as we approach a new season, has the goal of winning the “Angler of the Year” title. I am certainly no different in that respect. I haven’t had the chance, quite frankly, during the last few days, to do the type of preparation that I wanted to do for the season. But let me tell you what I have done. I mentioned to you a moment ago that I feel preparation is more important than game day. Not that I was anticipating a Classic win, but just in the normal due diligence process, I was able to spend a lot of time last year, during the off season, thinking about and planning for the Elite Series Season. I did a lot of due diligence and much of my strategic planning is tucked away and packed in my mind, and I have every intention of following the plan I have laid out.

Fishing Machine: If you could share one idea or some guidance for Anglers that are aspiring to become tournament pros like yourself, what would this advice be?

Alton: I think the most important thing to remember is there is no substitute for experience. Reading about fishing and talking to people who have been successful in this sport and getting information and educating yourself is critically important. However, don’t let that serve as a substitute for time spent on the water. You need to gain your own personal experience. My recommendation would be to fish in as many tournaments as possible. My take on this might be a little different than others. A lot of anglers now a days decide, “I am going to fish the co-angler side of tournaments. I am going to fish out of the back of a professional’s boat, and that is how I am going to get my education.” To me, there is a lot of value to being a co-angler. However, please understand that this is more like reading Bass Masters magazine. You are going to observe new techniques, but what the co-angler in the back seat of the boat does not learn from this experience is the actual art of finding fish. And finding fish is the key that determines who wins and who loses. So, I would recommend that people take their time, and put themselves in a position where they must rely on their own thinking, their own intuition and their own abilities to succeed or fail. Keep in mind that sometimes failing in this part of the process is part of the learning curve too. Consider placing yourself in a position where you don’t have anyone else to rely on and fish tournaments from the front of the boat instead of the back. This, in my opinion, is the quicker way to have success.

Fishing Machine: That’s Great! Here are some fun questions?

Alton: What is your Favorite….

1) BREAKFAST STOP: Breakfast Taco Stand

2) STYLE OF MUSIC: Christian Music & Classic Rock

4) MOVIE: Facing the Giants

6) LAKE TO FISH: Lake Falcon, Texas

7) Angler to compete against: There are so many but Kevin VanDam would be #1

8) Food or snack on the boat during the day: protein bars, “Zone Perfect”, and energy drink “Boost”.

Fishing Machine: What is the weight of your biggest tournament fish?

Alton: 10lbs and 13oz and it was caught on the Lake Harris chain

Fishing Machine: Over the years as a Bass Fisherman, and while you were growing up, which angler or person inspired you the most or have you admired the most ?

Alton: As far as me building a career and someone that I has really looked up to would have to be Denny Brauer. He has always been very kind to me when I have needed advise and had questions. He has always shot straight with me and obviously he has had a very illustrious career. So, I have always admired Denny. And I select Denny, because for me, it goes beyond fishing. He is just the consummate gentleman. But this is hard for me to answer because I am sitting in the car right now with Rick Clunn ! It is just incredible to be peers with Rick, who has also been a hero of mine for many years.

Fishing Machine: Again Alton, congratulations to you and to your family on winning the World Championship, and let me just say that the sport of Bass Fishing could not have a better ambassador to represent them as it’s world champion than Alton Jones ! Again Congratulations and thanks for all you have done for all of us in Profession Bass Fishing.

Alton: Thank you so much Gene, and God Bless everybody.

Fishing Machine: Take care Alton !

Gene Ellison
"The Fishing Machine"
9 Spearfields Lane - Lynnfield, MA 01940 - 781-245-5800

gene@cfninvestments.com