What Truck, Boat and Outboard does Mike run?

My Sponsors

I would like to Thank my Sponsors, Solar Bat Sunglasses, SHredfin Apperal, Titan Tungsten, & MossyJAw CustomBaits. These companies have provide me with some of the best if not the best products on the market. 

What Mike does for a living:

I have been in education for 31 years. In those 31 years I have coached for 20 of them and spent the rest as a MIddle School Principal. Watching youngsters grow and mature and see the " I got it moments" have been a true blessing. 

What you should know about Mike:

I enjoy making my own baits. I have my own bait company in MossyJaw CustomBaits. I pour and tie all me jigs, and spinnerbaits. I also pour my own soft plastic baits. It has become a passion that I have jumped all in and have given 100%. 

How Mike started fishing

I began fishing around 1994 when my twin brother was diagnosed with germ cell cancer and he asked me if I would go fishing him. When we were growing up my brothers all fished and all I wanted to do was hunt and trap. However, when my twin asked to fish with him I acquiesced and we grew a lot closer over the months that came. Then in August 1995 he passed away and my father asked me if I would fish a local club trail with him the following year. Of course I said yes and we won four of the seven tournaments and I was instantly hooked. Dad told me I had inate ability to put meself around fish all I needed was to figure out what they wanted to bite. Dad was a tremendous angler, who mant around Northeast Oklahoma revered, so I had a great teacher. But in short this is how I began fishing.

Aspirations or goals with fishing

My goal is to retire from education in 2026 and fish all ok the Okie BFL's and qualify for the Supertournament and win it. Then fish the Toyots Series or BASS Nation Opens and  go up against this regions best anglers.  

Favorite way to fish

My favorite way fo fish is with a jig or big worm offshore. However, my favorite bite is a spinnerbait bite. 

Most exciting fishing experience

In 1999 at Lake Fork I caught my first double digit bass. It weighed #10.74. Caught on a green pumpkin senko on 12 pound line.

How Mike preps for a tournament

I will go through my boat a day or two before a tournament and clean out anything I may not need and put in things I may need. I will rig my rods that day and not think about baits anymore after that. If my time is limited or I have not had the opportunity to prefish. I will "fish the moment" so to speak, and let my hunting instincts kick in as to where the fish may be located that particular time of the year and adjust accordingly. 

Three favorite search baits

My three favorit search baits are a Top Water, Crankbait, and a jig. 

Best tournament finish and what you did that day when you were fishing.

My best tournament day would have been in April of 2007 on Grand Lake O The Cherokee. My then partner and I had 22 1/2 pounds in a huge tournament (250 boats) and we actually did not finish in the money. However, I learned so much that day. 

Most challenging part of tournament fishing

The most challenging part of fishing for me is getting time to go due to my school schedule. Which is why I try to maximze the time I get on the water, which is usually pre dawn till after dark.

When tournaments don't go my way

I don't let it bother me. I reflect, write it down, and when I am faced with conditions that are close I make adjustments. When things don't go your way they are not stumbling blocks, they building blocks.

Advice to give to an aspiring tournament angler:

Have fun! Enjoy what you are doing! Write down one thing you learned each time you get out on the water.

Some shared general bass fishing techniques for people just getting into the sport

I would use a Texas rig soft plastic or a spinnerbait. You can master a lot of other techniques by first mastering how to use these two baits.