What Truck, Boat and Outboard does Joseph run?

Ford F250

2006 Ranger Z20

Mercury Optimax 225

My Sponsors

Cartersville Cabinet Company

www.cartersvillecabinets.com

What Joseph does for a living:

Kitchen cabinet and bathroom vanities. Everything from full custom to RTA.

What you should know about Joseph:

Easy going guy who is an intense competitor.

How Joseph started fishing

My dad, both grandads, and several uncles showed me the basics.

Aspirations or goals with fishing

To one day fish full-time while introducing youth to the sport.

Favorite way to fish

I really enjoy top water, but anyday on the water catching fish is great.

Most exciting fishing experience

Catching a 13 Lb 2 oz largemouth is what come to mind at first thought but helping a friend catch his first largemouth over 8 lbs is up there also.

How Joseph preps for a tournament

The first thing I check is the weather forecast.

The second thing I check is water temperature.

The third thing is lake level, Is it stable, increasing, or decreasing.

Then I rely on past experience to try to develop the pattern I want to target.

I try to pre-fish or at least go locate fish in the areas I'm going to target.

Even with all the above, the fish will almost always throw you a curve or three. You must be willing to change if conditions call for it.

Three favorite search baits

Shallow- Buzzbait, Spinnerbait, and/or crankbait

Middle Depths- Drop Shot or Carolina Rig

Deep- Carolina Rig or Jigging Spoon

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

Most challenging part of tournament fishing

Slowing down, staying focused, and being willing to change tactics and fishing styles.

When tournaments don't go my way

It's fishing. Being humbled is not a bad thing.

Advice to give to an aspiring tournament angler:

Set goals, short and long term, work toward them. Don't get aggravated at missing a goal, just work harder to achieve it. 

Be your hardest critic. Dont let yourself slack, hold yourself accountable. If you're not willing to give a 110% effort, then you have no one to blame but yourself.

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

Use the KISS Method. Keep It Simple Stupid! LOL!

Dont get caught up in the 1000's of color choices. Figure out the areas you fish. What is the primary diet of the fish you're targeting? Once you figure that out purchase baits in those colors. Always buy 2 of whatever bait you're buying. Odds are you will lose one at some point and time. Educate yourself about fish movement. You Tube has all kinds of videos that can help you target fish by water temps, time of year, and help you know what depths to target. My final suggestions is most of the time big fish are loaners, and dont necessary participate in schools. There are some exceptions to this thought but most of the time big fish are like big deer. They stay to themselves.