Was it your dad or grandad? Was it a tournament angler that took you under his wing? Was it someone that you have never met like a BASS angler? Was it a Fork guide?

Please share and feel free to name more than just one.

WC BLASS ......good guy

I wish I could say it was my father but he wasn't into fishing. He was a great man but he didn't care for fishing.

I had many mentors through the years when I got started fishing. One of them was a man that lived across the alley from me when I was a 15 year old kid that belonged to a local bass club named Jimmy Landrum. He took me to their tournaments and taught me the basics about fishing before I was old enough to drive. I wound up buying his boat even before I had my driver's license. I had the chance to fish with several guys from that club that all taught me a bunch.

Then in the mid to late 80's I got to fish with many Fork guides/locals like Ronnie Byrd, Mark Stevenson, Gayland Poe, Joe Axton, Bill Kells, Gene Snider, Richard McCarty, Brian Duplechain, Kent Clifton, Tony Clark, Keith Blair, that all taught me a ton about fishing.

I learned different techniques from each one. Each one had their strong suits.

Richard McCarty is a power-fisherman. He did not own a spinning rod. He hated weightless lure presentations like the Sluggo and Fluke-type baits. He also did not like the Carolina rig. He was a spinnerbait, jig, crankbait master.

Ronnie Byrd on the other hand loved to fish a 4" swimming grub on a spinning rod on 10# test line and was a master at it.

Brian Duplechain is a deepwater master and can find fish where there are no fish.

Gene Snider is a deep crankbait & jig artist.

Tony Clark is a Trophy-Hunter extraordinaire. He has landed more legit fish over 10# than anyone I know and I know a few....

Dad got me hooked on fishing, I just took the obsession to the next level.

Ken, do you remember a guy named Alex McCoy ? He used to hang out at Axtons in the 90's when you had your first bullet boats. He was a slider worm genius. I was a total fishing idiot back in the early 90's and he probably taught me more about just getting bites, then I fished with Tommy Yetts who introduced me to tournaments and competition and then Mike Kernan who introduced me to the working harder than the competition meantality. Those three I would say were mine.......but I'm still a fishing idiot!

Gus Bearman Sr. And Bobby Murray where a big influence on me and bass fishing

I would have to say my bass fishing mentors have been Tv personalities such Al Lindner and Bill Dance. My dad liked to fish but more into live baiting for anything that would bite. Also a few fishing buddies I met online have taught me some things and of course Texas Fishing Forum. There is a great amount of knowledge on here and I am grateful for this site.

Dad and Grandfathers primed my intrest in fishing but my serious lockin in on just bass started in late 60s. There were some of the best anglers in the country right here in the Metroplex and I wanted to fish with and against them.I mentored with Leonard Watson that I believe to be one of the best for about 10 years and now team with Dale Rabe goin on 22years.(were gettin old but aint givin up)Ive had the the privilege of knowing and fishing against the best Texas founding bass fishermen.The likes of Ray Murski,Tom Butler,Jerry Nichols,Hoyt Fincher,Bobby Murry and Gus Bierman.Put these guys in a boat with only an old flasher,a 50 hp merc on a skeeter hawk and you better be on your best day if your gonna hang with these guys.

My Dad taught me to fish and, like the above, I just took it up a few notches. As far as a "hero", or someone that I listen to every word he says like it is gospel.....it would have to be Rick Clunn. He used to camp out in tents at tournaments while everyone else was in motel rooms....he meditated...anything he could do to enhance, and pay attention to, all his senses. This kind of hippie stuff would have got him made fun of by his peers at the time, if he wasn't steadily kicking their collective patoots.

Dale smith and the great Kenny hill

I really never had one.......my dad didn't bass fish but I was still intrigued with the sport from an early age. I have a first cousin, Terry Fitch, that taught me a little and one of my uncles, Gary Oglesby that taught me a little as well. I guess the biggest influence on my bass fishing career; if you want to call it that, was Guido Hibdon. I have met him but have never fished with him. I studied everything I could read about him. He was always a numbers fisherman with his finesse techniques and that is what I like to do over catching big ones. I read an article about his techniques in Bassmasters back when he was at the top of his game, went out and bought the gear to pull it off and never looked back. From then on I read or watched anything I could that he was involved in or for that matter anything that talks about finesse fishing. I plan to get the gear for drop shot fishing and do that as well as soon as I am back in the game and I'll study the folks @ the top of that technique as well............

mooz

A great tournament angler took me under his wing from East Texas, Bob Gross. I also got to fish and observe some other great anglers, such as Gary Gruber, Joel Kinnard, and a little bit froma couple of guides. Mostly, Bob, though.

Tight lines, keep safe and good luck.

Thad Rains

I have no family mentors. A couple of guys here (yankhardreelfast and Bryan Landers) have offered advice and friendship, I've fished with them both, and it means a lot to me. The other help I've had to pay for.

My late Great Uncle Chester Cautheran from Tulsa, OK. He had a camp on Tenkiller and every Summer I would go and visit. He taught me how to Yo-Yo Traps (actually Storm Texas Shads) to get a strike. How to fish a worm. etc, etc. Sort of some poetic justice how the good Lord took him from us. He was stricken with Alzheimer's and somehow he wheeled his scooter, with fishing pole in tow, to a pond and drowned. Still don't know the whole story on that (No foul play though) but like to think he would want to go that way. I would.