Ask the Pro: Marty Stone

Marty Stone discusses children’s fishing equipment, techniques for fishing in the hot summer months and the important distinctions among different types of underwater vegetation.

OperationBass.com is pleased to introduce Marty Stone as this week’s Ask the Pro expert. If you are interested in participating in future columns, submit questions via email to [email protected].

Q&A with Marty Stone

Q: What is the one fishing-related question you have been asked most often since turning pro? How do you typically respond to that question?
– OperationBass.com staff

A: The question I am probably asked most often is: How do I go about getting sponsors? I think a lot of people wrongly assume that most pros had sponsors come up and hand them a sponsorship solely because they are a “pro.” This definitely isn’t the case. I tell everyone who is interested in becoming a professional bass fisherman three things: 1) First and foremost, get a college education. The reason is that the business, marketing and promotional aspects of this business will usually make up for a few bad tournaments. 2) Quit worrying about attracting major sponsors early in your career. Instead, take the time and energy to spend it on the water learning to become a better fisherman. While doing this, establish a good working relationship with your local Ranger dealership. (Ranger can help make dreams a reality.) Help out at boat shows and with general product sells. Learn the business side of the sport through the eyes of your local dealer. 3) Fish your local Operation Bass events. They are professionally run and can be used as a measuring tool for your ability. You need to be very competitive locally before you try fishing full time and/or nationally. When you succeed long term, the sponsors will recognize you and want you as part of their team.

Q: My 8-year-old twin sons are showing a lot of interest in bass fishing. However, my fishing knowledge is limited to saltwater. What type of equipment should I buy to get them started?
– S. Stewart, Avon, Conn.

A: Equipment needs to be simple and easy to operate. I recommend a quality 5-1/2 foot rod – medium action – with a spincast reel (ex. Zebco 33). Most Wal-Mart stores sell these. Recommended tackle: #1 hooks, small split shot and a few corks. Go to a local bait shop and buy a couple dozen crickets and have fun! If the fish don’t bite that day, let the crickets out and let the kids chase them. Then, try again another day! Remember, keep it simple and most of all HAVE FUN!

Q: Because of my work schedule, I only have time to fish during the hottest part of the day in the summer months. Do you have any suggestions how I can improve my success rate?
– Andy Claeys, Atkinson, Ill.

A: Since you live in Illinois, my suggestion would be to go to your local rivers and fish shallow. Always remember the combination of conditions you need to be successful in hot weather. They are current, water color, good cover and bait fish. Find these conditions and you are sure to catch those summertime bass.

For me, bait selection is fairly simple. My first choice is a 3/8-ounce double willow silver Gambler Pro Series spinnerbait. My second choice is a 4-inch Gambler tube in green pumpkin or a smoke-red color. My third choice is a Yo-Zuri shallow Crank n’ Dive crankbait in any of the shad patterns.

Q: With the different variety and abundance of plant life found in lakes, what do bass prefer? Hydrilla? Milfoil? Elodea? Lily pads? Will you find bass at different depths depending on vegetation?
– Jon Andersen, Hattiesburg, Miss.

A: Bass live in all four weed types mentioned. However, the types of vegetation will vary depending upon the time of year. Hydrilla will be found mostly in the early spring, fall and winter. Milfoil can be found in the late spring and summer. Elodea is more prevalent in the early spring, fall and winter months while lily pads will be most abundant in the spring and summer.

As far as depth goes, it is relative to the time of year and surrounding conditions. To help improve your chances of catching fish, match the depth to the seasonal movement of the bass and fish the grass available at that depth. Example: Early spring bass should be 10 to 12 feet deep. The only grasses in that depth would be hydrilla and elodea. That would be the time to fish those particular grasses. Good luck!

Marty Stone of Fayetteville, N.C., finished the 2000 Wal-Mart FLW Tour season ranked 18th. His three top-five finishes this season – including second place on the Pascagoula River in Mississippi, third on Pickwick Lake in Alabama and fifth on Okeechobee in Florida – placed him among pro bass fishing’s elite. In his five-year career on the FLW Tour, Stone is an eight-time top-10 finisher. His FLW sponsors include Ranger Boats, Evinrude Outboards and Lowrance Electronics.