Entry 37-3

Mark Rose's Tips for Professional and Recreational Fishing

Selecting Your Boat

Editor's Note: Up-and-coming professional fisherman Mark Rose, 31, of Marion, Arkansas, is a member of the Strike King Pro Staff, has competed professionally since 1999 and has had several top-20 and top-10 finishes in bass tournaments.

Question: What would you tell someone who has learned how to fish, and now they want to move up to that next level and get a boat? Would you tell them to go ahead and get something really nice or just get a johnboat?

Rose: Well, I started off with a 15-foot boat, and then I got up to about a 16 1/2 footer. I thought that was all the boat I'd need. Then I got an 18-foot boat with a 150 horsepower motor. Again, I thought I'd never need a bigger boat. Then I moved to a 19-foot boat, and now I have a 19-1/2-foot boat. I suggest that they get a boat in the 18- or 19-foot range. If they want a johnboat, a 15- to 16-foot johnboat is really practical.

Question: What types of bodies of water should the beginner fish?

Rose: I credit my success to fishing for all types of fish to my grandfather and my father. My granddad was a commercial fisherman, and my dad loves to crappie and bream fish. What you catch or where you catch it doesn't matter. You just need to get outdoors and fish. If you only have access to a pond, then go on cloudy days and sunny days. Try to use different techniques, various lures and colors, and then just use what you have.

If you have a relative who has a boat, try to get in the boat with him and ask as many questions as you can. My uncles and friends hated for me to go with them when I first started fishing and learning because I would ask them so many questions. But I certainly learned a lot from them. I was always in the outdoors, whether I was deer hunting, fishing, hiking or bird watching. All outdoor activities have similarities. What you learn while participating in one outdoor activity, you often can apply to fishing.

Question: If you were an average Joe bass fisherman, and you ran into you -- the bass-fishing pro, what five questions should he ask you, and how would you answer them?

Rose: "How do you go about getting sponsors?" I can remember not knowing how to go about getting sponsors. I would tell him not to worry about sponsors so much early on in your career. Try to be all you can be with your rod and reel. Keep your nose clean, and make sure you have a good image. You should want to do that anyway, but this industry is so small that anything you do against someone may come back to haunt you. Don't burn any bridges.

I would ask, "What is proper etiquette on the tournament trail? What if I find a group of fish out there that somebody else has found? How do you handle that type of situation?" You should let your conscience be your guide. If you both found the spot fairly, I'd suggest drawing an imaginary line down the middle of it and each of you fishing on opposite sides. Work it out so that you know you are in the clear the whole time.




 

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