Just want to know? Trophy Hunters WHO IS THE BEST?

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:44 am

Howdy yall,

I was woundering who would be credited with being the first regonized big trophy hunter in Northern California? I mean I can remember when Fishermans warehouse in Manteca was selling the first of the Castic Baits, I know Mike Long is credited for creating the "TROPHY HUNTER" (meaning being one of the first regonized) down south. I can remember years ago meeting Fish Chris (super nice guy and boy can fish ) at Clear Lake, this is where I got my first wind of Trophy Hunters in Northern California.

Reason I ask is becuase over the years I have met and noticed a larger following of "Trophy Hunt'in Anglers" and like we have the pioneers on the Tournament ranks, Like Dee Thomas and Flipping,Dobyns and the ripbait,etc... Who gets the credit for being the First Regonized Trophy Hunter in Northern California on Northern California waters?

I think back to the Big Bass Boom and Fish Chis was every where with pics to back it up. TrophyBassOnly.com was born. Anyone have any input ? Basicly I want to know who the best of the best is. I have learned over the last couple of years that these big bass can be patterned, I have been on the boat and seen it first hand (Jeremy called the fish both of them before they bit one was 10 the other was over 9lbs!!)

Gator , maybe interesting to run a list of the top trophy Hunters in northern California Ofcourse there would be alot of guidelines like the person would have to show a pattern not just get a lucky big fish. But will leave that up to yall if ya run with it.

Tight Lines Dom

rexford · Post by **rexford** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 8:57 am

I don't know who is the best but I do know that we have
several on this forum that fall into this category. Chris is
definitely one of them. I think many of them keep a low profile.
by day a mild mannered Tech Engineer, Programmer or
HTML developer. By night they throw on a cape a swimbait
and become Trophy Hunters.

Rod Martin · Post by **Rod Martin** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:23 am

not only big Bass but it seems he catches all types of large fish.When I grow up I want to be like him!

ripdlip · Post by **ripdlip** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:36 am

My pick would be fish chris. Not only a great "Trophy" guy but someone willing to share his knowledge.

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:14 am

Chris will be real flattered with the votes here, and make no mistake about it, he has an understanding that few have and a dedication to chasin giant bass, as well as other species.

But if you go down the list of big fish caught in this state over the last ten years, there is one name that dominates the Trophy guys, and I believe many of the trophy guys would tip their cap towards and say Mike Long is Da MAN!

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:43 am

I think Dom was talking about a northern Calif fisherman

Jim

RogerB · Post by **RogerB** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:52 am

Dom's question is:
"Who gets the credit for being the First Regonized Trophy Hunter in Northern California on Northern California waters?"

Given that focus on NorCal waters, my vote goes to Fish Chris.

Certainly Mike Long is Da Man for the state and the rest of the country, for that matter. But Fish Chris has certainly distinguished himself in northern California not only for his catches but, more importantly, for his sharing of his knowledge and experience with others (in the tradition of Cooch!).

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 12:55 pm

Let me kick this up a notch.

Does Fish Chris have grommies out running around the lake daily and calling him when big fish show up?

Is Fish Chris's knowledge and patterns limited to 3 or 4 lakes that are closed for half of the week and still allowed to fish on them for trophies when they are closed to the public?

Does Fish Chris out right put himself over at any expense to have an article written about him, no matter how accurate it is?

If you have answered no to these questions then Fish Chris is NO Mike Long!

I have admired Chris from afar (SoCal) and his integrity and niche as a fisherman. I would also through my hat in the ring for Bob Cruppie and Mike Sentileman. These guys are truly big fish HUNTERS that consistantly PATTERN big fish.

(Let the Flaming Begin)

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:07 pm

All people who chase and are successful catching big bass have them patterned. Its not random.

swimbait · Post by **swimbait** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 1:53 pm

Here's a riddle for you guys:

Who is better, a guy who fishes 300 days and catches 60 over 10 or a guy who fishes 50 days and catches 10 over 10?

Things like this make debating who is the best trophy hunter a pretty pointless conversation.

Trying to say who was first to fish for big bass or catch a lot of big bass will just end in controversy also. For every guy you hear about, there is inevatably another guy who catches lots of big bass and never talks about it.

There were probably several guys in the 80's catching big bass in Nor-Cal. Most of them probably never said a word about it. Some of them are probably still out there catching lots of big ones. They're probably reading this and laughing because anyone who has been in the game long enough knows that it's pointless to compare.

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:31 pm

Kinda like when I tell the wife I'll be off the water at 3:00p. To her, that means I'll be home at three!

I read that entire post, but when it came time to respond, All I saw was the title! Today, we got some really good ones up north, Chris certainly in my mind, fits in the top of that list.

Calistar · Post by **Calistar** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 2:59 pm

Does Fish Chris have grommies out running around the lake daily and calling him when big fish show up?

ahem...whats a grommie?

DivorcedAngler · Post by **DivorcedAngler** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:02 pm

I have had 4 Trophies and I am looking for my 5th, I would like this one to be Blonde and have a Brain............

I'm Divorced therefore I can Fish....Anytime I want LOL

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:03 pm

Same thing as a squid

Chris doenst need either.

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:36 pm

Sorry "Grommies" or Grom's are a surfer slang. Usualy meaning kids who are always in the water. These are the 6-16 yr olds that just rip it up on the water.

It is pretty well known in SD that there is a network of guys that work on these pay to play lakes that call in the big guns when these trophies show up, they let thier friends in after hours etc...

Sorry for the so cal surfer slang....

MN · Post by MN » Tue Jan 31, 2006 4:08 pm

So every five time's out you get skunked four,sound's boring but hey to each his own.

Whoopbass · Post by **Whoopbass** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 4:33 pm

SOCB_Hawghunter wrote:Let me kick this up a notch.

Does Fish Chris have grommies out running around the lake daily and calling him when big fish show up?

Is Fish Chris's knowledge and patterns limited to 3 or 4 lakes that are closed for half of the week and still allowed to fish on them for trophies when they are closed to the public?

Does Fish Chris out right put himself over at any expense to have an article written about him, no matter how accurate it is?

If you have answered no to these questions then Fish Chris is NO Mike Long!

I have admired Chris from afar (SoCal) and his integrity and niche as a fisherman. I would also through my hat in the ring for Bob Cruppie and Mike Sentileman. These guys are truly big fish HUNTERS that consistantly PATTERN big fish.

(Let the Flaming Begin)

If you ask Fish Chris who the best is he will tell you without any hesitance its Mike Long.

I don't understand what your trying to say in your other statements.
Sounds like Mike Long gets to fish lakes that are closed to the public whenever he wants. Fish Chris doesn't. Sounds like Mike Long has people keeping him updated on the fishing while he rests in his Lazy boy. Fish Chris fishes 200+ days a year and I don't think he has very many people keeping him updated on all the trophy lakes around here.
What are you saying about the articles?
I know when ever Fish Chris does an article its 100% accurate.

Does Mike Long have a tattoo of a wad of night crawlers on a hook on his forearm? NO? Fish Chris does.

Fish Chris is good at what he does. He might be the best around here but there are alot of good guys down South that would probably rank above him.

Kelly Ripa · Post by **Kelly Ripa** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:02 pm

Read Sowbelly.....Yes Mike is a hell of a fisherman....But it is not possible to exclude Chris....Time on the water not withstanding Swimbait! Apples and oranges? To a degree yes and no....Chris is a methodical extremist and so is Mike....I always felt that I had found my own fish when I fish in SoCal as I don't have the "net" that others have.....personal satisfaction......Fish Chris...Not quite as demented as the rest of us....He eats some of his fish !

And shares the recipies and takes photos..

Gawd ...Chris works a wee harder as SOCB implies ...does that give him or Rob B. the title....Yes!....It's a NorCal thing by definition of the question and the quest....May you all catch a wall hanger this year.......and get a fiberglass reproduction please

....

See Ya in August at Clearlake with as many Socals as I can get!

Maybe we can find a replacement for zippers

Rip

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:16 pm

Why do you feel the need to slam Mike Long..

Fact is, Mike doesn't look for articles on him... Us writers look for Mike Long to do articles! Don't believe it, well ask the writers... I know lots of them!

I consider Mike to be a friend and you know what, he has ethics and morals... you make it sound like he doesn't! On top of that he has feelings too.. and this guy gets slammed left and right by people who are jealous of him and what he does. I would put Mike Long on the water one on one ON ANY LAKE against 99.9% of the world and my money would be on him to pull out the first 10 lber!

I question your ethics and morals... I don't know you from Adam, but anyone who would come onto a website and run smack for NO reason has got a lack of morals. If you have a problem with Mike maybe you should take it up with Mike in person or at least directly with him via the phone or private mail instead of doing it on a public forum hiding behind your keyboard. Your post would have been much better served had you just said.. I think FISH CRIS is better, end of story! You should really check your own morals before questioning others.

There are certainly people in this world that I don't like and the other 1200 people on this board certainly have people they don't like either.. but, you don't see many of us bashing people for no reason!

Now onto the real topic:
Fish Cris is undoubtably a good fisherman and I recently met him and he seems like a good guy too. He is obviously dedicated to what he does and is very good at it.

It's really tough to call on this one though.. There are guys who are very hush-hush in this big-fish hunting world. There are also guys who have writers chasing them for articles who may not even want the publicity.

Truthfully, if I would never want to be a big fish hunter.. reason being.. if you are good, people bash you no matter who you are. Trust me, I have several dozen emails from guys who are in this game wanting to know why others want to bash a guy just because he has some success catching big bass! Its a real shame... too bad people can't just say... "Job well done!"

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:29 pm

I have said this before and I will say it again. Hell a thread was locked down south because of this conversation. My morales are I keep it real. I say it like it is and if I am wrong Iwill be the first one to admit it.

It gets my goat to see people stand unwaivering about a guy they love to write about or want to look up to who doesnt say it like it is. But those are MY ethics and may not match others, I'm OK with that.

Perhaps because this scene was in my backyard I was closer to it.

If any of the above statements are inacurate I will be the first to retract them. What I DID say was I respect a guy who goes out and finds the monsters on his own, under his own drive and not that of feeding the publicity machine at any cost.

Yes I think Mike Long knows how to catch big fish, there's no question about it. He does what he does, but I would not put him in the same league as the other guys I mentioned.

Hope to meet ya some day Tom you also seem like a guy who calls it like it is and I respect that.

PS They dont call me NumbNutz for nothing

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 5:36 pm

I don't mind calling it like it is.. but, I am not a fan of slamming people publicly for no reason.

I have read a lot of your posts and the majority of them are good information and or conversations that are going on. I won't get specific but, there is at least one guy I'd love to slam publicly... probably needs it, to be honest.. but, this isn't a place for that kind of thing.

Most of us here Fish because its fun... Reading about fishing is even fun when we aren't lucky enough to get on the water. I guess you are just getting my wrath because I am getting pretty tired of seeing people spat off about this or that because they want to be cool.. or they want to put somoene else down!

What ever happened to saying good stuff??

Kelly Ripa · Post by **Kelly Ripa** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:04 pm

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:12 pm

Point taken... but, you shouldn't believe everything you read...

Several anglers flat out stopped talking to the guy who wrote the book.... he set out to make a mess of the big bass hunters and did a fine job from what I heard. I won't read the book! After speaking with Mike, Bill, Mickey from 3:16, Rago, Huddleston and more and hearing what they all had to say about the book and the Author I realized that he was out to stir the pot... factual or not.

Granted Mike does have some privledges... But, he also uses the privledges to take very famous atheletes and/or writers out on the water to either fish and/or do stories. The lakes want him to do this because the lakes want the publicity... Given the chance, I'd do it too. Mike catches most of his fish on days where anyone can be on the water.... I am sure some of them come on days when he is the only one allowed on the water, but, he's caught plenty on days with people only feet away from him, to let us all know it really doesn't matter what day it is.. he can flat out catch them.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 6:14 pm

Other's certainly can catch them too, no doubt... I am not a Mike Long fan only... I would say the same thing if it was being said about any other angler I personally know and respect.

No biggie.. its not personal. Just wanted to state my OPINION too.

Dom · Post by **Dom** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:28 pm

My post was not to start a war It simply was who was the best in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA? The south is sewed up Mike Long Wins
remember most reconigzed.

I ment no disrespect to anyone person ,Heck I have alot of respect for you trophy hunters I have been out and seen how much time ,dedication,and dead time yall put up with to get that HAWG!

Me I am more of a 30lb sack kind of guy meaning I get a bigger kick out of bringing in 5 for 30lbs(hey wait I have never done that, I can dream lol) But you get the point.

Tight Lines
Dom

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:37 pm

Yeah, it looks like i started off being an azz, and ill probably die being an azz. I could have stated this better by leaving the personal flaming out of it. There have been personal attacks by certain parties to very close friends of mine and all that crap has been aired on this forum before.

So I apologize to Dom and Tom for taking a positive thread and turning it into a pile of crap.

Rip-heard you are coming up to the clear pond this summer to take home the numb nutz award, look forward to crackin a cold one with ya.

J

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:53 pm

No sweat Socal...

I probably should have let it go too!

Hey, and stay off my water up here at Clear Lake! Oh no, my water, your water.. thats a whole 'nother can of worms! ha ha ha...

Steve Reed · Post by **Steve Reed** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:36 am

This really has turned out to be a flame war... Mike Long is an amazing fisherman and big bass hunter. I'm from San Diego and I hear the bad things all the time.

It really sucks that he is so skilled yet people, envious people, discredit his ability and skills. He works hard at catching these fish, and is willing to share and help out when asked. He even fished a little fun tournament in San Diego with our SDfish crew. To me this guy will not get the credit or respect he deserves simply because other anglers are upset he fishes closed days or after hours or even just because he is good.

I challenge you to go out and catch the size and quantity of fish he catches, you could fish the same amount of closed days or private lakes and never come up with the fish he has caught. He just has a gift, and the work ethic in fishing.

Please dont bash this guy, especially because he cant defend himself. I think without a doubt in my mind he is the best.

ash · Post by **ash** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 6:37 am

OUt of respect for Tom and sTony I am going to bite the hell out of my tongue.

So in your opinion who is the Best Nor Cal Big Game fisherman?

Fish Chris · Post by **Fish Chris** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 8:55 am

First off, I'm really flattered by all the kind words...... Honestly, it makes me feel kind of goofy really. Like I always say, it's not that I am so good, it's just I am passionate about trophy fishing, and I get to do it a lot ! Totally blessed that way, I guess.

Briefly, since several people read So Cal into the question, yes, Mike long is not only the best trophy hunter in So Cal, he is the best on the planet.
Now I used to say there was nobody else close...... but had Jerry Rago been doing it as long as Mike.... I dunno. Gotta' mention Bill Sementiel. And of course the original trophy hunters, Bill Murphy, and Bob Crupi. Then there are those couple guys who have been catching so many giant bass (and such giant bass.... very close to the mark) for the last few years, it would make your head spin, but who are keeping it top secret.

Personally, the whole So Cal trophy bass thing seems so much crazier..... insanely pressured.... no quiet water, or quiet time, that I think "ALL" of those guys would just blow me away down there. I think I would just be completely thrown out of my element.
Hats off to anyone down there who has caught ANY big fish under those conditions ! Probably ALL better than I am.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay now for Nor Cal. As Rob "Swimbait" has said, it's all very subjective...... But regardless of what he said, "HE" is one of the best, if not the best ! Nico, Steve P, Paul K, Bob H. (I'm sorry, but it occurs to me that no matter who I list, I will forget twice as many more) are all STICKS ! We have our original, but very quiet trophy hunter up here too; Paul DuClose. {regardless of his potential WRB fiasco, he really is a big bass stick, and a very nice guy}
Some of these guys (Nico) are all very hard core too ! Sleeping in the bed of there trucks for 3 or 4 hours, only to get up and throw a 6 oz swimbait for 14 hours ! Ahhhh the youth

So again, in reality, everybody in this whole darn thread is probably more skilled than I am. But with that said, and in view of the big ones I have caught, it just goes to show anyone can do it (if they want it bad enough), and secondly, it shows how far passion, and time on the water can take you. Remember, I'm the guy that can't even cast with a baitcaster

Peace,
Fish

PS, And though many of you probably already know this about me, I really am the least competitive guy most people will ever meet. So I'm not trying to catch more, or bigger bass than any of the guys mentioned in this thread. I'm simply trying to catch more and bigger fish than Fish Chris ! I'm really wanting that 19 plus (but a 20 from Nor Cal would be Bombastic !

.....and looking forward to catching 100 over 10, in the next few years.

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:09 pm

I think it is important for us to have our heros. I think that he who has caught the most fish over 10 lbs regardless of how much time he has on the water shows a consistancy that indicates that he is a better fisherman than the guy who breaks the world record but never catches another fish over 10 lbs.
I dont care what Fish Chris says about all of this, he is my hero. I would like to he able to say that i have caught one twentieth of the big fish that he has caught.
I have been to his home on several occasions in years past and have seen the cielings of his apartment papered with the maps of his favorite lakes. I have seen the countless blue pins stuck in clusters in those maps in Chrise's favorite fishing holes on those lakes. Each of those blue pins represent a 10 lb or better largemouth bass. I think he buys those pins by the case.
In addition to being a great fisherman he is also a great guy. And my eyes at least he is a Big Bass Hero. Of course there are others but I dont know them personally

Jim

Jim

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:30 pm

I dont have the time or dedication to be a serious big fish hunter but sure would like to start catching some of them. My best ever is a 13.4 but not caught in compitition water so I dont count it as the same as one caught in high pressured waters. My best in pressured waters was a touch over 9

Jim

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:39 pm

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 3:41 pm

MIKE TREMONT · Post by **MIKE TREMONT** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 5:40 pm

Sounds like all has calmed down and I surely don't want to stir it up I'd just like to express an observation. It seem's as if any kind of real information comes up someone gets thier panties all tangled up and the real point gets missed. This has happened numerous times in the past.
I for one appreciate a post that lets some of us that have no way of knowing these things, having a little insight and that way I can form my own opinion, that's why I visit this site, not just to buy things.
Just My opinion, and thanks for listening.

Fish Chris · Post by **Fish Chris** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 9:32 pm

Bob Lim · Post by **Bob Lim** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:31 pm

For Northern California..........Todd Crockett in his days and should be condsidered one of the fore fathers in Northern California for chasing Trophy Bass. He has since retired from fishing tho. Just my 2 cents.........

Rich_Thiel · Post by **Rich_Thiel** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:40 pm

Surprising looking thru this thread, Currently, I would go with Fish Chris "For Northern California". BUT, for length in days and hour on water over the years, I would go with Larry Hemphill, Im surprised he hasn't been mentioned before. The man has MANY over Ten hit the center of the net.

New Nickles Worth

Rich Thiel

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:31 am

Ok, Ive tried to stay out of this one but Ive just got to jump in. To come up with a list of top trophy hunters in NorCal is almost impossible because you have sooo many different categories of fishermen, and each category has its hurdles. Youve got tourny guys that consistently catch big fish and win tournies, you have guides whose primary objective is to catch fish yet they consistently put clients on big fish, and you have the pure trophy hunters. So regardless of the golden 10 pound mark, they are all good solid trophy hunters.

Then, you have a good number of people who remain in obscurity that are tearing it up, yet we dont know these people or hear about their successes (ok, some of us are aware of them all, some of just a few of them).

Then you have others that have only proven that they can consistently catch 10 plus fish on one lake.

Personally, I think that those that have shown that they can catch huge bass from many lakes are indeed the best there is. Reason being is because they have the ability to adapt to each lake, and adjust techniques and presentations given different conditions. This is the true sign of a great trophy hunter IMHO. Anybody can fish one trophy lake and eventually figure it, then consistently stick toads in that lake. But, you do that on 10 or more lakes and thats really saying something. Those are the the true greats from NorCal.

And its funny to watch the evolution of a trophy hunter. Each one follows a specific path: seek information and commit, share information and expose to the world your successes, stop talking to anybody about anything you are doing!! LOL!!

And, people come and people go (or they just disappear into the shadows because thats where they want to be).

Im only familar with those that have chosen to remain in the public eye and those that have committed in the last 4 years or so. There are sooo many great trophy hunters that have been around a while, and there are soo many "new" people that are figureing it out.

So how do you come up with a list? We could come up with many lists.

Personally, I agree with all the names that have been mentioned. But, there are lots of young guys on their way up. And, for me, I have the most respect for those that figure out their own path, those that think beyond what they read and beyond what they see others doing. Those that figure it out for themselves, those that figure out best hook rigging for themselves, those that figure out the bite on their own. These kind of people are the ones that will persist through time and become the true trophy hunters.

Oh, and Jim Conlow, you stuck a true toad. Just because it was not in competition does not detract from that at all, accept it!! TTYS.

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