By: Jason Scott Thomas
I grew up in Henryetta, OK. That put me in frequent great fishing at Eufaula, Dripping Springs, and Okmulgee Lake with my dad, who tournament fished in the 80’s/90’s. I learned a great deal from him, and he always let me try new things (just don’t get hung up too much). I still learn from him, we all forget some great memories, but he doesn’t forget colors, weather, and where at when it comes to fishing. I bet a lot of us know that feeling. I’m now a dad and teaching my boys about fishing, and I love it. I have an incredible and beautiful wife, and two boys (4 & 2) who keep me ready to take on each and every day. For work, I’m the HR leader at Boeing (Oklahoma City) where we work on and support Military and Defense aerospace products (this video still pumps me up https://youtu.be/HvxfarP5ENY). My other hobby/passions are golf (lowest I’ve ever been is a 3 handicap), and collecting/selling sports cards (Vintage, specific modern…my kayak and electronics were paid for 100% via selling sports cards). Whether its playing, collecting, watching, or fantasy, sports are big for me!
How I fish:
I’ve certainly found a niche with a variety of finesse tactics, but like a lot of you, I still start off hoping for that power/reaction bite. When I say it’s my niche, that is because I feel I take something as a simple as a ned rig and make a science project out of it. You won’t see me throw the standard green pumpkin ned rig – I always am adding to, subtracting from, coloring, or changing weights and profiles away from what is considered normal. I’m probably quicker to pull the trigger on moving to finesse than most, and I pay for that habit, as I tend to end up a “quantity over quality” angler. That, of course, doesn’t always bode well for the tournament scene. I’m relatively new to the scene (2020 was my first real full year), where I am still making plenty of adjustments to sharpen my skills in landing tournament quality fish. If you were to scout what little history I have, you’d find my success on clearer lakes, with that rock/point/wood mix – often times where you can catch a mixed bag like Murray, Lawtonka (OKC Club), Birch, and Texoma. So, what troubles me, are grass dominate lakes, grass-edged bowl lakes, etc. For something so obvious, I get humbled quickly.
Editors note: Jason finished 3rd place at the OKA State Championship at Lake Texoma.
Why a kayak:
OKA – We have a great organization that allows us to learn, meet fellow anglers, and compete. Those who fish are a community, and those you fish with are family.
Simplicity – I fish out of an Old Town Topwater 10’6”. It slides in the back of the Tacoma and I’m off to the lake. This is an area I intentionally keep it overly simple.
The rush – its hand-to-hand combat at times. The fish may have you more than you have it. The environment and the fish are working against you and you have to sit there a few inches above the water and do something about it. That’s the stuff that makes this sport so addictive.
I’m stoked about competing in the 2021 season, and I look forward to meeting more of you. I recently read an article from MLF angler Scott Suggs who said, “use your offseason to improve weaknesses, not perfect strengths”…well, that is exactly what I’ll be trying to do and hope you get the chance to do the same.
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