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| (Photo Credit: Mark Walker. Lake Fork,TX) |
My first year fishing the FLW College I met an awesome college fisherman who really knew the tournament talk, and walked the walk too! He has since graduated, and is one of the few going to make a career out of chasing those green fish. I recently was able to track him down to pick his brain about going from collegiate fishing to the professional ranks. He has agreed to give us current collegiate bass fishers some advice and encouraging lessons learned through his experiences thus far.
Let me introduce you to Mitch Kistner, a visual communications alumnus of Arizona State University. Born in South Dakota, where he caught his first fish at the age of 3 then moved to Arizona at the age of 8 and caught his first bass at 10 years of age. He attributes his love for bass fishing to his uncle Don, “He would get us out on the water any time he could. We mostly fished for fun but when given the opportunity, he would take me out to the Wednesday Night Big Bass tournaments they used to have at Lake Pleasant. I am very thankful he took the time to share that with me.”
Mitch started the ASU team in spring of 2006 and fished the Boat US Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship and the B.A.S.S. College Bass Championship for the following 4 years. As soon as FLW College Fishing surfaced he fished many of those as well. Combine those with individual tournaments such as local Arizona circuits, American Bass Association, MBC Super Teams, Allstar Nights, and the FLW Arizona Bass Federation. Not to forget, he was attending school at the same time!
In 2011 he fished American Bass Association, FLW Bass Federation, Allstar Summer Nights, and Bassmaster Central Opens as pro, and will continue with a few of these in 2012. As most of us considering a career beyond college, choosing the best circuit is crucial to our success. Mitch chose B.A.S.S. due to his dream of fishing the Elite Series and the Bassmaster Classic. “As a kid, I would stay up until 2 or 3am just to watch the fishing shows. The Elite guys and the classic is what I grew up dreaming about. Although, there may be more money in other circuits, there is nothing, in my eyes, bigger or better than fishing in the Elite Series or being able to compete in the Bassmaster Classic. Someday, I hope to make those dreams come true.”
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| (Photo Credit: 2010 BoatUS National Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship Lake Lewisville, TX CarceoTV LLC) |
Let’s get into it…
TCSR: What has been the hardest and/or easiest part of "making the jump to pro" so to speak?
MK: Adapting to new water has been my biggest hurdle during my attempt to take it to the next level. It is difficult to go from deep clear lakes to shallow dirty lakes where a foot or two of a drop is considered a ledge. I have realized that everything is relative and to ignore the “dock talk.” It’s best to do what you’re comfortable with, rather than to second guess yourself because of what you “heard” someone else was slaying them.
MK: Adapting to new water has been my biggest hurdle during my attempt to take it to the next level. It is difficult to go from deep clear lakes to shallow dirty lakes where a foot or two of a drop is considered a ledge. I have realized that everything is relative and to ignore the “dock talk.” It’s best to do what you’re comfortable with, rather than to second guess yourself because of what you “heard” someone else was slaying them.
Another one of the hardest parts to adapting to making the jump to the next level would have to be obtaining sponsors and the financial support it takes to compete. When you add up entry fees, gas, trailer work, oil, food for a few weeks per tournament, and tackle, it adds up quickly. Without my sponsors and working a full time job, I wouldn’t be able to pursue my dream of becoming a professional bass angler. Work Hard, Fish Harder!
TCSR: Any parts of college life help you adjust to life on the road?
MK: Food on a budget. In college I learned to cook Top Ramen 46 different ways. I also learned how to budget my money so that I could eat all week and still have some left over to get myself into a bit of trouble on Friday nights, and to fish on Saturdays. Being able to budget your money on the road is crucial. You need to learn where and when to cut corners. For example, you may need to stay at cheaper hotels that are a little off the beaten path. However, you want to make sure that it is still a safe place for you and your boat to stay. You might buy cheaper food but don’t buy less nutritious food, staying hydrated and getting enough calories throughout a day of fishing is very important to staying mentally focused.
MK: Food on a budget. In college I learned to cook Top Ramen 46 different ways. I also learned how to budget my money so that I could eat all week and still have some left over to get myself into a bit of trouble on Friday nights, and to fish on Saturdays. Being able to budget your money on the road is crucial. You need to learn where and when to cut corners. For example, you may need to stay at cheaper hotels that are a little off the beaten path. However, you want to make sure that it is still a safe place for you and your boat to stay. You might buy cheaper food but don’t buy less nutritious food, staying hydrated and getting enough calories throughout a day of fishing is very important to staying mentally focused.
TCSR: Did you own your own boat in college? Do you feel you were at an advantage or disadvantage?
MK: Yes. I started off with a Ranger Fish/Ski as an agreement with my Dad to pay for half of the boat. After a year and only using the boat to “ski” two or three times I sold it and bought a Triton TR22, which is what I am currently competing out of.
MK: Yes. I started off with a Ranger Fish/Ski as an agreement with my Dad to pay for half of the boat. After a year and only using the boat to “ski” two or three times I sold it and bought a Triton TR22, which is what I am currently competing out of.
I believe having a boat was definitely an advantage. Having your own boat allows you to get the best type of practice, and that is time on the water fishing when you want and where you want. Having the freedom to go out on the lake whenever I wanted gave me lots of time to learn new techniques and learn seasonal bass patterns. Flat out, the more time you have on the water the better angler you’re going to be. Don’t get me wrong, reading articles, researching maps, looking up tournament results, etc. is a great way to learn and to research different bodies of water but nothing will ever beat being out there and actually doing it.
[There are ways around not having your own boat] You’d be amazed at the amount of support local anglers will give to college bass teams. They do so because 1.You are the future of fishing and 2.They’re jealous they didn’t have college fishing when they were younger!
TCSR: How did the collegiate fishing level help you to prepare for the level you’re at now?
MK: Fishing at the collegiate level has made me grow leaps and bounds as an angler for many reasons. Here is a breakdown of the most important things I learned while I was fishing for Arizona State University:
MK: Fishing at the collegiate level has made me grow leaps and bounds as an angler for many reasons. Here is a breakdown of the most important things I learned while I was fishing for Arizona State University:
1. Fishing New and Different Water
Being able to travel to Texas, Arkansas, California, Nevada, and Tennessee while I was fishing for my college team allowed me to fish many new types of water. Arizona has deep clear lakes for the most part and being able to travel gave me experience on new types of lakes. Through college fishing I was able to fish the tidal waters of the California Delta, I was able to fish the legendary ledges of Kentucky Lake, and I was able to fish the ever changing Arkansas River. These are just a few of the bodies of water I was able to fish through college fishing. Being able to fish different types of water has allowed me to learn new techniques and to not be intimidated when I’m tackling a new body of water I have never fished.
Being able to travel to Texas, Arkansas, California, Nevada, and Tennessee while I was fishing for my college team allowed me to fish many new types of water. Arizona has deep clear lakes for the most part and being able to travel gave me experience on new types of lakes. Through college fishing I was able to fish the tidal waters of the California Delta, I was able to fish the legendary ledges of Kentucky Lake, and I was able to fish the ever changing Arkansas River. These are just a few of the bodies of water I was able to fish through college fishing. Being able to fish different types of water has allowed me to learn new techniques and to not be intimidated when I’m tackling a new body of water I have never fished.
2. Travel
The first time we travelled to Texas it was a two day event. We got there and we were completely unprepared. Not enough food, not enough water, and didn’t have the right tools, it was a mess. Now when I get ready for a road trip across country I am prepared for any encounter. I have enough spare trailer parts and tools in my truck I know that no matter what happens, I will be prepared. There is nothing worse than being stranded on the side of the road for 12 hours or stuck in Little Rock, Arkansas for 3 days (Yes, both have happened).
Being ready with the right equipment and taking the right precautions before each trip (tire pressure, trailer bearings greased, etc.) allows me to travel with an ease of mind and focus more on the tournament I am driving to.
The first time we travelled to Texas it was a two day event. We got there and we were completely unprepared. Not enough food, not enough water, and didn’t have the right tools, it was a mess. Now when I get ready for a road trip across country I am prepared for any encounter. I have enough spare trailer parts and tools in my truck I know that no matter what happens, I will be prepared. There is nothing worse than being stranded on the side of the road for 12 hours or stuck in Little Rock, Arkansas for 3 days (Yes, both have happened).
Being ready with the right equipment and taking the right precautions before each trip (tire pressure, trailer bearings greased, etc.) allows me to travel with an ease of mind and focus more on the tournament I am driving to.
3. Sponsorship
During my time as the President of the ASU Bass Fishing Team I learned how to obtain sponsorships for the team. Using my experience in graphic design (Visual Communications) I created sponsorship proposals in a brochure type format. Through years of doing this for the ASU Bass Fishing Team allowed me to see what tactics were most useful. That has now translated into my own fishing career in obtaining sponsorships.
During my time as the President of the ASU Bass Fishing Team I learned how to obtain sponsorships for the team. Using my experience in graphic design (Visual Communications) I created sponsorship proposals in a brochure type format. Through years of doing this for the ASU Bass Fishing Team allowed me to see what tactics were most useful. That has now translated into my own fishing career in obtaining sponsorships.
4. Networking
Through years of fishing the college scene I was given the chance to meet a lot of people. As the saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I met people ranging from potential future sponsors, to friends, to the reason I am in this article. Most importantly I met some great people who I am still friends with. One of which being a great stick from the University of Oklahoma, Chip Porche. Chip and I kept in contact after college fishing. We are now travel buddies as we are both chasing our dream and fishing the Bassmaster Central Opens in hopes of making it into the Elites.
Through years of fishing the college scene I was given the chance to meet a lot of people. As the saying goes, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” I met people ranging from potential future sponsors, to friends, to the reason I am in this article. Most importantly I met some great people who I am still friends with. One of which being a great stick from the University of Oklahoma, Chip Porche. Chip and I kept in contact after college fishing. We are now travel buddies as we are both chasing our dream and fishing the Bassmaster Central Opens in hopes of making it into the Elites.
TCSR: Any sponsors you had in college carry over to now?
MK: I had a couple sponsors carry over from my college fishing career to where I’m at now of trying to make it as a professional. La Quinta Inns & Suites, Bluemedia, and B&B Machine Shop have been there for 3 years now and they both have made it possible to chase my dream of becoming a professional angler. They have been just awesome in believing in me through the years and giving me this opportunity.
MK: I had a couple sponsors carry over from my college fishing career to where I’m at now of trying to make it as a professional. La Quinta Inns & Suites, Bluemedia, and B&B Machine Shop have been there for 3 years now and they both have made it possible to chase my dream of becoming a professional angler. They have been just awesome in believing in me through the years and giving me this opportunity.
TCSR: What level of tournaments would you suggest to a graduating college bass fisher- who wishes to continue their career in hopes of making it a profession?
MK: I believe this is different for everyone. I felt like I was at a point in my career that I could do well in the higher levels with my experience. Although, I did not have the breakout season I was looking for last year, I still feel like I can compete with these guys and do well. A theory I believe in is, to be the best; you have to compete against the best. If you don’t feel comfortable yet running the front of the boat or putting together patterns on a new body of water I would recommend starting out with Pro/Ams. Pro/Ams, next to time on the water, are hands down the best way to learn more about fishing. Being able to get in a boat with someone else, whether it’s Skeet Reese or a guy from a local club, everyone operates differently. The more variety of ways you see how people execute a certain technique or breakdown a body of water the better and better rounded you’ll be as an angler. Joining a local federation or bass club also allows you to do this. Even fishing from the front of the boat I have learned a tremendous amount from my co-anglers who I get paired with. It doesn’t matter whether I am the designated “pro” or not, I look at every opportunity to fish with someone else as a learning experience.
MK: I believe this is different for everyone. I felt like I was at a point in my career that I could do well in the higher levels with my experience. Although, I did not have the breakout season I was looking for last year, I still feel like I can compete with these guys and do well. A theory I believe in is, to be the best; you have to compete against the best. If you don’t feel comfortable yet running the front of the boat or putting together patterns on a new body of water I would recommend starting out with Pro/Ams. Pro/Ams, next to time on the water, are hands down the best way to learn more about fishing. Being able to get in a boat with someone else, whether it’s Skeet Reese or a guy from a local club, everyone operates differently. The more variety of ways you see how people execute a certain technique or breakdown a body of water the better and better rounded you’ll be as an angler. Joining a local federation or bass club also allows you to do this. Even fishing from the front of the boat I have learned a tremendous amount from my co-anglers who I get paired with. It doesn’t matter whether I am the designated “pro” or not, I look at every opportunity to fish with someone else as a learning experience.
TCSR: Anything students can do NOW to help them out in the future? Maybe something you wish you did?
MK: Don’t let your egos and school spirit get in the way of making friends during the tournaments. Trust me; I know that once you hit the water all friendships vanish. But when you are off the water, at a pretournament meeting or at the weigh-in, talk to your fellow competitors. The friendships you obtain will last longer than the memory of that big fish you caught on your last cast.
MK: Don’t let your egos and school spirit get in the way of making friends during the tournaments. Trust me; I know that once you hit the water all friendships vanish. But when you are off the water, at a pretournament meeting or at the weigh-in, talk to your fellow competitors. The friendships you obtain will last longer than the memory of that big fish you caught on your last cast.
TCSR: Any parting words?
MK: Get out there and follow your dreams!
MK: Get out there and follow your dreams!
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(Photo Credit: Joey Jarrell. Arizona Bass Federation Qualifier Lake Havasu, AZ)
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