Big John The HAWG Napper

Last Login: March 13th, 2011

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Gender:	Male
Age:	66
Your Location:	Panama City, Florida
About You:	Married 42 yrs to Kate. Four daughters, Beth, Lori, Jennifer & Trish. BS from University of Maryland & Masters from Barry University. Served in the Air Force for 21 years. Stayed in my house through enterity of Hurricane Andrew, including 11 minutes of its eye. DO NOT EVER stay in your home through a major hurricane!!! LEAVE, LEAVE, LEAVE!!!!
Favorite Activities:	Bass fishing!! I do enjoy all fishing for all kinds of fish. But, back in the late 60s I met CV Brewer, while stationed at Pease AFB, NH. He was a dyed in the wool Texan and Bass fisherman. Until then I spent most of my time trout fishing. I became very proficient with a spinning rod and then had a brother-in-law mentor me into fly fishing and fly tying. It only took a few explosive top water hits on the Arbogast Sputterbug to get get me completely hooked on bass. I've fished out of canores, inflatables, jon boats semi-Vs and finally purchased a 18' Tidecraft bass boat with a 150 Suzuki that has done me proud for 16 yrs now. Still looks like it's new!!!
Favorite Species of Fish:	It's a real toss up between Largemouth and Smallmouth bass. Here in FL it's definitely Largemouth but every May for the last eight years I've been able to visit another Hurricane Andrew transplant, my old fishing buddy Russ Leedy, in the Harrisburg area for a week of Smallmouth bass fishing on the Susquehana river and Occasionally on the Juniata river. We've had 250+ Smallie catches between us in some of those weeks. Our best ever day was for largemouth in a south FL canal, 156 bass.
Favorite Tackle:	I returned to Eglin AFB, FL from a three yr tour in England and finally became proficient with a baitcaster. Now that's all I'll use and can throw a weightless worm 70' into a three foot hole. Top water lures are still my favorites to fish. I have many favorites...absolute favorite is the Whopper Stopper Hellraiser in Green Perch. I like all Rapalas, 4" black and gold has always produced fish almost anytime of year. Smithwick Rogues have been solid producers over the last year and buzz baits are fun to throw, with the original Lunker Lure still one of my favorites.
Number of Anglers Invited:	0

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My Anglers’ Legacy

Big John The HAWG Napper is proud to be a part of the Anglers’ Legacy.

Who got me involved in fishing:
No one in my family fished, I grew up in the suburbs of Philly, PA and there were some woodsy areas near my home that I got out and explored. I found some nice creeks and a few ponds. I saved chore and lawnmowing money and when I was about 8 yrs old went into Philly on my own and purchased a light deep sea rod and a baitcasting reel and loaded it with black dacron line and then bought a few hooks and bobbers. I discovered an abandoned pond deep in the woods that had golden and silver carp. I was able to catch several on earthworms and that was how I became addicted to fishing!

Favorite Fishing Story:
The morning I landed a 12 pound largemouth bass is probably my favorite fishing story. I arrived a Dunford pond here in the panhandle of FL at about 3:30 AM. I used the trolling motor to go to a large island just across from the ramp. Water was 2-4 feet deep and was peppered with stems of needle grass. About half hour after I began fishing I heard a very large explosion about 200 yards from where I was fishing. I slowly worked my way in that direction and when I thought I was in casting distance I made three casts with a Silver/green Devil's Horse and tried the twitch and sit retrieve. I could not entice a hit. It was still pitch black out so I decided on my next cast I would try a faster retrieve. I made a 40' cast and began the hi speed retrieve and after 6' something nailed my lure. I don't think it knew it was hooked as I was able to reel it in towards the boat without much pressure. When I thought it was with 6' of the boat I turned on a bright LED light attached to my hat. The fished exploded and headed for deeper water. I got a pretty good look at most of it and fought it back to the bought, finally I reached over and grabbed it's lower jaw. It weighred exactly 12 lbs on my digital weighing machine. I put it in the livewell until daylight, when I took a few photos and then released her to hopefully fight again some day!

Best Fishing Joke:
My favorite fishing joke is when I am out on the water and another boat comes by and they asked how I am doing. I act really excited and spread my hands about 3 feet apart and say, "wow, I just caught a bass about this far from shore". The best part is watching the realization of what I said slowly being understood as if a light just turns on in their brain. Though the best ones are the ones that go off thinking I really caught a huge bass and knowing that eventully their light will come on as well.

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Notice Board

BillyBadBass said:

Posted on: October 23rd, 2009

You seem like an angler with a lot of knowledge and experience in life....tight lines!
TakeMeFishing said:

Posted on: February 5th, 2009

We're glad to have you as part of the community! Don't be afraid to join groups and reply to or start new topics in forums. Browse through the buddies list, make new friends and leave comments for each other. Fishington will be as active as YOU make it!
Urban Fisherman said:

Posted on: February 2nd, 2009

HEY BIG JONH my name is justin and ive never been to florida fishing is there anything you can tell me it would be greatly appreciated
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