The man is right. When i was a teen i'd yell at my mom constantly "You dont know him mom! He's a good friend! Stop judging hiM!" Of course i stopped playing sports and started doing drugs which led to a 10 year meth and/or opiate addicttion. Luckily im 12 years clean now but my mom was RIGHT! I wish i wouldve listened to her and stopped surrounding myself with awful people. I look back and regret losing touch with the good people in my life that i traded in for scumbags. Cant rewrite time but i can teach my 3 kids better.
@rayfernandez59496 ай бұрын
Amen 🙏
@Pededededelm5 ай бұрын
I felt this man. Cocaine got me for a few years but I’m clean off that now. Fishing is my addiction now which unfortunately can cost as much as cocaine :/
@toddbrown93985 ай бұрын
From 16 to 23 years old, I climbed the ladder bottom to top. Met the wrong crowd and lost 12 years of my life to addiction. Fought my way clean and now am starting over. This time around I just enjoy fishing some bfl's and toyotas. No longer worried about being a full timer. It's more fun and the new friends I've met along the way is way better, just the pure fun, enjoyment and comradarie is all I'm after
@slabbusterrtr76905 ай бұрын
My daddy always told growing up if you fool with shit you will get some on ya
@upthecreekyt6 ай бұрын
I can't wait for you to start tournament fishing. Your transparency and honesty is going to be fun to watch during your journey.
@rogerclark-gi1hj6 ай бұрын
JT is absolutely correct about the baits. When bass are feeding they'll usually hit your simple baits. Fishing baits all about confidence.
@wayneelliot24295 ай бұрын
Great questions, I bs’ed with JT in daytona at a local watering hole back in 2006 and guy is awesome, being from NY we talked about Champlain and his recent success on FLW. Guy is a class act…even gave me his cell and invited me to go fishing w him. True legend.
@byronhendrixfishing83936 ай бұрын
I hope B.A.S.S. picks up JT when the fold happens. That would be epic listening to JT and Zona. 😂
@edwardcowan70126 ай бұрын
I made 2 Classics through the Federation and fished about 40 pro level tournaments (BASS Invitationals and FLW Stren series) between 1984-2007. The Federation Program isn’t what it once was. If I was doing it today I’d fish one region of the BASS Opens with the goal of making the Classic. Three tournaments at a outlay of about 10K probably isn’t going to bankrupt you. I did it part time and was happy to break even most years and I made out better well a few years. If anyone tries to sell you that fishing is a dream job keep in mind nightmares are dreams too.
@randyemerson87295 ай бұрын
Ed blast from the past….you were the man.
@garrettm54086 ай бұрын
The MLF format is so much better because the fish stay in the area they were caught and keep the distribution of bass spread out. I've always had concerns about bringing so many bass into a single area to release and take months or more to redistribute.
@booster44706 ай бұрын
JT has some mid-swollin' going on! 🤣 Good interview. I hope you got some video coming of you two fishing together.
@jackstein54866 ай бұрын
J.T. was a terrifically entertaining guest with some great secret info that makes good sense. Thanks Mike and J.T.!❤️
@mikeybalzz5 ай бұрын
Thanks Jack always means a lot coming from you good talking to you on the phone today
@jeffpruitt39986 ай бұрын
I always like JT’s analogy on lures and colors. You are a luck guy to have such a class act as a friend. 😎
@BretReidFishing6 ай бұрын
Two great dudes right there!! Great video!
@matthewkooyers65996 ай бұрын
Two of the best dudes man I really enjoyed watching the videos of Mikey and JT
@attieheystek63576 ай бұрын
Really enjoyed the video and all your content man,one of the few really high quality positive and informative fishing channels on KZbin.👌
@8608films6 ай бұрын
I was doing club tournaments as a co angler for a few years I really enjoyed it I was happy just at that level of competition sure I'd love to compete in a higher level but I'm having a blast bank fishing for now I just don't have the finances to have a boat and compete anymore
@Oldbasshole6 ай бұрын
Best advice I’ve heard in awhile , try to catch as many fish as you can and you’ll find the bigs . Great stuff
@chrisgabbard69525 ай бұрын
Best video I’ve watched this week thanks fellers! 🇺🇸 🎣
@mikeybalzz5 ай бұрын
That's awesome thanks man!
@FreedomFishing5 ай бұрын
Eat, sleep, and breathe that next bite. Can't ever go wrong just being yourself and having fun.
@daniel_fogle_fishing6 ай бұрын
I would love to see you do a video a master class video, how do you or a pro practice for a tournament? From the time you put your boat in the water and the things you checked first thing in the morning to breaking down your practice.
@huffman4766 ай бұрын
Excellent interview with JT..
@Bankfishindude6 ай бұрын
Balzz your the man! JT is also the man lol! Love watching him on MLB live, sometimes he’s the only reason to tune in, tight lines y’all 🎣
@mikeybalzz6 ай бұрын
He's a super cool dude and one hell of a guy
@kevindespino89106 ай бұрын
Great information thanks looks like y’all have a lot fun together that’s cool 😊
@dansteiner56446 ай бұрын
Great advice! Thanks for sharing!
@byronhendrixfishing83936 ай бұрын
I can’t agree lol. Now you can get an invite to fish the mlf invitationals being a BFL co angler lol. There’s one at west point right now that will be blasting off tomorrow as a pro. 🤷🏼♂️ I can’t get behind that. And like the All American said the writing is on the walls and went to the opens.
@petecook16115 ай бұрын
I just wanna come drink a beer w it an fish headwaters! Lol
@jerimydeloach15565 ай бұрын
Great advice man, and thank you for this video! As a dad and boat captain for my son and his fishing partner in Jr. High and high school tournaments is there any one thing other than to keep it fun that you or JT would say to fathers/boat captains that would be beneficial for those Jr high/high-school anglers to help them enjoy the sport more and possibly help them in tournaments
@tonybass56626 ай бұрын
The sport needs more JTK's 👍
@Jason-tg5ky6 ай бұрын
I agree, enjoy the ride and if you make money on the way, it's a bonus. Thanks for the content.
@LucasBassFishing6 ай бұрын
Love it and cant wait to watch the series!
@ronsaunders44915 ай бұрын
Yep
@notsogood62496 ай бұрын
Hey Mikey...Never ever take advice from a guy that drinks Lite beer. LOL!!! Enjoyed two old friends cutting up.
@jchensley15 ай бұрын
I just want the ice machine in the back ground lol 😂
@mikeybalzz5 ай бұрын
You and me both
@chrisboyd14086 ай бұрын
Most excellent video dude
@jeffreyrodgers58356 ай бұрын
Fishing hard 5 to 7 days a week regardless of weather is just not what most people desire from fishing. For most of us we only compete with the fish or our boat buddy. It's a long dark road out there that can really make you miss just fishing. It becomes a job
@basssolutionsoutdoors38566 ай бұрын
He is right bro! Good video as always
@mikeybalzz6 ай бұрын
👊
@brianprice76456 ай бұрын
I just fish club tournaments but I always just listen to people talking I don't ask from what they're doing except once when I was completely lost and I asked my friend who had won on Saturday what he had done and I ended up winning on Sunday. Don't know if he would tell me again but he probably would were honest with each other. If you're going to get advice or share info with someone make sure it's someone you can trust. Give Bog a pat for me
@timmattfishing6 ай бұрын
Great stuff!!!
@bill-qv3er5 ай бұрын
I have fished tournaments for 35 years and learned very quickly that you do not need 25 rods and 300 lbs of tackle in your boat. I laugh at these guys who have the deck full of rods and use 2 or 3 all day. Keeping it simple is the best way. I enjoy staying by myself, it keeps me focused better.
@rosswatkins22775 ай бұрын
Im in lousiana. One day Mikey will come fish speckle trout with me in the fall,winter or spring.
@labradorshalladore49666 ай бұрын
Big bass classic true example it’s happening right now in Conroe Texas Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday 2024
@BWOUTDOORS6 ай бұрын
GREAT INFO FRLLOW,S
@mikeybalzz6 ай бұрын
Thanks Dave!
@RisenAgain6 ай бұрын
JT baby!!!!!
@Turppa216 ай бұрын
That was cool
@leroystarling93595 ай бұрын
Good stuff!
@JoeHollandFishing5 ай бұрын
Preach Brother! JT is one of the best all time minds in Pro Bass Fishing, Great Job Mikey in sharing a little bit of it with us. When you are ready to take a shot let me know, My channel will make a monetary sponsorship for you to chase down the dream.
@haroldrogers65666 ай бұрын
JT is a good man. And honest in this one. But if money’s on the line, I bet fishing is tough 😂😂. I know I do 🤣🤣
@user-bf3jc2kl5n6 ай бұрын
Good One.
@areddfishing74736 ай бұрын
I say that all the time. I’m trying to catch as may fish as possible sooner or later that 2 pounder is gonna be a 6. If I hook more fish my chances go up then your “5” bites.
@BassDudeFishn6 ай бұрын
Great video, I sub to JT's channel too.
@tonyduran47645 ай бұрын
Pay Mikey. Jt's channel is like watching an infomercial. He's always pumping something he's selling or affiliated with. Can't trust his advice. Although he sounded genuine in this video. That's what makes you channel so good Mikey honesty and believe ability. Keep up the good work.
@williamcornelison47216 ай бұрын
When you have to morgage your house just to buy fishing lures, I don't think I'll think about tournaments at any time......
@rogerglasco59416 ай бұрын
Mickey. this video has a lot of good information for the beginning angler. An old fart like me has seen it all. My advice to you is stick to what you know that makes you happy. You like shooting videos as you bass fish. You have videos where you highlight certain plugs etc. This is good and we have watch you come from a teenager to now. Stick to what you are doing now. Stay away from the big tournaments. Okay, so you go big and fish the big tournaments and win several of them. Lets say you make over 1 million dollars and you are really set. You now have a new boat paid for and the many sponsors it takes. You are in the fast lane and the money keeps coming in because you are producing well. Then, after all this stress, you are done. You retires like KVD. Now you are back shooting videos on "how to catch bass". That is what you are doing now kid. I can see that you really enjoy this type of life. By the way, I say this because we love you; Find you a good bible preaching church. We want to see you in heaven and talk to you in person or I might say with our new heavenly bodies. Only through Christ Jesus can you get there. He says this in the bible. There are a lot good men and women out there but are going to hell because they haven't accepted Jesus as their savior. I brought this up because we care about you.. I better close and let you think this out. Wish you the best bro. Buy the way, you have more following than KVD and Rick Clunn and you didn't have to fish all those tournaments. Think about that for awhile. By.
@mikeybalzz5 ай бұрын
That's great advice man and I think you really nailed it I guess the only real question that keeps coming into my mind is that concept of always developing and trying new things and trying new directions and not getting stuck in doing the same thing and the tournaments as long as I keep my head on straight would be a great opportunity to do that.
@chasevanover5 ай бұрын
Hmm…. Well he isn’t the next Jacob wheeler or KVD. How much of this info should I really retain. Black and blue and green pumpkin? I’m more of a grape and watermelon guy myself. 😂
@bwjc65616 ай бұрын
I would like to to be the next Mikey Balzz 😂💪
@bwjc65616 ай бұрын
In all seriousness.. you’ve got what it takes… go chase that dream.
@topraider52846 ай бұрын
Peg board hack old school
@user-jq5wk3ko9i5 ай бұрын
Balzz don’t put yourself down, go out and catch em. If you cash a check it’s icing on the cake. Can’t think about the money in any gambling. Biggest question who’s gona puppy sit
@mikeybalzz5 ай бұрын
I like it but I think the pup is coming along for the ride
@rickyledford94865 ай бұрын
Was Alcohol involved in making this video.😂
@mikeybalzz6 ай бұрын
Please make sure to refer to JT as the Ginger Ninja in all comments 😂
@OhMySack6 ай бұрын
Tournament bass fishing has become just stupid now. What is the point, anymore?
@devinwillis77876 ай бұрын
To try to win? What’s the point of doing anything?
@OhMySack6 ай бұрын
@devinwillis7787 Yeah, spend over $100k plus the continuous inflow of "must have" gear, entry fees, etc., to go head to head with all the other spotlighters for a crack at a couple-a-few thousand in earnings? Now, if you're independently wealthy and love to throw your money at such a thing....go for it! JT's responses were sincere in his experiences but those days are long gone. Those of us that experienced them were lucky.
@devinwillis77876 ай бұрын
@@OhMySack you don’t have to spend all that to do well at regional level events. If you want to be a top level pro then you have to spend top level money. One of the guys in the top 5 at the bass open on my local lake had an early 2000 ranger with like 3 hds lives and 1 live scope. He’s got less into his rig than I do
@waynewalters58136 ай бұрын
Don’t bet the farm on the dream. It’s a elitist sport now and a financial train wreck of a career move. Keep your day job and fish.
@nick1985fjb6 ай бұрын
KZbin unsubbed me...
@mikeybalzz6 ай бұрын
Ur not the only one I've heard that from
@bretmiller216 ай бұрын
All You Tube bait videos will become non-relevant with FFS...
@deannademala34325 ай бұрын
Anything is possible with Jesus Christ 🙏
@michaelkolbe59635 ай бұрын
Isn't fishing anymore it's about destroying fish with forward facing sonar and selling tackle all to make some company and sponsors rich . Honestly these type tournaments should be banned it's only destroying fish
@FisForFishing7775 ай бұрын
Eat sleep catch pigs repeat. Tournament fishing has changed over last 20 years it's hard and expensive.if I could afford it nowadays I do every bass master open.