You’re MISSING FISH if you don’t use this approach (Lost Lessons of the Bass Professor - Part 2)

To me fishing it old school means returning to a simpler style of bass fishing and that basic equation of man + nature + fish, and no angler has every quite embodied a more natural approach to bass fishing that the late Bass Professor Doug Hannon.
In his lifelong pursuit of largemouth bass, Hannon strived to make every aspect of his craft as natural as possible, from the lures he used to the hat he wore to everything in between.
Starting with lures, as an avid diver, Hannon often observed how prey swam underwater. He noted that snakes, eels, and even most baitfish swim with an undulating tail while they keep their head tracking relatively straight.
Picture a water moccasin cruising through the water; its tail is snaking side to side but its head is always dead center.
Now that you have that visual, consider how most artificial bass lures move, be they topwater walkers or crankbaits…that’s right, they all swing wildly side-to-side at the head…opposite of most every living thing in the lake.
We’ll get into more detail later, but Hannon designed a number of great lures like the Swimmin’ Worm and the Snakebait that specifically to have a more natural and less mechanical action.
This focus on going natural didn’t stop with his lures, or even the camouflage line he pioneered. Hannon explained that your boat is your biggest presence on the water, and for that reason he went through great efforts to make his vessel as stealthy as possible.
There a great little interview in which Hannon discusses his first bass boat, which he painted yellow because that was the only paint he had on hand.
He also had a smaller boat in an army green finish and he’d notice that he could only get bass to hit close to the green boat while they stayed clear of the yellow boat.
It’s an interesting phenomenon that duck hunters would never dream of floating a glitter-sided bass boat as a duck blind while no sane Ranger Boat owner would ever consider camouflaging his new factory finish, and I have no doubt the Bass Professor would have chucked at that paradox.
On the topic of color, Hannon was particularly wary of yellow, which he identified as a warning color in nature. Everything from yellow jackets to coral snakes use yellow to repel predators, so Hannon reasoned that yellow would also repel largemouth bass under most circumstances.
Though he sat low in his camouflaged boat, Hannon also made sure to wear muted and non-solid colors, and of course his signature camouflage hat.
Next week in our Lost Lessons of the Bass Professor mini-series we’ll discuss one of the Bass Professor’s most important lessons: Hannon’s Lunar factor and we’ll learn how to us this Doug Hannon Moon Clock.
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[@Stumpjack]

I love the thought and analysis Hannon put into his pursuit, right down to the color of his boat and the wide-brimmed camo hat he wore (which is right up there in recognizability and stature with Bill Dance's Tennessee cap or Ray Scott's cowboy hat). Folks can debate whether or not his conclusions on things like camouflage were valid (hard to prove conclusively what fish see), but no one can argue with his success at catching big bass, so I give the nod to him. His comparison to duck hunters using camo is brilliant, and makes a lot of sense for bass anglers to approach the water similarly. I'm going to have to read his book again. Great series, Chris!

[@RetroBassin]

Just a hint, better head over to www.moontimes.com before next week’s episode!

[@Stumpjack]

@RetroBassin I buy the moon times Fish & Game Forecaster every year to log my days on the water and success rate. Not sure the moon has a big effect up here, but I still think it's a factor.

[@Michagan_outdoorsman_James]

Every time I’m fishing I channel my inner Doug Hannon and I start to hear that voice. Makes the hairs on my arm stand up at times.

[@stevebrockway4738]

This series is exactly what I needed to refresh the basics in my mind. Thanks.

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, Steve! I know what you mean.

[@NoRedemptionOutdoors]

I love this channel. R.I.P. Doug Hannon.

[@RetroBassin]

The Bass Professor!

[@randallpinkfloyd7225]

Doug Hannon and Virgil Ward were my bass fishing hero's! Thank you for the series!

[@RetroBassin]

Personally I am looking forward to Part 4…the lures of Doug Hannon.

[@bicalipierfishing8951]

Hello retro bassin nice to see you without you sun glasses you are an amazing person 💕👍🎣 happy fishing Sunday retro bassin

[@LowBrowFishing]

I've patterned a lot of my approach to how The Bass Professor did it. On small, shallow lakes I use a smaller green and brown boat that's super quiet. And I always dress in muted colors and wear my signature camouflage ball cap. Doug Hannon was a pioneer of so many key parts of bass fishing!

[@RetroBassin]

Think I need to rock camo more often, LowBrow!

[@toadmarz]

Doug was the best! Hannon, Glen Lau and Homer Circle were the the ones teaching us anglers about largemouth back in the 70's and 80's. Their teachings are as valid today as they were then. Good job Retro, thanks.

[@RetroBassin]

Think I need to do more tribute episodes on anglers like these!

[@TheRedneckPreppy]

If there is a Mensa-level in the fishing world, Doug Hannon was firmly in the club. Man probably forgot more about fishing per hour than I'll learn every year.

[@charlespatton1566]

I attended a trout/fly-fishing class once. The first thing the instructor did was ask me to remove my red trucker's cap. I replaced it with a blue one, and caught a nice brown trout afterwards.

[@RetroBassin]

That is awesome!

[@andyfisher1217]

Love! The Bid Bass King content Retro. I'll be 50 years old In June so I remember Doug Hannon well he took the pursuit of big bass to another level . Can't wait for the next video , and I'm really glad I found your channel man.

[@RetroBassin]

Yeah buddy! Glad you hopped aboard the Retro Wagon! I post most every weekend, but definitely some old school gold in the video catalog…

[@Mattschwag]

Love this series. I still crush them on his topwater fishing snake. This is my “ Go To” topwater lure. What great memories this brings up. Keep up the awesome videos. P.S. it’s really funny to hear my wife singing you’re theme song from the other room😂😂😂

[@gregchilders7643]

So true ,I mostly fish from shore and I also were cloths that match my backgrounds,

[@kevinatwell9781]

his strategy made sense as he predominately fished in very clear, shallow lakes so it stands to reason bass could possibly see above the water line. He also caught most of his bigger fish on live shiners, and his book has a dedicated chapter to that. I don't use live bait anymore, but when I did, it was deadly especially in clear water.

[@johndrx165]

I bought some of those snake baits. I really paid attention to his tips for sure. Never caught any fish on those lures, but I was not very skilled at that time. I may have one left over.

[@chipyeahoo]

I wish I could get some reasonably priced copies of Hannon’s books. Those are quite pricey these days. I do however watch videos of his old shows. I like his style of fishing and his presentation style.

[@RetroBassin]

Yes, we definitely need some reprints of Hannon’s books to bring the price down. If I had to only get one, it would be Big Bass Magic for what it’s worth…

[@jamesschultz5188]

Keep it Retro!

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks the plan, good buddy!

[@iowaal7671]

A yellow trick worm rigged wacky style can be killer at times in clear water. I wouldn’t avoid yellow but still something to consider. He would probably have loved Senkos.

[@SWCFLORIDA]

Great Episode Chris.

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks Jon! You need one of those floppy hats…

[@Oldbasshole]

Bringing back some great memories with this series!!

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks Patrick!

[@tyhorton2196]

Keep em coming! Loving the refresh!

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks good buddy!

[@PaulMooneyOutdoors]

Been a few videos since I have watched, no sun glasses threw me off haha

[@RetroBassin]

Like a whole new channel haha

[@johnmisenheimer8341]

Good stuff son . FISH ON.

[@RetroBassin]

You know it!

[@0017Bulldog]

Love this series. Very cool.

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks good buddy!

[@brianwilliard1819]

First! I miss the professor. Great stuff Chris.

[@RetroBassin]

Wish I could met him!

[@jimcollins9784]

Awesome 👏🏼

[@jeremycarpenter5550]

Great episode good buddy.

[@RetroBassin]

Thanks, Jeremy!

[@blind_eye_fishing]

Find interesting that he said bright yellow was a fish propelate and one of today's top fish catching colors is a bright yellow chartreuse color lol. And yellow trick worms is one if the best trick worm colors 🤷‍♂️ lol

[@RetroBassin]

Great point! I think like all great innovators, Hannon wasn’t always right in his theories, but at least he got you thinking and questioning your approach!

[@blind_eye_fishing]

@@RetroBassin of course in theories its just that a theory and not fact until proven to be a fact lol. I do agree with him on boat color seriously after painting my jon boat bottom black from silver I noticed a huge jump in right at the boat bites and catches. Seems darker services are more natural and bright seems to reflect to much causing bass to stay clear of that larger reflective object. I've had bass lately come out from under my little boat to bite my lure lol.

[@bassingthrough]

The shades are those the cats 5000? My favorite style. That old school miami 80's era 😂😊

[@RetroBassin]

NO ONE KNOWS THAT! Congrats on bonus retro points, good buddy!

[@bassingthrough]

@@RetroBassin I grew up in Miami in that era ( Miami vice ) scarface era. The most luxurious gangstah cool look ever 😎

[@giangi6186]

I don't agree with the Yellow problem , chartreuse Yellow is one of the best color in most situations

[@paulenglish1741]

Was almost first Chris!!

[@RetroBassin]

Hard to be first for a 6 a.m. CT drop! But glad you’re here!

[@MarkPolsky]

Wow the moon clock lol

[@RetroBassin]

Moon Clock is still ticking...

[@elchatoreviewsandtutorials9035]

What about Monte Burch

[@carlmchale8341]

I'm going to have to stop watching your videos you make me feel old

[@RetroBassin]

I know the feeling!

[@coltpython5763]

Nowadays, they say Bass can only see purple and red.