Nixon has been careful to modify his fishing methods – possibly the most drastic step in his pursuit for even more longevity . “ I figure out how to catch him when he ’ s eating ,” Nixon says . “ There are lures and methods that trigger big fish . It ’ s big rods and moving baits and you ’ ve got to sling them all day long , and I can ’ t do that .
“ I ’ ve acquired more spinning gear . It ’ s easier on the body , and I can catch more bass with light line and place well in the tournament .”
Nixon ’ s strategy has transformed into one of targeting quantity over quality , but there ’ s more to it than that .
“ What ticks me off the most is that my favorite baits were always those big power lures : spinnerbaits , cranks , big traps . They helped me eliminate water in practice .” Now , conversely , Nixon relies more on experience . “ No lake is ever the same place twice , but I ’ m going to fish in areas that I know fish live in ,” he explains . “ That ’ s the main advantage I have over the kids – experience .”
Nixon ’ s secret , then , lies in his knowledge of productive water , choice of high-percentage lures and efficient use of his time . “ I burn less gas than anyone out there ,” he adds . But there ’ s one more factor that ’ s possibly overlooked by other veterans : Nixon ’ s continued desire to expand his approach . He ’ s always experimenting with new lures , something he credits to a close friend .
“ My good friend , Greg Scott , researches and keeps up with things that haven ’ t hit the market yet ,” Nixon says . “ By the time something gets out , I ’ ve already worked on it through his help .”
Skeet Reese : Forever Young
It may surprise many fans to know that Skeet Reese is 52 years old . It did me . Now approaching 25 years at the top levels of pro fishing , Reese has excelled when others taper off . His 2021 season got off to a quick start with a win on the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit at Lake Okeechobee and continued with a couple more Top 10s in the first four events of the season .
Reese fights off Father Time with a vigorous exercise program , even while he ’ s on the road . It ’ s not uncommon for him to put in 10 miles jogging throughout a tournament week , and he packs a jump rope in his truck .
In terms of fishing , Reese ’ s competitive secret lies in versatility . His career highlights contain wins fishing everything from deep-water finesse baits to shallow-water swimbaits , a result of his upbringing in the sport .
“ It ’ s my California roots ,” he says . “ Early on , I learned everything from flipping and frogging to split-shots and dropshots . From the bank to 80 feet of water .”
PHOTO BY COBI PELLERITO
True , Reese ’ s exposure to the unique fisheries of the West likely contributed to him becoming “ one of the original versatile guys on Tour ,” but he continues to adapt .
“ You have to be accepting of change ; I think some guys have a problem with that ,” he says . “ It ’ s common to live in the past with your fishing . The key is not to do that .”
Such open-mindedness keeps Reese relevant today and always searching for emerging patterns . He ’ s also using more gear . “ I went from 10 or 12 rods rigged up to as many as 25 today ,” he adds . “ Things have expanded substantially in terms of techniques . We ’ ve educated the angler over the history of our sport and they ’ re learning faster than ever .”
Mark Davis : A Student for Life
“ There ’ s nothing more fun to me than getting a new lure or new technique and making it work ,” says veteran pro Mark Davis . Imagine still feeling that way after fishing competitively for
35 years straight . That sums up Davis .
An offshore specialist since day one , Davis has always been open to trying new things . Today , that includes forward-facing sonar , despite the initial drawbacks of the steep learning curve .
“ It doesn ’ t come natural to me ; I ’ m definitely challenged when it comes to technology ,” he admits . “ I ’ ve had to work at it , but without a doubt you have to embrace technology .”
When it comes to “ video game fishing ,” Davis points out an overlooked advantage .
“ You find out how fish are reacting to your presentation , and I ’ m finding out many bass are lure-shy ,” he explains . “ It ( the sonar ) helps to quickly narrow down bait selection .”
While the latest gadgets allow Davis to see underwater , nothing beats time on the water for learning more .
“ I fish every day after the season ends until I start deer hunting ” he says . “ Every day . And I fish a bunch with my son – he ’ s at the college level now – and that keeps me fresh on a lot of things .”
Davis also credits his return to fifth-wheel camping for a recent bump in performance , landing him in contention in many 2021 Bass Pro Tour events .
“ My wife is back on the road with me again ,” Davis says . “ Having her along and working with her as a team , it ’ s invaluable . I ’ m getting good rest again .” And it shows . For our three chosen veterans , the secrets behind continued high performance include keeping an open mind , staying fresh and still loving the game . After all , age is only a number , but bass fishing can make us all kids again .
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