By By STEVE MORRISON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – For John Gipson Jr., the dream of his life, to become a professional bass fisherman began at an early age and continues to be fulfilled in his youthful present.
The 20-year-old Western Michigan University student, recently placed third in the BBT tournament which was held in Cadillac on Lake Cadillac and Mitchell Lake.
BBT is the largest team bass tournament in the state of Michigan, averages about 80-100 teams per event. Contestants fish in a five event series.
Competing in a field of 85 entries, Gipson and his partner, Ron Nelson of Berrien Springs caught five bass, weighing 14.16 pounds, to secure the third place standing. Gipson and Nelson also are third position in overall points out of over 100 boats in the BBT.
Gipson recalls how he got "hooked" on the sport, early.
"The moment I knew I wanted to become a professional bass fisherman was when I was four years old. My grandpa, Jim Weaver, lives on Priest Lake in Dowagiac. I was fishing off our neighbor's dock and had a giant bass on. I didn't know how to work the drag (on the reel), so I yelled and yelled for my grandpa, who was talking to a friend. He kept telling me I had weeds on, and he'd be right there. Once he got there, he tightened the drag, and brought in a 4-5 pound largemouth bass; I knew that's what I wanted to do (for a career)," Gipson recalled.
Ever since that exciting encounter of a first kind, Gipson has been an avid angler, having fished in 200-250, in his estimate, tournaments to date. The 2006 Niles High School graduate believes he has won about 50 events, so far, with his largest cash haul of about $1,600 for his biggest single triumph.
"My usual partner is my Grandpa, Jim Weaver. Ron (Nelson) and I have fished a lot of tournaments, and he is a great angler. We usually fish together a couple of times each summer, but he fishes with his brother, Randy, a lot," Gipson revealed.
"I fish every Thursday night in NBAA Division 8, and I am also director of the Cass County "One on One" NBAA Division," stated Gipson. "In the first week of July, I also plan on fishing in the College Bass National Championship, on the Arkansas River."
Sounds like a busy schedule, but add in the fact that the Elementary Education major works in the summers for Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. He appreciates the fact that his supervisor is flexible with his schedule which allows him to fish in competition.
Last October, Gipson was filmed by Ron Shara Enterprises for a show to be aired later this year. In addition, Gipson is supposed to filmed for an episode of Michigan Outdoors TV with Tony Hanson sometime this season to discuss college bass fishing.
Not surprisingly, John is a member of the Western Michigan University Fishing team.
Calling himself a "semi-professional", Gipson shows modesty, considering what he's accomplished before even graduating from college. He attributes much of his success to his sponsors, Sure-Life Catch and Release, Jackall Lures, Gama Fishing Line, and Kaenon Sunglasses. Kaenon Sunglasses are helpful to allow fishermen to spot bass under water. Also, Express One of Buchanan is Gipson's leading local sponsor.
Sure Life makes a product called Catch and Release that removes ammonia from water, restores chemicals and electrolytes to water for fish survival, and also kills Largemouth Bass Virus and Zebra Mussels. This could be great for the Michigan fishing industry and helpful to our environment.
John Gipson's web site is www.freewebs.com/johngipson.