Keith Nighswonger's Brush Pile

Reluctantly, I have agreed to do this interview because he claims that I made him look bad, the last time we talked, and I just can't live with on my conscience.  So, here is our discussion that took place Saturday, at, where else?  Burger King.

ProBassAnglers: I suppose that I should start by asking  why you called this "press meeting" today.

Nighswonger-My position at ProBassAnglers.com puts me right in the middle of today's professional bass fishing events.  I am a news breaker, and at times, a news maker.  I felt that the last time you and I talked, I was unfairly portrayed as arrogant, and ignorant to the world of bass fishing and I want a chance to have the record righted.  I have received e-mails from people who are were very critical of the last interview, and I want to show the world that I am a good and worthy person.

ProBassAnglers: Fair enough, what would you say is the biggest issue facing professional bass fishing today?

Nighswonger-The biggest issue in bass fishing today would be the lies passed on and promoted by television.  Weekend anglers all across the country are forced to watch television fishing shows, that depict an angler leisurely casting and "Oh, what do you know? I got another one!" and simply reeling the fish in.  Understand if the typical American angler watches too much of these shows, they will get the feeling that they themselves are worthless and should give up fishing all together.  Think about it.  Here is ....."Barney," lets call him "Barney."  And Barney is like you or any other person who can't catch them very well.  Well, ol Barney gets up early on Saturday morning, and flips on the television and proceeds to have his hopes and dreams dashed by television anglers, who cast and catch, cast and catch and cast and catch.  Poor ol Barney starts to wondering, "why can't I do that?"  The truth is, Barney can't do that, and neither can the guys in those TV shows.

ProBassAnglers: Television fishing shows are the biggest issue in bass fishing?

Nighswonger-Darn tootin they are.  I am going to let you and your readers in on a little trick that the television fellows call, "editing."  With editing, all of the mindless, catchless, fishless hours, are simply eliminated and only the glory shots are left in.  Next time you are watching your favorite fishing show, watch the guy make his cast.  Then, notice if the camera stays with him.  Probably what you will get is a nice picture of the pretty trees, or a deer taking a nice cool drink by the water's edge.  Next thing you know, the camera is back on the so called fishing expert and what do you know, he's got another one, surprise, surprise.  We can't allow anglers in this country to be fooled into thinking that fishing can be catch after catch after catch, and I am here to tell you that television is the one to blame.

ProBassAnglers: Shocking, really shocking.........You brought me here to tell me that Bill Dance has editing done on his TV show?

Nighswonger-NO, NO, NO, one thousand times NO!  Not Bill Dance, his show is 100% bass catching action because it is true.  I am talking about all of the other wannabees out there.  And the tournament organizations are the worst ones.  How much time do you think the pro anglers are really reeling in fish?  Yet, how come when we tune in to watch, is it catch after catch after catch?  Is that reality?  Of course not.

ProBassAnglers: Next question, 

Nighswonger-Shoot!

ProBassAnglers: Don't tempt me.  Where do you expect the sport to be in ten years?

Nighswonger-I envision professional bass fishing being covered much like professional golf.  Cameras in all corners of the lake, a "gallery" of spectators wondering through the forest, trying to get a glimpse of Mike Iaconelli going, well, "Mike Iaconelli" when he catches a 13" keeper.  The commentator in a hushed voice saying, "there's Hackney, that bed fish looks to be about eight pounds, oh how badly he needs this fish.  He's reaching in his tackle box, and he pulls out what looks to be a 3" "woolybugger," brown with a neon blue vein.  Oh! he's rigging it open hook, that's right it's open hook, sort of an Alabama rig.  Hackney, looking at the fish.....here's his pitch, the bait lands a little outside.....shaking......shaking......he's got it, big fish!  Hackney reaches over and ........he got it, he got! It's in the boat.........OK that's Hackney at 135......Now over to Brian at 764, what do you have Brian?" 

Again in a hushed voice- "This Brian Notlyon, here at spot 764, it's an up river spot, and let me tell you folks, the current is flowing today.  Here is pro Danny McFarland.  Interesting side note about Danny, his family is flat broke, that's right, not a darn penny to their name.  Why I heard today that his little girl goes bare foot to school each day.  Boy, Danny sure needs to do well here, the mortgage company says they are going to foreclose on the family farm next Wednesday if Danny can't come up the money.  Yes, this is pure stress.  Oh! there's a nice one, he got it on a spinner bait.  That one will probably go double digits!  Easy, easy, don't horse him....OoooooohhhhhhNnnnnooooooo, it broke him off.  That is too bad, looks little Mary won't be getting those braces after all........"

ProBassAnglers: Ok, Ok....What is ProBassAnglers.com planning for the next year?

Nighswonger-Well, right now, we are planning to change the title of my position.  Starting with next tour season, my new title will be Ultimate Universal Visionary. 

ProBassAnglers: Well, that will just about do it, we seem to be out of time.  Thank you for taking the time to set the record straight.

Nighswonger-It was your pleasure.