Chris Lane has a lot going on.
The reigning 2012 Bassmaster Classic champion leaves tomorrow for Tulsa, where he will defend his title. He just got back from two tournaments in Florida. He and his brothers are busy preparing for the launch of their new business, LB3 Outdoors, and he’s working with his hometown of Guntersville on an app that will help anglers on the world-class fishery — and will also be helpful during the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on those waters. He’s also getting ready for a full season ahead, which begins only a couple of weeks after the Classic.
But the pro has been enjoying his time as the crowned king of bass fishing, and he’s just looking forward to more. He told his fans that and more today during the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat. See photos of his visit here.
Below is a transcript of the chat, lightly edited for spelling and clarity. You can also check out Twitter chat transcripts from other pros, including Mike Iaconelli, Kevin VanDam, Aaron Martens, Boyd Duckett, Jonathon VanDam, Todd Faircloth, Brent Chapman, Randy Howell, Ish Monroe, Brandon Palaniuk, Jeremy Starks and Alton Jones.
Keep up with Twitter chats, tournament news and bass fishing advice by following B.A.S.S. on Twitter at @BASS_Nation.
B.A.S.S. @BASS_Nation
Welcome, @ChrisLaneFish ! Thanks for joining us today, when you’re leaving for Tulsa tomorrow. Fans, he’s taking questions now.
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Thank you for all the support over the past year, it’s been a fantastic year! Looking forward to your questions
What’s your go to lure or technique anywhere you go?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
If there’s grass, fish the grass. If there’s not, hit the shallows.
Good luck to you at the classic! What’s gonna be your go to baits ?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
A Luck E Strike stickbait
Rutgers U Bass Club @RU_Bassfishing
How did your practice go out on grand lake?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Practice didn’t go very well because I wasn’t there. I didn’t practice this time.
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
I’ve fished there before and really look forward to getting out there. I’ve been practicing on Guntersville!
Rutgers U Bass Club @RU_Bassfishing
How has life changed since winning last year’s @BASS_nation Classic?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
I have been able to give back to my family everything that they have put into it for the past six years!
Rutgers U Bass Club @RU_Bassfishing
Chris, whats your best flipping outfit to get those bassquatches out of thick cover? Line, rod, reel, and bait
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
7-6 All Star rod, Revo SX, 65-lb Stren Sonic Braid, heavy hook, 1oz weight, prototype Luck E Strike Fast Lane bait
If you could only use one technique/bait in a tournament during the summer what would it be and why?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
It would be a Fast Lane tube because you can fish it deep, shallow or in-between.
Favorite Early Spring Lures for Bass, plastics, topwater, cranks, buzzbaits, spinnerbaits ???
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Soft plastic for early spring because the fish are ready to move shallow and they’re still a little lethargic.
Fishin’ Outrageous @TeamFOfishing
What one rod goes on the boat deck everytime your out? Or the bait you have the most confidence in?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
A 7-2 All-Star rod with a Revo reel with 15-lb. Stren mono. The bait would be the new Luck E Strike Fast Lane baits
Fishin’ Outrageous @TeamFOfishing
How’s it feel to have that bullseye on your back as the defending champ Knowing everyone is after you?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
It makes me want to work that much harder
If you weren’t fishing, what job would you want to have?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Sales. I would want a sales position at B.A.S.S.
What’s the biggest factor in finding productive grass in tidal fisheries like the Potomac?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Hit it at high tide, that will create the opportunity to find fish that aren’t there at low tide but are at high tide
Fishin’ Outrageous @TeamFOfishing
You’re in the first group in Fantasy fishing with some HEAVY HITTERS! Should I pick the defending champ?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
The decision is yours. But I feel good about starting the year out on Grand Lake, a place I have done well before.
Fishin’ Outrageous @TeamFOfishing
Thanks a lot Chris! Wish you the best in 2013 good luck at the classic! You’ll be on my team!!
Peyton Cockrell @PeytonCockrell
What were you first thoughts at this moment last year? pic.twitter.com/GdBCXYmL
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
I did it for my entire family & friends & every kid who’s inspiring to be a fisherman & coming up from grass roots
Hey chris… big fan of yours:) I was wondering what sort of things you do to prepare for a tournament in the summer?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Thank you for the support! During the summer, I prepare for flipping in shallow water lakes. In the deeper lakes, I prepare for schooling fish.
What is your plan of attack for Grand, starting out
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
My strategy will be to determine the water temperature. It’ll be a crucial factor.
If you we’re to not have any electronics on your boat . What is some things you would do and things you’d look for
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
You learn to read shoreline, how steep banks are/how far they come out. Use rod tip or heavy weight to judge depth
What’s your jerk bait rig look like ?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Usually 6-8 to 7-foot rod, a soft-tip rod, with 10-lb. line with a Revo reel
I’ve been looking for a good jerk bait job from Abu Garcia . Do they have one ?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Yes, but I’m not familiar with the Veritas. I fish with the All-Star rod, the big crankbait series would be good.
Jeffery Smith @koolerthenafan
Did you discover or try a different technique during the off season?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
I practiced w/ a jerkbait & fishing cold temps. Those 2 things were something I needed to be more comfortable with
How do you feel about this season?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
This season will take a lot of work. There are 4 or 5 events I haven’t been to.
Well good luck dude. @JTodd_Tucker is gonna be hot this year!!
All time favorite body of water and why?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Lake Guntersville, because of the amount of fish it has & the way it fishes. Plus the town is so welcoming!
Justin Phillips @nousdefiones_jp
What do you throw to catch a limit when’s it tough? Or are you always hunting big fish?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Shaky head is a great way to catch a limit. Points mean the world in a tough tourney & catching 5 fish is always a great way to start. If the big fish aren’t biting, I’d rather have 5 than one.
Justin Phillips @nousdefiones_jp
Thanks Chris. Good luck this season and I’m looking forward to seeing the new clothing line!
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Thanks! Be sure to check out our LB3 Outdoors at the #bassmaster Classic expo!
What has been the biggest change for you since winning the classic
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
The amount of publicity I’ve received. In airports, tackle shops, gas station, driving down the road, people notice me.
Chris, who do you feel is the biggest threat on Grand this year?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Edwin Evers, Mike McClelland and Jason Christie. Weather conditions will play a huge role, and locals have the advantage there.
How would you go about winning a tournament this time of year? Bait, location, bottom type/contour, etc.?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Depending on where you are there are a lot of choices. Here the fish are moving shallow. I would focus on the spot where they stage before moving shallow. That will get you near the big females.
What technique have you started to dial in on since you’ve been in the Elites?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
The drop shot and the jerkbait, due to the fact that we fish a lot of clear water.
Was it a tough transition from a flippin’ stick to a drop shot rod?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Yes! There is a monumental difference between the two. From line size, to feel, to the way you land a fish.
Matt Kamalsky @DownIslandLivin
When do you use a flouro leader when using braid and when don’t you?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
I throw a fluoro leader on braid when I’m throwing spinning rods. Otherwise, I don’t use it. Except in saltwater.
Matt Kamalsky @DownIslandLivin
Do you ever use braid when flipping soft plastics or jigs when you aren’t flipping matted grass?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
All the time!
If you weren’t fishing, what job would you want to have?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Sales. I would want a sales position at B.A.S.S.
What’s the biggest factor in finding productive grass in tidal fisheries like the Potomac?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Hit it at high tide, that will create the opportunity to find fish that aren’t there at low tide but are at high tide
#1 rod and reel combo you’ve ever used?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
It would be a Revo SX 6.3:1 with a All-Star Carolina rig rod (with Stren fishing line and Fast Lane baits on the end)!
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Everyone – I wanted to let y’all know the Lane family has put together a clothing line geared for the outdoors and enjoyment!
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
The clothing line will debut at the 2013 Classic. Purchase of a T-shirt will enter you to win a fishing trip w/ one of the Lanes!
Chris Jackson @CJacksonFishing
Congrats on the clothing line. Looking forward to seeing it
Do you like using Jerk Baits early in the season
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
I do. I have learned to have confidence that a jerkbait will provide the size of bass you need to do well in an event
Thanks:) how do you practice for a tournament? Do you start shallow and then move deep until you hit them?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
I prepare for an event based on water temp & time of year. I will allow the fish to guide me the rest of the way
What technique have you started to dial in on since you’ve been in the Elites?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
The drop shot and the jerkbait, due to the fact that we fish a lot of clear water.
Was it a tough transition from a flippin’ stick to a drop shot rod?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Yes! There is a monumental difference between the two. From line size, to feel, to the way you land a fish.
What is your favorite setup for throwing a frog, and when is the earliest time of year to start?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Start when the water hits 58 or warmer. 50-pound Stren Sonic Braid on an All-Star Flipping Frog Rod and Revo MGX 7:1
Mostly flipping at the classic? or what cover will you be looking for?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Not planning to flip but if conditions set up to flip, I will be encouraged. I’ll be looking at docks & willow trees.
Who would win a wrestling match between you and bobby?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
We have tried that a few times, and usually the one who starts it ends up the winner. We’ve both won and lost!
I fish the rock river, IL. big but no backwaters. fast current Any tips for bigger bites? I catch a lot of shorts.
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Try a bigger size bait and maybe go a little deeper.
Chris who would you put on your 5 person Fantasy Fishing team for the Classic?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Jason Christie, Edwin Evers, Mike McClelland, Bobby Lane & the kid from Auburn @wmattlee
Marc Henderson @bassmonkey1975
What’s your go to bait? And why
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Fast Lane prototype tubes will be hitting the stores soon. I promise you they will catch fish.
Marc Henderson @bassmonkey1975
Cool
Which events this year do you think play better to your strengths and which event do you not look forward to?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
I look forward to them all! The ones that will fish to my strengths are the Sabine River, the Alabama River & West Point Lake because I can get into the shallow waters and work hard to catch fish.
Whom do you fear most fishing against you in the same area you find a good fish? Guy that makes you look over your shoulder?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Bobby. We fish so much alike. Knowing he’s fished that area, it would hurt me to fish that area.
I thought you might say that. Thats kind of cool and challenging at the same time.
When you’re having an “off” day what are some things you do differently to get a bite
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Sometimes you just turn around in a circle & then go back to what you were doing & refocus your mental attitude
That’s definitely something I’ve learned from our couch this last year! It plays a big factor . Thanks
You’re allowed 3 baits on a lake you’ve never seen. What would you choose?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
A Luck E Strike jerkbait, an RC2 and a couple packs of Fast Lane baits.
If you had to throw one bait during the month of March, what would it be and why?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
During March, I would get packs of the new Fast Lane baits because fish are spawning.
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
If you put the bait near them while they’re spawning, you’ll catch fish. Slower is better.
Cole Campbell @Cole_Campbell10
Smallmouth or largeheads?
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Largeheads! But smallmouth are fun to catch.
Fans, thank you for joining us today. @ChrisLaneFish we appreciate your time! Best wishes over the next two weeks.
Chris Lane Fishing @ChrisLaneFish
Thank you for participating & be sure to check out LB3 Outdoors. Prepare for some exciting news to be announced at the Classic!