RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Jason Christie did not think for a second that he had won the Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Dardanelle until Dave Mercer announced that he was the winner.
Yet, throughout the tournament, he appeared completely unrattled. When a fan asked him during the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat how he stays so even-keeled, he seemed surprised anyone thought so.
“I don’t know where you got that,” he said. “I don’t feel like I am. Well, I just hide things well. I may be calm on the outside, but the mice are pedaling 5,000 miles an hour in my head all the time.”
Read the entire transcript of his Twitter chat below, and read transcripts from Twitter chats with other pros here.
Keep up with the latest bass fishing news and top Bassmaster Elite Series pros by following @BASS_Nation on Twitter.
Thank you for joining us for #basschat, @christiefishing! And congratulations on your win!
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I appreciate the congratulations! It was a really special win for me because of how close it was weight wise & my family was there.
Pete Anderson @pete_m_anderson
You always seem calm and even-keeled on the water. Does anything rattle you during a tournament?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Well, I just hide things well. I may be calm on the outside, but the mice are pedaling 5,000 miles an hour.
When are you coming to fish in South Africa? You have a lot of support here.
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I fished w/a guy from South Africa once. Whenever I get a free ride, I’ll be glad to go! I appreciate the support from SA!
How do I know what weight to use when Texas rigging?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
That’s based on the rate of fall that you want. I use the ½-ounce because it’s easy to flip.
Thanks Jason! I will try it out.
How do you tell what offshore structure could potentially be god based on a topo map?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Look for a point that faces upcurrent, generally around big creeks, that offer the right depth the fish are at.
Do you think the weather helped pull the fish to your area, or did you have to follow the fish out deeper?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Had we not gotten the storms and rain on the second day, I wouldn’t have won.
What ruled out the Spardra area in your mind where so many tournaments on Lake Dardanelle are won?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I practiced there the first day & caught 18-20 pounds, but it didn’t offer a lot of the same thing. There was a little bit of weeds, a little bit of rock, just random. What I wanted was weeds all the way around.
GodfatherOfPigtails @fishingchiver
What’s your favorite falcon rod? And why?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
The 7-foot-3 terra swimbait/pitching rod. It seems like I’ve won more money on that than any other rod.
The smallies are going crazy in Wosconsis right now If u were there what would you be throwing?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
That’s hard. Probably a @BooyahFishing jig with a Christie craw on the back in green pumpkin.
Did you weigh any fish in on something other than the jig?
No, all 20 fish I caught came in on the same jig.
What type of pattern are you looking for on Pickwick this time of year.
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Deep structure. I don’t think there’s any other way to win on Pickwick right now.
Congrats on the win the other day! I’ve always looked up to you as a fisherman! Good luck the rest of the season!
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I appreciate the kind workds.
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
Question 1 for @christiefishing
If limited to 5 rod/reel combos to fish entire season, what would they be?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
All Falcon rods and Lew’s reels. 1. 7’3” swimbait with a Lew’s BB1 for flipping
2. 6’8” Jason Christie signature series, Lew’s BB1 6.4:1 for topwater,spinnerbaiting
3. 7’10” XD cranker with a 5.1 BB1 for deep cranking
4. 6’10” Jason Christie frog rod, Lew’s 7.1.1. BB1 frogging
5. 7-foot Jason Christie Signature Series, 7.1 BB1 pro for general fishing
Dropping water on the Mississippi in Iowa pool 10. My state tourney is Saturday. What should my approach be?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I would just try to fish banks that offer deep water out in front
Now that you have a classic spot, how soon will you start planning and prepping for lake Hartwell
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I actually started the day after I won. I’m already thinking about what I need to do 2 win that tournament. After you have qualified for the Classic, you think every day about how to win it. It’s always on your mind.
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
If limited to 5 baits to fish the entire season, what would they be?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
1. Boyah jig with a Christie craw on the back 2. Christie critter 3. Booyah pad crasher
4. Booyah spinnerbait 5. Bomber BD 7
Congrats on the win the other day exciting to watch all the way to the end
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Thanks! It was an exciting tournament for me, as well.
If you were fishing a local night tournament and you needed a partner who would you chose from your peers on tour
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I’d say Cliff Crochet (@CliffCajunBaby) because nobody would dare get on any of our spots.
Sounds like a great partner for sure. I really appreciate watching you fish you are a true pro in my eyes.
At weigh in on Saturday you were so confident that you were going to catch them Sunday. Why?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I think everybody is usually like that. That’s a definition of a pro angler. I felt like things were lining up. The water was getting dirtier, there were less boat in my area, and I was getting dialed in.
In practice did you stuck every fish to see the size or did you catch one and move on?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I caught a few, but I caught only 25% of what bit. I’m more of a looker in practice.
If you could take one bait to Stilwell City lake what would it be
Jason Christie@christiefishing
A Booyah pad crasher.
How will you approach the rest of the season now having a classic spot and just outside the top in AOY standings?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
The goal for me is to move up in AOY as much as poss. I don’t know if I have a chance 2 win but I want to move up
I’m also going to try to win another one this season. I’ll just fish a lot more relaxed.
Helen Northcutt @HelenNorthcutt
What are your feelings about the upcoming event BASSfest? Feelings on the tournament format?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I’m excited because it’s something new. I’m excited to the hype around the event.
Favorite summer time bait to catch big ones on Lake Tenkiller
Jason Christie@christiefishing
You’re gonna wig out when I say this, but I’d say a drop shot. I’d go with a 6-inch Houdini word.
Congrats on ur recent win. What waters in Arkansas do u enjoy fishing on?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Dardanelle, because I won there. But I enjoy them all. There’s really not a place anywhere I don’t like.
Congrats on your recent win! What are your top 3 lures in the early summer on Grand Lake?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
One Knocker Spook, BD7 crankbait and a Yum Money Minnow
Now that June is here along with the heat, what’s your fav setup for catching quality fish
Jason Christie@christiefishing
7-10 XD Cranker, @Lews_Fishing5.1:1 BB1 Pro, 12-pound Sunline Sniper, Bomber DD7 deep diving crankbait
What would you be doing if you were not a pro angler?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Oh gosh! I used to be a basketball coach. I love connecting with kids as a coach. The games are fun! Winning a tournament and winning a game is the same kind of feeling. You can’t buy it.
True nothing like winning. Of course I would be a pro angler if I weren’t doing what I do now. #iwish
Helen Northcutt @HelenNorthcutt
Any big plans for your recent Elite tournament winnings?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
My family and I are going to take a week’s vacation to Florida, so I’m really looking forward to that.
FishShotsPhotography @TheBassPunk
Favorite hooks/way to rig a hollow body swimbaits? I’ve gone #swimbaitcrazythis season.
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I like a @TroKarHooks 3/8-ounce belly weighted hook.
FishShotsPhotography @TheBassPunk
Thanks Jason! Best of luck the rest of the season hopefully I’ll run into you at Cayuga Lake!
Congrats on the win and best of luck the rest of the season @christiefishing
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Thanks!
What’s your favorite go to bait?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
It would have to be a Booyah jig. If I can catch them on a jig, I feel comfortable enough to win.
Should we put you on our fantasy fishing team for bassfest?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I’ll tell you after the tournament.
Anna Claire Conrad @AnnaCConradAU
What can a novice expect to learn and enjoy at BASSfest?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I think the camaraderie with the pro anglers. You’re going to be able to ask the questions you’d ever want to ask.
With a 13lb bass recently caught on lake chickamauga, what do you think the odds are of a 12lb+ bass winning big bass next week?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
I would say slim but possible. There are definitely some giants in Chickamauga.
spencer barnett @bassfishinsb
Is lake fork now in your top 3 big bass lakes ?
Jason Christie@christiefishing
Absolutely! For a long time I’ve had invitations to fish, but I heard it was crowded.
Jason Christie@christiefishing
After being down there I realized there are enough fish to spread around!
Thank you @christiefishing for joining us today, and good luck the rest of the season!
Jason Christie@christiefishing
It’s been an honor interacting with the fans. I really appreciate the support, and look forward for seeing everyone at BASSfest!