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Twenty Question With Walleye Pro Jon Tennessen
This week's interviewee is Pro, Jon Tennessen. Jon is a young entrepreneur who's talent for fishing started at a very young age in the Northwoods of Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. He's a friendly guy who always has a smile on his face, and is very approachable at any tournament he fishes. I often see him talking with the locals who are asking him quesitons about the fishing that day, or about the boat he's fishing out of.
To learn more about him we invite you to join us Wednesday night, February 24th at 7PM Central Time, in the Walleye Central Chat Room. Jon will be our host for the hour, and will gladly answer your own "Twenty Questions" that you might have for him.
Hope to see you all there!
Juls: Who is Jon Tennessen?
Jon: I am a 43 year old Kid from Minnesota. I own a "Von Hanson's" meat market, JT Custom Tackle, and also have my hand's in a couple other businesses as well. And most important, I have a wonderful life with my wife Laurie and our boss Teddy(german wirehaired pointer).
Juls: How old were you when you went fishing for the first time? And, who was it with?
Jon: I can't remember. We grew up on Orchard Lake in Minnesota and it would have been with my dad.
Juls: As a child, what was it you wanted to be when you grew up? Did you always want to be a professional fisherman?
Jon: I worked as a young man in Canada at my father's houseboat rental on LOTW. I bet my first guide trip was at the age of 12-13 years old. People could not believe that this kid was to be there guide. Paper map in hand, no depth finder and all the entertainment I could dish out and away we'd go. We had a great time and we caught fish. I love the fishing and recreation industry but never had the drive at a young age to be a professional tournament angler. My father always taught me how to make money, not give it away.
Juls: What is your most memorable experience while fishing? (Either tournament or fun fishing...doesn't matter)
Jon: I have many memorable times fishing. I have to say the times with my father were the most treasured. He passed away when I was 14 years old. He was like a blood hound when it came to sniffing out walleye and cooked the best shore lunches ever!!!!
 Juls: How long have you been fishng tournaments and which event is/was your favorite?
Jon: Starting in 1978, or so, I fished a few Musky tournies on LOTW. Then, in 2003, I fished the RCL Devils Lake am side and was hooked. In 2004, I jumped to the pro side. In 2005, I fished the PWT East, and have continued to fish the Pro side...now fishing the AIM Pro Walleye Circuit. Favorite event was the AIM Greenbay event... watching my great friend and touring partner Brett King take home the win!!!!
Juls: Who are your sponsors?
Jon: JT Custom Tackle ,Von Hanson's Meats, Berkley and a very supportive wife.
 Juls: You started your own fishing tackle business...what is it and how did you get started in that?
Jon: My business is JT Custom Tackle. We specialize in custom blades, beads, keel weights, custom painting and production. Everything to do with walleye spinners we do it and sell them. We also produce a great spinner called THE SHAFT as seen in FLW Outdoors Magazine. The shaft not only features a quick change blade but also a quick change hook system.
The reason I started this tackle adventure was the lack of bead options in the market, and the idea I had with the shaft. For the 2010 line up we will have over 40 color's of 6mm beads, a new line of 8mm beads for the big water, featuring more than 20 colors. If you think this is over the top wait till you see the new blades for 2010. I guess you could say, "we're spinner junkies"!
Juls: Is that your profession, or do you also do something else for a living?
Jon: My main meat and potatoes is "Von Hanson's Meats" in Monticello, MN 763-295-0310. We specialize in wild game processing for you hunters out there.
Juls: Now that it's the "off season" what do you do?
Jon: The upside to my life, is I'm really busy with my business ventures. The down side is the ability to take time off. Some days I wonder which end is up. I actually went ice fishing for the first time in three years, yeah had a blast!!!! When possible, we take a winter vacation, so this year I think it's going to be Arizona to see family. I could use some warm weather.
Juls: When did you get your first boat?
Jon: I've had many skiffs as a kid to use, and a Lund Tyee. So I'll start with my first new boat. That was a Lund Alaskan tiller. I would have to say it is the best utility boat in the market for rocky lakes and big water duck hunting. Man did we have some great times in that rig.
Juls: Many anglers are all around outdoorsmen and hunt too...do you also hunt? And, if so, what kind of hunting do you do?
Jon: For a few years all my hunting had to be put on hold. With all my business ventures there was no time. Then about two years ago I said, "that's enough". So, I started to hunt whitetail again with some of my long time friends in Buffalo County,WI. Why I stopped in the first place is beyond me. Nothing better than a nice sit in the woods to clear your head.
 Juls: What are your plans for the 2010 season?
Jon: I will be back fishing the AIM Tour again this season. I sat on the side lines for a couple of years until the AIM format came up. When the opportunity came around and I realized how geared to promotion this circuit is for any and all sponsors or businesses, I knew this would be the perfect fit for JT Custom Tackle.
One more thing that's got me jazzed is the team I will be working with this year. They are good friends and hard core anglers alike-
Brett King, Robert Blosser and JOJO or Joe Okada aka punching bag. I like the mix of talent each of us bring to the table. So watch out! haha Like Joe's mom said - "It's all fun till somebody get's hurt".
Juls: Do you guide? If so, how can people contact you?
Jon: I don't guide at this time. I've looked at getting my Captains License for many years, just in case, but it was to be geared more for Saltwater use in the future. I love Walleye, but I really like the light offshore, reef and wreck fishing down in the Florida Keys or any salt water species. It's not just Freshwater for me.
Juls: Of all the waters you have fished in your lifetime, what are your top five favs? And, why?
Jon:
- Lake of the Woods- Morson Ontario - over 14,000 Islands and mega structure-Family memories.
- Devils Lake, North Dakota -The most versitile fishery I have found. Any technique works on this lake.
- Lake Erie-Ohio Waters - spinner heaven
- Mississippi River pools 3 and 4 - Break out the lead core
- Lake Cumberland, Kentucky - One tough fishery- I like a really tough bite - loved the scenery- I have never laughed so hard in my life fishing with Yarbs, Manz and Smith that day-CMF boys
Juls: Who are some of your fishing idols? Who did you look up to when you first got into tournament fishing?
Jon: I don't know if I have any idols. I have a list of people I highly respect for certain reason's.
1. Dad- He had a major impact on my life at a really young age. I still carry his influence today .
2. Greg Yarbrough - One of my great friends and an unbelievable open water spinner master.
3. Dave Scroppo - He made a fishing article worth reading- one funny SOB- always put a smile on everyone's face.
4. Gary Parsons - His willingness to help up and coming anglers further their carrer's at the cost of them possibly taking his $
Juls: Do you do any kids events?
Jon: I help sponsor kids events with product. Would love to help, but made the cut every tourney last year and missed out on the opportunity. Maybe this year I'll get the chance. Those events are very important to me and JT Custom Tackle.
Juls: What is your favorite presentation to use? What is the most fun for you?
Jon: It is no doubt structure or weed spinners. I run a 2010 Pro Guide tiller boat with a 175 Mercury Verado. This thing backtrolls awesome. I drive over almost all the fish I catch with technique and they don't seem to care. I fish water as shallow as 4ft to the basin with this program. It's hands on and I know I can get into the nooks and holes better than most and still control the boat in adverse weather. The worse the weather the more I like it.
Juls: How do you break down a body of water you've never fished before? How do you approach your prefishing?
 Jon: I'll take one body of water for this example and use, Lake Oahe. I'm going to look at the distance I can travel from take off first. Once I have that figured out, then I look at the time of year and migration patterns. Where do I think the fish are in the system, as far as size and sheer numbers. I make my calls to people, internet, etc... These fish travel alot of distance. The ones I want are schools of fish, not just the resident fish. When I start my prefish, I travel a lot of distance sampling size and quantity. My goal is to get the fish as close to take off as possible and still stay in large numbers with the right length (AIM Format). Most of the time, for us guys with limited distance, we need numbers not just the 7 right bites. Running 90 miles one way is not an option. Once I have these things figured out, then I can fine tune my program. The other thing I do, is run a presentation that covers more ground than a spot on the spot technique. Hopefully that helps out too.
Juls: What are you most proud of in your life?
Jon: My wife. The sacrifices she has made that allowed me to pursue my dreams have been unbelievable. In our early years she may have well been single. Now, after many years have passed, we both see the light at the end of the tunnel. There is no doubt in my mind that I would not have been succesful with out her support. Thanks Laurie!
Juls: If you could only give ONE piece of advice to a new angler, who wanted to start fishing tournaments professionally, what would that be?
Jon: You need to be determined. Get out every chance you get and help the people that you want help from. They need to see value in you. You have to be creative to make a difference today. Stand out and above your peers and make things happen. It is a business and it will cost you money to get started. Be prepared to take risks and make huge sacrifices and some day you may be noticed.
To read previous "Twenty Question" interviews please click here or copy/paste the link into your browser's address bar: http://www.walleyecentral.com/articles/?author=18&c=65
To read previous Chat Transcripts please click here or copy/paste the link into your browser's address bar:
2010 Chat transcripts are posted on this page:
http://www.walleyecentral.com/articles/?c=69
2009 Chat transcripts are posted on this page:
http://www.walleyecentral.com/articles/?c=65
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