I was recently approached to do an interview with WBT pro and recent Bassmaster Classic qualifier Kim Bain-Moore. I thought this would be a fun interview, so I teamed up with John Haynes from Bass Fishing the Midwest and the rest is history! I think you will enjoy, just click on the player.
This interview can also be found on iTunes.
Below is a sumarized view of the interview for those that do not or cannot listen to the PodCast. Trust me the text does not do the Audio justice! I shortend & eliminated a few things from the text, because it was just too much typing.
Bassin Blog: John & I pride ourselves on doing our research about guests, we think we found a nugget that may have been overlooked and not really talked about, we have reason to believe that you fished the most recent Bassmaster Classic on the Red River and are actually the first women to do so, is this correct?
Kim Bain-Moore: (Laugh) Very Clever Fellas.
BB: Tell Us about the Experience
KB: Absolutely, was the pinnacle of my career. I have dreamed about the goal since being a little girl and something worked very hard to achieve, it was a dream come true and a bit of an overwhelming experience. Really great to see all the excitement around the Classic, the media, my family coming in from Australia. Big year for my sponsors as well, including the 100 year anniversary for Evinrude.
BB: Tell us about what Evinrude is doing to celebrate their anniversary
KB: Good questions, lots going on, lots of interviews spreading the word. Lots of incentives, go to your dealers to learn about incentives on new E-tec motors. Had a small incident at the last tournament, a run in that was my own fault. Had a brand new lower unit installed and I was back in the water in no time, missed no fishing time. It was AWESOME!
BB: Finished 13th at Neely Henry, any added pressure media or otherwise at that event?
KB: I don’t think I went in to the tournament, feeling any added pressure, just really chomping at the bit to get back out fishing on the WBT. LASt year I had a 4th place finish at Neely Henry and certainly conditions changed a lot, water was lower and earlier in the season, most of the fish has not pushed back in the creeks as much. I found myself doing a lot of spotted bass fishing where last year I weighed all largemouth. I was really proud of my 13th place finish, would have like to have a top 10, have 3 more events for the season. Next event is at Lake Quachita in Lousiana, should be a better flipping bite.
BB: Of the next events, which are you looking forward to the most?
KB: All of the remaining events, Quachita, Old Hickory & Arkansas River. I am excited for the challenge; I am used to fishing more lakes. The river system is new to me, which is what I enjoyed about the Classic on the Red River in Shreveport. Its important to learn something every time out on he water and this year will definitely be about learning. If I had to pick one, probably say Old Hickory where I have the most experience there, but I am keen about fishing the Quachita as well and do some flipping and bush hawging and get back in the back country and catch a few big ones.
BB: Last year never finished worst then 6th last year, can you repeat as WBT AOY?
KB: Yeah, I think so. WBT has same system last year where you get to delete your worst finish. There maybe a little added pressure based on my recent finish to go out and compete and have some high finishes. I think one mistake I made at Neely Henry, always analyzing my days on the water. I should have fished for largemouths on the last day instead of the safer smallmouths. The rest of the season I will target the bigger bites and do what I can to get larger weights.
BB: You mentioned flipping, If you could only carry 1 color RI Sweet Beaver in your Legend Boat, what color would it be & why?
KB: I would have to say California 420, just seems to go to a variety of lakes and systems and catch fish. Dark watermelon & watermelon red, which is a consistent color for most anglers. I have had a lot of success at Old Hickory, Lewisville and the WBT Championship, its just a good all around color. But its kind of like starbursts, I will start with Strawberry but will eventually work my way through the whole pack.
BB: In the past you fished some FLW Tour & Series events, Western Open, any plans to get back into those events on top or in place of the WBT?
KB: I certainly wanted to fish many events to learn about different techniques and bodies of water. Now that I am fishing the WBT, my husband Andre fishes other events as well. In 2009, he would support me on the WBT & I would support him at other events, its been a great time on the WBT. For me its about enjoying time on the water and maintaining time for family.
BB: Please comment on how you think the co-angler works for the WBT compared to how the Elite Series has went to the Marshall Program.
KB: With the WBT it a great moment for ladies to get out and fish & learn about different lakes & techniques. It builds their confidence to then move to the pro side. Then they just need to get a boat and whack an Evinrude E-Tec on the back and get going. Large part of my success was the support of my family and confidence and good equipment.
BB: Are you seeing sponsors showing increased interest in women fishinig?
KB: Certainly, the biggest example was at the Classic. The shear numbers of women and children coming up to me and showing an interest in getting out on the water with their families, husbands, boyfriend was amazing. Truly overwhelming, I signed autographs for over 5 hours straight, until I had to leave for a TV engagement. I had people try to follow me into the bathrooms for autographs. It was just exciting seeing that passion and enthusiasm, which shows positive things for the future of the sport. If course statistically I did not have the best classic, but its not always about the fishing catching. Over all people were excited about me being there and coming up to me it should help grow the sport.
BB: In 2004 you fished a Walleye tournament in Walker, MN, what brought you to that tournament?
KB: Good research guys, especially for me being Australian, learning about different species is a passion for me. Trying different things help you learn things you can adapt back to bass fishing. Part of my success get out there and try different style, at Leech lake as a co-angler I learned to back reel which is a skill I use for big smallmouth and spotted bass on light line.
BB: You have some experience with Lake Norman, you caught your biggest stringer in 2008 FLW Tour competition there, can you help John & I with our Fantasy Fishing picks?
KB: Bryan Thrift is a local and Alvin Shaw who is a local and good friend of mine from the FLW Tour.
BB: Kim, thank you very much we appreciate your time. You are not only a great bass angler but a great ambassador for the sport; We will watch you the rest of the year on the WBT. Good Luck at Lake Quachita.
KB: Thanks Rich! Thanks John!
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