Florida native Tim Anderson has guided for largemouth bass at Florida’s Bienville Plantation since 1996. He won Angler of the Year four times in the last 10 B.A.S.S.-sanctioned Baker County Bassmaster tournaments. “If I were still a single guy, I’d try to get into the pro circuit full-time,” he says. “But I like going to my kids’ ball games now.” His one-day guiding record for boated fish is 120 largemouths.
Rod
I use All Star rods, usually a 7-foot model for all my flipping, cranking, and worm fishing. It has a very smooth action but a nice, solid hookset.
**Reel **
Most of the time I use a Shimano Curado 200 B SF. It has great casting distance and durability and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. But sometimes I switch to an Ambassadeur 5500 C3 for flipping. Line I’ve tried every line, and I always go back to Stren. I love Stren because it’s so abrasion resistant and made with such consistency. I’ve never had a bad spool.
Soft Plastics
This is my favorite type of lure, and if I were only allowed two, I’d go with a Zoom Trick Worm in black or watermelon, and a Culprit fluke worm in a red shad pattern. I rig these Texas-style, usually with very light weights or none at all. Then I can fish all day.
**Crankbaits **
A Rat-L-Trap in chromium blue or Lucky Craft Moonsault CB 100 in a chartreuse shad pattern-these color choices are key for Florida bass.
**Spinnerbaits **
Strike King spinnerbaits are usually less expensive, and I’ve had good luck with them. I like Terminators, too, though the mudfish tear them up.
Boat
My Ranger 1997 R80 Sport is a part of the family. It’s got a 175 Mercury and has never failed me. Its stability and performance in the water are fantastic.
Contacts: Abu Garcia/Pure Fishing: 800-228-4272; www.abu-garcia.com.** All Star Rods:** 281-855-9603; www.allstarrods.com. Culprit/Classic Fishing Products: 407-656-6133; www.culprit.com.** Lucky Craft: 800-270-3117; www.luckycraft.com. **Ranger Boats: 870-453-2222; www.rangerboats.com.** Rat-L-Trap:** 800-633-4861; www.rat-l-trap.com. Shimano: 877-577-0600; www.shimano.com.** Stren:** www.stren.com. Strike King: 901-853-1455; www.strikeking.com. Zoom: www.zoombaits.com.