Jon Bondy Prepares For 2008 Elite Season

By Wil Wegman

At the 2008 Bassmasters Classic in South Carolina I met up with Elite Series Pro Jon Bondy. Jon, like many of the pros who did not qualify for the Classic was working the Outdoor Show for his sponsors. He was there representing Champion Boats and although we were often interrupted by fans who wanted his autograph, we did have a chance for a great one-on-one discussion. Let’s have a look at what Jon was up to in the offseason and what his thoughts are just before the first Elite Series event on the Harris Chain of Lakes March 6-9 2008.

Jon Bondy of Windsor Ontario is a rare breed here in Canada. He is a full-time fisherman, who at 35 years of age has never had a full time job other than fishing. He has competed in tournaments since he was 16 years of age and has guided full time for 14 years. Jon is recognized as one of the premier full time multi-species fishing guides in the Windsor-Detroit area and is fully licensed to fish both U.S. and Canadian waters.  Logging over 200 days every year on the water from March to December he is a busy guide who has clients from as far away as Japan.

In 2007, Big Fat Bass readers may recall that we covered much of Jon’s progress along the Bassmasters Elite Series Tournament Trail. In 2008 we will continue  coverage of this, our only Canadian representative who qualified for, and will be fishing the most prestigious bass fishing series on the planet.

Wil:    Last year you may have had a tough inaugural season on the Elite Series but you did finish on a high note and qualified for this year’s Elite Series. Please tell us what your feelings are about this year's events compared to how you felt last year going in.

Jon: Last year was very tough. First, I've never done well on tidal waters; they are very tough to fish, and I usually catch them one day and not the next. For example, I fished a Bassmaster Open on the Hudson River years ago, and was in 9th place the first day, only to blank on Day 2. Last year we had two tidal events: The California Delta and the Potomac River... I bombed at both. I was very disorganized at the beginning of the season. I basically just threw everything in my truck and left for the first event. I was physically and mentally not ready for the task at hand. These guys, like Vandam, and Ike are so good, that they will beat you into a pulp unless you are 110% dedicated to winning 24/7. The intensity of the guys at this level is unreal!
Even after all these years, Vandam still wants to dominate more than ever and win so bad. He knows what he has to do to make that happen and that is to work extremely hard. These guys are the best in the world, so it is very satisfying to do well in these events. It leaves you wanting more. In 2006, my best finish was 5th, in 2007 it was 6th, but no one remembers who finished in those spots, not even your own mother! So, the bottom line is you need to win. I am prepared for this year. I have done nothing for the last two months but get ready.

Wil:    How did your guiding go after last year's events? Does it keep you 'in tune' and still help you become a better bass fisherman or is it something you do to pay the bills?

Jon: My guiding last fall was the busiest fall I have ever had, but it was mostly for musky. We had some awesome weather in my area, and we caught tons of fish. I guided till the end of November. One thing I have noticed at the Elite level is that years ago I read Gary Klein quote about how it doesn't matter what species you fish for, pike, trout, whatever. If you are getting bites it will automatically make you a better bass fisherman. I used to believe that too, and maybe that is true when you’re first starting out but with the exception of deep water/light line walleye fishing (which helped me to really understand the full feeling of a drop shot bite) I can't think of many examples. The elite guys don't fish for anything but bass day after day after day so they are real good. I guess what I'm saying is that every day I fish for musky, I'm not learning how to beat these guys. I might as well be in a tree stand. For any young aspiring pros who have the chance, I have some advice...fish for nothing but bass.

Wil:    Can you describe what your routine has been like this winter? How did you prepare when not on the water? You've pre-fished a few of the lakes already, which ones and how did those pre-fishes go?

Jon:  I have been busy tinkering with baits and making new ones. I poured up a new swim bait that I made from scratch and took it to Lake Amistad. I made it just for that lake and the fish were engulfing it whole. It's colored like a tilapia and it works even better than I thought it would. I left Canada early and visited Lake’s Murray, Falcon and Amistad. All I did was spend time graphing for deep spots. All the events we fish then will be post spawn events, so I'm banking on the deep bite to be on. I'm not a bank beater, so I hope to do better this year. While at Falcon, I was rooming with Charlie Hartley and he flipped flooded bushes all day, catching 9 and 10 pounders, while I graphed out in 20-30ft. Falcon really drops in spring due to irrigation by the Mexican farmers, so it should drop 5-15 ft. If that happens, my stuff will be good, while Charlie's bushes will be high and dry.

Wil:    Word has it that you have a new boat wrap sponsor for the 2008 Elite Series.  Please give us the details. Is there also a truck wrap sponsor? How difficult is it to attract high level sponsors, even at the Elite level?
 
Jon: My boat wrap this year is one set up by Champion Boats. I was unable to secure a large corporate deal in the short time frame we have. It's an extremely tough and lengthy project to get a corporate entity to sign on. I've been turned down by well over 100 companies, and I make a very professional proposal. I have an agent in Nashville, but so far he has gotten me a lure sponsor. He works with Randy Howell, Mark Menendez and others.
The truck wrap this year will be featuring my guide service, and I must admit it’s one of the coolest looking wraps I've ever seen. The boat will feature a Champion dealer ... Freedom Outdoors in Southern Ohio. Although I'm very disappointed that I was unable to secure a large corporate deal, I had two very interested parties that had already allocated their 2008 budget to other projects, so I like to think I have opened some doors.

 
Jon’s Wrapped Boat for the 2008 Season

Jon’s Tow Vehicle for the 2008 Season

Wil:    How many of the lakes this year are new for you?

Jon:  I've been to all 11 lakes. The ones that were new were Falcon and Murray. I've already fished events on all the other lakes, even the Mississippi River.

Jon Bondy with two nice largemouth bass he caught at the 2007 Sunshine Showdown in Florida
(B.A.S.S. Photo)

Wil:  Did you pre fish differently so far then last year? Please explain.

Jon: Not really. I think this year I have a much clearer mindset. Even if I do poorly in the first couple of events, I should be ok. Last year for some reason I got real flustered after California and it just snowballed. I couldn't believe I didn't get a check at Erie. I lost so many 4lbers at the boat I went nuts. I've never lost fish like that in my life.
I've since pretty much got it boiled down to hook problems. I went out for sushi with Aaron Martens in Nashville about a month ago, and with him being the drop shot king,I  was able to pick his brain a bit. He's a cool guy, and one of the 'purest' fishermen out there from an innovation standpoint.

Wil:  Is your overall game plan at all different this year than in 2007? (e.g. fishing for numbers, fishing for big fish - whatever) Please explain.

Jon: I think I have more confidence this season. As for fish, you can't fish for keepers at this level. It will leave you at the bottom. KVD doesn't fish for keepers so why would I? With the exception of the two Florida events, where it may be tough, fishing for keepers will find you deep in debt, both in the point standings and financially.

Wil:  Will you be rooming with any of the other Elite Series pro's this year ...who?

Jon: I will be rooming with Paul Hirosky. We became friends in 2005 when I finished 2nd at the Bassmaster Open on Lake Erie....he was the one that beat me!

Wil:  As the loan Canadian fishing the Elite's - do you think there is more pressure on you or less? Do you ever get the feeling that because you are the only angler from Canada that Americans you meet along the way are more willing to pay attention - or are you just treated like everyone else?

Jon: With the exception of the jokes every time it gets cold, (hence my nickname 'Coldfront') they pretty much treat me like everyone else. The top dogs will be your friend, but to get their respect you have to win more than once. And you have to get in the Classic. Being the lone Canuck, I am well aware of the people from Canada following how I do, so of course I want to do well.

Wil:  Did you have any interesting/funny/dangerous or exciting things happen to you while pre fishing this year?

Jon: I had some Mexican gillnetters try to run me off on Lake Falcon a couple of times. They raised their fists, and yelled at me in Spanish when I got close to their nets. Other than that it's been quiet.

Wil:  What was your best day on the water so far in 08? Biggest bass?

Jon: I really haven't fished much... Just a lot of graphing and getting to really know the lakes. I've caught some 7 1/2's and a 7-11, but I'll save the catching for the tournaments.

Wil:  Ok Jon, now to finish off, there’s some crazy rumour going around that you are moonlighting on the side ... something about getting up on stage and making people laugh?

Jon: Yes ... It’s true! I am working on becoming a stand-up comedian on the side as well. I have a 45 minute routine about life on the tour, and will be tentatively doing stand up comedy at the year-end party ESPN has at the last event. It's good, and you never know where that could lead.

Jon Bondy the Angler, and the Stand-Up Comic “Coldfront”

With the thrill of the 38th Bassmaster Classic still fresh, the 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series season will kick off in earnest with the Sunshine Showdown, March 6-9 2008 on the Harris Chain of Lakes out of Leesburg, Florida. Jon would love to start the season off with a bang and is excited about his chances at becoming the first Canadian to qualify for the Bassmasters Classic since Hank Gibson did it back in 1990.

On behalf of all avid Canadian bass tournament anglers who will live vicariously through Jon’s dream of making that Classic appearance … we’d like to wish him big bags of big bass throughout the year.

Wil Wegman is an award winning outdoor writer and avid tournament angler. He has covered more Bassmasters Classics as an official BASS Press Observer than any other Canadian writer and would like nothing better than to cover fellow Canadian Jon Bondy in his first Classic appearance.