Anglers lose another legend in Hannon
We weren’t friends for very long, but the time factor really didn’t matter in this case.
Doug Hannon, 66, a legend in the fishing world known as the “Bass Professor” for his unique expertise in a wide range of design skills and academic subjects in and outside of angling, died Thursday at his home in Keystone, a north Tampa suburb.
He recently had neck surgery and was recovering at home, according to friend Russ Riley, a family spokesman and president of WaveSpin/MicroWave, a fishing components design company Hannon launched eight years ago — and which he served as chief engineer.
Hannon, who was best known by recreational anglers for catching-and-releasing over 800 largemouth bass of 10 or more pounds, also had nearly 20 patents for fishing tackle, lures and boating propulsion designs.
After its launch last summer, Hannon was again riding the crest of worldwide acclaim with his newest innovation, the MicroWave Line Control System by American Tackle, introduced at fall and winter fishing and trade shows in Australia, Asia, and Europe and recently in North America. A key component for light tackle spinning and casting rods called a guide train, Hannon’s new light-weight advancement gives anglers longer and more accurate casts with far less vibration and friction to the line.
Listen up:From the Outdoor Wire comes word that Babe Winkelman has stepped up to the plate with a new public service announcement.#147;Times have changed,#148; states Winkelman in a PSA on the importance of conserving fish habitat that will air during an upcoming episode of #147;Good Fishing.#148; Winkelman makes a call to action, explaining that #147;The loss of fish habitat is the single biggest reason fishing isn#146;t nearly what it once was.#148;The Midwest Fish Habitat Partnerships (www.midwestfishhabitats.org) has teamed up with Wildlife Forever and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to spread the word out about the need for conservation of our lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs.Background checks nearly double:The latest data released by the FBI indicates there have been a total of 70,291,049 background checks for firearm purchases under the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) since President Barack Obama has been in office. During the same period of time during the George W. Bush presidency, there were 36,090,415 NICS checks #151; or about half the number conducted under Obama.Fishing update:Lake Michigan continues to be the star player this week, despite the return of colder weather.Big brown trout are being taken by Waukegan shore and pier anglers. The same is true in the Gary area, with spring coho, browns and a few smallmouth bass inhaling live bait as well as spinners outside Pastrick Marina.ŸContact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, and catch his radio show 6-7 a.m. Sundays on WSBC 1240-AM and live-streamed at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.