M.J.'s Personal Page

Welcome! Thanks for visiting my personal page. I will try and not bore you to much. I just want to let everyone know little about myself. I'll start by talking about the reason you stopped by, fishing.

Like most of us 'dyed-in-the-wool' fishermen/women, I learned to fish as a kid. I can thank my Dad for introducing me to the great outdoors and the wonderful sport of fishing. I miss my dad and have written a tribute to my Dad and all Dads and Moms who take the time to "take their kids fishing,"(as Jerry McGinnis would say).

I was a 'bank' fisherman my whole life until 11 yrs. ago when my brother introduced me to bass fishing. I had my first boat 6 months later and the rest is (as they say) history.

My first bass boat was an 18ft Aluminum "BassTracker" with a 50hp. Mariner. When I got that boat, I thought it would fill my fishing needs for the rest of my life, and sure enough, two years later, I traded up to a Ranger. My current bass buggy is a Ranger370(red/white) with a 150hp Mercury Black Max.

I began fishing tournaments with my brother in 1988 and immediately knew that I had found my niche. Being a complete novice, my brother diplomatically suggested that I find a local bass club to join to help improve my fishing and boating skills. I suggest this strongly to any novices out there who want to become better anglers and make new friends also.

Hoosier Bass 'n Gals is an excellent local club in Indianapolis, Indiana and I became a member in 1988 and remained with the club for 5 years. I cannot thank those girls enough for all the support and experience they gave me. I have made lifetime friends through my association with a bass club.

I fished the National Bass 'n Gal circuit for two years. This gave me a chance to fish against and with the top female anglers in the world. I also was able to fish some of the top bass lakes in the country, including Lake Fork (TX), Tenkiller(OK), Sam Rayburn(TX), St. John's River(FL), Pickwick(AL), Kentucky Lake(KY), and Toledo Bend(LA).

For the last three years I have fished mainly open team tournaments in Indiana and the surrounding states. I fished the Bassin America circuit(MBAA) for 2 years and have been a member of I.N.B.A.(Indiana Not for Profit Bass Association) for 5 years and would recommend this group of guys to anyone who would like to join a fun, easy going club with great paybacks.

My favorite lakes in Indiana are Monroe, Geist, and the Ohio River at Rocky Point(this is probably nostalgic, as Rocky Point is where I won my first tournament). Outside of Indiana, some of my favorites are the Ohio River at Smithland Pool, Lake Fork, and my top lake, Sam Rayburn.

My favorite types of fishing are jig and pig, carolina rigs, and buzzbaits -(I have to give a plug to the best jigs I have found, "Jones Jigs" of Indianapolis-317-257-0344).

I prefer reservoirs to natural lakes and would be considered a shallow water fisherman, although I am concentrating on deeper fishing. (A must in Indiana with the intense pressure that our waters receive).

My personal best is a 7# 11oz, caught at Monroe Reservoir.(fortunately it was during a tournament). My personal best stringer was also that day with 3 fish weighing 16# 8 oz. O.K., enough of the bragging.

As far as personal history, I live alone with my black lab, Reggie, in Avon, Indiana (a suburb of Indianapolis).I am a Registered Nurse and worked 17 years in Critical Care at Methodist Hospital. I am currently doing home health nursing and enjoying the different pace.

I have an older brother, who is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, who resides with his wife in Crestview Fl. My younger brother and fishing buddy lives in Lawrence, Indiana and has worked 25 years for Indy Movers, where he moves and re finishes pianos.

My pride and joy is my only child, Amanda. She is 23 years old and graduated from Indiana University in 1997, majoring in Environmental Policy. She is now living in South Roaylton, Vt., where she is a 2nd year law student at Vermont Law School. She is planning on specializing in Environmental Law.

She is engaged to a wonderful young man by the name of David Vernon, who she met while they were freshman at I.U. He also graduated in 1997, majoring in business and is currently employed at Gibson and Associates and is working in Portsmuth, England until February. They are finally getting married on Oct. 21, 2000.

My other interests include I.U. basketball, the Indiana Pacers, computers, (obviously), and I admit that I am an X-Files fanatic.

Well, in case anyone as bothered to read this far, thank you. I guess I just want to let people know a little something about "M.J".

I am really interested in making this website an informative resource for Indiana tournament bass fishermen/women. Please send any suggestions, criticisms, ideas, or questions to me at:mjmorgan@oocities.com

. Hope everyone limit's out all year.

Thanks,

M.J.