Tommy Biffle is a seven-time B.A.S.S. winner. With more than $2 million in winnings, it should surprise no one that he’s a dominant force on the Bassmaster Elite Series trail.
The veteran pro has 301 tournaments under his belt, not to mention the 18 Bassmaster Classics he’s fished.
And he reminded everyone what a strong angler he is last month at the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series Diet Mountain Dew Mississippi River Rumble presented by Power-Pole when he took home the $100,000 prize.
Biffle took fan questions today during the B.A.S.S. Twitter chat. What follows is the complete transcript, lightly edited for clarity.
Follow @BASS_Nation on Twitter to keep up with B.A.S.S. pros, breaking news and top techniques. Also, read transcripts from previous Twitter chats with Elite Series winners.
Welcome, Tommy Biffle, to the Twitter chat and congratulations on your Mississippi River win!
Tommy Biffle
I’m glad to be here on the Twitter chat. I hope to get a lot of questions and answers for you guys.
Can a co angler do an open event and make a name for himself a good way to start?
Biffle
No, they can’t make a name for themselves, but they can learn a lot and start picking up sponsors.
Where are your favorite places to fish in Oklahoma.
Biffle
My favorite would have to be Fort Gibson here where I live. We have a lot of good lakes near where I live!
Thank you for answering my question and good luck the rest of the season!
Hi Tommy! I’ve heard you mention your past boat racing hobby, what boat did you have? Super fast outboard boat?? pics?
Biffle
Yes, I still have one. I have a Mirage with a Mercury that runs 120 in a 1/4 mile. I still love to race boats!
What’s the most important thing you learned from your dad about fishing?
Biffle
Go early, stay late!
What is one thing you think most people don’t know about you?
Biffle
I love to shoot Archery. I used to compete, but I don’t get to do it like I use to!
Just fished a tournament on Fort Gibson how do you keep drum off of the bug?
Biffle
They like it! They’re going to bite it. I’ve caught every species of fish on it, and that’s a good thing!
How did you find out about the @BrandonPalaniuk disqualification?
Biffle
I didn’t know about @brandonpalaniuk until the next morning. Someone at the gas station told me.
How would you approach a southern lake that’s deep clear and in September?
Biffle
I would try to find the muddiest water in the lake and try to fish my strengths with flippin’ and pitchin’.
Need tips for Arkansas river in Oklahoma. Never fished that body of water before.
Biffle
Fish shallow.
Is Marty Stone’s boat operating skills sketchy at best? River Rumble 2009 flashback…..LOL
Biffle
I would say so! He threw his co-angler out of the boat!
I remember it well…I was with you that day!!!
Biffle
We had a good day when you were with me!
Awesome day for sure. We should do it again!!
Do you normally dress like this or are you doing it for publicity? pic.twitter.com/eV793h4Eom
Biffle
That was photoshopped by a guy who thought it was funny. I don’t think it’s funny at all.
Tommy which size Biffle Bug do you like most 2.5 or 3.5 and when do you change sizes?
Biffle
I like the 4.25, the most common one. A new one that just came out is a 5-inch, and that will be a real good one.
Hey Tommy I saw Charlie Reed passed away. Did you compete against him? Any thoughts?
Biffle
Yes, I did. He was a good friend. I just heard yesterday that he had passed away.
Are you planning any prefishing trips to Guntersville?
Biffle
I’m not planning any but I may go there just bc it’s a good fishery. I’ll see if I can figure something out.
Bass Fishing Tips @BassFishnTips
A question for Tommy Biffle … If limited to 5 rod/reel combos and 5 baits to fish entire season, what would they be? …
Biffle
My lures would be a jig, my Biffle bug, a spinnerbait and a big crankbait.
What is your favorite color of Biffle Bug to use on Oklahoma lakes?
Biffle
I like to use Sooner Run on Oklahoma lakes.
Thanks TB!
How was practice before the win? Did you know you found a winning area or did it evolve after the tournament started?
Biffle
I found what I called my good spot one day of practice but smallmouth are notorious for leaving.
What’s a good starting baitcaster?
Biffle
I would use a Quantum baitcaster that has magnetics on the side you can turn up to keep you from backlashing.
Hi Tommy! Congrats on your win! Did you have to change tactics on the Mississippi to bring home the win?
Biffle
I didn’t have to change tactics. I threw my bug and hardhead, and that was the whole plan from practice.
What do you use to catch those suspended bass in the summer?
Biffle
They are very hard to catch. I would use a crankbait to catch them.
Tommy, how does that Biffle bug rig work in or around grass?
Biffle
It works good as long as the grass isn’t super thick. The bass just think it’s a crawdad trying to get away.
What is one fishery that the elite series hasn’t been to in a while that you would like to compete on?
Biffle
Probably Sam Rayburn. We havent been there in awhile, and I would love to go back!
Do you have any other anglers on the Bassmaster tour that you admire? For their personality or fishing style?
Biffle
Several of them! I have fished around them for a long time and they’re great friends!
Tommy what is your favorite technique and why?
Biffle
My favorite technique is flippin and pitchin. It’s a fast way to catch big bass in heavy cover.
Tommy needs a twitter lol
From Nick Counts: How do you keep the wheels on when the areas u have arent producing vs. fishing a way u may not be comfortable?
Biffle
Fishing your strengths isn’t always the winning way. Sometimes you have to fish to win & others, fish the way you like.
Tommy, did you do anything fun with your winnings from the Mississippi River Rumble?
Biffle
I’m planning on putting new windows in the house, kind of fix things up a bit!
Gene Larew Lures @GeneLarewLures
Biffle, congrats on a huge win from all your family @GeneLarewLures
Biffle
Thank you!
How will having a Classic spot locked up change how you attack the last two elite events?
Biffle
I’ll definitely be able to fish to win and swing for the fences.
Thanks for the Twitter chat. Best of luck on the last two events up north.
Would you rather flip wood or grass? Why grass or why wood?
Biffle
I would rather flip wood, definitely. Grass is hard to find them in and with wood you know exactly where they are.
Are you still using the old BMF hooks for pitching or have you ran out yet? What hook you using if not?
Biffle
I’m using a Paycheck baits Punch hook.
TB, do you use Shooter or Sniper for bottom dragging? What pound test do you use?
Biffle
I use Shooter in 20-pound line.
What is the weirdest thing that ever happened to you during a tournament?
Biffle
I got thrown out of the boat one time because the motor feel off while I was running!
Any tips on fishing EXTREMELY clear water with plenty of shoreline & deep cover?
Biffle
Downsize your baits – It’s better to fish a little bit smaller baits in that real clear water.
From Jon Binkley: How do you approach and position boat on points with light current?
Biffle
I always come from the downstream point so I can cast upstream.
Andrew Upshaw @AUpshawFishing
Tommy what is the largest bass you have ever caught “bottom buggin”? @GeneLarewLures
Biffle
I’ve caught a bass that was a little over 8 pounds while bottom buggin’.
Hi Tommy, what modifications, colors, rattles, scents, etc would u make to the biffle bug to produce more bites at night?
Biffle
I think I would do both at night – add a rattle, fish a dark color like black neon and add scents.
Tommy.. Any lucky foods that you carry with you each tournament?
Biffle
Nah – no lucky foods for me!
Chris Johnston @chris_j0hnston
If you had to fish a tournament with one rod/reel and one bait/lure, what would you take?
Biffle
It would have to be Biffle Bug and Hard Head on a 7-0 heavy rod and 20-pound Shooter Sunline.
What weight hard head do you use on the Bug?
Biffle
My favorite is probably the 7/16, but we have them from 1 ounce to 3/16.
Tommy, I just want to say thanks. And it is dream of mine to fish a big tournament. I love watching you fish. Thanks, James
christian gervais @ChristianGervai
Best all around lure for smallmouth in river (live in Quebec, Canada). Thanks.
Biffle
My Biffle Bug and hardhead because everywhere I’ve been where there are smallmouth, I’ve killed them!
christian gervais @ChristianGervai
Thanks.
How fast do you move through an area when flipping or do you take your time and pick apart the cover?
Biffle
Usually I pick it apart if I think I can catch the fish in that area.
Last question, how fast will your boat top out at? And congrats on your win!
Biffle
The boat I’m using right now runs about 72 or 73 mph.
This is Austin from La Crosse, and I was wondering how’s that singing going, better practice up.
Biffle
Yeah, I don’t believe there will be any singing on my part. I don’t want to make anyone listen to that.
Do you use a trailer while froggin and what colors are best for climates?
Biffle
No, I don’t use a trailer hook. Dark colors for dark days, bright for sunny days
Thank you so much for joining us today, Tommy, and good luck the rest of the season!
Biffle
Hopefully, I’m on here again over the next two tournaments, so I can answer questions about how the bug caught smallmouth!
christian gervais @ChristianGervai
We will wait for the update 🙂
Thanks for your questions, fans! A transcript will be available later today.