Alton Jones
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Official Fan Page of Alton Jones, MLF Heavy-Hitters Champion, Bassmaster Classic World Champion
05/27/2026
My grandfather — “Papa” — taught me to fish when I was just a little boy. During family vacations to Colorado, I can still remember following him along the streams and rivers of central Colorado, watching him work a fly rod while I tried my best to keep up and not fall in the creek.
When Papa passed away in 1988, I inherited that fly rod.
The other day, while organizing a closet, I came across his old aluminum rod tube. It hadn’t been opened in decades… probably close to 50 years. I put a little oil on the cap and let it sit. An hour later, it opened easily… which was a pleasant surprise, because my backup plan involved considerably more force and considerably less wisdom.
When I slid the rod out, I was amazed. The condition was incredible.
After a little digging, I learned it’s a South Bend split bamboo fly rod built sometime in the 1930s — a three-piece rod with three original tips. A beautiful old piece of fishing history.
I have no plans to ever fish with it. At this point, if something happened to that rod, I’d probably need counseling. It’s headed to the wall for display instead.
As I near retirement from professional bass fishing, this old fly rod feels a little like coming full circle in my lifelong fishing journey.
More than anything, it reminds me of the man who taught me to love the outdoors… and of countless days spent together chasing bluegill, bass, crappie, and trout.
Great memories, great lessons, and a reminder that long before sponsorships, tournaments, and TV cameras… fishing was simply about time spent with Papa.
The legacy he passed on to me, I’ve been blessed to pass on to my son, Alton Jr., and I’m excited about passing it along to my grandchildren as well.
Heavy Hitters didn't go the way we wanted. We're headed home early back to Texas. Here is a memory engraved in mine and Jrs brains from Florida.
Coming up with a Game Plan for day 2 tomorrow on Orange Lake! Gonna take a lot of weight for me to squeeze into@the cut but anything is possible. Gonna trust the lords plan for me and have some fun out there!
Most people get to the VRBO after a full day of fishing and head straight for the couch, a shower, or dinner.
Alton Jr. hopped out of the truck, sprinted to the dock… and started casting into Star “Lake” that’s 3 feet low and not even touching the dock. 😂
I think we’ve officially crossed the line from dedication into a medically diagnosable condition.
And yes… he caught one. 🎣
Some days the fish fight back before you even leave the parking lot. 🎣😳
Jeff was 0 casts into the day and already hooked the biggest thing he’d catch all morning… himself. Buried a treble hook past the barb just getting the jerkbait rod out of the truck. We hadn’t even made it to the water yet.
Good news: the ol’ fishing line trick worked perfectly. Hook out. No ER visit. Pride still questionable. 😂
“Welcome to professional fishing.”
One of the things I’m really looking forward to in retirement… more time on the pickleball court.
But it’s not just the game. It’s the people.
This sport has introduced me to an incredible group of men—guys I never would have met otherwise. What started as competition has turned into something much deeper… real friendships, encouragement, and brotherhood in Christ.
Grateful for the game. Even more grateful for the men.
Day 2 Here on Beaver Lake. Gotta turn things around COMPLETELY for a chance to fish tomorrow. Anything’s possible! Let’s go get after em’
Day 1 on Beaver Lake. Changing conditions could have my fish in a funk. We’re gonna go try and figure them out, fish my strengths, and trust the lords plan for the day!
HERES HOW MY BEAVER LAKE PRACTICE WENT! Also a couple tips for fishing the Ol’ Senko! Got a lot of history here. Hope to make something happen tomorrow!
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Springfield, MO