Jimmy Houston's Outdoor Blogspot

DURACELL is the Official Marine Battery of Jimmy Houston

2010-09-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

DURACELL is the Official Marine Battery of Jimmy Houston New Duracell marine batteries are the official marine batteries of fishing legend Jimmy Houston. Jimmy Houston, America's favorite fisherman, is in his 32nd year on national television with Jimmy Houston Outdoors, which ranked as the #1 outdoor show on ESPN for 20 years. He is now featured on Versus network and 7 additional Cable networks.

A legendary angler, Jimmy was inducted into the IGFA, National Fishing, and the Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. He represents most of American's top outdoors related companies, and now represents America's most recognized brand for trusted battery power.

Duracell premium marine batteries feature AGM technology that enables fishing enthusiasts and boaters alike to start stronger and troll longer with a name they can trust. These CopperTop batteries provide maximum power to easily handle today's growing number of electronic boat accessories. Their advanced technological design delivers 2 times the durability and dependability for superior marine performance that fishing professionals can rely on.

For more information on Duracell marine and automotive batteries, visit www.driveduracell.com.

FishNotes By Jimmy Houston Now Available At Itunes App Store!

2010-04-08T11:57:00.000-07:00

FishNotes is ready to go, folks. Go by the app store and get your copy today. Network with your friends on the FishNotes forums and mapping sites, and keep track of your favorite honey holes all with this one little app. It's the most technologically advanced tool for fishing on the market!

Keeping great records is a key to catching more fish and having more fun fishing. From the professional sport fisherman all the way down to the recreational fishing nut “Fish Notes by Jimmy Houston” will become your new best fishing friend. Fish Notes is your “Virtual Fishing Guide and Diary” providing an easy way to keep track of not only where you've reeled in your last conquest but also, the date, time and exact position, weather conditions, bait and more. You have the option of taking a picture, capturing a video to log your catch, then get your hook back in the water asap. There's nothing more frustrating than coming home from a fishing trip empty handed or not really knowing where to try next. Fish Notes helps makes those days few and far between.

FishNotes By Jimmy Houston(I phone App)

2010-04-01T09:23:00.001-07:00

Hey folks just wanted to give a little heads up. Be sure to keep an eye on the I-Phone App Store. We have an exciting new Fishing Application coming out in the near future pending approval by Apple. I can't tell you much now, but it will revolutionize the way you and your buddies fish. We are really excited so watch the App Store for FishNotes, as well as my social networking sites, here, and my website.

Jimmy Houston Signs with Toad-A-Flage Camo

2010-03-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Houston is proud to announce his partnership with a new and innovative brand of camouflage, Toad-A-Flage. Jimmy will promote their easily recognizable toad print camouflage.

Toad-a-Flage is the brainchild of three local East Tennessee businessmen who have spent many years together hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors.

Jimmy Houston Outdoors and Jimmy Houston Adventures will be airing Toad-A-Flage commercial spots beginning with the 2010 Spring turkey season and continuing through the Fall and Winter hunting seasons to promote this new and exciting USA Made camouflage.

Toads are found in every region of the country throughout the year, and their patterns vary as much as the terrain in which they are found. The toad's primary focus is to use mimicry camouflage in order to survive within their natural environment. As a predatory species, the toad's pattern is very effective as a camouflage in any type of setting from hardwoods to meadows, or from backyards to woodlots.

American Toad Original Pattern® 2006

Snow Toad® 2006

During the spring of 2006 while working on a food plot, the ownership team discovered a toad in the woods. A discussion began with regard to the amazing camouflage of the toad and his innate ability to blend in with the surrounding environment as well as this being necessary for survival. The name "Toad a Flage" was thrown out (in jest) and the concept was born. After much conversation the group determined this pattern would be a viable alternative to the camouflage pattern currently on the market.

After a few months of research around the industry, demographics, competition and pattern design a decision was made to develop a pattern mimicking the skin texture and coloration of the toad.

Additionally, Toad-a-flage apparel will be available to purchase through Jimmy Houston’s online retailer, JimmyHouston.com/Shop. You can find links to the online store under the 'Where To Buy' section.

“It’s extremely exciting to see a business idea that started between friends three years ago turn into a business and brand with the likes of Jimmy Houston behind the name. This isn’t your Daddy’s camo, it has its own style and is so uniquely different that the following thus far has been incredible.”
- Paul Makres, Toadbak CEO and Managing Partner.

Jimmy Signs with U.S.Reels

2010-03-25T07:58:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Jimmy Houston has just signed a five year contract with US Reel, a St. Louis based American company that makes both casting and spinning reels. Jimmy is absolutely blown away with the quality, technology, innovations, and value of these great reels. Jimmy says

"My new US Reel SuperCaster is an incredible casting reel. It's unbelievable how far I can cast with such little effort. Every fisherman will be impressed. My good friend Tom Mahoney from Little Rock first introduced me to the SuperCaster on a trip to my lake earlier this year. He told me he had never seen a reel that would cast this far. He said the secret technology to this reel is that it has no level wind. Later my friend OT Fears stopped by and told me that he had changed to US Reel as had Guido and Dion Hibdon. I had to learn more. The ABL or see-saw level wind system, I call it the magic wave bar, is the secret. And these reels are packed with other great technological innovations. It's going to be fun fishing with and sharing these great reels with America's fishermen."

US Reel SuperCasters and spinning reels are of course available at Bass Pro Shops as well as most fishing tackle retailers all over the country. US Reel offers the most value that there has ever been in the fishing reel marketplace. Great casting reels (with Jimmy's Magic Wave Bar) starting at around $79. For further information see http://usreel.com/ or U.S. Reel; ;824 Hanley Industrial Court; St. Louis, MO 63144 Phone: (314) 962-9500

Well It's taken me long enough

2010-03-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

Once again it has been a long time since my last post on here. I hope you understand how busy I get. It's a lot easier to facebook and twitter on my Iphone than it is to post on my blog spot.

So I'm on lake Norman this week and have been in the fish pretty heavy. My partner was just an ounce out of the lead with a 12lb limit of bass. We both has several nice ones come unbuttoned. We are catching a lot of fish though so there is the up side. Hopefully we can keep it up.

I have to get ready to get back on the water tomorrow so I will let Chris post a couple more updates for whats going on in my world.

Long Time No Post

2010-02-01T07:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year guys! I know I'm a little late but I have been very busy. I hope you have managed to stay current over on my Facebook Page. We had a great time at the ATA show in Columbus Ohio this year. I met a lot of great and appreciative fans. Had a lot of fun with my old buddy Hank Parker at the Morrell archery target signing booth. Lee and Tiffany were there as well as T Bone and Michael Waddell. Michael is one of few people in today batch of cookie cutter TV shows that has great presentation and the camera loves the guy. He really sets himself apart from the countless numbers of hunting shows out there. He is becoming a great entertainer and someone I am proud to call a friend. We made a lot of contacts and have a lot of prospects for the upcoming year. I have a lot of new products to try out and review.

We didn't get to make it to the SHOT show this year, really I needed a break from being on the road non-stop for so long. I did have a chance to do some hunting down in Texas, Missed out getting a kill but got some great footage of some nice bucks. My buddy Mike Ray filled out one of his tag with a great Texas buck in the very same stand I had hunted in the previous day. Then it was off to hunt with former Oklahoma Sooner Cory Klein to chase exotics. I got an all white fallow deer with the new NAP Thunderhead Edge fixed blade and the PSE X-Force Omen, complete pass through and a great blood trail. Shot a bighorn ram, he jumped my string and it ended hitting him as if it was a 3 quarter away shot and looked a little high at about 25 yards out. Had a good blood trail and followed it till about 11:00pm. I think we really should have stayed on it, but our guide thought we would be able to find it in the morning, no such luck.

Well That's it for now. I will get back on here on a more regular basis, I PROMISE!. You can check out photos from the ATA show and the hunts over on facebook.

Life is Good Today.

Fishing in Canada

2009-08-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm having a blast in British Columbia, Canada chasing after giant sturgeon. It's rough weather with 8ft crests and strong winds, but the fishing is wild! Just a quick post for right now. I checked my phone and got an email from Bass Pro Shops and Tracker announcing their reception of the National Marine Manufacturers Association CSI Award. Congrats BPS and Tracker Boats! I have posted the press release on my website for all of you to see.

Flw Pittsburgh

2009-07-31T10:22:00.001-07:00

It's Where I am, Come by and say hello.

Some thoughts on the 2nd Amendment

2009-07-27T16:04:00.000-07:00

Several weeks ago we received an email criticizing me for being a man of God and talking about his love, but having a link(in our old shop) to an online gun and accessory store where someone could purchase "assault rifles" and this was somehow contradictory. Obviously at least a halfway liberal person, they stated that you do not hunt deer with them but that "we all know what they are used for." I simply responded, "Yes, to remind the government that THEY work for US."

I think(and you can correct me) that Thomas Jefferson said,"The beauty of the 2nd Amendment is that you don't need it until they try to take it away." The current administration is possibly one of the most anti-gun, anti-personal liberty, anti-capitalistic one we have ever had. So that battle rages on with groups like the NRA, who have made great judicial leaps in the war for freedom.

In the last 16 years and few months that Obama has been in office the federal government has grown at an alarming rate. Don't get me Wrong, I like G.W. and have fished with him on numerous occasions back when he was governor of texas(By the way George, let me know if you want to come check out the new ranch in Oklahoma), but The government grew to nearly 2.5 times is previouse size with the passing of post 9/11 security bills. The same fences used to keep the bad men out can also keep us fenced in. Now with the Gov taking over private business it is looking even more like an Owellian police state.

Here is where the big 2A comes in. All leagal wording aside, the 2nd Amendment was put in place to prevent a tyranical government from removing the rights of the people. I know there is potential for blow back from this from people who buy into the "everything is okay" mindset, but it is just NOT OKAY. The public figures who are favor more strict gun control almost always seem to have armed guards near by. You would think they wouldn't even be able to speak with that kind of firepower so close the way they talk about how dangerouse it is when the public at large is allowed to own even 1 gun.

Here's the thing, when the government comes in to clean up "problems" with in the country. What do the police have? what does the guard and military have? Fully Automatic "assault weapons." So how are you supposed to stand against the best trained police and military force if you don't have a single fire arm? The people need to understand that the people need full access to the same weapons the military uses(don't blow that out of proportion, I don't mean scuds and LRMs, nukes, etc).

I favor gun control for criminals, people who have commited violent crimes with firearms should not be allowed to own them. That's fine. Mental disabilaties? Eh, you better be specific. A recent bill(supported by McCain) stated that peoples with mental illness' could not purchase(or own, something to that extent) a firearm. The bill is very vuage and could take 2A right away from soldiers who seek help for PTSD, among others. The bill was coined by the NRA as the Veterans Dissarmament Bill.

Besides I like firearms and I like Shootin' 'em. Just got in a butload of amunition for my Sport Utillity Rifle(AR-15)

Any way, just a few thoughts. Not really structured, I know. Good Fishin' and GOD Bless.

Reiterating a really good point

2009-07-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

I was just browsing through the Aug/Sept issue of FLW Outdoors magazine when I ran across in article by David Hart. The article, "One in a Million," discusses fishing on crowded waters. While FLW does have A rule, one single rule, that is very specific and the conditions are rarely met. On smaller lakes crowding is obviously going to be a bigger problem, but the key is treat the other boaters as would want them to treat you. It gets hectic in the fast paced game of tournament fishing, but being able to stay calm and focas on trying to catch fish and no the other anglers can mean the difference between knowing when to move on and when to stick it out. It's always a gamble either way. You never know how the fish will react to sudden pressure, as in the event of a tournament. All you can do is play the cards you were delt. Just remember to play nice. Great article David.

Avoiding a Backlash

2009-07-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

The Backlash, the birds nest, over running. It goes by many names and is one of the more common problems faced by anglers. Everything from a small twist or knot all the way up to something that looks like you need a brushhog to take it out. It is not a matter of if, it is in fact a matter of when. It doesn't matter if your a novice just getting into the love of fishing or a professional angler like myself, you will run across this problem several times during your life as a fisherman. Each time you stop to fix it, you lose daylight and precious time in a tournament situation. A little bit of prevention and practice go along way in the field.

In order to understand how to avoid a backlash, you must first understand exactly what causes them. There are actually a number of contributing factors, but the keys are the Brake and drag settings and thumb control of the spool. You see, what is happening when a backlash occurs is the spool spins faster than the line can be released from the spool casing. This causes multiple rotations of line to bundle within the spool casing and can catch, tangle, and twist(ultimately weakening your line each time).

As with any process involved in fishing, more experienced anglers will have fewer mistakes than novice angler. However, they are in no way immune. What the more experienced anglers have done is understand what speeds work best for a particular line, and the line does make a difference. Lines with rough textures create more drag through the control eye and low the speed of the line through it.

The other thing, which I think really has more effect on this is thumb control. This is where practice and muscle memory come into play. Having a looser brake/drag setting allows for smoother casting many anglers rely on thumb control to maintain their casting and prevent birds nests. Take you rod and real set up out into your back yard or porch and practice casting with a plug. Start with proper overhand technique and vary the pressure you put on the spool with your thumb while allowing the spool and line to move smoothly. Be sure not to stop to spool abruptly. This can cause the bait and line to jerk back in your direction slightly and can cause a larger splash and spook the fish. Once you think you have mastered this with proper over hand technique you can then move on to practicing with other casting motions you normally use.

One final thing is reel maintenance. Make sure you keep you spool oiled so that it does not catch or rust with in the casing. If you don't this could cause the spools speed to become irregular during casting. A little bit or Reel Magic every now and then will take care of this. I keep a can handy on my boat at all times.

Practice and it will save you time and headaches in the field.

Fishing with Children

2009-07-22T11:02:00.001-07:00

It is really great to see communities involved in the lives of their children. Not only does this teach kids an enjoyable hobby where they can place their abundant amount of energy into, but it lets them know that there are people in their community that care for them.

Every year hundreds of groups, communities, and individuals from around the country promote the outdoor lifestyle and reach out to children of all ages. Where most are centered around teaching water safety, regulations and ethics, there are a few groups out there that cater to the more important concepts.

Contributing to the overall well being of a child is possibly the most important thing adult can do. There are so many things out there that can get kids into trouble, so many things that can sidetrack them from the more important things in life. Hey, I'll admit even I may have skipped school once or twice to hit the water, but I wasn't out vandalizing property, doing drugs, or getting involved with the wrong people. Not only that, being out on the water with a child gives you the chance to bond out in God's country. Groups like the Fellowship of Christian Anglers Society,F.O.C.A.S, do just that.

Here in Oklahoma the local chapter of F.O.C.A.S. along with myself, hold an annual Kids Fishing Day, scheduled so that it coincides with the Oklahoma free fishing weekend so that volunteers can fish as well. Each year about 500 kids come and enjoy a free event payed for by entry fees of the Annual FOCAS Jack Houston(my father) Memorial Tournament here on Lake Tenkiller.

At "Kids Day" we teach children all the important water safety and fishing regulations as well as a little bit of astronomy and biology in a way that children find interesting and entertaining. Most importantly we have a session that the children go through that teaches the word of God and the Love of Jesus Christ. The entire event is centered around teaching children about the wonders of gods country and how it can be applied to our daily lives.

There is so much that these children will never be exposed to once they grow up, it is important that we teach them at this age when their minds are like sponges. Some of these kids may have never heard about Jesus before this event, while others may have grown up in church. The important thing is that we teach them that Jesus loves them, that we love them. That there are people who care about what happens to them and what they do with their lives. Many of the children who participate come back years later as volunteers so that they can have the same effect on another child.

So speak with your local fishing club, local chapter of FOCAS or even your church family. Get involved, teach these kids what really matters in life. After all, it takes a village to raise a child.

My first Blog

2009-07-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

Well folks, welcome to my Blog. I will try to post as often as I can. I travel quite a bit, and unfortunately, coupled with my small town country boy background general lack of computer use has put me in a precarious position. I will tell you now, I may have a hard time posting regularly. If you have any questions or would like to hear about something in particular feel free to email me here or on my website through our contact form.

I Just got back from filming some bow hunts in South Africa with my son Jamie, and one of my grandsons, Kyle, so I am playing catch up here at the office and will post more on that later. Right now I want to make you all aware of a couple things that we have going on right now.

First and foremost We have the Outdoor Legends Energy Sweepstakes. With the Help of Premium Energy, You can enter to win a two-day trip to fish Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Myself. Not just one, but all three of us. The winner will be drawn out after Labor Day. Be sure to stock up on All Day Energy and Extreme Energy because there are hundreds of instant winners left. Prizes include many of the products we use every day: Signature series rods, baits, calls, etc.
All Day Energy and Extreme Energy:"When 5 hours just won't cut it!"

Back over on the Jimmy Houston Website we have added Jimmy Houston on demand. You can watch any Jimmy Houston Outdoors episode from 2005-2008, new episodes will be added as soon as possible.
We also have several different Jimmy Houston Products for sale in our e-comerce site. Purchase Books, Sunglasses, DVDs, and more. All shipped directly to you.

Hopefully I will be able to post my appearance dates and locations on the website as well. For now, here is a short list of up coming events.

7/25 First Assembly of GOD Broken Arrow, OK 730 AM
Jul 30-Aug 2 FLW Cup in Pittsburg, Penn
Aug 4-5 Northern Wholesale-Private Sales Group Tourney Minneapolis, Minnesota
Aug 7-16, Chevy Night Aug 11 FLW Tourney Dardanelle, AR
Aug 26-27 Bass Pro Grand Opening Altoona IA

That looks like that's about it for now. When I get a little longer to sit down and write I will tell you about my trip to Africa, You should see those porcupines!