Michiana Sportsman Spotlight
By Louie Stout
Name: Jim Horn
Hometown: Buchanan, Mich.
Occupation: Postal Supervisor
Favorite species and biggest fish of that species: Mostly bass, 24 ½-inch largemouth with an 1- inch girth.
Favorite Michiana lake: Diamond Lake
Hobbies when not fishing: Making baits for own use
If you on had one lure and why: ½-ounce black/blue or green pumpkin jig with a craw trailer because it catches big fish. When bass are keying on crawfish, I like a jig with a stand-up head.
Favorite rod and reel: Berkley Lightning Rod with Lew’s Super Duty Baitcaster.
Best tip to give a new Michiana angler: If you’re going to fish the St. Joseph River, practice casting accuracy. First cast needs to be on the money; if you land 8-12 inches away, you probably won’t get bit. Also, clearer the water, the farther you need to stay away from the target.
Jim Horn is a simple man who catches a heckuva lot of fish.
And while bass is his preferred species, he’s put the hurt on a lot of other species, such as walleye, panfish and pike.
His fishing philosophy is a lot different than most anglers’. He doesn’t get too caught up in modern technology or fancy lures.
Nor is he an avid Michiana tournament angler – his job doesn’t allow him too much freedom to fish weekends – but when he does, he’s always a threat.
“I used to fish 40 to 50 tournaments a year,” says the 65-year-old Buchanan, Mich. resident. “I keep records of my fishing and figure I fished about 900 tournaments when I was younger and won 170 or so. I was fortunate to have good partners and we did well.”
He’s spent this winter laid up in a leg cast with torn ligaments, otherwise he’d be out there fishing today. He typically fishes about three days a week.
“My job and grand kids take up most of my time and I love being with family,” says Horn. “But I sure love fishing for fun.”
Here is the Q&A we did with Horn about Michiana fishing:
MON: You said if you could, you’d be fishing right now. Where and for what?
Horn: I’m an opportunist. I fish for whatever is biting at the time. I like fishing for crappie and walleye, but if the backwaters are frozen on the St. Joe (at Buchanan), I’d be on the main lake jigging for catfish or walleye.
MON: How good is the river walleye fishing?
Horn: It depends upon the stretch of river. All river sections have walleyes, but I tend to like Buchanan, Niles and Jasper Dairy (Berrien Springs) stretches for walleye. The fishing isn’t as good as it used to be; I don’t catch as many by accident while fishing for bass as I once did.
MON: It’s interesting that you like fishing for crappies as well.
Horn: I love crappie fishing – it’s taught me a lot about jig fishing for bass. You’d be surprised how many people miss crappie bites. I’ve learned to pay attention to where the line enters the water and how my little jig sinks. If it stops sinking, jerk.
MON: What is your favorite way to catch them?
Horn: I use a 1/16th ounce ballhead jig with a baitfish-colored, tiny minnow-like plastic body. I make my own jigs and like painting the heads bright chartreuse or pink.
MON: When is the best time for you?
Horn: Other than during the spawn, I like the summertime. The crappies suspend outside the weed edges on Indian Lake or Diamond. You just have to watch your electronics for suspended schools.
MON: You make your own plastics and still use a version of the old Mann’s Stingray Grub. Tell us about it.
Horn: It’s a great cold-water bait. When I fished with Greg Mangus and other buddies who were using silver buddies, the Stingray would outshine them. Sometimes lack of movement can be a big difference. They’re hard to find; not sure anyone still makes them, so I pour my own.
MON: You’re a believer in adding scent to a lure. Tell us about that.
Horn: Scent matters to crappie and walleyes. I put a Berkley Power Niblet on a jig with 3-inch Kalin Grub for walleyes. I also make my own concoction: I put Vaseline in a pot and once it starts to boil, I add Fish Formula scent. The Vaseline will set up and I can rub it on my baits, like on a jerkbait. Fish will follow a jerkbait and I’ve found that adding scent triggers them to bite.
MON: In this era of specialized rods, you not only use an inexpensive Berkley Lightning rod for bass fishing but favor one that is several years old. Why is that?
Horn: In my mind, it’s the best bargain for the money. You could spend more and not get a rod as good. Sure, the guides or wrappings may not be as good, but I love this for my jig fishing. I fish 20-pound Seaguar InvisX and swing big bass in the boat. Been doin’ it for years, so if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.