Harrison Gets Inducted – Hall of Famer!!

What does Bret Farve, Jerry Rice, and Walter Payton have in common with John Harrison? Well, we know John didn’t pay the game of professional football like they did, however, he did do something they couldn’t do; he fished his way to become a legend in the chronicles of crappie fishing around the State of Mississippi.
On Saturday, June 3, 2017, John became one of our own (Magnolia Crappie Club) members to get inducted into the MS Wildlife Heritage Museum Hall of Fame, Leland, MS.

It takes determination, patience, and perseverance to excel at fishing, just ask some of the big name fishermen. Kevin Van Damn or Bill Dance will tell you it’s a grueling task to fish day in and day out and be successful. When you reach a certain level it becomes a craft, no different from any other trade. You develop sort of a “6^th Sense” for locating and catching fish. Call it a vision, instinct, intuition or whatever. John has the “Full Deal”. I’ve heard people say, “He can catch crappie in a pothole in the street”.

I’ve fished with and against John for at least 7 or 8 years, he was as good then as he is now. Doesn’t matter who his partner is or who he’s guiding. He has a proven reputation for catching crappie. That’s why he’s one of the most sought after crappie guides in the country.

According to Jack Wells, CEO B’n’M Poles, “John took me fishing one day and I noticed he had taken a hacksaw and cut the handle on a 12’ BGJP. He had taken his pocket knife and whittled out two slots in the cork handle. I said, John, what have you done to my pole. He replied, ‘I just made it lighter and easier to feel the bite. I took the design and may the Double Touch, Bottom Seat Jig Pole”.

I once thought he was only good on Grenada, it’s quite the opposite. Sometimes I think Grenada is a jinx to him; he knows too many places to fish. I’ve experienced the same on my home lake. Knowing a lake too well has its disadvantages. You can never be satisfied with the spot you’ve chosen. Your mind starts to pay tricks on you causing you to move too quickly.

Take this guy out of his element, put him in an unfamiliar lake and watch him dissect the waters. It may take him a few days but come tournament day, he’ll have him 4 or 5 hot spots. You can keep your electronics and all the fancy mapping software. Give him a 16’ boat, 25 hp motor, hand held trolling motor, a 12’ B’n’M BGJP jig pole and a tube jig and let him go to work. It’s before daylight till after dark. He never gets tired, it’s hardcore crappie fishing. Fish ain’t got a chance and his tournament competitors don’t either.

Here’s what his partner Kent Driscoll, B’n’M Pro-Staff Manager says, “Bernard, true story several years ago JH and I were fishing a tournament in his 14ft War Eagle nicknamed the "Gin Rat". There was not enough room in the front of the boat for both of us. So I sat behind him and basically baited poles and netted fish all day long, l never caught one, team player right? We started out catching the fire out of the fish, I tell him to hit a couple of waypoints on the GPS! We hit a big dry spell. So, I ask John, how deep is it? We were not catching fish anymore? He ignores me and does not answer? So I lean to the side to look at the depth finder, he leaned too the side as well blocking my view. So, I ask again how deep is it? He starts chuckling and says shut up kid and sit still you are scaring the fish! So this little cat and mouse game went on the rest of day with me sitting in the back of boat pondering why the fish quit biting? And yes I had my lip poked out.

Finally, we weigh in and win the tournament. We are joking and having fun with our fellow fishermen when I ask him again hey man, how deep was the water? He busts out laughing, and says I don't know I don't have a depth finder, I forgot to bring it! We have laughed about that day over and over. Morale of the story, Fishing is all about having fun, making memories, and enjoying the great outdoors with friends. I gotta say my ole buddy JH played a good prank on me that day! Congrats JH on getting inducted into the MS Outdoor Hall of Fame, you are the best crappie fishermen in the world! Kent Driscoll

The members of Magnolia Crappie Club, the Board of Directors, and Officers proudly congratulate John Harrison for his induction into the MS Wildlife Heritage Museum Hall of Fame. “Mission Accomplished John”. When you see him, be sure to shake his hand and congratulate him, this is no small accomplishment. Be sure to thank him for helping promote crappie fishing and conservation in the Great State of Mississippi.