Doug Hannon, 'The Bass Professor, ' Dies at 66

Doug Hannon, “The Bass Professor,” Dies at 66

Source: www.prweb.com

He gained fame as a fishing tackle inventor, angling authority, author and longtime TV host

Doug Hannon, known as the “Bass Professor,” whose unique expertise in a wide range of design skills and academic subjects in and outside of angling, died Thursday, March 28, at his home in Keystone, a north Tampa suburb. Hannon was 66.

He recently had neck surgery and was recovering at home, said friend Russ Riley, a family spokesman and president of WaveSpin/MicroWave, a fishing components design company Hannon launched eight years ago, and which he served as its chief engineer.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1946 to a Canadian mother and a father from Texas, Hannon moved to the United States at the age of seven. He attended Governor Dummer Academy in South Byfield, Mass., and went onto Tulane University in New Orleans, La., to complete a B.A. degree. He was also an accomplished guitarist, playing in rock and roll bands there, and developed a lifelong love for running.

Besides his recent success as a fishing tackle and components inventor Hannon documented the catch-and-release of more than 800 largemouth bass weighing 10 pounds or greater to his credit, making him one of the country's preeminent big-bass authorities. He was also a highly skilled diver, underwater photographer, author, film maker and lure designer. Hannon was one of the long time hosts on ESPN's Sportsman's Challenge TV series. He spoke and wrote extensively about the battles to stop the irresponsible use of herbicides in the nation's waterways.

As one of the world's authorities on bass fishing, Hannon wrote hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles on his observations. He also penned three books, Hannon's Field Guide for Bass Fishing, Catch Bass, and Big Bass Magic. He filmed and produced videos with 3M called Understanding Bass, Catching Big Bass, and Bass-Formula for Success, which among them won Cleo and Teddy awards.

He published the Hannon Moon Times nationally and an annual pocket guide for anglers called the Moon Clock now in its 32nd year.

Through his TV work and tips at fishing shows, Hannon gained a following of thousands of friends in the fishing community and often was called on to speak worldwide on his fishing knowledge.

Hannon the inventor

Hannon, while best known for his bass fishing, also had nearly 20 patents for numerous fishing tackle, lures and boating propulsion designs. After its launch last summer Hannon was again riding the crest of worldwide acclaim with his newest innovation, the MicroWave Line Control System by American Tackle, introduced at fall and winter fishing and trade shows in Australia, Asia, and Europe and recently in North America.

One of his earlier inventions, introduced four decades ago, was of the weedless trolling motor blade. It allowed anglers to fish vast areas of previously inaccessible weed beds where bass live and is still used by millions of anglers today. It also put him in the fishing world spotlight.

“He was deeply analytical and had an exceptional ability to visualize and solve complex issues, especially when it came to fishing tackle, lures and components geared to helping anglers enjoy the sport,” Hannon's friend Russ Riley said. “You could instantly see and feel his passion when he was showing anglers at fishing shows his engineering designs in use such as casting and catching fish. He absolutely loved the sport.”