HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Teb Jones is just settling in for the second time as the Mississippi B.A.S.S. Nation conservation director.
“My efforts since I returned to the CD position in 2015 have been somewhat slight,” he said. “It has been limited to attending information programs conducted by the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and sharing that information with clubs and partners.”
The insurance agent, grandfather, and member of Petal and Sumrall bass clubs said he hopes to learn from his comrades in surrounding states.
“Mississippi does not have the quality or quantity of fisheries that most of the other Southeastern states have, but the neighboring CDs have so much information and knowledge to share,” he said. “I have so much respect and admiration for the directors and their commitment to the quality of our resources. It is a tremendous personal focus that all the directors share.”
Jones has a long record of service to B.A.S.S. Nation, including time as a Southern District director and president, as well as a member of the board for more than 20 years. Also, he was conservation director when the late, and much beloved, Noreen Clough was national B.A.S.S. conservation director.
“I learned so much from Noreen during my first few CD terms,” Jones said. “And I really enjoyed serving on the More Fish Partnership grant review committee with her.”
Issues facing bass anglers in Mississippi mostly are related to controlling aquatic invasive species and maintaining/enhancing access and ramp areas.
“My hope is to help with volunteer efforts and fundraising efforts to help lake authorities improve ramps, docks and parking at the facilities that anglers want most,” Jones said. “We have had numerous conversations with Ross Barnett partners about improving facilities to draw more tournament activity to the local economy.”
He added that he hopes that the ongoing conflict about whether some waters are public or private doesn’t spill over from Louisiana into Mississippi.
“That would be terrible for our coastal rivers and estuaries,” said Jones.
As state conservation director, he added that his goals include staying informed about resources and their challenges, the needs of the angling community, the needs of other users of shared resources, and the best ways to help anglers and other users protect those resources.
