Tony "T-Bone" Serrano

SUB: You’ve been jammin’ with the crew for close to 20yrs. From growing up in our high school days. Can you give us a little introduction?

TBS: Yo yo, what’s good! My name is Tony Serrano, aka T-Bone @natural81 on Instagram. I’m 36yrs. old, a proud father of 3 and happily married to my beautiful wife.

"I remember going to Don Pedro with my family and not catching shit, but that’s when it all began for me. That's when I fell in love with bass fishing."

SUB: When did you first pick up a rod and reel, and when did your obsession for big baits begin?

TBS: The first time I picked up a rod and reel, I was 8yrs. old. I remember going to Don Pedro with my family, and not catching shit, but that’s when it all began for me. That's when I fell in love with bass fishing. Haha.

My obsession for chucking big beats started in 2014 when Lloyd Gomez introduced me to the XL Nez Rat and Deps Slide Swimmer 250, along with the LDC XH Rod for the ability to throw these baits. Man, it was unreal to see these big baits getting crushed and t-boned (Pun intended). The bite was ferocious. I say it like that 'cause I went from traditional baits to large profile swimbaits and the bite is just way different.

SUB: What’s currently your go-to gear from a rod, reel, and bait standpoint?

TBS: The favorite rod and reel combo I use is a heavy action, 8’6” parabolic Lowdown Custom Rod with a Daiwa Ryoga 2020HL. I have a couple of go-to baits of course for different approaches and seasons, but man, there are so many great baits out in the market, but my all-time favorite is the wooden Shellcracker by Black Dog Bait Co.

SUB: We’ve all gone through the beef with boat anglers dissin’ on shore anglers. Especially us that pond-hop and target urban spots. What are your thoughts on this?

TBS: At the end of the day, we’re all doing what we love to do, and that’s fish. Whether it’s on a boat or on foot shore bangin’. I know one thing, if we took those that criticize us out on what we do on shore, they might have a different perspective on us if they experienced a ninja session on how we do it. They’d be hooked. Hahaha.

"So many people are inspired by what the pioneers have been doing since day one. "

SUB: We’re seeing a slew of new labels and up-coming brands on social media platforms, especially Instagram. Where do you see the market going in the next five years?

TBS: Man, I see it progressing for sure. So many people are inspired by what the pioneers have been doing since day one. The branding, the apparel, the bait making and rod building, etc.

SUB: Outside of fishing, what are your other interests and/or hobbies?

TBS: I’m a family man and a fanatic for sports. Not just watching, but actually playing. When I’m not out fishing, I’m swinging for the walls in my baseball leagues, shootin’ hoops or hitting balls on the golf course. You name it, I play it.

SUB: Any last words or shout outs?

TBS: Shout out to my team SBSRFC Syndicate, Lowdown Custom Rods, Swimbait Underground, Division Rebel Tackles (DRT), and Deps JP.

You can follow T-Bone on Instagram.