Jason Christie’s life of fishing, family and basketball

Jason Christie comes to fishing after being a successful coach and player of high school basketball. His daughter carries on the tradition while he focuses on fishing.

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This year Jason Christie will be fishing his third straight Bassmaster Classic, and he's approaching this one differently. Christie finished 18th at Lake Guntersville last year and 7th at Grand Lake in 2013. Unlike those two, Christie spent no time pre-fishing Lake Hartwell before the Jan. 1 cutoff date.
This year Jason Christie will be fishing his third straight Bassmaster Classic, and he’s approaching this one differently. Christie finished 18th at Lake Guntersville last year and 7th at Grand Lake in 2013. Unlike those two, Christie spent no time pre-fishing Lake Hartwell before the Jan. 1 cutoff date.
Christie was in 7th place after Day 1 at Alabama's Lake Guntersville, but he couldn't match the 22-pound, 5-ounce limit he caught that day when the three-day tournament continued.
Christie was in 7th place after Day 1 at Alabama’s Lake Guntersville, but he couldn’t match the 22-pound, 5-ounce limit he caught that day when the three-day tournament continued.
The Park Hill, Okla., angler was considered one of the favorites on nearby Grand Lake O' the Cherokees in 2013, even though it was his first Classic appearance. He came close to the title, moving up from 6th on Day 1 to 5th on Day 2 before finishing 7th.
The Park Hill, Okla., angler was considered one of the favorites on nearby Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in 2013, even though it was his first Classic appearance. He came close to the title, moving up from 6th on Day 1 to 5th on Day 2 before finishing 7th.
Christie qualified for the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic with a narrow, 4-ounce victory over Gerald Swindle in the Elite Series event at Arkansas' Lake Dardanelle last May. Even if he hadn't won the tournament, Christie would have qualified based on his 15th-place finish in the Toyota Angler of the Year standings.
Christie qualified for the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic with a narrow, 4-ounce victory over Gerald Swindle in the Elite Series event at Arkansas’ Lake Dardanelle last May. Even if he hadn’t won the tournament, Christie would have qualified based on his 15th-place finish in the Toyota Angler of the Year standings.
Christie credited his mentors — his father and his uncles — for teaching him how to swim a jig, which is the technique Christie caught most of his fish on at Lake Dardanelle.
Christie credited his mentors — his father and his uncles — for teaching him how to swim a jig, which is the technique Christie caught most of his fish on at Lake Dardanelle.
During 2013, his rookie year on the Elite Series, Christie won his first Elite Series event at Bull Shoals Lake. The previous week, he won an FLW event at Beaver Lake, giving him a two-tournament total of $228,000 in winnings on the two Arkansas White River-chain lakes.
During 2013, his rookie year on the Elite Series, Christie won his first Elite Series event at Bull Shoals Lake. The previous week, he won an FLW event at Beaver Lake, giving him a two-tournament total of $228,000 in winnings on the two Arkansas White River-chain lakes.
Christie's plan of attack for South Carolina's Lake Hartwell this year included no pre-practice time on the water.
Christie’s plan of attack for South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell this year included no pre-practice time on the water. “I do best when I show up the first day of practice, turn on the graph and fish what’s in front of me,” Christie said. Plus, it’s not like he’s unfamiliar with Hartwell, where he won an FLW tournament in March 2011 and competed in two other FLW events there (31st in ’14, 25th in ’12).
Christie's four tour level victories in the last two years have propelled him to the No. 1 spot in BassFan.com's final rankings for both 2013 and 2014. Shown here on the 2013 Bassmaster Classic stage, Christie said recently,
Christie’s four tour level victories in the last two years have propelled him to the No. 1 spot in BassFan.com’s final rankings for both 2013 and 2014. Shown here on the 2013 Bassmaster Classic stage, Christie said recently, “Nothing would do more for me right now in my career than a Classic win.”
Jason Christie prefers the outdoors. But if he's got to be indoors, he'd prefer to be playing or coaching basketball. Christie was a 6-3 shooting guard for successful Tahlequah (Okla.) High School teams before continuing his playing career at Bacone (Okla.) Junior College and Northeastern Oklahoma University. Christie coached both the boys and girls teams at Tenkiller School to junior high state championships in 2008.
Jason Christie prefers the outdoors. But if he’s got to be indoors, he’d prefer to be playing or coaching basketball. Christie was a 6-3 shooting guard for successful Tahlequah (Okla.) High School teams before continuing his playing career at Bacone (Okla.) Junior College and Northeastern Oklahoma University. Christie coached both the boys and girls teams at Tenkiller School to junior high state championships in 2008.
As a player, Christie could shoot from outside and score inside as well. A newspaper article prior to his senior season at Tahlequah noted,
As a player, Christie could shoot from outside and score inside as well. A newspaper article prior to his senior season at Tahlequah noted, “Shooting guard Jason Christie, the team’s best athlete, brings a team-high six dunks back from last year. It was often Christie who provided a steal-and-layup or a long-range trey when the Tigers needed a pick-me-up.”
Christie said he was
Christie said he was “burned out” on basketball after his senior season in high school. Tahlequah had failed to improve on its 19-9 record and state semifinals appearance during his junior year, despite having its top seven players returning. However, after Christie realized the financial burden his parents would bear for his college education, Christie accepted a basketball scholarship offer from Bacone College in Muskogee, Okla.
While in his second season at Bacone, which competed in a junior college conference loaded with future Division I talent, Christie often played point guard. In a game against Grayson County (Texas) JC, a newspaper article recounted how, after sitting most of the second half with 4 fouls, Christie came off the bench to hit
While in his second season at Bacone, which competed in a junior college conference loaded with future Division I talent, Christie often played point guard. In a game against Grayson County (Texas) JC, a newspaper article recounted how, after sitting most of the second half with 4 fouls, Christie came off the bench to hit “an off-balance baseline jumper” with 0.7 seconds left to win, 88-87.
When it came time to move on to a four-year college, Christie's main goal remained staying close to home where his family could see him play. The Northeastern State University campus in Tahlequah is 5 miles from Park Hill, Okla., where Christie grew up.
When it came time to move on to a four-year college, Christie’s main goal remained staying close to home where his family could see him play. The Northeastern State University campus in Tahlequah is 5 miles from Park Hill, Okla., where Christie grew up.
Christie apparently learned all the tricks of the game. Here he uses a right arm
Christie apparently learned all the tricks of the game. Here he uses a right arm “chicken wing” into the midsection of a defender to clear some space on the court. In NSU’s first game of his senior season, Christie hit 10 of 18 three-point shots to set a school record. He finished with 38 points. “I missed a three-pointer at the buzzer to win,” Christie said. “That’s what I remember most about that game.”
As a testament to Christie's toughness, you've got to love this quote from his coach after Christie suffered a late-season knee injury:
As a testament to Christie’s toughness, you’ve got to love this quote from his coach after Christie suffered a late-season knee injury: “(Christie) didn’t go to the doctor Thursday, and I don’t think he’s planning on going today.” He did play in NSU’s final games that season.
Ali Christie (No. 10) could have stayed closer to home and played for Tahlequah High School, but she wanted the challenge of playing for Fort Gibson H.S., located 20 miles away, where head coach Jerry Walker has led the Lady Tigers to three of the last four Class 4A state titles.
Ali Christie (No. 10) could have stayed closer to home and played for Tahlequah High School, but she wanted the challenge of playing for Fort Gibson H.S., located 20 miles away, where head coach Jerry Walker has led the Lady Tigers to three of the last four Class 4A state titles.
Like her father, Ali Christie has
Like her father, Ali Christie has “some hops” and she can shoot. The 5-11 sophomore can play multiple positions, according to coach Jerry Walker, who added, “She gets off the floor as well as any player I’ve ever coached.”
Wonder where Ali learned that nice follow-through form on her shot? From dad, maybe?
Wonder where Ali learned that nice follow-through form on her shot? From dad, maybe? “You never have to worry about (Ali) working hard,” said Fort Gibson head coach Jerry Walker. “Plus, she’s got a good background. I think her dad’s competitive instinct in fishing at a high level has rubbed off on her.”
Ali Christie (10) demonstrates good fundamental rebound positioning, pinning a Sterling High School player to her backside. After losing its opener in overtime to Class 6A Muskogee, Fort Gibson cruised to a 72-51 win over Sterling in the second round of the Oklahoma Tournament of Champions at Tulsa's Mabee Center on the Oral Roberts University campus.
Ali Christie (10) demonstrates good fundamental rebound positioning, pinning a Sterling High School player to her backside. After losing its opener in overtime to Class 6A Muskogee, Fort Gibson cruised to a 72-51 win over Sterling in the second round of the Oklahoma Tournament of Champions at Tulsa’s Mabee Center on the Oral Roberts University campus.
Christie has her eyes on the basketball as the rebound bounces long off the rim. This marked the 50th year for the Tournament of Champions, which matches Oklahoma's top teams, regardless of classification. Jason played in the 27th annual TOC for Tahlequah High School in 1991.
Christie has her eyes on the basketball as the rebound bounces long off the rim. This marked the 50th year for the Tournament of Champions, which matches Oklahoma’s top teams, regardless of classification. Jason played in the 27th annual TOC for Tahlequah High School in 1991.
Ali Christie, second from right, celebrates with her Fort Gibson teammates and coaches after Zoe Shieldnight hit a near-halfcourt three-point shot at the halftime buzzer against Sterling. Fort Gibson made 13 of 19 three-pointers in the game.
Ali Christie, second from right, celebrates with her Fort Gibson teammates and coaches after Zoe Shieldnight hit a near-halfcourt three-point shot at the halftime buzzer against Sterling. Fort Gibson made 13 of 19 three-pointers in the game.
Christie prepares to shoot a free throw against Sterling.
Christie prepares to shoot a free throw against Sterling. “Ali is a high-character kid,” said Fort Gibson coach Jerry Walker. “She’s intelligent and dependable.” Added Walker, “If I could get an Ali Christi every year, I’d be in good shape.”
Christie hustles for rebound positioning against Preston's 5-11 junior Chelsea Dungee (23), who ESPN ranks as the nation's 27th best college prospect in the 2016 class. Fort Gibson beat Preston in overtime, 68-66, to win the 5th place trophy in the TOC and finish the three-day event with a 2-1 record.
Christie hustles for rebound positioning against Preston’s 5-11 junior Chelsea Dungee (23), who ESPN ranks as the nation’s 27th best college prospect in the 2016 class. Fort Gibson beat Preston in overtime, 68-66, to win the 5th place trophy in the TOC and finish the three-day event with a 2-1 record.
Jason Christie and family came on-stage after he won the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament at Lake Dardanelle last May. They are, from left, Ana, 14; Jason's wife, Amy; Jaslyn, 10; and Ali
Jason Christie and family came on-stage after he won the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament at Lake Dardanelle last May. They are, from left, Ana, 14; Jason’s wife, Amy; Jaslyn, 10; and Ali “Don’t call me Alison,” 16. Jason and Amy started dating in high school and have been married 17 years.