James Henshall - 2024 IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame

James A. Henshall
James Alexander Henshall, M.D. stands as a towering figure in bass fishing history, widely acclaimed as the foremost advocate for the recognition of bass as a premier game fish. Born on February 29, 1836, in Baltimore, Maryland, Henshall initially pursued a career as a physician and surgeon, graduating from the Miami Medical College in Cincinnati, Ohio.
However, his interests quickly expanded beyond medical practice to encompass the study of North American freshwater fish. Henshall's early writings and studies laid the groundwork for his future contributions to ichthyology and angling literature. His seminal work, Book of the Black Bass, first published in 1881, (reissued in 1889, 1904, and 1923) reflected his early fascination with bass and solidified his reputation as a leading authority on American sport fishing. Henshall's innovative spirit and scientific rigor in his early years set the stage for a career marked by groundbreaking contributions to fisheries management, aquaculture, and the conservation of fish species across the United States.
In addition to his seminal work, Book of the Black Bass, Henshall authored several other influential books that have become landmarks in American fishing literature. His works, Pike, Perch, and Others, Camping, Cruising in Florida, and Favorite Fish and Fishing, established him as a leading authority in the field of ichthyology.
Henshall's influence extended beyond writing. He is credited with potentially inventing the "pitching" style of casting, In My Angling Friends (1900), author Fred Mather called it the “Henshall style” of casting and described it as “dropping the tip of the rod below the elbow and checking the reel with the thumb.” Often viewed as the “pioneer of the present-day baitcasting rod,” his specifications for baitcasting rods, described in a Forest and Stream article titled The Coming Black Bass Rod, contributed to the development of many modern rod designs.
In addition to his literary and technical contributions, Henshall played pivotal roles in fisheries management. He served as the hatchery manager for the U.S. Fish Commission from 1897 to 1917 and was elected president of the American Fisheries Society from 1891 to 1892. Notably, Henshall was the first person to successfully raise black bass in captivity, showcasing his innovative approach to conservation and aquaculture.
Henshall was recognized with several prestigious honors in the bass fishing world. His induction into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame in 2018 recognizes his enduring impact on the sport and science of fishing in America. His contributions earned him the distinction of being known as "the father of black bass fishing in America," a testament to his pioneering spirit and dedication to the advancement of angling.
Henshall passed away on April 4, 1925, in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was laid to rest at Spring Grove Cemetery. His life's work remains a cornerstone of American fishing history, immortalized by Fred Mather's assertion that Henshall's Book of the Black Bass serves as both a monument and obituary befitting a man whose influence on fishing literature and practice is unparalleled. His profound influence is immortalized in the scientific nomenclature of the Alabama bass, Micropterus henshalli, ensuring his legacy in the annals of angling history.
For his indelible mark on fisheries management and his impact on the study and understanding of black bass, the IGFA is proud to induct James A. Henshall into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.