Big-O

Immediately after launching I saw a huge front coming in....ckd my weather radio and it said huge storm and probability of tornados....I ran for 45 minutes to my #1 spot thinking it would be protected some what. It wasn't and it was a long, Long, LONG night..... Did I say LONG NIGHT...it was Big O www.ragetail.com

You make some valid points Skeety and if you go to many of the bigger Texas tournaments now you'll see that the rules regarding fish handling are ever changing for the better to try and remedy this big challenge. Maybe not as fast as we (or the Fish) would like it but this seems to be a priority that is getting more and more attention nationwide. Rome wasn't built in a day...but it did get built and that's our promise to the future of our great resource THE BASS Maybe not in mine, but in your lifetime I think you will be proud of yours and everyone elses efforts that make friendly competition as safe as possible for the fish Big O www.ragetail.com

Kriet will be fine...his disappointment was understandable. After getting that close, he will just buckle down even more. As far as Ike being fun to watch or not.....Excitement is important in this sport if you want to capture the crowds, and Ike provides excitement wherever and whenever he can...I don't believe it's for selfish reasons but moreover for the sport and to show his appreciation to the fans. He's young and he's learning...that's a really good thing. How many of us are creating excitement and making the impact with the younger ones like he is???? When he was waiting in the weigh-in line outside of the convention center, not only did he sign autographs from the deck of his boat but he often jumped out and ran over to many folks that weren't so close to make sure they weren't disappointed. He even did a break dance on his deck for the crowd and ROAR they did. Ike is "growin up in this sport" and definitely helping to "grow the sport" Big O www.ragetail.com

Sorry I didn't get to visit with you guys Bobby. I did look for you going in and out of the Expo....Only had 2 days there but glad y'all had a good show Big O www.ragetail.com

My Dad and 3 Uncles of which only 1 of these fellows is still living, Uncle Jab and he's 78 yrs old and not in good health. That reminds me..... I need to call'em and tell'em how much I love'em for takin' a little knothead fishin' all those times and how much he means to me. Thanks for this thread Big O www.ragetail.com

For one of the best reads that will also answer all of the questions of WHY KVD.....pick up the latest issue of Bass Master Magazine, He's on the cover and turn to page 24 and read thru pg 27. All of your questions will be answered and by all of his peers including our friend and mentor, Rick Clunn. As a tournament fisherman, you will learn plenty that will assist you in your indeavors to improve and as a fishing enthusiast you will be amazed at the amount of talent that is required to just hope to compete at that level. I always thought I was right with my own personal opinion UNTIL I learned more from accurate information Here's a link from Bass Master Magazine.... http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/BassMaster/LandingPage/LandingPage.aspx?href=QkFTUy8yMDEwLzAyLzAy&pageno=Mjc.&entity=QXIwMjYwMQ..&view=ZW50aXR5 Big O www.ragetail.com

Mainly because it requires water above and below it's appendages to generate best action results. Not to say that it isn't productive in this presentation at certain times but my choices for top action results are from personal choice and experience in the waters that I commonly fish Big O www.ragetail.com

Man, that's pretty unkind. They all built what we are all standing on. Clunn's ideas were a big step in breaking down bass water. You might not even realize just who's shoulders you are peeing from. Couldn't agree with you more Paul, we have to consider their opportunity to understand at that point in their careers. With all of the technology and learning curves that have been achieved since each of their time, they would have had a better foundation to build on thus gaining the same valuable information to build on. Cars of today are better than the cars of yesterday because of the innovation of yesterday.... Had they all started from the same point and all had the same benefit of todays innovation, there's no way to imagine the result. But without hesitation, I would venture to say that these same few icons of our industry would rise to the top just from their God given abilities and work ethic I can say that they are all GREAT and each have had their own individual "Greatest Positive Impact" in our sport. Hard to argue that point... Ask Kevin why he is who he is and he will quickly tell you that it's because of those before him and those who he gains knowledge and support from today. Big O www.ragetail.com

I agree Jack Pam showed everyone at the Classic how she got there....by catching fish when many others couldn't I think she'll do just fine in the Open's and behind her all the way..... Big O www.ragetail.com

IMO Pam just went out and did her job....and proved that she deserved to be there, with the rest of the top anglers in the world.....I know Pam and she is a class act, a cool head and and intense competitor. This is exactly what our sport needs more of..... Big O www.ragetail.com

Regarding RT creature products for weightless top presentations, here are my preferences in order of most used in this manner: 1) Eeliminator 2) Space Monkey - pop off the front legs 3) Rage Hawg 4) Lobster 5) Craw 6) Smokin Rooster All except the Eeliminator will work well with weighted hooks (keel Weights) for subsurface or wakebait swimming as well. Big O www.ragetail.com

Tiger Woods as well as other sports professionals only wish that they could lead their individual sports like Kevin does in fishing. Yes he's that good. IMO, When it comes to "The Unbeatable Trio" Passion, Persistance and Preparation....very few people in the world are at his level. I wrote the following some time back concerning Kevin and it's true today and will continue to be up until the time he gives up the competetive part of the sport...... Many of us remember really well about the times we won and why we won. Kevin remembers more about the times he didn't win and why he didn't. He learns from every mistake or miss judgment that he or those around him makes, maintains high energy, attention to detail, highest level work ethic. Has the confidence that he is going to do whatever it takes to succeed. He studies and understands seasonal fish and bait movement in the variety of lakes and rivers. Concentrates on the most productive patterns, meticulous preparation, fishes his strengths (which are many), never accepts defeat as a total loss but breaks down the reasons for lack of performance into single issues and learns how to avoid poor performance. Simplifies and organizes his efforts by breaking a given body of water down into separate patterns. And beyond that, he loves to fish. He would be equally as successful in many other professions with his persistence, passion and preparation, we are just lucky that he chose fishing so that we can enjoy watching the man work. Big O www.ragetail.com

Hey Cameron, On the Toad I am partial to 5/0 EWG superline Gamakatsu for slightly better hook up percentages. But if you're likin' the 4/0....git'r'dun Here's a link for the Toad rigging too http://www.ragetail.com/ragetailtoad.html Big O www.ragetail.com

Thanks Speed, I have followed db's work for several years but like you, just met him last season. He's a truly gifted writer and this particular story is classic db. IMO, he's a dedicated student of human nature who is able to share spontaneous thoughts detailing any complexities in simple and real terms. He makes note of the obvious, yet is able to find a real story that's often far from the obvious. While I was sharing Rage Tails with others yesterday, he came by just for a smile and hand shake. This too is classic db..... Big O www.ragetail.com

Well it might not cure you but hopefully it'll make you feel a little better This is a short clip from a new Pro Team Journal show featuring the HackAttack jig and the Rage Lobster and Craw. Will air on the Outdoor Channel twice Friday, Feb 19th @ 12:00 pm CST and 9:00 pm CST. Then again Sunday 21st @ 5:30 am CST. It's a good show where Greg Hackney is fishing with Phil Marks another one of my good friends. They catch a pile of fish and Greg cut's up alot as usual Greg's new jig has a serious style hook on it and the eye angle is altered to avoid hang ups and improve hook ups. I noticed they were using the new Blue Sapphire colored RT's as trailers All of us at the Kentucky Lake Roadtrip last year decided that they were needed I tivo'd the show cause I'll be at the Classic but if you get to see it...hope you enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x7xXyAFkCU Big O www.ragetail.com

Huites and El Salto are very popular but I've not been to either personally. I have fished some of the more out of the way water but not necessarily better Big O www.ragetail.com

Tha majority of all soft plastics can be stored in standard ziplocks for an extended length of time. As mentioned above, avoid mixing colors as some soft plastics are not color fast and will bleed over. The thicker freezer zip lock bags seem to work best and over longer periods of time but original manufacturer bags will provide even more longevity. Also Elaztech material is a totally different compound than the standard polysol used by the majority. Keeping these separate is absolutely essential. Since all soft plastic compounds are made from some sort of a petroleum base, as are plastic ziplock bags, they will react to each other normally resulting in the bag deteriorating over an extended length of time. Many soft plastics will get more oily over time inside a plastic bag. This process is expedited with hot temps as the plastic is separating and breaking down to it's normal liquid state. There are new formulas that some of us use that are designed to maintain their original consistancy for longer periods of time and with less oil residue. The manufacturers bags are normally produced from a different material than are standard ziplocks. This material is normally referred to as PET plastic which is extremely resistant to reaction with Polysols. This product as well as APET compounds are much more expensive than standard Ziplocks but absolutely required to avoid problems on the store shelves and in your tackle box. Hope this helped to give a few details but all of the info posted by others is true as well. Big O www.ragetail.com

We probably crossed wakes ;D as I was there at the same time. Found water temps just as you noted and on both sides of the lake. Up river or down river didn't seem to make much difference either, as long as the water wasn't real dirty the fish seemed active enough Big O www.ragetail.com

I am too Mike....again

I've been invited by the Soldiers, Brian and Joe to share a cabin returning a favor for last year....said we might even share a few beers wouldn't miss it and looking forward to seeing everyone again

Check it out...Shaw Grigsby on "One More Cast" tomorrow @ 12:00 Noon Eastern on Versus catches some brutes while fishing Falcon using jigs trailed with Rage Hawgs and Smokin Roosters. Ought to be a great show Big O www.ragetail.com

you can also drag it like a C Rig effectively Big O www.ragetail.com

Brian, had only one day without wind and it made for a great day to have a guest on the boat

And it was great about 35 fish a day average but locating the bigguns was not easy as they are transitioning from deep to shallow and the weather was extremely erratic. First 3 days fished alone and tested a few new baits....caught some nice ones but can't post photo's cause they have the baits in their mouth Then Clay Carver (wounded Warrior from Iraq) came down to join me for a few days, we fought the weather changes and caught'em anyway. Most of our fish were caught flipping Smokin Roosters, Rage Hawgs, Space Monkeys, Lobsters and C rigging the Eeliminator....sounds like a Hybrid Zoo huh. For flipping, we were using 1/2 oz weights with Bobber Stoppers to hold weight in position. Used Suffix 20 lb. deep cranking line in clear water conditions and Suffix 50 lb braid in stained water. Had one sunny day and took a tackle shop manager fishing with us and attached a photo of him below with his biggest of the day. He said the "Smokin Rooster" is now his best friend Didn't have a scale but it was way over 10 We had hoped that the weather would cooperate a little more and give us a few warm calm days but it didn't happen. Won't be long and I'll be back down there to heat'em up again. Check out the photo of my rig when I finally made it home....and this is South Central Texas.....must be all that Global Warmin' stuff causing all this snow and cold weather. Also a photo of a "True Largemouth" from my 1st morning. Hope y'all are catchin'em too Big O www.ragetail.com

Hey Revo, As long as you follow those hooking instructions that Rondef posted or make sure it is hooked identical to the lower RT Toad Shane posted in his photo, your Toad won't roll over onto its back at all. If it lands on it's back on the cast, just pause and it will right itself Hope that helps Big O www.ragetail.com