J Francho

Are those GSDs or Malinois? Alice is beautiful! Congrats!

Ed Shearon Harris? Good band name

Even though I would guess @Catt and I are on opposite sides of the fence, so to speak, this is one where we probably meet right in the middle. Management...I'll shut up now.

Man, you gotta ignore all the ramp stuff. It's a bunch of junk that should be completely ignored. Perfectly nice people turn into turds at the ramp before and after a tournament. Be your best self, and take all of it with a grain of salt. There's a ton of subterfuge coming from some competitors that seems baffling to me, considering the energy they put into it. Dumb things like hiding what they have tied on or putting "dummy baits" out for everyone to see to outright lying about where they were or what they threw. It's silly. There's no secrets in bass fishing, so you aren't going to learn anything new. Don't get me wrong, there are some genuinely good dudes out there. Until you know who they are, just stick to your guns and what you do best.

There was a really good story on NPR that was an interview from the perpetrator's point of view. He committed a non violent, misdemeanor crime (indecent exposure) and served his time. It details his regret, the damage that media caused to his family, and how he felt about his victims. It took place in Columbus Ohio. It was interesting, and he clearly had a mental break, and was a victim himself, acting out in a cycle of abuse. It might help you to search it out, come to your own conclusion, and give yourself closure on what ever you're feeling now. I don't believe that once a scumbag, always a scumbag. But, there has to be a real effort to own up, pay reparations, serve your sentence, and offer amends to your victims. Maybe I'm talking out my rear end, but it was eye opening for me.

I treat tournaments the same as rec fishing. Just have fun, and stay focused on what is happening with the fish around you. Don't worry about the rest of the pack - do what you do best and enjoy. It works out more often that not. Definitely don't count on winning or cashing a check. Have fun, enjoy the fellowship, and accept the results of competition.

I love all the griping about mod edits on posts, and then this. Be a man, and have a reasonable discussion about a stated opinion. I'd think more of anyone that was willing to do that than cover up their tracks. I respect opposing points of view, and I just want to understand.

Why not? Here's a chance for many a keyboard warrior to put their money where their mouth is. What does this have to do with damage to a fishery? Seems like pot stirring and anti-tournament rhetoric to me.

At least the new money will all be in the same direction. Mixed up bills drives me nuts.

I've only been one Alli and it was nuts, even compared to my buddy's comp layup 20' Bullet. It was the model where there's a double seat single center console setup. You had to DRIVE that boat.

Lite-medium-heavy? So it's "extra medium" ?? Lol.

I'll just mention this, I've owned a few bass boats and several other non conventional bass boats. I really liked my 17' Sea Nymph tiller. So much that I considered a Lund pro guide. My Bullet 22 XDC put to rest those comments about hem not handling big water - it did better than most bass boats I've been in. The hull was very responsive to throttle input when set up correctly. Keep in mind, I'm talking Great Lakes water, not chop. My Xpress H18 was a tank. I loved the layout of that boat and wish I still had it. I've ridden in a few Phoenix of various lengths and they have to be up there with the old Champions, just way more modern. The boat for me these days isn't a bass boat all. It does most things a bass boat can do, but is also good for cruising with family, hanging on the sand bar, or making a run from Florida to the Bahamas. A Caymas 26HB. https://caymasboats.com/product/26-hb/

My experience is in the Saint Croix realm, so you're looking at a 7ish ft. M/F in your price point. Anything from BassX to LTB would be great.

I read it on the internet. -Abe Lincoln

Chili con carne = chili with meat. I didn't see beans in that statement. They never belong in chili.

Cayuga is in m back yard. The fishery is doing fine.

Meh. I don't think a couple pros misinterpreting the rules causes any decline in a fishery. Another off topic point. I can kill trolling with one line out. Doesn't ruin a fishery. Oh yeah, what's the hard data say about poaching and the health of a fishery? What about lawn treatment? Or weed treatment in the water itself? Farming runoff? Industry? Dams? Nuke plants? Seems like fishing is a drop in the bucket and focusing on it as the sole cause is myopic.

Let's get our history straight. Trolling is banned because of Buck Perry and long rods because of Dee Thomas. You can debate the "unfair advantage" thing but they were so darn good at what they did, rules were put into place. This has zero to do with tournaments ruining fisheries - they don't.

I use the LVR like a blade bait.

We had snow yesterday morning.

Heccin' ya! Love that center console layout. Congrats!

AGM is definitely the easiest solution. Costs a little more. Make sure your charger is compatible.

That would be a one stop and shop for me to reply to every thread to get a spinning combo lol

It doesn't matter. I won a couple club tournaments on a homemade rig. The yum rig is good, so is the Picasso finesse rig. Always used Keitech plastics. The jig head doesn't matter, just pick the right weight for running depth. I always start at 1/8 oz. That puts a rig at about 1.5 oz. which is manageable by most heavy sticks.