bobo

All good stuff, as always. My opinion, and i'm sure i'll get some flak over this. If you learn plastics completely. You've learned Jig as well, even if you've never havin thrown one. I've never able to do anything with a jig that I couldn't already do with a plastic. And one extra is, I think plastic is slightly more versatile cause you can do a few things with it you just can't do with a jig. Don't get me wrong, you need to throw both and see which one develops for your personal preference. 'll step out on a limb here though, you combine jig and worm fishing and then combine everything else. The jig/worm will blow everything else combined away. So until you make yourself learn one of them, you're missing out. As far as learning them, In my opinion, once you develop the feel, the contact, knowing exactly whats going on at the end of your line, the other stuff like presentation, technique choosing the right setup for situation will just fall into place. Developing that feel, for me, seems to be the key to fishing plastics/jigs. And it's nothing to fear. I admit, it's a little complicated to expalin EVERYTHING you can do to get the feel. and then you start getting into techniques, presentation and so on, it can be alot of stuff. But once you get them down, you'll be like, this is real simple. I'm a plastic fool. I can and do everything possible with a plastic. But over the years, I've really come to love the C-rig. But if someone told me I couldn't fish with plastics anymore, i'd be throwing a jig I think those of us that have been doing it for years take it for granted as far as ease. We tend to think that everyone gets it... Best thing you can do, is get someone to go with you that lights em up with jigs or plastics. And tell him to teach you, I know that is hard to do, but tell him, you wanna know his every thought when it comes getting that feel. Why he picks up on the rod at that moment or why he reels at that moment, why he stopped it, why he shaking the rod, I mean every thought the guy has as soon as he casts it. I did it for my bother-in-law, it's a great story, might share it one day. Of course, if you don't know anyone that might do that. It's just gonna take time. And if I had to pick which is easier to learn as far as getting that feel developed. I'd say Jig it's not as forgiving as plastics, so it will MAKE you learn. But that's just me, If you picked plastics to develop that feel, I wouldn't say you were wrong by any means. Just don't give up on it. Just start basic. Go slow. Keep the contact. Going slow means, going slow. Think of it like this. Forget about catching a fish. Concentrate on what you feel. Don't even think about something hittiing it, just try to see if you can feel what the lure is coming across. Or into contact with. good luck!

Earthworm, I gotta disgree, if anything they are the poster child of how NOT to handle the siuation. I'll say it again, the only controversy is what they make it. And they left the door wide open. The only real controversy should be is the rules, definitions and interpertations. I'm not a wr hunter. I don't have the slightest idea of the rules. How well defined is the wording? Does illegal define uncertifiable in the wording is that just something taken for granted? Does retaining fish mean it can't be documented even if you let it go right after? So his catch is perfectly legal in a state where foul hooks count if unintentional? It's 25lb fish, I mean WOW! These guys have more clout than anyone at this moment on the world record and everything surrounding the catching of one. The could make alot of statements about rules and regulations. heck, If I were him I'd already be making about a book about the whole story. He said he didn't wanna make money, but it could def be a great way to raise money for a foundation.... or try to make changes to better the sport... I'd love for this guy to show up on the forum and start filling in the details. Just insta ban anyone that outright inuslts him and let the rest of us enjoy the event that took place last place. Sure, I ma ask him some tough questions that might him feel uncomfortable, but it's a 25lb bass, heh, you gonna have to expect that... Heck some of us may not be around around the next time sometihng like this happens! This is by far the biggest (no pun intended) event in the history of bass fishing. I'm kinda surprised by how it unfolded over the past week... /shrug

Yup, no doubt about poster child for catch and release. Just put my lawyer's number in the cell to instadial before I release my next fish.... heh The fish was oustanding, I don't care if he foul hooked it intentionally, or out right cheated. He caught the biggest bass EVER, regardless. It's pretty remarkable. If a guy caught a 24 lb bass tomorrow and was certified, and not one bit of controversy, I'd still see it as the second biggest bass ever caught.... It just the biggest is unofficial... that dont mean it didn't happen. I just can't get over guys are praising these 3 heh, i'm starting to feel bad for em.

Matt, are you saying money might factor into a guy doing shady things but fame, (recognigition) wouldn't? Here is the main thing for me. Give him a pat on the back, say , Good job, tough break. But defending this guy to those of us that things went on that may question him throughout this, doesn't make much sense to me anyway, but to each his own. To me, there just seems contradiction. Each day that passes I have more questions and more uhh, huh? heh Like why not call the game warden down there and clarify rules on the spot? Why not go through the motions you'd expect a self-proclaimed WR bass hunter to do, to certify this? Why wait a couple days and one day start getting ready to apply and the next withdraw? Anyway, all the answers to just those few questions brings up more questions and then that is where I feel the contradiction comes in. I think they are pretty legit, I don't think it's trashing the guy at all... I mean I could ask alot more questiosn than those, and maybe the answer is to them all can be "mistake". But then that brings up the big fact this guy is a WR bass hunter, and that drives me to think it's very unlikely so many mistakes could have been made. And then wonders in the thought of intent.....shady intent.... Now if that is to be considered trashing the guy.... I guess I'm guilty to I figure out the answers or they get clarified. heh

Upon turning the lunker over, sticker on bottom of fish saying "Made in California"

no way! As huge as this is, and bury it after a week? Yall just sit back and shh if it's getting to you 25 pounds and no questions after the way this has went? heh, for self-proclaimed WR hunters, they had to be the most ill-prepared fishermen in fishin history. I say enough praising him, then maybe I'll stop questioning his actions since the catch. Of course someone state the obvious and remind me he's human....heh

Incorrect louie, exactly the opposite, I thought he had, no questions. The first day. Then the story just had some things that kinda made me go, huh? Last time i'm saying this, i give anyone the benefit of the doubt, until they show otherwise, HE DID.

what do ya mean I kill you? The first day, i gave him the benefit of the doubt.. Since then his actions have showed otherwise....so until something dramatic happens it's to shady... How much plainer could I be, I he caught it, i believed it. after his actions I went to the thinking he was shady, end of story. This is all about timeline. If anyone is killing one, it's you guys, I mean, heh, I mean praising this guy for nada... No one is trying to take his glory, he caught a big fish, that won't be official. If he caught a fish tomorrow that broke the record. First thng I'd ask is was there a witness, (beisdes budies), if none, i'd give him the benefit of the doubt. But after this fish, his story better be solid.

How does he deserve it? Like i've said I give people the benefit of the doubt, always. Until they show other wise. He catches this fish with a foul hook, finds out if unintentional, it still may be ok. Decides to pursue record. Day later, doesn't see support so decides to withdraw it? Says he's worried about keeping the fish alive, but goes out for a 15 minutes celebration with the fish in tow on a stringer? Says he doesn't know the rules in one sentence, and in another says they are proffessional world record bass hunters... The only controversy is what he brought on himself. We're all just spectators.. Maybe it's a cali thing, but if I catch a 25.1 bass with a foul hook and I think it's legit i'm going to try to have it official, not gonna ponder over the next couple days whether to make it official, regardless of fines, outcome , etc.... If I catch I 25.1lb bass with a foul hook and think it's not legit, I'm not gonna ponder over the next few days whether to make it official either, i'm gonna say it's not legit and be done with it.... I'm finding it hard to take this guys word, when it took a couple days to figure out what he wanted to say...but lets keep some perspective here, thinking he may be a little on the shady side isn't calling him a cop killer or anything. Money had a little to do with it, but sometimes you can't put a price on fame. Those are to huge factors on catching a 25.1 bass. I agree though, money to be made would be no where near the fame. Oddly enough, you can make alot of money off fame And btw way, the first day, I thought this guy was the new WR holder, he was legit regardless of it went official. Needless to say, I've considerably changed me opinion.

Maybe I misread that part. I thought this kid was with Kyle the previous day. And yah, my point exactly was to make it twisted from one etreme of being standup to the other of being shady....Until I see something that says otherwise, i'm leaning towards shady... Click my name, read all my posts about this. I just don't see anything this guy should be praised for. I don't have any idea what went on or his intents. I'm just saying from the information we've gotten, it points more toward, trying to get away with something shady than it does pointing towards this guy is so standup.... Flech... the first reports were 10, then came 12 then came 12-15.... sooo, i'll give you the benefit and say it was 15.... And never in my life, have I or seen anyone take 5 swipes at a fish and not get it.... cept for foul hooks... but anyway, back to the depth and size... I'll even give you the benefit it was a HUGE male....even though he's quoted as saying a "very small" male... but lets say it was an epic male, 8lb, just to give your argument some merit... heh...... anway, You're gonna tell me he made the distinction that is was the same fish as 3 years earlier in 15ft of water and it not be good visibility...???? heh, i'll just leave it at that... As far as the kid, like I said, if he wasn't with the guy that got the offer, and the one that showed the fish to him.... then I take it back. For all I know the kid coulda been trying to get there first to get $1000 to leave heh.... could be my mistake. But, I fish on water pretty similiar. Can't even take a boat, they provide you with small boat and motor. And everyone that goes there has areas they hit first. And you won't see people doing things like getting a camp pass to get a spot someone else was on the previous day. And I'll let you slide on calling me a forum troll. I may not post much. And yah, this story did get me going. But don't try to start calling me names or insulting me because I don't agree with you.

Evidently the visibilty was that great if he could the bass was the same one caught 3 years earlier.... i'd say that was incredible visibility....And where ya get 15 ft from flech? I guess it's like BS, it just gets deeper and deeper as the story goes along I dunno, it looks like he waited for the fish to swim near near his bait and then swung (4 or 5 times as a matter of fact), if anything, i'd say he was sight fishing intentionally trying to hook it anyway he could. I think his complaint of the small male swimming around too just adds to the facts that he was well aware of what was going on at the lure. Did he feel anything? well only one person in the world knows that answer, him. As far as trashing people, I didn't see trashing at first, I saw skeptical people... the trashin is coming from the praise this guy is getting and details coming out days after.... and I, for one, haven't seen this guy do anything standup yet... releasing the fish was just common sense, not standup. My version of standup guy goes like this... Well, I saw the fish come up on the lure and jumped the gun and swung. And to my dismay, I got the fish to the boat and saw the bad hook. So we went to the dock, got some pictures, video and weighed her, then threw her back for a chance for someone to break the record. Lets look at his version. First, I notice a kid fishin a bass, the nice kid shows the fish to me. I try to buy him off the fish and fail. So to steal this guy's spot from him I purchase a camping permit to make sure I get on the lake before him....Well, I swung at the fish 4 or 5 times. Finally got her hooked and landed. Then we rode out the the middle of the water.... (insert own reasons here). Got back to the dock, seen if anyone called us out on the foul hook, when someone did we decided to throw her back. heh, I feel bad for this guy actually. I think he wanted to do the right thing, and maybe he firends whispering in his ear, Hey lets see if we can get away with this.... and louie, it's not the point so much of the bribe or whatever you wanna call it. This guy was clearly on the fish. Stayed till closing and was first guy in line the next morning. You can defend em all you want. Even say he was legit in taking the spot...but that don't make it right. I mean, come on, how can you be the first guys in line and NOT go fishin, just stand on the dock and watch a guy in the spot YOU showed him! yah, that was real standup right there..... I love how he says he wants a 12 year old boy or 60 year old woman catches the WR. But as we find out, he went out of his way to take away the attempt by a 18 year old kid.... The more I think about this, the more disgusted I get.

It's called karma. I always say, you make your own luck. You're seeing a fine example of it with this catch... The only standup guy i've seen from all this is the 18 year old kid. Hats off to him for his actions. I'll admit it, had I been that kid and mac used the loophole to already be out on the lake and I was first in line.... after I showed this guy the dang fish in the first place... It may have took more than his 2 friends to pull me off him Gotta kid the kid credit through all this...

I c-rig usually no matter what. Shallow, deep, clear, warm, cold, whatever... Fished about those same conditions and was getting skunked while my father put on a chartruese/pepper(sp?) 6 inch lizard. Dunno why, but in that muddy water it musta stood out like a sore thumb under water to the fish. The high water created some nifty flats along some points. I swtiched after he was on his 5th fish, 2 over 4lb. 1 over 6.... All from the same side of a point. The point had a drop-off very close to the flat, and I guess they were schooled off that running up on the flat feeding. It took me awhile after his super fast start, but I caught him, though I didn't catch any as big the 6, I did catch alot of 3s that day and only one over 4. And we did have a spell of about 18 smaller than 2 lbs on one point with a huge flat. I still regret to this day not moving off deep on that point that day the way they were biting. We did go deeper off that point about a month later, and had our best day ever as far as 5lb + fish. All on 10 and 12 inch blacks worms. Water had cleared up by then though I'd probably focus near points, on the sides of em, any good flats. and kinda shallow for maybe the first hour, if nothing, have next plan ready. I'd probably still focus on points, and maybe go a little deeper, try draggin up the points this time. Most people start fast and go slower to find a bite. Me on the other hand, I try to focus slow. Now, after a hour of deeper, i'd probably go back to shallow, sides of the point and flats. Now consider that's 3 hours. And that would probably be the same area for me, if it were a point i was sure fish were on. Now if it's a place you're not sure about, cut the times down. Pay real good attention to bites, even if none caught. You didn't say anything about depth of lake, which can play a huge part on how much you move around and things you try. Black worm is great also, I go with berkley, for the scent and I generally use 10 inch, or the bass pro 12 inch. I live in NC and while most people will say short 6-8 inch worms, I'm sold on the big worms. Though the 6 inch zoom trick worm is my second choice after 10inch+ worms. Maybe try a few of the above on a weightless rig for good measure if no bite on c-rig. My advice is to give the plastics a chance, atleast 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Most of our bites that day came after we dragged it a few feet and then let it set for like 5-10 seconds. The would slam the lizard it while it was motionless. And i've never seen the lake that muddy before or since that day. But like I said, I fish my strength, the c-rig. If C_rig isn't your strength. Don't give up on it to quick if not getting bit. But if you have ZERO confidence in the c-rig in those conditions, don't waste your time, stick with your strengths. If you decide to go with the c-rig, go a short leader. Don't retrieve the worm, drag it. Let it sit a few seconds sometimes. And try to drag the flats, points with a rough feel, if not feeling anything, go to bigger weight or search more around for the rough stuff on the bottom. Muddy water is tough anyway, if they are feeding though, it don't matter, you can still catch the heck out of fish. welp, good luck

in the article it says they went out on the lake to talk before weighing it on the dock and then brought up the mark on it's back, kinda like to see what the kids would say? These guys shouldn't be getting praised, they should be barred from the lake. I've got no doubt, had there been no witness, they would have been claiming a perfect catch..... Not to mention, they basically stole the kid's find. I bet if those three had been on that spot, and the kids came before them the following day and got that spot, they woulda threw a fit... lol

If I knew I was legit, I don't care if I had 5% support. Guy sounds like to me, he isn't sure himself. Whether it's legit enough to be in the books is nobodies fault but his. Nothing to do with supoort, or guilty or anything else. Looking for support on the net? From thousands of people that have a clue about legitimacy of the catch? That tells me something is weird right there. People are praising this guy for being stand-up, but in all honesty, the longer this goes, the more I start to suspect shadiness.... If it's legit, you go for the record, if it's not, you tell us why... not worry about controversy or look for support from people that weren't there and don't know you. I'd be happy about it myself. And jig makers should send him atleast 10 grand. You can bet, there will be alot of white jigs sold this year And one thing i'd like to say. I pretty much always give fishermen the benefit of the doubt when told about a catch. Sometimes, after I've known them awhile, I start to question them, once i see a couple 4 pounders declared 10 pounders. In fact, I believed this would be a WR till I started seeing details and this guys actions after the fact. Now, I'm, starting to wonder what the story would be right now about this bass had no one been around. Which is sad, seeing how I was one of the people that pretty much always took a guy for his word till he showed otherwise.