A-Jay

Perhaps you could step up your drop shot tackle a bit, use a Texas rig style method to drop shot your favorite creature bait and prob some likely fish holding cover. I tried this last year and was pleasantly surprised at the results. A-Jay

Catt I agree whole heartedly. I content that although equipment plays a role here, the fact that some anglers just start with more in the sensitivity "well" as it were, can't be understated. The feeling can be learned but some people can just feel more. It's like hitting a curve ball. Some players are born with the ability to simply wait on it and make solid contact. Others might have to teach themselves to wait on it before they can get on it regularly. And some just never get it. I think like many things, time and experience are great teachers but when you add that to a higher God given ability there's a decided difference. This might explain why we sometimes get schooled by the guy "in the back of the boat". A-Jay

So those KVD trebles really do hold pretty darn good then . . . Ouch ! A-Jay

Dwight that is just UN-REAL ! btw - Doug Stange called - he said you're making him look bad. A-Jay

Nice Job ~ I took it as an indication that I needed to fish allot more. A-Jay

Listen you big trouble maker - no need to stir the pot - A-Jay

Solid Start Dwight. What took you so long ? A-Jay

Great first trip Dwight - now that's the ways to start off the year ! You should consider changing your name to "Hoover" because to are like a big vacuum, sucking up all those big smb. Please leave a few for me - A-Jay

I always read that the Volvo was very safe as well. Hope your lady was OK - I like Jeeps as well - But I needed a bit more cargo area. A-Jay

No I haven't as of yet. However, I don't think the 6.2L will hardly break a sweat pulling my rig - 16ft Old Town on an aluminum trailer - can you even call that towing ? I bet my dogs loaded in the back present more of a challenge than the rig does. A-Jay

14 / 18 mpg and it's the kind of milage where you ride in style. A-Jay

There you go, the perfect response. And to the OP, I apologize for taking your good natured thread into another direction. A-Jay

WMD – Thank you very much for your response. Clearly your experiences in this matter have all been positive and I can see why you feel the way you do. After 3 decades of serving our country conducting Search and Rescue (USCG), many of my experiences have been very different. Knowledge and experience regarding how various wind/weather can affect the operating conditions faced by boaters is something I know a bit about. Additionally, I am intimately familiar with the operation of several different types of water craft, high powered outboards included. As for me having a bias or some hidden agenda – I will tell you that I definitely have an agenda and I make not attempt to hide it what so ever. I’m hoping that this kind of public discussion might help keep safe boat operation a priority and on the minds of every boater. I know firsthand how complacency and / or adrenalin can turn a fun day on the water into something else. I don’t know how many “Safe boaters” (or Parts of them) you’ve put in black bags, but the times I’ve done it – it was no fun. Stay Safe A-Jay btw - I'm looking forward to meeting you at Gunnersville.

I believe your post presented the situations accurately and fairly. I feel that the fact that you felt strongly enough about it to even add it as part of your post meant that the subject does have merit. Olebiker addressed this matter at the very beginning of his post. I realize that everybody believes that they are maintaining safety as their number one priority and it upsets us when someone suggest otherwise. As the stakes get higher, the boats get faster and faster sooner or later the safety of the passengers of these vessels has to be addressed, realistically. It happened in NASCAR and it will eventually happen in bass fishing. The question is which really famous person will be killed before officials and sponsors take action. ( ie. Dale Earnhardt) This scenario plays out every weekend all over this great country. There are thousands of tournement anglers who read these boards as BR members. I hope that a few of them will read this and be reminded that the only safety device available on their vessel is the self-discipline and prudent throttle use exercised by the human being behind the wheel. That PFD you're wearing only helps after something bad has happened. A-Jay

No doubt, the details described above regarding the high-speed boat rides you folks went on seems exciting to read about. Although you did not address it directly, it should be. Pont of interest, the operator of any vessel is responsible for the safe operation of the vessel and the safety of all passengers in that vessel. Participating in a fishing Tournament does not relieve the operator of this responsibility. If an operator cannot avoid a collision with anything, a boat or something else, he/she is at fault. You must maintain control of your vessel at all times. You cannot blame someone else. Sounds like the operators of both of the boats described are disregarding this. I’m certain none of these competitors is looking to injure/kill anyone but operating the boat in the fashion described, with a passenger who does not have the ability to maintain a safe position in the boat is selfish, irresponsible and could be considered criminal. Wouldn’t it make sense to outfit these boats sufficiently to ensure the safety of the passengers; a second console, better hand holds whatever it takes? They do a great job at taking care of the bass with very functional live wells to ensure the fish arrive unharmed, this same consideration must be afforded to the folks they’ve invited to participate in these events. Why are we accepting this level of disregard for safety? It’s not funny, it’s embarrassing. A-Jay

This ~ with either a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce tungsten weight. A-Jay

Great Job man. I'd say you gentlemen started out in fine fashion. I was going to ask you what the crankbait of choice was, but you covered that above. Thanks for sharing, great story, cool photo's and bud - you live in a smb fisherman's dreamland, not only for the fish and lack of fishing pressure but the shear beauty of the back round in your photo's is sweet. A-Jay

That is Outrageous. A-Jay

Military Intelligence. A-Jay

Thanks Chris - I will. A-Jay

Congrats on sticking that Toad ! My season is still a few weeks away, but I'm hoping to get a few that are big enough so in the photo, I will disappear behind them as well. Nice Trophy Bass. A-Jay

Congratulations on matching your PB. That bass looks real healthy. Talk about a Blue Bird Sky day, man that is it. . . . . . . . . . A-Jay

5 ~ Black, Blue, Green Pumpkin, Grape and Red Shad. A-Jay

Nicely Done Mike - enjoyed it. A-Jay

In the North woods - everything is an on line purchase for me. http://www.superiorc...t/klal10oz.html But it's really worth it. Easy on, easy off, no residue and the product does everything it advertises. Look it up and read the reviews. It's good stuff. A-Jay