Low_Budget_Hooker

Piece of 250lb mono run through a "cored out" chunk of buoy, fed through the ring that the normal strap uses (remove strap), crimp mono. You can also use many boat keychains that are like a buck at boater's world, west marine,etc oh, the rod comment refers to the new magnesium I dropped overboard last year. That didn't have a leash.

You need a good 5 weight rod, and bigger goons. PM muddy man

Great suggestion from RW, heed that advice, just change the reel to a pflueger president ($59) I kid, both reels are great choices for the price.

How to enjoy a real meatball How to kick some Shimano butt How to get a girl to hate you so much, she sabotages your account How to handle inner city youth etc etc etc

I got a call yesterday from someone down in Lake Fork. I honestly don't know who it was but think it may have been someone from the lodge. We had a major accent barrier between us, especially over the phone. If you are reading, I apologize. Anyway, he had said that someone had called from Canada, asking about the Lake Fork BassResource tournament. I explained that this is NOT a tournament, but a friendly gathering, a social event at a lake with great fishing, nothing more. I explained how to find this thread but I am left wondering who these 2 folks are?? I apologize once again, I was in the middle of a pick up at work (UPS driver) and the conversation was a bit confusing as I couldn't give my full attention. If either of you are reading, could you clarify this and let me know if I answered your questions? I don't want to leave anyone hanging or leave anyone with the wrong impression of what to expect. There is NO tournament of any sorts. There may be a few side wagers between friends tbut those are all completely independant of this site as well as any liability incurred during this trip. This is not a "BassResouce.com sanctioned event", it is a bunch of people taking independant vacations to the same place and are pooling their knowledge of the experience. That last part needed to be said for clarification reasons.

In all seriousness Long Mike, Look at my screenname. I fish in a tin boat. I use spidershaft ($39) rods. The last rod I threw a cast with to date was a CAST for kids rod, zebco 33, M Zebco rod. I only use knock off plastics I do not drink. Maybe a 12 pack/ year and I've already had 4 this year I do not own a tackle box My pliers and scale are not X-Tools I wear flip flops when fishing freshwater, 90% of the time. They were $18 Fun,.....now that's free (provided bail is not required) and somthing I am truly addicted to!!

Let's remember that this is in no way a "spawn fishing is evil" post,lol, TOTALLY not judging anyone, we are just relaying opinions. Even I got off topic though, this wasn't a "do you or don't you" thread, it's a "do you think TOURNAMENT fishing effects the overall population" thread to which I also misreplied. I don't think we could ever know the true answer without setting up a control pond and monitoring every little variable for years and years. Many control ponds actually. There are just so many variables. Is the reason a year is poor because of the tourny during the spawn last year or the hurricane a month later? what if the Bluegill population has been growing too fast and they ate more eggs this year? How about a combination of any of these. Variables, variables, variables,....and lots of 'em. What do we think? What do we know? I will reply on what I know and I know there were about 2000 less eggs in my lake this year because I hooked that fish.

GO MICHIGAN!!!!

You need to start playing with soft plastics more. Senko, obviously but also some shakey head stuff and finesse stuff. Those bass that are in view are probably very hip to many offerings as it would seem thay are accustomed to seeing people on the bank.

Ronnie, I know what you are saying but 4 yrs so far, so good. Also, for any of you that call me, I usually don't answer numbers that are not already programmed into my phone so if I don't answer, leave message and i'll call right back.

Good point, but I would rather they advertise it at a price they can afford to sell it at. I don't think it's fair to suck you in with an amazing price but refuse to sell you it at that price unless you buy more stuff.

I knew the day would finally come when RW and I would find somthing we both have in common!! See you in the deeper water at Fork RW!!!! (we might be alone out there,lol)

Just a note to remind people that you don't have to run the tourny trail to recieve some help from manufacturers. I just picked up The North Face again under their "continued excellence" program. I was sponsored by them years ago, for skiing. I re-applied last year under this program and was accepted because I am still in the public eye and still in a position to educate folks about their products. It is not the same level of sponsorship that I had when skiing but they are providing me with all my CAST clothing and a few key pieces for fishing. Other members are fine examples like fishchris. His new boat is beautiful and was a good move IMO to sponsor him. He has more sponsors too, just saying. Doesn't hurt to ask if you think you can assist the manufacturer in promoting their product(s). Also, for those looking for sponsors and DO compete, think outside of the box. Equiptment manufacturers are not the only approachable people. a friend of mine just got a call back from a certain energy bar company that wants to work with him. Travel agencies that specialize in Sportsman type trips, food and drink companies, utility companies that are on an environmental campaign,etc. all examples of approachable people.

Same pic can be taken with both the angler and fish in focus also. Play with your aperature settings. If digital, use "self focus" instead of "center focus" setting.

Welcome aboard Hoptoad!

I use floating leashes on everything,.....except Kistlers. Once again folks,...the heliums float,.....the magnesiums don't!

Last year was my last year for bed fishing. Right or wrong, Ipersonally can't do it anymore. I had a female spew egg all over my deck lasy year and the rest of the day I felt like I had killed someones puppy. We have a cove we call "the nursery" because of it's prime spawning characteristics. After I decided not to fish for these girls, I ended up watching them alot. I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything by not hooking them. Like chris said, once you see her,....she's yours. Knowing I can catch her is enough nowadays, like I said, I really enjoyed watching. For example, I had no idea how often the male escorts females up to the nest. It is non stop. Now, I don't know if it is always the same fish being led but we watched a fish last yr that brought no less than 8-10 "guests" to inspect the nest in roughly an hour or so. Like I said, not sure if it was same fish being brought up but from reading a few spawn articles, I think they mauy have all been independant candidates. But who knows,lol. Now, I am certainly not judging anyone that fishes for spawning bass, this is just what works for me. With that being said, my answer is "no".

I havn't talked to a telemarketer since I went cell only. No land line. Reading all these makes me realize I wasn't as inventive as I thought when I was younger,lol

Ditto, 1/8 is the staple though.

Blue eyes, is he inviting you??? You don't seem like the type to back out of any fishing. So what was the bet, who could hang the most rods of their end of the boat?

Avid? ;D

Great pics Hale! 18 degrees and sunny up here in RI!! Lots of folks out ice fishing today, killin' me! Muddy- All I saw were lots of birds, cows and turtles.

Robert- Abe's of Maine! That's where I ended up buying the one I got!! lol

I have a 201, lefty. I have used many calcutta's over the years and love them. When I was looking for a round body for freshwater, I automatically went to the calcutta, but got the wrong size. The 201 is too small for what I wanted to do (swimbaits) A wider spool is neccessary. Great reel, regardless of which size you get.

You're turning into the BR ambassabor,lol,....which members boat will you grace with your presence next week??