UPS VT

Not a great deal of shore fishing opportunities near by because most of the lakes and ponds near there have camps and homes all along the shore line.

It's going to be difficult to get many lunkers from shore. I guess I would suggest driving a little bit north from where you are staying and take a left turn on float bridge road. When you come to the bridge there is a pull off there. There is not a great deal of fishing room there, but enough for a few people. I would try there early in the morning or in the evening. There is current there and access to some deeper water so you may find some bass there. Bomo is a tough lake to fish even if you have a boat, the good ones tend to be real deep during the summer months. I hope this helps some.

I agree with that, it would also be nice to have the classic some where else other than the south. The majors were a nice thing, but I don't know if the sponsor money is there to do that the way the economy is now. The guys that competed in those did not pay an entry fee for those tournaments.

If you have access to a boat, go to Champlain you aren't far from there and you won't regret it.

How many members do you have???

The Rutland B.A.S.S. Club is a small bass fishing club in the Rutland, VT area. We currenly have 26 members, and are currently accepting new membership applications. You don't need to own a boat to become a member. Our tournament format is a boater/non-boater draw. We encourage applications from both boaters and non-boaters. We have tournaments on a mix of Saturdays, Sundays, and some Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. One of our club's missions is "To improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass-catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing and a love for this great recreation." Annual club membership dues double as entry into all club tournaments for the season. No prizes are awarded after individual tournaments. Points are assigned based on tournament finish, and prizes are awarded at the end of the season. Other awards, such as participation, are randonly drawn and awarded at a club meeting after the end of the season. This is a low-pressure, high-energy, friendly and fun club to belong to. For anyone wanting to learn more about bass fishing, or just join a club for the comraderie and competitive enjoyment, e-mail me at brockq1972@gmail.com The club's website is: http://www.rutlandbass.50webs.com/

Wow, I just looked at that site and they are making it more complicated than it needs to be. Yes, several of those things do need to be considered; but if you are just starting out you really don't need to file non-profit status. When our club first started we did everything in cash. Everything we took in, we payed back out. As we grew and started to host an open tournament we opened a checking account. If you really want to start a club check this out: http://www.bassmaster.com/news/how-start-bass-club

What web site are you referring to?

Our club was started right at the time of the "split" I was new to the whole situation so I did not have any pre-concieved ideas. It started as just 6 guys that wanted to be with both organizations and myself. We grew very slowly, I think it was two years before we even had our first club tournament. We currently have close to 30 members which is fairly good size for up here. You just need to be patient, and flexible. If you build it they will come.

Ditto on St. Catherine's, I have also heard the ramp is not very good at Harriman but do not have any first hand experience. There is a nice state park right on the lake.

You really need to use maps to have a good idea of where to start looking. You could also get a hand held GPS and a Navionics chip that will have maps with depth charts for several lakes.

Yes the lake is still 2 1/2 feet above flood stage.

My oldest son caught his new personal best 4lbs 0oz LMB today. He kicked my butt all day long and I did not mind one bit His best 5 went 14-13, we won't say what mine went. His new personal best: 3lbs 10oz second biggest fish of the day:

Try to find some clubs here: http://www.nhbassfednation.com/clubs.asp

The fishing on the south end of the lake is great right now too.

Got to fish for 4 1/2 hours Saturday morning out of Larabee's. It was time well spent, we put over 30 bass in the boat in that time, not to mention a few pike and pickerel. I managed to boat a 4 lbs 10 oz LMB, only problem is I did not think to take a picture of it. Just about anything worked, caught fish on spinner-baits (sexy shad), swim jigs (white, with a white trailer), and flipping a jig (black and blue).

The smallies should be on beds. The large-mouth will probably be post spawn. At least down on my end of the lake they will be. Up north there may still be some fish on beds. It will depend on how much the water warms up the next few weeks.

If it was an older Ranger, it was probably my friend. He launched out of Benson Landing on Saturday. Only got one bite though.

On the south end of the lake Benson Landing is open to launch a boat. Most of the bays are still frozen though.

I agree that you need to find the right competition level, but I don't think you are wasting your time to continue fishing at a club level. You can mentor those that are just starting out in tournament fishing. Yes if you are moving on to fish professionally full time, then you would be wasting time at the club level. Otherwise, I don't see where that is a waste of time. One of our club members fished the Bassmaster Classic in February and he still fishes in club tournaments.

Here is a link to their tv schedule: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/news/story?page=bassmaster_TV_schedule

Our club just started a junior club so this will be our first season. My two oldest boys are excited to be fishing in tournaments just like Dad. I just hope they do better than I usually do :-[

Don't know about up where you guys are, but there is still quite a bit of ice down here on the southern end of the lake. I did see some open water yesterday, but not much.

Appears he is human (I sometimes question if his uncle is), finished 73rd this weekend.

The Rutland B.A.S.S. Club is a small bass fishing club in the Rutland area. We currenly have 16 members, and are currently accepting new membership applications. You don't need to own a boat to become a member. Our tournament format is a boater/non-boater draw. We encourage applications from both boaters and non-boaters. We have tournaments on a mix of Saturdays, Sundays, and some Tuesday evenings. One of our club's missions is "To improve our skills as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass-catching techniques and ideas, and to promote and encourage youth fishing and a love for this great recreation." Annual club membership dues double as entry into all club tournaments for the season. No prizes are awarded after individual tournaments. Points are assigned based on tournament finish, and prizes are awarded at the end of the season. Other awards, such as participation, are randonly drawn and awarded at a club meeting after the end of the season. This is a low-pressure, high-energy, friendly and fun club to belong to. For anyone wanting to learn more about bass fishing, or just join a club for the comraderie and competitive enjoyment, e-mail me at brockq@vtbassfednation.com The club's website is: http://www.rutlandbass.50webs.com/