Glenn

That's not how I meant it at all. Apologies if it came across that way. I'm speaking specifically of the " Wow Icast isn't open to the public kinda messed up" comment, and stating WHY it's not open to the public. Plus the fact that ICAST seems to be letting more and more of the public in - people who have no business being there. Those are the folks causing the problems, not the "little fish". Every year, there's a group of people that are like "Oh hey, there's a fishing show...I think I'll go sneak in." and then cause many of the problems I outlined. Yes, many of the attendees do report those people, and they get escorted off the premises. But the issue is that A) ICAST is doing a poor job of screening those people out in the first place, and B ) Too many people think it's ok to sneak in "just to look around". Again ICAST needs to make their rules clear, upfront. Agreed. Too much has already been overblown and said. So, back to topic at hand. Booyah just introduced the Flex II Squarebill. It's a foam-filled squarebill that acts like a balsa crankbait. I've been fortunate to try it out the past month. Here's my review: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/flex-II-squarebill-review.html

Not elitist at all - nothing further from the truth. How would you like it if you were trying to do your job, and a bunch of people who know nothing about your job jumped in your way and interfered with your work - preventing you from doing your job, and then stole your work and called it their own? Please tell me how being upset about that is "elitist". Now if you're there to legitimately work instead of gawk, then learn the ropes and professional etiquette before barging on the scene without respect for the other professionals around you. We all work together and help each other out. It's mutual respect and professionalism. Again, it's not a sportsman's show. It's a professional trade show. Big difference.

This is NOT a consumer event. Nobody is selling products anyway. It's NOT a sportsman's show. If you're not there to work, then stay at home. It's not invite only, but they do check your credentials before allowing you to register, and the price tag starts at $100. Honestly, I wish they would be much more strict about this. They've been letting in too many gawkers, vloggers, and fans the past few years. The industry and media people are there to work and get things done, and the amateurs get in the way of that. At best, they're distracting. At worst, they prevent you from getting work done, and/or steal your work. Last year, I was interviewing KVD, and there was a crowd of about 25 fans and vloggers standing right behind the camera (that's a HUGE no-no at this event). One of them had his little home movie sonycam and was standing inches away from my camera. The rest were either recording MY interview with their phones, or snapping flash pictures during it. Extremely unprofessional. I later discovered several had posted videos of MY interview on their vlogs. There's many, many other examples (pushing and crowding out media and buyers, getting in way of your shots, asking for autographs of people while you're trying to interview them, taking items from exhibitor booths, interfering/interrupting meetings, and more unprofessional behavior). I've heard the complaints from my colleagues increase dramatically over the past few years as well, both exhibitors and media. ICAST used to throw out people who didn't belong there. But it seems they've gone lax on it. That said, I think the industry folks had enough of it last year, and complained loudly to ICAST. Guys, I understand your excitement, but unless you're working a booth, a wholesaler, or credentialed media from an established company (a personal blog doesn't count), then please stay away from the event and let people do their jobs. Thanks!

Bob Lusk is your man! http://www.pondboss.com

Several decades ago, when "Flashers" were all the rage and too expensive for my wallet, I looked at the topography of the shoreline and "imagined" it as it went underwater...continued the slope, if you will. I also looked at the docks. Short docks = steeper drop/deeper water; long docks = flat, shallow water with slow tapers. Knowing your plantlife helps too. Reeds and cattails grow in hard bottoms, lily pads in softer, and so on. And finally, for decades, I would use "triangulation" to locate and "mark" spots. You locate at least 3 landmarks and make note of their relative locations when you find a spot. That way you can return to that spot by lining up those landmarks. When I got my first gps unit, that's how I entered all my waypoints - I revisited all those spots and entered them in my gps unit.

Hope you like it.

Maybe they'll bring them back!

We've been using the Booyah One Knocker crankbait for a while now, and learned a few things you should know. Here's our review.

Hank Parker reveals his winning tips for overcoming bad fishing tournaments and turning them into victories. It's golden information from the 2-time Classic Champion. You don't want to miss this!

Have you noticed an increased number of black blotches on the sides and fins of the bass in your lake or pond? Here's why. https://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/bass-blotch.html

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