GKramer

Without getting into an argument about global economics, you may not have heard, Blakemore's factory (and its workers) were spared in the quake down there there in Haiti. Fortunately for me, now that there is a potential interruption in shipments, I have already accumulated a year-supply of Road Runners in my tackle bag. 8-)

Of course, I thought that as soon as the new Trokar's hit the market. But even 2 bucks each is a small price to pay, next to the revolving trebles offered by one company out West (TurnTech). How does $8.99 per hook sound?

Even a regional partisan has to look at 89 out of 150 possibles as a poor showing on the California Delta. Economy always gets the blame, but maybe it's a mis-calculation on the total number of pro anglers in the territory. Angels broadcaster Rex Huddler would probably say about Charlie Evans--"He's got to go!"

Hey, this year's Open really had the feel of those early events where East met West, and they all fished til they dropped. Earlier today, Rick Clunn compared Lake Mead to the Masters Golf Tournament at Augusta, saying instead of greens keepers altering the same course, Nature was responsible out in Nevada. But then, he wound up and let a whole bunch of pro anglers take it in the chops. Makes me glad I'd already fished a couple in the past.

It has been classic desert warfare--except the leader has things well in hand. Still, there is really no other tournament quite like this one. And given the entry fee, compared to the FLW Series, it was a nice chance for the westerners to match up with some nationals for a week. I think the event is seeing a revival.

It took a while to hear back from them, but I got an official, but unsatisfactory response on the potential world record bass from Lake Biwa in Japan. On the one hand, they say there are no rules regarding the catch, but they suggest I talk to the local police. I think they just want the thing to go away. :-/

I know the US Open bass tournament on Lake Mead will offer its own daily accounts beginning Monday evening, but I went over there for a couple of days of practice to get a feel for what they are seeing. Amazing difference from 5 years ago, now the population seems 70 percent smallmouth. The grass beds, which were just patches last year, are thick enough to walk on. But what a grind to go hard all day in what is unseasonable heat. These kind of temperatures are usually done by earlier in the summer. Spent a day with Clunn and his family, and a second day with former winner Rich Tauber, while chatting with several others. Clunn, the 4-time Classic winner said it again. "I tell people everywhere I go, the US Open is the hardest tournament in fishing there is to win." And hey, I don't even work for the host outfit anymore. 8-)

Matt, I will try to do that. Which live bait is the only question, if I read Mr. Okumura's response correctly. And I hear Mother Nature's bluegill is almost as good-looking as yours.

Wanted to find out a few things myself and got some help translating regarding the potential world record fish. Things I learned: Japanese (governmentally) are very hostile toward black bass; the Lake Biwa trout is apparently not a factor in big bass growth (because of its deeper range) and last, that catch will surely be a judgment call on whether it gets accepted as a record--there first, and then by the IGFA. And I hate waiting for the latter.

Shad Master: No. I don't know. But we had an Aspie teen in our home for 11 months last year, and I ran back across some of the stuff my wife and I were researching. No diagnosis offered--I was just looking at my own attitude toward the TV clips (and anybody else I might be hard on) and wondered if I was being too tough. Have to admit, the guy is a virtuoso bass fisherman.

Here's a topic I admit I know absolutely nothing about. But apparently, neither do most Americans. I pulled it off the web. It might not have anything to do with anything here. I'm probably a million miles off target. But the one good thing it has done is it has stopped me from throwing anymore stones: "Some of us may appear selfish or self-absorbed or egotistical because we do not respond adequately when someone says something... "We may look childish in some or all situations because we seem to overreact to things that other people would not react to at all. We may seem gullible and naive, and some people out there will take advantage of that. You may wonder why we never seen to learn that there are people in the world we can't trust. "Others may appear almost paranoid, trusting no one at all. Some might seem "psychotic" because of our eccentric behaviours or suspiciousness.... "Some of us might appear like loners, or eccentric loners. Some of us might appear as the opposite -- people who try hard to be social but don't know how. We might look heartless because we do not have the same emotions you do, or more often don't show them in the ways you expect. We might look too sensitive, or too insensitive, or both. We might seem too immature or too mature, or both." www.autistics.org/library/autadult.html

Exactly. Except, they eliminated the "extra" tournaments, as you described them, and then the organization added some for the top 12. In the real world they call that "arbitrary." :-?

Since the "playoffs" are just another ingredient from ESPN (who's not sure what the recipe is actually supposed to be) at least we'll see familiar names duking it out. But come on, the guys already qualified for the Classic. Let 'em breathe. For those east of the Mississippi, travel is tolerable, but those, like Dean Rojas coming from the other side of the country, it's better not to be in these extra events. Just his travel today is staggering to me....

Just have this... News Release FLW OUTDOORS FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST BRP/EVINRUDE MINNEAPOLIS (Aug. 11, 2009) FLW Outdoors announced that it has reluctantly filed a lawsuit in Minnesota State Court against BRP/Evinrude for their failure to pay its agreed upon sponsorship fees for the entire 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season. Irwin L. Jacobs, Chairman of FLW Outdoors stated, FLW Outdoors has had a long-term sponsorship and working relationship with Evinrude as a premier sponsor of FLW Outdoors and its tournaments. In 2009, FLW Outdoors received confirmation from Evinrude officials both in writing and verbally that Evinrude had agreed to the continuance of their sponsorship with FLW Outdoors at about the same level of sponsorship fees for 2009 as they had in 2008. Throughout FLW Outdoors' 2009 tournament season, Evinrude's representatives and/or management have participated in all of FLW Outdoors' tournaments. Further, Jacobs stated, FLW Outdoors has fully supported Evinrude's sponsorship throughout the 2009 FLW Outdoors' tournament season. Evinrude has enjoyed all of the same contractual marketing commitments that FLW Outdoors supported Evinrude with in 2008, including, but not limited to, substantial onsite space for displaying and marketing their products at all tournament locations; Evinrude engines installed on half of all FLW Outdoors/Ranger stage and tournament boats throughout all tournaments; signage throughout all FLW Outdoors tournament locations; television commercials on all FLW Outdoors television programming worldwide; magazine advertising; internet marketing and advertising; and heavily-promoted Evinrude on all marketing materials and advertising as part of FLW Fantasy Fishing, an international game worth $10 million in cash and prizes. Yet Evinrude has refused to pay FLW Outdoors any of the amounts it promised as consideration for those benefits. Jacobs further stated, Not only are we terribly disappointed in the fact that Evinrude hasn't paid any of their agreed-upon sponsorship fees for 2009, but they also haven't paid any of the committed contingency dollars on behalf of their Evinrude Pro Staff anglers through the 2009 FLW Outdoors tournament season. FLW Outdoors has advanced on Evinrude's behalf almost $100,000 to those Evinrude Pro Staff anglers who had cash commitments from Evinrude based upon their performance this season. To date, Evinrude hasn't reimbursed FLW Outdoors a single dollar for the money that FLW Outdoors advanced on its behalf to the Evinrude Pro Staff anglers. In nearly 15 years of business and tournament operations, FLW Outdoors has never had to sue a single sponsor for failure to pay their sponsorship fees. FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. FLW Outdoors has also taken fishing mainstream with FLW Fantasy Fishing, offering the largest awards possible in the history of fantasy sports. For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing and Player's Advantage, visit FantasyFishing.com. FLWOutdoors.com

A career ending might also be hastened by one's outboard sponsor not making payments. Like Evinrude not paying FLW and getting sued for it (announced Tuesday). But then, I already have to wait for those "checks in the mail."

We see it in all the professional sports. A guy leaves on his own terms; another fails to retire when he probably should. I look in the mirror and I know I'm not the stick I was when I was 35 (and that wasn't all that much). There are some guys out there that can't have that many winning casts left. Is our sport, due to greater physical requirements, closer to "sport" than it ever was before? I know the US Open in the Nevada desert coming up at the end of the month is going to feature some veterans. What do you think? :-/

...I'm also predicting Pres. Obama will leave his wife and marry a gypsy following his second term, the Pirates will win the World Series, and the capper, PETA will kick off its new bass tour in 2010.

I get the tourist dollars it could generate. I understand nothing should be easy for a so-called "test of the best." But KVD couldn't weigh 13 pounds in 3 days, and the pros looked like they were holding fish caught in a kids derby the last time anyone fished Pittsburgh. How can you promote a professional sport with bass weighing 1-6? :-[

Well done on your rig. Unfortunately, in the aptly named Golden State, they wouldn't let you put your non "new technology" engine on many waters. As for the vintage baits, I'm finding the new generation doesn't have them, and most never heard of them. It's always a veteran who aces the history quizzes. :-/

Catt: you seem to have lots of experience on this matter. I have made several night outings with the California fish and game guys with the electro-shock boat. They always tell me (as we wait for the wind to die) that when it's windy, the small fish leave the shallows (thus out of reach of a gazillion volts). And then, when it's windy, sure enough, we hardly see anything of the newer year classes. Electro boat never lies in water less than 15 feet, sooooooo. From a fishing standpoint, then, do you see better quality at night in the wind, but off the bank? Just looking for some comparative info. :-/ gk

In 2007 he was 15th among the Elites. In 2008, he slipped to 31st. Even though there were fewer events this year, he now resides in 80th place, with only one stop left. Yet he's won in the West. Is this just a bad season, bad luck, or is there a trend developing? :-/

Ah yes, the GK exemption. Historic.

Yes, the 8-foot rule was the BASS standard. But the Western Bass Fishing Association actually had the first standard: 7 1/2 feet, as were the first Fenwick fiberglass Flippin' Stiks. To appease the complaintants, the director asked Dee what was the shortest rod he could use and still flip--7-8 was the length. Changing the rules is always simpler said than done. But for sheer angling, that longer stick is sure a help. And I've used some steelhead rods, 9 and 10 footers, but they tend to be soft, tip heavy, and two-piece.

Not quite a tourney issue, but if you ignore rod locker length or other transport issues, how do you feel about bass rods longer than 8 feet? I have three 8-foot Cabo PTs that I use with 6-pound for under-spins and Road Runners and they provide such an edge from the back seat. But over the course of the day, I wish they were 6 inches longer on the butt end, and I'm thinking, I could create a little extension with butt cap that will make this an even better rod. But, of course, I would be able to remove it, for competition. But does anyone else feel cramped by that archaic tournament rule that dates back to Dee Thomas who had to cut down his tule dipping rods to create the first flippin' stiks? :-/ Thanks.

Remember the days when you put up 20 bucks and said I'll meet you guys back at the dock at 2 o'clock? Those days may be back sooner than we think, or else we'll all be driving Tritons and Skeeters. It's a changing world out there, that's for sure. Tournaments? They could be disappearing like California Condors. :'(