Dinky

Arrived in Tulsa-finally! Went to the sevice yard behind the BOK Center where weigh ins are to be held. Took some photos and posted on my Gallery. Most of the pros have arrived. Some were hanging around and I got to speak to Ish Monroe who I fished with last year at the Southern Open I on Harris Chain in Florida; Boyd Ducket-I Marshaled for him at Pickwick a few years ago(he won the Elite Tournament at Oneida this season); and of course the 'King' KVD himself - Marshaled for him at Pickwick also. The tone appears to be a bit more focused and serious than I recall from regular season tournaments. Going out with one of them tomorrow for last practice day--it is going to be cold and wet so not sure if I can get too many photos--will post whatever I can get.

elmers is great too. Never been to Stone Mill. I note that they now have an Oklahoma Joe's right down the road from the Bass Pro Shop in BA. Convenient! I mentioned the Back Alley Blues place because it is downtown not far from the expo. Goldies is a great place for burgers also. I also heard that Nelsons Buffeteria is now open again down on third street--but only go there if you like chicken fried steak.lol

Back Alley Blues & Blue BQ-116 Elgin (enter from 2nd st.) In the Blue Dome section of downtown Tulsa close to BOk arena and civic center. Never been there but will try get there tomorrow.

I agree that pros are paid to hype their products. Likewise many on this board do the same. But I would not say that they had NO credibility simply because they hype their products. If I did that I would have to say RW, Glenn, and Long Mike have no credibility. I think some of you need to tell us exactly how you decide which crank bait to buy and why it is better than other crank baits--then of course if that crank bait has ever been hyped or advertised by a pro you should be prepared for a few uncomfortable questions. Unless you actually use several different brands of baits under the same conditions (which would be very expensive), how do you decide that this or that pro's hype has no credibility? Please enlighten us all.

Mike, I'll be there per my PM to you--did not see this thread before!Getting old and I guess the eyes are not as good as they used to be. Would like to meet all you other BR members who will be there also!

Spend a day fishing with--? Kate Upton. Oh, it has to be a pro fisherman. It would depend on whether we were in a tournament or just out for fun. If a tournament any of them would be too focused to be of much help except by observation and a few quick questions, maybe. If for fun--so far none have been mentioned that I would not want to fish with. KVD would be at the top of my list. Grant Goldbeck would be a close second. I have been paired with many Bassmaster Elite tour pros both in the Bassmaster Opens as a co-angler and in the Elite Series as a Marshall. They were all very friendly, professional and willing to impart knowledge to the extent time permitted. As for the non-touring pros I have been paired with as co-angler----not so much. (although often these guys had a lot of local knowledge that could be helpful).

I actually have done this -though I did not fish. Like all the pros-he was able to put his lure in places the rest of us don't ever put our lures.

No-another year in which I didn't qualify! lol It is the first year they are using Marshals at the Classic and I am going to Marshal the first 3 days-(and maybe the 4th day but not sure.)

A little advice for your first visit jnatale3--(don't ask how I know these things.) 1. Always take a list of a couple things you really need to buy. If you go w/o one you can quickly turn into an impulse buyer--which is the gateway to fishing tackle addiction (FTA) for which there is no known cure. Interventions by spouses followed by several months in a 12 step re-hab program for FTA is expensive and humiliating. 2. For 'mature' shoppers who tend to use the bathroom on a frequent basis: Do not drink a lot of liquids prior to going there-coffee, soda, etc. unless you are very familiar with that particular BPS and know EXACTLY where the Men's Room is located. Wandering around in pain in several thousand square feet of retail space for any length of time turns to panic and all sorts of bad scenarios. 3. Wear sunglasses in the store: shiney, sparkley, colorful things tend to attract (lure) us fishermen.Too many of them leads to confusion which leads to buying one of every color. Very expensive. 4. Go ahead and get the BPS Visa while you are there as long as you can handle the temptation to max it out. You will get an extra 10% off on the day you sign up--plus--if you are married you can use it for secret purchases you don't want her to know about. You know...like gifts for her. LOL. Have fun!

Seibert and Scorcher--how about between 1 and 7 days before Memorial Day--where do you stay Seibert?

Scorcher--I still plan to get up to St. Clair for some smallie fishing this spring/summer. Are you still game or are you now on the snowboard/waterski circuit? Hope you can make it to Pickwick for the RT this year.

What to do in Mexico in December.

Hey Jeff-- Went to El Salto 12/26-12/31. Came back and got the flu--but I did catch a bunch of hogs--including several 8 and 9 pounders and a 13 pounder. Will try to upload a few and post. Coming thru Memphis in Feb. on way to Classic at Grand Lake outside of Tulsa, OK. --do you and RW want to go fishing? I can bring the boat.

Think of a 4* deli buffet.

You mean other than during the 'swap' nights?

I've heard you sing, mod, and it might explain those times you are fishing alone and not getting any bites. Not sure, just saying.

Often said, and in this exact order. "I think it'll measure." "I don't think will measure" "I don't think it's a bass" "Pass me the stink bait, I hear the catfish are biting."

Just got in fromSyracuse/Lake Oneida yesterday and they were in my stack of 'important' mail! Thanks Big O. Glenn and Kari, I will be fishing the Central Open II on Ft. Gibson week after next and will surly give them a work out there.

Put a rage craw on a 1/16 oz swim bait hook--or just use it weightless-- and let it sink down the wall slowly. Keep an eye on your line and make sure you can adjust your drag if the hog heads toward the boat and under it.

Awesome! I really like Spamalot!

For the last 8 years I have been fishing for small mouth bass at a place in Canada that requires fishermen to mash down the barbs on their hooks when fishing for small mouth. I can honestly say that in 99.99% of the time the barb is not needed in order to set the hook nor to land the fish. Many more often a fish throws a crank bait--where the barbs don't need to be flattened. Now I know most of you will think this is crazy, but if I am not fishing for food, I see no reason for the barb. In fact, my belief is that the ONLY reason a barb exists at all is to hold live bait on a hook. Without the barb on the hook I can remove a hook that is deeply imbedded without ripping the flesh of the fish and more often than not without drawing blood. FWIW Dinky