Hillbilly_Hooker

Since my last post, I've also read that ABA has stated that it is likely already too late to make any changes for '07 and that any major changes will probably have to wait until the '08 season. I guess time will tell...

SkiBum, If you're interested in finding a B.A.S.S. affiliated club there, check out the website for the Georgia Federation Nation: www.gabassfn.com I'm sure there are links or contact numbers there for folks that can put you in touch with a local club. Good luck and good fishing, Hillbilly

PutPut, Maybe my 47 year old eyes are failing me more than I realize, but I've read the *** article twice now, and I still haven't seen any mention about rule changes to the Weekend Series. What am I missing? Thanks, Hillbilly

I was planning on fishing the Weekend Series in '07 and, as an avid B.A.S.S. supporter, was quite shocked that ABA will be running the series next year. On the other hand, I've been around long enough to know that the ONLY constant is change. I don't know much about ABA but I guess I'm in for an education, because I'm still planning on fishing the weekend series regardless. Hillbilly

I'd say she's a keeper!

Pink Floyd, Stay strong and resist the urge to join your friends. When I was way too young, I used to think drinking was cool too. Fortunately, a friend of mine convinced me to join the local volunteer rescue squad. After witnessing far too many deaths and injuries because of car accidents with drunk drivers, the innocent wives that were abused by drunken husbands, lives ruined, careers ruined, lives ended... I didn't think it was so cool anymore. Now that I'm 47 and the father of three grown daughters, I've seen them suffer the pain of losing close friends that were killed in accidents... all from being drunk. No matter what your friends think, it isn't cool. They'll eventually come to learn that too... if it isn't too late. Hillbilly

Mine would be a toss-up between a white spinnerbait and a T-rigged Yum Dinger in Carolina Pumpkin/Chartreuse.

I prefer Zoom over Berkley but I use Yum more than either of the other two.

BPS stores are stocked with fishing stuff year round. In fact, I prefer shopping there in the winter. Most of the general things are in stock and haven't been picked over and, sometimes -if you're lucky, you might even catch some items on sale.

I have two BPS baitcasting rods and reels. The rods are great! I had to take one of the reels, a BPS Extreme baitcaster, to a local shop to have it cleaned and lubricated. Since doing that, I couldn't be happier. The other reel, a David Fritts Signature Series, backlashes about every 3rd or 4th cast and, thus far, I hate it! I'm hoping that another trip to a local shop to have it cleaned and lubricated will help it as much as the first one. Assuming that a cleaning and lube will help the 2nd reel, I'm satisfied overall, but I hate to think that if I buy any more BPS reels that my first stop is going to have to be at another shop to have it lubricated before I can start fishing it In defense of BPS, however, I'd have to add that I contacted my local BPS store and they gladly agreed to exchange my reel for another of the same model or one of comparable or higher value, being that I have owned it for less than one year. Hillbilly

All of these big names looking at the boards PLUS a resident hillbilly. What more could one ask for? LOL Hillbilly

Yep, that's a hawg! Congrats!

I prefer the standard vest type in cooler weather, but I'll be buying a pair of the auto-inflating suspenders type before next season. The vest is simply too hot in warmer weather.

Our last club tournament of the year was last weekend and the morning launch temps were in the upper 20s, plus the first day had the extra added benefit of 15-20mph winds. After racking my brain before we left about what to wear to stay warm, I finally realized that I have a 1-piece insulated suit for motorcycle riding. Most of our guys have insulated hunting bibs, jackets, work coveralls, etc., but mine was the only suit there that was also waterproof. I stayed warm both days and had a great time (winning the tournament helped too!). For anyone fishing year-round, I would recommend checking with your local motorcycle/ATV/snowmobile shop for these types of suits. They are insulated, waterproof, and easy in and out of. You'll likely find they're also less expensive than high-end rain gear offered by BPS, Cabelas, etc. Hope my suggestion helps, Hillbilly

Spend the money to get some decent glasses and absolutely get polarized lenses. Even though some of the cheaper ones may have polarized lenses, the lense may not be 100% optically correct, which if worn for several hours at a time, may result in headaches. You might also check with a local motorcycle dealer. I work in the motorcycle industry and many companies manufacture glasses with polarized lenses as well as interchangable lenses. Another feature of the glasses you're likely to find at the motorcycle shop (and ones that I use) have foam 'cups' that surround the lense on the inside. These foam inserts help keep the wind out of your eyes when you're at speed on a boat. One final benefit of something for motorcycling is that many of them feature impact resistant lenses, which would be great when that heavy crankbait suddenly frees itself from the brush and smacks you in the face. If you fish year round, you might also want to check the motorcycle shops for one-piece insulated riding suits. Mine is insulated and waterproof, easy to get in and out of, and works great for fishing. I put mine to the test during our last tournament of the season (last weekend) when the morning temps at launch were 27 degrees. The first day also featured early temps of 27 degrees PLUS 15-20mph winds. I was warm the entire time. Hillbilly

From another cigar lover and resident Bass Resource hillbilly, Welcome!

I'm a sales rep calling on Motorcycle/ATV shops in Virginia/West Virginia. I work for a wholesale distributor of parts and accessories. We sell everything from nuts and bolts to tires and batteries to helmets, leathers, motocross gear, etc., but only to legitimate dealers. Hillbilly

I have a Rick Clunn reel that I bought a few months ago. I've used it in a few tournaments, including one that I just returned from. This weekend's tournament is that last time I will ever fish that )*(#$EO)~ reel! My reel backlashes about every 3rd or 4th cast and I do not have that problem with any other reel that I own, including other BPS reels that are different models. I hate this reel and I will replace it with something else before I'm on the water again. Hillbilly

I'll have to side with Matt on this one. As a tournament bass angler, I don't dispute that this bad behavior exists, but I can say that my fishing partner and I both go out of our way not to disturb other fishermen, whether or not they are fishing in the tournament or even fishing for bass. We make it a point to go slow around other boats, cut a wide berth around other boats, not fish close to another boat or bank angler, etc. There are, no doubt, a few bad apples in every bunch, but the majority of tournament anglers that I've observed are all as polite on the water as we are. I'm sure some bad behavior occurs, but likely as much with non-tournament guys/gals as with tournament guys/gals. Hillbilly

Rockn, Start now! Most clubs are finished their tournament season for this year, but now is when everyone in the club is deciding which member they'll fish with next year, what their schedule for '07 will be, etc. Now would definately be the time to get in to get your dues paid, find a partner, and help determine the schedule and the lakes that will be fished next year. Hillbilly

One more cast, What state do you live in? Hillbilly

Buck, Check your PMs. Hillbilly

Bitman, You might also check the following website. It's for the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of TX and I'm sure they can hook you up with a club in your area. http://www.texas-bass.com/ Regards, Hillbilly

BASS is broke... BASS stinks.... BASS won't be around much longer... FLW is too strong for BASS.... If all of the above is true, I'm curious as to why *** is reporting that several pros that fished both FLW and BASS this year will be switching back to BASS next year. Seems truly curious to me that the pros are switching back to an organization that is broke, won't listen, keeps screwing up everything, etc. I'm a BASS member, a state officer in BASS, and a true believer. BASS has and continues to advance the sport like no other organization in history. Just my $0.02 worth, Hillbilly

Fivebass, Check your PMs. I'll be at the weigh-in tomorrow as well. Hope to see you there, Hillbilly