Matt Fly

The things that make a pro, a pro, is not seen or asked about on the entry form. I agree that their are guys who can pay the money and are not pros. Whos arguing that point? Byron Velvick did not go thru a season of qualifing events to earn the pro spot. He got lucky and happened to be in the right spot at the right time with the needed money to fill needed spots for 2006. Now for the 2007 season of the Elite, you had to qualify for, and Byron failed badly. By the rules of lesser trails, and these lesser trails come from all walks of life, the rules of most define a pro by their past 12 months of entry fees. He is considered a pro by what he fished, and what he paid. Its not our fault he gambled and went pro is it? Why the need for such a rule? Its gives the true amatuers a chance to compete with like skilled anglers. Not jack potters or pros. I recognize the BASS Elite series and the FLW tour as the only two pro trails out there, the rest in my book are semi pro trails used for qualifing and stepping stones. To protect our "LITTLE" trails in Tx, we have thousands of guys who have BASS and FLW experience. I don't know about others, but having Kelly Jordan, T. Omari, Brooks Rogers, Richard McCarty, and 100 other pros from the Fork area would be no fun watching these guys win most events in our areas when they are for amatuers. Or the other half of the guides who are fishing a BFL or BASS weekend series. Thus the little statement on 95% of all entry forms around the country. It keeps our amatuer tourneys open to amatuers only. Notice not one entry form I posted said $5500.00, they are less than that, they are talking pro to semi pro tours, and again, it just ensures that an amatuer trail is just that. I am sorry that the entry forms don't have the questions to clearify the moniker that yall seek for approval of who is pro or is not pro material. You can start a thread that is called, " What makes a pro a true Professional?" and all the character points mentioned would be valid as for "What makes you a Pro?" But as it stands now, the only way for a Tournament Director to know if all his contestants are amatuers is the little blurb on entry fees paid in the last 12 months. hookem matt

Spoken like true college fans. Honor thy team first, then your conference, even if you don't like the Tamu ags or Boomer Bloomers from Oklahoma. Go Big XII, you got no respect from the so called experts this year, they don't consider the previous years very much do they. KSU is under new management coach. Mizz has new freshmen QB and coach. Colorado has new head coach. Nebraska was in second year with new offense and coach. Oklahoma St, after beating OU twice in 3 years lost their coach to LSU, thus new coach. Baylor is Baylor, even with 2nd year coach. Anybody see the Article where the moms and parents of some of the new freshmen class of Ark. football team went to visit the head coach to complain about the offense and their kids not catching 60 passes a season. Poor Houston McNutt, has a Heisman canidate running back, and parents want them to throw more or they'll tranfer their kids. If I had Mcfadden, I'd of ran the ball also. Just my .02 cents on football today. Matt.

Mike didn't see what the boys packed last year. They brought some gear, more gear, and just when you thought you'd seen all 30 rods, another Rod box would appear. Not too mention that the LBH's fall and spring fashion clothing line was worn each day with other BPS accessories to match. Considering the weather showed them many different looks while they were in state. LOL,,,, I bet they don't bring the kitchen sink this year. Matt.

I certainly like very forgiving rods when the temps drop into the low 50's. Bass are really starting to get lethargic, and their bites are subtle sometimes, even on cranks with trebles. The forgiving rod makes up for an aggressive hookset, or loading up the rod to quick. As usual, good info all around on this topic. Matt.

Welcome to the forum. Hats off to any one who give backs to the youth through the outdoors. Hookem Matt

The horns secondary has some play makers and serous hitters, but they couldn't cover a paper bag. UT defense was #6 against the rush because mid season, teams finally realized that throwing the ball was a no brainer. Don't care what team you had, you put a freshmen or rookie in with no college playing time and on average, that kid is gonna make rookie mistakes. Just like OU last year and others that had a good core of players back, you put a rookie in the Mix and your gonna lose some games you probably should have won. Concur with Mich already had its shot. If you don't win your conference, you don't deserve the title shot. I said mid season when the most of the unbeatens had fallen, that USC would be back in the picture and its theirs to lose. They lost the chance also. I think Florida should be next in line.. AS for college football withdraws, its giving me a chance to do some shopping. Matt.

Tournament directors don't care what you put on your taxes!!! They don't care as to what circuits you fished. Circuits are not defined by name on the entry forms are they? They are defined by entry fees. When you pay those $5500.00 entry fees, you are fishing as a pro. Gonna cost you more than a $100.00 bucks to get that pro status. When you play semi pro baseball, its exactly that, semi pro. You aren't in the bigs until you play on that level. Brooks is no longer on the Elite tour. He can't how ever, fish our trails in Tx because of that little blurb on 90% of the entry forms, as per BassChamps, who gives away 20,000 grand for first place no matter of how many entries, which is more than the BFL and TTT, and I say that because they haven't been close to having full fields in TX, so their payouts are never as advertised. As per BASSChamps 2. Participation/Eligibility: All Bass Champs Tournaments are open to all anglers except Pros: A Pro is defined as any angler that has entered more than one bass tournament that required an entry fee greater than $1500 during 2006-2007 seasons. Any person entering a Bass Champs Tournament under the age of 18 must also have the signature of their parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the official entry form. All contestants are required to have a valid fishing license. Again, just another trails definition of a pro, and this one limits it to one tourney fished with 1500 or more as a PRO. That entry fee is only 260.00 by the way, not bad for 20,000 grand for first place and number of entries doesn't matter. They will pay out 25 places with 150 or more, and second place is usually around 3500, down to 600 for last. Thats about 50 grand per tourney and theres 24 events, so BassChamps is one tough circuit. All tournament directors want each and every guy to show good sportsmanship, but what defines a pro is entry fees. To what level? I have no clue, There are alot of guys who have money that fish alot of trails, and I consider them to be pros, pros because of their results and the way they carry them selves. Ike is a pro, but his actions say he is a poor pro at times. I like Ike, he makes it hard to defend him sometimes, and thats another thread. matt

Fellow Bassers, No rumors here, unless I'm very ill, you couldn't keep me away from Fork and Friends. It would be an honor for me to bring a brisket or two on any night asked. Keith, or Fletchero as some know him by has Pm'ed me awhile back asking if he could be of assistance in providing some things. Please keep him in mind also. Matt

Brooks Rogers is a pro, but he failed to make a living at it this year. It doesn't mean he isn't a pro because he failed to make a living at it. Jimmy Houston is also pro, but failed to make any money at it this year. But he's still an old Pro in my book. As mentioned before, if you look at some tournament entry forms, a pro is defined by the amount of entry fees he's paid to fish on a trail. A Pro is defined by the level he has competed at, and that is decided by entry fees solely. Here is a sample entry form that is designed for amatuers only. 3. This tournament is designed primarily for amateurs, therefore, anyone who has fished 4 or more tournaments within the past 12 months of this tournament with an entry fee over $600 or anyone who has provided guide service for pay within the past 90 days of this official tournament lake, will not be eligible to compete in this tournament. Matt.

Got to agree with the golden rule. I have been blown off the water by air boat in a canal while fishing Caddo lake. I did see the guys later and asked if it was too much of a problem to slow down. They replied yes, because without power on a air boat, they lose steerage way. I said, how about slowing down some, then he said sorry guy!!! Later that day, i was buzzed by a ranger who knew it was wrong in small waters only to see this guy broke down late in the evening. Hit something, imagine that!!! I turned around and asked him if he was deserving of my assistance since he was so rude earlier? He was speechless. I asked him about the two other boats that came ahead of us that didnt stop either and wondered if they had been buzzed also. We towed him in. Only because of Karma, I sure would want someone to help me if needed. Golden rule. Matt.

First, welcome to the forum Millerman, My rule is fish when you can, if I waited for the times and weather to work out for me, I wouldn't get to go out much. In Texas, we can have four seasons rolled into one weekend some months. The times that I am interested in would be in moon reference as to when, if conditions are right, when the first full wave of spawners would normally show up with the full moon. Matt.

Ditto, Have a very Merry Christmas to all. Hookem from the heart of Texas. Matt.

Congrats Catt. I had my first grandson this year. Cn't wait till the tike is old enough to go perch fishing. Matt.

Chartruese has always worked in most Tx rivers also. Do you think that is because their are more perch, blue gill being targeted than say shad? Matt.

Rarely do I use special hooks. I have always used straight shanks for most plastics. If it isn't broke, why try fixing it. I like Owners. Matt.

Welcome to the fishing forum, Hookem Matt

I understand we are a group that is spread out across the country. The way we give out details on here would make it easy for some one to know for instance, that alot of you guys will be away from home late march 07, and gone to Fork. You wouldn't think that is very much info, but consider this, we have guys telling us about when they might start a new job, and that gives thieves a chance to pick you out of lets say, your starting a new job at BPS, and he could follow you home one night and know where you live. Too many people are targets on the internet. There are other forums, that are local were its easier to pick up info on certain people who are to open with info. Becareful, for instance, I know LBH lives in RI, works for UPS, and knew he did a CAST for Kids, how hard would it have been to put the pieces of the puzzle together. To locate the event, and follow him home. I like to know what lakes my buddies are on also, just be careful of what you give out. Matt.

What governing body resides over the NFL? NBA? other pro organizations? I believe the owners makes up the governing body. They select a commish. to run their organization by the rules they vote on, not the public. I would think the owners of BASS and FLW would also be the governing body you ask about. I think the CEO of both pretty much runs it the best way they see fit. I collect a few checks every year off of local trails, but that doesn't even come close to me thinking I'm a PRO. What are the two holy grails of BASS? The Classic and AOY, when you can compete for those titles, I'd say you are a touring pro, nothing against FLW, just used the BASS for example. The Opens are just stepping stones to the Holy Grail, the prize money and titles don't compare to what is up for grabs on the Pro Level. Again, entry fees are not even close to what a pro pays to fish, so I base it on entry fees. How many local tours have entries of $1000 or more to fish? In Tx, we have some pretty top notch trails every weekend with boats and prize money up for grabs, but not one comes close to FLW or BASS entry fees. Matt.

True swimbaits don't have billed lips, and when retrieved, the action of the bait appears to be swimming on its own. Matt

Some of that matters, if those conditions are seen. I also select spinner baits on how much water they push, do I want lift in my bait or am I wanting to stay deep with my bait with proper blade selection. Blades are one of the first things I consider with weather and water conditions. Muddy, stained or clear, over cast, dark, or blue bird skies. I like baits that I can use Quick skirts on to make skirt changes on the fly. Some of my skirts are already shortened, have been trimmed, some are full length, it depends on how the fish are hitting, time of the year, and visibility. Any time a trailer can be used, I use one. Wire types gives baits different vibrations. Thin wired frame to heavy wire, or titanium frames all have different vibes in the water. Tweaking baits by changing to over sized blades also changes the vibes, so knowing what combo's do what is key to knowing how the changes are going to effect your customized bait. When bait is being chased, I love throwing Quad shads, longer arm, with 4 blades. Again, blade color or colors is based on weather and water conditions. What a great bait when fry is near by. Matt.

I have always consider the pros to be the guys who pay the outrageous entry fees. If you fish a lesser division, BFL, Weekend Series, you are semi- pro at best. So to me, the only pro tours out there are the Elite and FLW, the rest are ladder rungs to be climbed. Pro has always been a level that distinguishes between amatuer or professional status, and there are a lot of guys who make the final jump who are only rookie by name. You don't go to HS, college, then get drafted to be a pro, this is one sport that doesn't follow the normal path to determine true professional status as most other sports do. Matt

How is Chicago? Its too earlly in the season to determine whos on top. Lots of teams still trying to get their legs under them. Last year, Kansas had very talented young team, and they didn't start to gel until the end. I think the key is to have your team peak at the right time going into March madness. North CArolina and others are young and tough again. Love college basketball and March madness. I just wonder if its gonna be like last year. Whos gonna be the George Mason this year? Off topic, Zimmy, you gonna try to make the 2nd annual trip to Fork in March this year? Matt

I haven't forgot about you, just alot of irons in the fire. We are only about an hour and half from each other and will hook up soon. Matt.

education in progress on Ebay, please keep them coming. and Thanks Matt.

You know, since your honsest with us, you might tell her the same. Once that pressure is off, the pressure to appear like an experienced dater, I'm sure you'll be more relaxed and your self. Good luck and keep us posted. Matt