fishermantony

The quantity and quality of fish the guys in the Classic pulled out of that area was amazing. They were pretty much on top of each other too. Flipping in the grass in Venice looked more fun to me, but they just weren't catching the same fish or didn't have the time. It's just an amazing fishery, it should be fine.

Wow, all of that in one day! Turned out to be a success though. The waves I was in were probably 2-3'.

Thanks! I was just praying to make it back! Once I did I was embarrassed and mad that it had happened.

I remember when you posted that........real scary!

What Brandon did was probably the most sentimental thing ever done at the classic. It show's how much effect Kerchal had on fishing and it shows that there are people following in his footsteps. I hope I can do the same. I was thinking about you when that happened because I know how big a fan of Bryan you are too. 1 million more people probably know who he is now after yesterday. Awesome!

Palaniuk's tribute to Kerchal was awesome! After either the first or second day weigh in, Dave Mercer brought up the fact that Bryan Kerchal was the only Fed Nation amateur to win and Brandon really didn't have a response, I was kind of disappointed at the time, he sure showed differently on Sunday! What Swindle did was beautiful and Martens handled himself with tremendous class. Good post!

I've got a 55lb thrust on my boat and it's not worthy in any kind of wind, I need to upgrade. Can I replace the motor and shaft and keep the petal, main wiring and battery connection, or do I need to replace everything? If I can just replace the motor, how easily can this be done and what am I looking at for price? Thanks.

Did you hear Mercer mention that Clubs were donating money so Paluniak good fish the Elite series?

the BassTraxx is not very accurate. I did that for a tourney before, basically you are tallying what the angler tells you. Let's just say from 50 feet you can tell when a fish is 2.5 and not 4lbs. But they all seem to be 4lbs on the last day ;D He had 18.9, it was a lb and some change off.

Before almost every trip my mind can't help but wander to the endless things that can go wrong and the dangers we really face as outdoors man and avid anglers. I say a little prayer almost every time before I leave my driveway........from now on they will be longer and more sincere.

Unofficially its KVD then Martens.

Ike's reported as having 20lbs today, unofficially putting him into 5th. Too little too late. Where we these 20lb bags in Venice the last couple days? He said after yesterday's weigh in he knew they were there.

You know Carlos, I kind of knew better too, but not fully. I had been saying all week "if the wind is bad. I'm better off fishing from shore." Sometimes I get so exited to fish....well I always get so exited to fish, but sometimes it blurs my judgement and I make bad decisions. I was overconfident in my ability yesterday and put my boat in a situation it just isn't best suited for. I'm putting it in the memory bank for sure! Also, certain states like Wa have a mandatory boaters education course. You have to pass the course and carry the card on the water at all times, like registration or insurance. Anthony

Wow, that was really a close one, thanks for sharing.

You can make a strong case that Jordan is in a class by himself, all time. Woods I would make the argument that it is really him and Nicholas, all time, class by themselves. Montana although he is my favorite of all time, would have more peers closer all time than the two athletes mentioned above, in my opinion. Not better or even equal, just closer. Bass fishing by the record, you've got Rick Clunn and now KVD, I'm assuming Clunn's dominance wasn't in your life time. All in all I think true Greatness in sports is very rare. If another Jordan or Woods comes along even in my kids lifetimes I'd be surprised.

Thank you! At first I thought one of my major mistakes was going into the current, and then I realized it could have actually saved me. If I would have gone with the current, I could have gone miles, and then had the daunting task off getting back to the ramp into the current, another little blessing of the situation.

We should feel privileged to witness this greatness, doesn't come along often in any sport.

I certainly have been today!

I haven't been enjoying him these first couple of days. I catch myself thinking of the questions I would have liked him to ask or things I thought he could have said that would have been more interesting. Hopefully it'll get better for him.

Today I had my scariest moment on the water. First time out for the year on the boat (18 ft Ranger w/150), Lake Roosevelt Wa, reservoir of Columbia River. 25 mph winds, group of guys at launch with smaller boat say they are going to try and wait out the wind before they go out, I wasn't as smart. Got about 100-150 yards out going into the current and crashed into a wave so hard that a massive amount of water came onto the boat, enough to smash the drivers side windshield right in front of me and flood the boat to the point of nearly sinking. Put the bilge on and it started working hard. As this is going on I'm trying to mentally prepare for disaster, swimming about 100 yards to shore in 35 degree water and 25 mph gusts as my boat sinks. Terrible feeling. Thankfully the bilge did good and I started my nerve racking journey back to the ramp. So grateful I made it! What a 20-30 minute ordeal! All I can say is know the limitations of your boat and don't be stubborn to the point of putting yourself or anyone else in danger. The elements can be ruthless. What are some of your scariest moments on the water?

Go Brandon Palaniuk! Represent the Northwest and the Fed Nation!!

I read that piece in the live blog this morning about his interview from the other day and it made a small part of me root for him. He talked about his mom staying with his dad who is very ill and her probably not making it to support him, and how his family was more upset than he was with those Classic loses. But all in all, he's like the pre 2004 Red Sox, you just never feel comfortable.

I think there is a formula for a woman to qualify from that tour, I don't believe one lady get's an invite each year.

1 hr 5 minutes I think. They were supposed to launch at 7 and launched at 8:10.

Man, I've been on Google Earth a lot the last couple days looking at the delta and I'm getting lost trying to navigate my mouse! I couldn't imagine being out there! It's taking me practically an hour to get to Venice from the launch on the screen, ha ha ha!