Matt Kremers

I havent had problems with vicious ultimate. I actually like it quite a bit. Casts well, llow memory, no problems with breakoffs

12lb vicious ultimate. maybe up to 14 or 17 if I am going after bigger fish and/or throwing bigger baits

baitcaster. I far prefer to use a baitcaster whenever possible. The only time I would use spinning is in very clear water with spooky fish where I would have to go down to 6lb line. Casting with a baitcaster for me is more accurate, quicker to get another cast out, and more comfortable. Playing fish is easier as well

I like to throw what the fish want to eat. Some days like like a fast moving Stanley Ribbit, sometimes they like a Spro frog. I suggest you get a few of each and practice with them. Each has its own features and benefits. That being said, I usually start with a Ribbit style frog to cover more water. Then when I find them I might throw a Spro to see if they like it better.

I was at Bass Pro and felt the BuCoo vs Vendetta vs W&M Skeete Reese vs BPS Carbonlite. Bucoo was lightest, very well balanced, made of good quality component. And it is keeping jobs in this country! So I will be buying the 7'H casting model in a few weeks, then another for DSing this summer. You have to feel them to believe it, but you will be blown away.

Haven't fished it, but I have visited it. Water is much dirtier than most NE lakes. There are a TON of weeds, so make sure you can fish weedless. With the way it is positioned you can almost always find places with optimal wind/sunlight/wave action. Not sure of any specific POIs though

I graduate at the end of February, so I will not be eligible for any of the college tournaments any more. It really frustrates me because I love those tournaments, but I guess Kevin doesn't want it. I may do Wylie to help out my teammates who will be fishing Mt Island now that you mention it. There are so many teams this year it looks like were only getting one boat in per tx > I plan on doing some of the Northeast BFLs (Potomac, Cayuga, Oneida) and the Western NY Weekend Series tournaments. Should be a great summer! For all that are responding, thank you! Please drop a note to why one lake would be better than the others. salmicropterus, I will look into that. Thanks!

Fishing out the back is tough. I only have 5 combo's so far, so that makes the decision easy. Plan on having around 7 on the boat with me by the end of the year. For our college tournaments we are only allowed 5, which is difficult for us because we often don't get a chance to prefish. I think 7-8 is a good number AS LONG AS YOU USE THEM

not immediately setting the hook when a lunker explodes on your topwater, especially when the fishing has been slow and it scares the ***** out of you!

Have you done any tournaments before? I suggest spending some $$ on tackle (lures, plastics, etc). But definitely try and get in some local tournaments. Local tournaments can go from $25 to $100 to get into, and you can learn more than you could ever imagine. Not to mention the are a TON of fun. Fish as a non-boater and study what your boater does. You can shot the breeze all day and learn some new techniques. In general, the more you pay for an entry fee the better chance you have of getting paired with a knowledgeable angler. Look into FLW BFL and Bassmaster Weekend Series for nationwide tournaments.

I am a bass angler from upstate NY. Just got involved in tournaments last year through FLW College Fishing and I love it! For spring break this year I am driving to Florida. On the way down I want to do a tournament (2/27) and I will be doing the Weekend Series tournament at the Harris Chain the second weekend (3/6). My question is which of the above tournaments should I do the first weekend? My goals for these tournaments are to LEARN and get experience that will make me a better tournament angler. Catching a 10 pounder would be awesome (duh!), but I more want to come out of the tournament a better angler. I am sure that I would learn more in the Okeechobee AFS, but is it worth 3 nights in a hotel and all other costs associated with it? I am a poor college kid getting ready to graduate, so I can make the money back before too long. I just want to make sure it is worth the extra investment. An extra $200 could also go towards a new combo, so I have to be careful where I spend money. Thanks for your time!