RichF

Super happy for him winning in my backyard. So refreshing to see new faces gaining some success!

Limiting equipment is the #1 thing for me. No crazy electronics, no auto-pilot trolling motors, no $5000 batteries, etc. We all know that the number one thing preventing the most talented anglers into the realm of professional fishing is money. Obviously there are a lot of pros that belong due to their skill but there are A LOT that don't. Fishing new places could be a good thing, although, I'm not sure how sustainable that would be. I like the idea of not advertising tournament waters until closer to the event to prevent the mass info grab and pre-practice. Practice is good but maybe just a couple days before the event. Of course, this would be difficult too, due to the logistics of travel, lodging, time off, etc. I'd like to see: Max HP - 150 1 bow graph, 1 console graph, downscan, gps No pre practice on tourney waters until right before event, 1 day practice 2, maybe 3 day events CWR format but only count biggest 5 each day

Anytime a pro wins a big tourney on a bait, it flies off the shelves. Personally, I don't see it being any different from any other small, drop shot, worm style bait. If you find a feeding school of smallies, they'll bite just about anything. It probably seems like it's a magic bait because EVERYONE is buying, hoarding, and using them almost exclusively. A bass can't bite what's not in the water;)

I don't think it matters as long as the tail isn't sideways (with respect to the hook). I fish speed worms a fair amount with a regular trokar worm hook and 1/8th to 1/4oz weights. I don't notice any rolling. I never burn them in though. Maybe a fast retrieve would cause the rolling.

Try rigging the worm with the hook parallel to the tail. The hook point sticks up through the body like a normal t-rig but you also want the speed worm tail to pointing upward like the hook.

The north end of the lake is the most popular for bass. Haven't been to Cayuga in a few years so I'm not sure how the grass is. It usually gets super thick and grows down to 22-25ft. The vast majority of bass should be pretty deep this time of year. I'd try 12-17ft deep around any thick milfoil you can find. T-rigged soft plastics and drop shot produce well. A lot of guys crank out there too in that depth range. Expect LOTS of pickeral.

The river has been under intense pressure since the bass opener and it ain't stoppin anytime soon. The smallies are getting smashed all up and down the river. If you're going out of Chippewa again, the green fish are pretty overlooked. You should be able catch some around shallow cover. We're getting into the dog days of summer so the pike fishing won't be great.

100% agree here.

While I don't agree with the "dissing" going on, I think the folks that have an issue may just feel like he was getting special treatment here because he was a pro, even though he wasn't contributing all that much. There are a lot of members on here that contribute A TON and have been for years, yet they don't have a thread dedicated to them (not saying any of them even care about having their own thread, it's just an example). I couldn't care less honestly, just thinking that may be why there's some shade being tossed around. Definitely not trying to justify it as I think James is a true gentleman of the sport. Just trying not to cast judgement prematurely.

I honestly think he did the multiple tour thing to get extra notoriety and it certainly has worked. He's attracted a lot of attention this season. His has been a big (if not the biggest) story in pro bass fishing this year. He's lucky to have a wife and kids that will support that kind of lifestyle. It's definitely not for me, that's for sure.

Yep, most places are running the Pline fluoro specil all month. Either Bogo free or 50% off like you mentioned.

He seemed fairly critical on Dunkins podcast, in that smiley, Jon Cox manner. But no, you're probably right. He probably doesn't care. It's just a classic spot. Not like these guys are "literally doing this for a living." Fans of the sport have no business discussing what goes on in the sport, especially on the internet.

If he wasn't, none of us guys on the internet would even know.

I'm confused. Your previous post made it sound like you were catching the same fish over and over, which led me to believe you were takin them off beds. I haven't been on the river yet this year but the BPT guys and my local team trail wore the smallies out. Seems to be alive and well.

The BPT is a tour built on special preference! It was literally formed by special invite. How is that professional?! Hahahaha

Why would you keep catching the same bedding fish?

Midway USA has some pretty great deals right now. Steez SVF AGS 7'4 x-heavy for 44% off!

He definitely should not be able to fish. That's a pretty cut and dry rule. I'm guessing we all listened to Luke Dunkin's podcast where they talked about this? Can we discuss the real juice...the fact that Jon straight up admitted to purposely screwing over his co-angler in an old tournament so his other co-angler buddy could win the event???

Gotta throw it out there again...Wheeler is good...but I have a hard time overlooking the fact that he spent time on the water with the owner of Gajo baits right before this event. Not accusing anything but it's hard for me to believe that he didn't get any "intel" from the St. Lawrence guru.

Didn't say it wasn't good. I said it's not nearly as easy. I've fished a team trail up there for years and it always takes 22-26lbs to win a single day event. It's not like shooting fish in a barrel. It's a pretty tall task to maintain boat control, fight current, and present a bait in that current, especially in 20-50ft of water. And again, take away spotlocking trolling motors and see how easy it is. I'm not saying these guys wouldn't still catch them but they wouldn't catch nearly as many. When you fight a 4+ smallie in this current, it's impossible to stay on your spot. The current will take you an awful long way in that couple mins. Do you think Wheeler would've been able to catch that many out of that school if he had to crank up his outboard and drive back to it after every fish?

Totally untrue. Go out once the bass are deep (and not spawning). Oh, and don't bring a 112lb thrust spot-locking trolling motor. I agree, the zebras and gobies have made the river absolutely incredible.

Call it complaining if you'd like. Some people just have strong feelings about things that are very important to them.

Just saw Roumbanis catch one off a bed and say "she weighs less than she did yesterday, I guess they can shrink" I knew this crap happens but now it has been officially caught on camera. So skillful to catch one off a bed one day of competition then again the next day. I should've known better than to tune in for a few mins. Yuck

True, but the problem is, all these tournament organizations know that the smallies are still spawning once the season opens. Yes, I know, the season is open by law but still. Catching a smallie off a bed may be the easiest thing in bass fishing. Yes, I am 100% a hater. And another thing...so many of these bass are going to get stuck multiple times by all these guys. Most likely a death sentence for a lot of them.