RichF

This is one of the worst things happening/has happened in the sport. I can't even count how many non-sponsored, jersey wearing dudes I've smashed out of my little bitty 16ft Tracker. It seems like it's more important to have your name on your shirt than win....hmmm...lightbulb! You'll all see me in the Pros soon!

I've been fishing tournaments regularly since 2007. ABA (both co and boater), B.A.S.S Opens (co), BFL (co), and 2 team trails. I've had quite a bit of success and had aspirations of fishing the triple A level in hopes to qualify for the big leagues. With all the drama in the world of Pro bass fishing over the last few years (and the more inside knowledge I've gained), that dream has withered. I haven't lost passion for competing though. I was able to fish a bunch of team events with my dad last summer. Those are always the most fun and most special.

Check out MidwayUSA. They have a bunch of line at 30 to 50% off. Some stuff is limited but worth checking out.

Thanks for the info. Do you normally order from Asian Fishing Portal and Digitaka?

Not to hijack the thread, but do you ever have to pay import fees when ordering reels from Japan? I really wanna get my hands on a Bantam and Scorpion mgl. Nice rundown btw.

If I wanted a rod to run double duty for swim jigs and chatterbaits, I'd go with the braillist. I can't say much for the DSR since I've never had it in hand, but I have full confidence in the braillist as a multipurpose rod that would throw both those baits well. As far as line; if you're going to be fishing around thick grass (and I assume we're talking milfoil since it looks like you're in Canada), I'd go with braid. It just works better in that crap. I'm from the Thousand Islands region of NY so I fish tons of clear water, choked with thick eurasian milfoil. You can always tie a heavy fluoro leader if you're worried about pike stealing your jackhammers (I am too, which is why I haven't thrown one up there yet).

100% agree. It will always be a niche sport dominated by a tiny group that will pay any price to play. I wonder what a legit, 150HP, limited electronics, pro tour would look like. I got to imagine there would be piles of anglers trying to get in on that action.

If you're fishing a lot of heavy grass, you'll want something a bit more stout to snap your bait out of it. You could go the straight braid option to compensate, but I wouldn't go less than 40. The thinner the braid, the more likely it is to dig into itself on the spool.

This is the exact argument many make against having this kind of stuff in the competitive rings of the sport (especially since the top dogs are constantly talking about "growing" the sport). To compete in just about any ranks nowadays, you have to have all this crap. That's a huge barrier to entry. So how is it, exactly, does this kind of stuff promote growth of the sport? Sorry to get a little off topic. Innovation is good. Tech is neat. I just think it's getting out of hand and ruining the sport.

I love a good depth finder and gps. Those are incredibly helpful without getting too crazy. You still have to actually fish to find things worth slapping a waypoint down for. Anything beyond that just shouldn't be a part of the game. Let's bring back the actual art and skill of fishing!

Pretty much agree as well. It's sad that this is what fishing has become. I don't even find this stuff cool and I'm a millennial! I remember when boat control was a major part of the game and if you mastered it, you had an advantage. That's gone. I remember when you had to actually fish areas to figure out bottom composition and structure. That's gone. Now we can cast to fish that we can stare at right in front of us...it's ruining the sport.

Sold out this morning...thank god. Like i needed a 5th flipping stick..

I just got the new Levante Braillist a couple days ago. It is my first Megabass rod. It definitely has a softer tip than my Zodias' (which are medium heavy also). I haven't used it yet but plan on tossing swim jigs and possibly some lighter jigs with it. I fish bladed jigs on glass rods but the Braillist would work absolutely fine for them.

Any big fellas out there looking for a smokin deal on one of the best waterproof jackets out there...here ya go! 2xl and 3xl available only https://www.sierra.com/simms-prodry-gore-tex-jacket-waterproof-for-men~p~152jn/?filterString=s~simms%2F

I'm the opposite from most, I guess. I have tried many mainlines and currently use a bunch of different stuff. I'm always open to trying new line mainly because I buy what's on sale. There have only been a few lines that I've found to be absolute junk. Everything else has been serviceable. I do think I may give copolymers more of a look next year. Finding a cheaper alternative to fluoro is always a goal.

I have a Bucoo SR and am not impressed, honestly. It is very light but it's rated as a heavy, fast and feels like a medium heavy composite rod. I've held the new Lowriders and they feel leaps and bounds better. If you can get one for the same price as the Bucoo it's a no brainer!

All of these points are 100% valid.

This one wasn't meant specifically for you. I totally get your point though. I, however, was shown the photo by another Elite Series angler so I have a different opinion, that's all. Yes, this is true. I believe the vast majority of Elite level pros have a boat deal, but those deals aren't always created equal. For example, I was paired with Ish on the final day of the BASS Open he won on Oneida Lake back in '11 and he told me his boat deal with Ranger was pretty sweet. They gave him 2 boats at the start of the year, one of which he would sell outright to essentially fund most of his year on tour. Ish is in that top 1% of anglers and I highly doubt the lesser names have deals like that. A lot of guys will get the boat up front but HAVE to sell it at the end of the season or they're on the hook for it. To be fair, you can't really get away with too many infractions on the water when you have a marshal, co-angler, or cameraman with you. Again, I'm not trying to accuse anyone of anything. I'm just sharing things that I've seen/heard while trying to put forth a different perspective on pro bass fishing that I don't believe a lot of fans of the sport think about.

After going back through these posts there are a few things that stick out...First off...does nobody think viewing a map of a lake on the schedule with a guide before the tournament is against the no info rule?? Second, I'm pretty sure Wheeler had a reputation back in his FLW days so this isn't anything new. I know people say "the most successful have a target on their back," which can definitely be true, but I can't think of any other giant names in the sport getting the same accusations regularly thrown at them. And let me reiterate, because I'm sure I'll get labeled a "hater"...my opinions are, again, not Wheeler-specific. You don't have to look very hard to find numerous examples of Elite level pros saying outright, that they aren't making much money. The top 1% is raking it in, the rest, not so much. The accusations aren't new either. He had a reputation during his time in the FLW as well. This may not have been directed at me but I didn't say anything about him receiving preferential treatment from TD's. John Cox didn't get mentioned because he doesn't (at least to my knowledge) get the accusations thrown at him like Wheeler does. I didn't say that there isn't, just that it's not always that cut and dry. There are so many factors that go into winning in pro bass fishing, not just casting ability, proficiency with electronics, etc.

I'm a heavy jig kinda guy too...SOLD! Aaaaannnnddd, it has been removed from my cart and they are sold out..

I guess this means I have to get the Perfect Pitch along with the Braillist I just ordered! UGHH

20% off code for Kittery Trading Post today. UNWRAP20. Works on Megabass stuff. Just got a new Levante Braillist for $170!

I don't think this is necessarily true. Things aren't that simple in competitive bass fishing, especially at this level. The handful of guys at the very top, like Wheeler have a huge advantage that others just don't. Wheeler has incredible backing, not just from sponsors, but from family and friends. That allows him the opportunity to put in an INCREDIBLE amount of time in on tournament waters every year. Very few anglers have that. How many anglers out there would be able to pull the wrap off their tournament boat to fish a tournament incognito, like he did this year at Chickamauga? Not only would they be out the couple grand for the wrap (which, to some guys on tour, is incredibly substantial), but would their sponsors even allow it? The "no-name" pros at the bottom of the Elite/FLW/MLF/BPT food might not get that kind of OK from all the sponsors that pay him/her to have their name on his/her boat, at a huge pro tournament, where they'd get the most exposure for their brand. It's easy for everyday anglers to look at the Wheelers, VanDams, (insert giant name here), and think: "wow these guys are leaps and bounds better than all the rest." While that's true in some cases, in others, it's not. Just think about a hot new stick coming in to fish the tour against KVD and Kentucky Lake is on the schedule. He could graph 12hrs a day for the entire year and not get the kind of info that KVD has gotten over his 30 year career. Let's also not forgot that the "no info" rule has only been in effect for a few years so who knows how much "outside" info the kings of the sport have gotten in the decades before now. It's not like they relinquished all of it when the rules changed, to "even out the playing field." Again, I'm not a fan of Wheeler, but the dude works hard, and I respect that. Whether or not he's skirting around rules, I have no idea. I wouldn't be confident enough to toss out a hard "no he's not," but that opinion isn't Wheeler-specific. This is absolutely possible and all anglers should! And yeah...me too haha

I would normally agree here but the fact that so few anglers knew about this rule makes me think that maybe they (the rules) are not as clear as they need to be. Anyone that knows anything about tournament fishing (and I know you do based off your posts) knows that "gray area" is an understatement! There's some gray in almost every aspect of competitive bass fishing lol.

Yes, 2017. I wouldn't doubt that was part of it. So many of those big reservoirs are insanely sketchy to run around on unless you have intimate knowledge.