Zach Dunham

Interesting.... https://www.livingstonlures.com/videos/randy-howell-bassmaster-classic-champion

This topic is ridiculous. Anyone can believe whatever they want. The reason people are talking about this is because everyone is saying what a great guy Randy Howell is and at the same time questioning whether or not he exaggerated the amount he used the Livingston prototype because it was his sponsor, or if he outright lied. Either of those things are very unbecoming of a "good man". BUT There is no video proof of either right now so we can't say anything. The only thing we know is he sure caught a hell of a lot on the DT6 in the GoPro video. Maybe he did actually cull out a bunch of those with this new Livingston prototype and this whole conversation is a waste of time. We shouldn't going after a man's reputation without giving him the benefit of the doubt here.

Vicious Ultimate is copolymer mono. I actually like the Vicious Ultimate for certain things. Vicious flouro not so much.

I heard that this is because they are increasing the payout after 12th place in the Elite Series tournaments. I'm not sure what they are increasing them too. I'm sure some of it also has to do with BASS Fest at the Chickamauga tournament.

I wouldn't think there is a performance difference. Personally, I prefer one-piece rods because there is no chance of one segment shifting or coming out.

Personally, I would stay away.

1/8 oz tub jig is really small. As J Francho said, I would at least go with 1/2 oz to start. And this isn't only for feel, if the weight in the tube is too light you may not be getting the desired action either.

I'm assuming you are talking about snap swivels, and my answer is never. When people say it messes with the action of the bait, they don't mean you won't catch fish, just slightly less or less quality. Maybe you could be doing even better! Also, it just adds another point of failure. I have seen snap swivels break or open. Retying your knot should be done often anyways, swivel or not, especially with a crankbait.

Thanks for the replies. I think I am going to start with 6# carbon; I'm not sure if I would be comfortable throwing 4#. If it turned out to be absolutely necessary I would do it though. 7 foot medium or medium light spinning rod, I will have to go to Dick's and see what feels best.

I always put a layer of cheap monofilament down the bottom of mine. It prevents you from wasting good, expensive line. The way I see it, if you line the whole spool with good line, by the time you get a third of the way down you will want to re-line the spool anyways because you don't want too little line or you will be pulling in a lot less line per turn. I probably spool 1/3 to half of my spool with filler line first and then put the good line over it. I have never gotten down to the knot before and it saves a whole lot of money. I also find that most things cast better with some monofilament rather than all braid, but maybe that is just me. I have never had any issues with line slipping. I realize that my reasoning for putting backing on my reels is totally different than the reasons you were asking for, though.

Hi all. Did a quick search but didn't see any detailed threads about spybaiting. I am looking to give this a shot once the great cold north thaws out. I figure this could be a good alternative during jerkbait season if they aren't smashing the jerkbaits on any given day. Anyone used these yet? I've been seeing different things on the internet about what line weight and type to use. Also, anyone know what length/action/power rod to use? I'm assuming spinning rod but correct me if otherwise.

I have been fishing Beltzville for years. It is very hit or miss. If you go there on a bright sunny, weekend day it is nearly impossible to do well. The boat traffic will be insane and the water is usually very clear. Between a lot of boats and fish going deep it is not very easy. There are definitely some serious lunkers in there, though. My friend caught a largemouth close to 7 lbs there 2 years ago, and we have caught numerous 5 pounders. I also caught a 4 lb 13 oz smallmouth there 4 years ago.

I don't think that is the point. Obviously sunglasses are not going to turn an amature into a professional. No one is arguing that. There is definitely a need for eye protection on the water. Firstly, even without UV rays, you never know what may come flying into your face and take an eye out. Secondly, this is the same thing as comparing a $50 rod to a $300 rod. For your average person it isn't going to make a difference. But for a guy who is competing for thousands of dollars all the time and fishes 80 hours per week, the difference may be bigger. The same applies to sunglasses. The $30 pair of polarized shades will probably work just fine for someone who fishes once per week. For someone who fishes 5 days per week or more and every fish has a huge impact, those expensive sunglasses might matter. If one fish was the difference between $100k and $10k you would want those better shades.

They are masters of boat control. It is a little nuts going 75 mph sometimes but you get used to it. If there is big boat wake coming at you they slow down and make it as easy as possible. The worst is when there is a little chop but not bad enough to make them slow down. I was a bit sore after day 2 at the St. Lawrence when I was with Jared Miller and we ran 90 miles each way out to Lake Ontario.

Always buy a license because you are supporting and funding care of the fisheries you are getting to use.

Marshal registration opened today for BASS life members. It opens next Tuesday for all BASS members. The job is pretty much make sure they don't break the rules. I never had any rule issues in the 6 days I've been out on the water. Other than that you just watch and learn. 4 of the pro's I was with were talkative and we talked all day. The other two were quieter and I just let them do their thing.

Not bad but not great. Although, my friend and I finished second in the Lackawanna Bass championship there, 14.22 lbs for 5 fish. I'm just trying to get better at deep structure fishing myself.

I was a marshal at Oneida in 2012 and St. Lawrence River in 2013. Both experiences were great. You'll learn more watching those guys on the water for a few days than anywhere else. You'll see a lot of little things you don't see on TV when they only show catches, and a lot of things that the pros don't really talk about. Their mental game is on another level. Do it! I will be at the Delaware River also!

Welcome! Good old Beltzville, if you can beat that lake consistently you can beat most lakes. And Wallenpaupack is definitely a favorite of mine! I'm there all the time.

Is the water level back up at Minsi yet? I heard they temporarily fixed the d**n and the water level was rising back to normal.

There are plenty of local clubs and tournaments that you don't need a brand new boat for. I've fished some tournaments where people fish out of 20 year old, 12 foot boats. There are also tournaments/clubs you can fish as a coangler and get paired up with someone with a boat. At the highest levels of bass fishing you probably need sponsors to afford the life, though.

Brent Chapman just let it slip in his blog that the AOY Championship, the 9th tournament that still says TBA, is at Lake Winnebago, WI. I feel like he wasn't supposed to say that yet! http://www.bassmaster.com/blog/just-around-corner

Spinnerbaits are always good early. I have not fished Hidden Lake before but I have fished Minsi MANY times.

Forgot to mention this too. Swivel will GREATLY reduce your feel fishing a jig, or any other bait that you just sense bites with. And to whoever said you should retie often whether using a swivel or not, doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of using a swivel? If you are going to retie the knot all the time anyways why would you deal with all the negatives of a swivel?

I would say the same thing about big black spinnerbaits! War Eagle 1/2 oz or 3/4 oz night time spinnerbaits!