Sam

If you have not already visited the Bear Bryant museum please put it on the top of your bucket list when you get to campus. Your family and friends will also enjoy the museum. Loved the videos of the Bear after the games. Check them out. Be sure to study and since you are considering politics please make sure to have some strong English courses, including debate, if offered. Good luck and have some fun!!!!

Now let me get this straight. You are from the cold north and you have enrolled in the University of Alabama, with all those beautiful coeds, great weather, outstanding sports, wonderful bass fishing, the Gulf, and Dreamland for ribs???????? Wow! You are smarter than anyone could imagine, other than going to LSU. Very proud of you getting accepted. But take it from an old guy who used to recruit undergraduate students for LSU: it is harder to get out of college then get in. So be sure to study; keep up your grades; go to the football games (nothing like it other than for Tiger Stadium with 100,000 drunk coonasses) and have the best five or six yeas of your life. Congrats and keep us posted on your college activities and the fresh and saltwater fishing you can sneak in between dates, sports, and having a great time.

Looking forward to your posts. Welcome!

Today, at an interview, I got bored so I did some brainstorming on your query. Here is what I brain stormed, in no particular order: Budget - you need to have a budget for the administration if you want any school board financial help Show the advantages of the club to the school board and how it helps the school Builds esprit-decors among the students in the club Make new lifelong friendships Learn a new skill Enjoy the outdoors Have parents involved Have picnics on the river at the county ramp Learn how to operate a boat Achieve getting your safe boating certification See new places Learn the local geographical area Have a TV view in of the Classic weigh-in Work with teachers and volunteers on fund raising for awards and tackle Have a swim party in a swimming pool "Outsiders" welcome - meaning those students who are not blessed with athletic skills Students helping students That's all from me. Put on your thinking cap and think of how the club will benefit the students and school division.

P.S. I just thought of something else: The club can be open to all students. You do not need to meet any specific athletic qualities as in other sports. Small, large, skinny, fat, guys, gals, tall, short, special needs. Does not matter. Fishing is open to everyone. And the experienced people can help and share their fishing knowledge with the newbies. Fishing helps with confidence and promotes a good self-image to the participants.

New Kent? They make you write papers in New Kent? And the papers are not about the plantations along Route 5? Unbelievable! Ok, so why should bass fishing be an "official sport?" I could ask "why not?" but that does not help your cause. Food for thought and for you to research and flush out. Write down thoughts and ideas and then make an outline (yuch) for your report. You can use some of these suggestions as individual items in your report: 1. Number of participants is very high 2. Cost of equipment is exensive 3. Active competition on all levels of the sport, from high school, to clubs, to Elites 4. Extremely challenging like golf 5. Extremely humbling like golf 6. Both sexes can enjoy fishing without limitations 7. Helps with the environment as bass fishermen like to clean up waters, such as the Historic James River 8. Monetary input into the local economies from taxes on sales of fishing supplies (interview BPS manager on the financial impact that store has brought to Hangover County and the surrounding area, plus the jobs created with the improvement of the I-95 intersection) 9. It is not necessary to wear an athletic supporter to be an athlete. Check out the NASCAR drivers. 10. The formula for making the FLW and BASS Classics is difficult and you have to work your way up the chain with victories in different tournaments, just like the NCAA playoffs in various sports 11. The metal challenges preparing for tournaments and then the metal challenges while on the water present a very different kind of sport where one must use their experience and metal ability to outfox this small green creature with a brain the size of a pea that makes us look like fools. Sort of like playing football for the Dallas Cowboys. And with other sports such as tennis,golf, tennis, bowling, gymnastics, volleyball, softball, baseball, football, soccer, football, wrestling, pool, basketball, billiards, horseshoes, cricket, equestrian events, horse racing, cross country, track, etc. 12. Fishing is a sport that is known and enjoyed around the world, from the USA to Europe, Australia, Africa, the Orient, Alaska, Russia, Middle East Central and South American, Canada. Around the world which brings people from all of these nations and continents together for one purpose: to go fishing 13. Logic comes into play at all times you are on the water and during your preparation Now, with those 13 items as a start, you have to boil it down as to how all of that should be taken into consideration for a high school fishing club, especially one that has its home county on the Historic James River. 1. Commoradity - the guys and gals get to know and learn to trust each other; get to talk about their lives and dreams while fishing 2. Work ethics - participants learn how to work together as a team to out-fool those darn little green things, along with catfish, bream, crappies, strippers, bull sharks and manta rays in the Historic James River 3. Learn to enjoy and respect nature - see the river's beauty up close and in person along with the eagles, hawks, different birds, deer, otters, beavers, snakes, etc. 4. Branch out to have a club photo contest while fishing. The beauty needs to be captured and shared with club members and your high school classmates 5. Patience - you need patience to fish. Fishing teaches us how to be patient and not rush and do things half-cocked 6. Keep the Historic James Clean - the club participants work with other environmental groups to clean up the Historic James every summer. Lots of fun and not only will you find all kinds of things you will meet others outside of your high school who share the love of the river. 6. Safety - you learn how to be safe on the water and what to wear to make sure you are OK when you fall out of the boat 7. Financials - you have to work or do chores to earn money to purchase your tackle. The Bait Monkey loves you. 8. Fishing outdates other sporting activities, including ice hockey in Canada and cricket in England. It is one of, if not, the oldest sport around. From the cave men, to the Indians, to the Pilgrims and forward, man has always fished for food and enjoyment OK, now you have a base to expand. Sit down at your desk in your room at home, turn off the lights and all sound, and let your mind float thinking about your paper and what other things you can include. This is called "brain storming" and you can make it as serious or funny as you wish. Makes notes for future reference. Keep pen and paper by your bed so when a thought pops into your mind you can write it down. Then, get your family or friends together and have a big brain storming session, with you taking notes. Nothing is off the table. Once again, as funny or serious as possible. Good luck and have some fun with this paper. It is challenging (like bass fishing) but extremely rewarding (like bass fishing).

First, thanks to all who served and especially to our fallen heroes that did not return to their families and loved ones. United States Army Active duty 1968 - 1970 Reserve 1970 -1978 Lt. Company Commander Viet Nam They had me dead to rights three times. For some reason, they missed.

Welcome, Harry. If you can't fish you can hope over to New Hope and enjoy the shopping. There have to be some ponds you can find via Google Earth in the greater Bucks County area. Give it a try and see what you can find. All the best and thanks for joining us.

Interesting topic. I have never had any problems with any of our sponsors, past or present. I am thankful they sponsor this Forum and hope that more industry entities will follow in their footsteps. As penned previously, if you have a beef with any of the sponsors send them an email. You will be surprised that they will actually answer you. As for sponsors, I am sorry to see Bobby U has not retained his support. And I met Big O from Rage Tail and he is a great guy. Made me feel like we have been friends for life. Enjoy the site and visit our sponsors web pages to see what products and services they offer.

Good report. Even KVD has bad days. Be safe.

Photos on this site that are either sideways or upside down are from Toolame alumni. All other "normal" people in Louisiana who yell "Geaux Tigers!" have their photos correctly displayed. You better fix that photo and fast!!!!!! Welcome to the Forum. Glad you are with us. Looking forward to your pics of the bass, Sac-a-Lait, redfish, drum, sheepshead, croakers, sharks, marlin, nutria, Godzilla, etc. you can hook in Sportsman Paradise.

I have not seen the lake this year so can't opine on your query about water clarity. As J pens above, spinnerbaits at working. And you know you have to be ready to throw anything you can to find the pattern. So don't rule out anything and make sure you throw a sexy shad square bill; a white spinnerbait; an orange and a black/blue jig with a nice pig added; Senkos; shaky head trick worms; and for fun, a small 6-inch finesse worm of your choice. A Carolina rig can work, too, so don't rule out that presentation. With the water temperature rising you may find them feeding before the spawn. Good luck and let us know how you do.

No, you are fishing another tournament. SML is a b-I-g lake. Check out this link for water temperature and other data: http://www.captaindalewilson.com/Fishing_Report.html Right now its spinnerbaits and jigs. But that could change as the water temperature starts to increase. Good luck. Let us know how you do.

TJE, are you fishing the Virginia BASS Federation Mr. Bass tournament?

JBW, I had my right knee replaced three years ago I have some good news and some bad news for you. First the good news: You will wish you had it done years before. The pain is gone and you don't even remember the surgery. And the surgery, once you are in the operating room, is about 45-minutes. Second, the bad news: The recovery and physical therapy is painful. But you have to do what the doctor tells you to do. I still cringe at the thought of riding the stationary bike for the first time in physical therapy. Just do your physical therapy more than is prescribed and soon you will be back on the water like nothing ever happened. Good luck.

OC, excellent editorial, however it has a small flaw in my opinion. The flaw: Where can BASS have the event that can house and feed the fans attending the Classic if not in a "city atmosphere?" The last Classic I attended in 2015 I was lucky to have my wife drop me off as she went shopping and then pick me up that evening. No parking problems for me but the line to get into the parking area was long and slow moving. Unless BASS can find a location close to a satisfactory body of water that has enough motel/hotel rooms, restaurants, sights to see and visit, an airport, a large area for the Classic's showcase, busses to take and bring back the participants to and from the blast off and weigh-in, parking facilities for cars, trucks, RV's and charter busses, have a safe environment, areas for the media to set up, enough law enforcement in the area to handle traffic and have a presence at the show, and an Interstate highway system to handle the traffic, we are stuck with a "big city" atmosphere. And having the show in an area where the body of water is in close proximity to the show in lieu of having them 20 to 30 or more miles apart is a challenge for planning future Classics. With that being said, how about everyone give us a list of locations that are not major cities that can meet the BASS requirements for the Classic. Branson? Beaver Lake? Eufaula? Toledo Bend? Buggs Island? Lake Mead? Lake Kissimmee? Bull Shoals? Guntersville? Lake Wylie? We are heading back to Greensville, South Carolina for the 2018 Classic. That is the last Classic I attended and it was worth the drive from Richmond. I may go again. Greensville is a small city with great people and a facility that can handle the crowd. Will start dropping the "seeds of heading to the Classic" on my wife, now, for next year's event. Believe me guys and gals, the Classic's show facilities with the vendors, pros, manufacturers (I met Big O from Rage Tail. Fantastic guy and the fun guys from Pure Fishing), give aways, and beautiful setups, met Glenn, you cannot parallel the Classic with any other fishing event. Although I have never been to ICast and I can't make a valid comparison of the two events, I strongly suggest everyone make at least one Classic. You will not regret the time or expenses involved and you will make new friends and have the opportunity to see the newest and latest gear plus purchasing some of the items at a fantastic price.

To add to the thread, and I hate saying this, but my BPS Crankin Stick is just as good as my G. Loomis crankbait rod. Go figure.

Kiteman, there are three basic water levels that we fish: topwater/shallow, mid-range and deep/bottom. You have to use techniques and baits for all three levels using a "fan pattern" for every place you stop to fish. The "fan pattern" means you work your bait from left to right and then right to left, about five our six times, before changing baits or techniques. Poachers like large bass. Nothing you can do about poachers other than to avoid them. If they are taking the large ladies who help continue the pond's bass population, then sooner or later the population will be harmed. Please consider down sizing your baits on lighter line, with the understanding that you may have to upgrade your line test and bait size when you fish the grass. Consider a Carolina rig or a Mojo presentation in the grass, using weedless rigged plastic lizards with weedless 1/0 or 2/0 hooks. And use those weedless hooks with your plastics to avoid snags in the grass. You can also remove the back trailer hook from your lipless crankbaits and pull them through the grass. If you still do not catch anything then the bass population in the pond has been severely damaged and it may not recover. How about adding your location to our avatar so we can easily understand where you live and what bodies of water you like to fish. All I can add is to go out there and experiment. It will be painful and the results may not be what you want. At least you will have tried.

Some suggestions: 1. Contact the FLW or BASS federations in your state for assistance and information on the state and national dues that have to be incorporated in your club dues. 2. Ask your FLW or BASS federations for assistance and guidance establishing a high school bass fishing club. Clarify their region, state and federation dues. 3. Get adults involved. You will need at least one teacher from your high school to be involved. Parents are necessary, too. Make sure they know that on a tournament day they will need to leave their homes around 4 AM to hit the ramp to meet the team and then either go home, fish or stay around the ramp for another 6 hours until weigh-in. 4. Obtain the support of your high school after you get your data from both federations. 5. Select one federation to join. 6. Put your physical location within your avatar. We have no idea where you are, from the boonies of Mississippi or Alabama to the established and well bread communities of Louisiana or Virginia. This will allow others on the Forum reading your posts to know where you are located. 7. Have a club meeting after school one day, inviting all interested individuals to attend. At this event you will explain about the club; the financial obligations involved; ask for parental support; and introduce the teacher who will be monitoring your club; and answer questions. 8. Have a tentative tournament schedule printed and the ramp fees involved for each tournament. 9. Obtain the level of the students who will be fishing. A lot of newbies can drive you crazy but then you get the opportunity to teach them how to bass fish. The more experienced bass fishermen the better the club has to survive its first year. 10. Have a meeting with the teacher and parents, explaining the same information you did wit the students and ask them for financial assistance. 11. Discuss how to get local support, meaning money, to fund the club; who has a boat and can they use it or does a parent have to drive it with two people fishing? Any places that rent small watercraft the kids can rent, and if so, the rental costs; and estimate the costs for your annual awards (trophies can cost upwards of $250 for the three top places and big fish of the year). 12. Ask your principal if it is possible to advertise in your school newspaper that you are starting a bass fishing club. Once you have done your homework and lay out the monetary requirements you will be ready to have your meetings. You can also discuss the need for each member to purchase their own fishing jersey. Then you and a small committee request copies of current bass clubs' constitutions, by-laws and tournament rules so you can plagiarize them for your club. don't worry, this is done all the time by new bass clubs. Why invent the wheel twice? These are a few suggestions to consider. Let us know of your progress.

Yikes! Randy-Mac! This means Sully can read and write. And he can walk to the BPS store anytime he wants. I bet you could not get into the University of Florida because your parents are married. Great selection of a college. Safe environment and the girls are pretty, too. Great having you with us. I think you will find the fishing up this way a tad under what you do in Florida. But we do pretty good here in Virginia. Sully, get a copy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries booklet, Freshwater Fishing in Virginia. This booklet gives you all the places you can fish. Of course, there are other places not listed and we can help you locate those locations. BPS and Green Top have copies. We need for you to introduce yourself to us and let us know what type of watercraft you brought with you; have you ever fished tidal waters; do you know your Virginia special rules, like having a throw cushion on your deck; making sure you have your Virginia fishing license which may be a small problem unless you have a Virginia drivers license; your level of experience bass fishing; confirming you drove up here and have a vehicle at your disposal to drive to the places to fish; and who knows what else you want to share with us. We can then give you more specific help. Welcome to the Forum and welcome to Virginia. You picked a great school and you can enjoy your time off from studying by fishing some local ponds and lakes. By the way, when you hike to the BPS store, ask for Conner. Conner knows all about bass fishing and he is an excellent bass fisherman. Also, ask for Mike Gunn. Mike is also an excellent bass fisherman and these guys may be able to help you. Tell them Sam sent you. As for joining a bass club, Richmond Bassmasters fishes 8 tournaments a year. We already hit Lake Gaston and are pulling for our Buggs Island tournament tomorrow night (Wednesday, March 22nd) at Debbie's Kitchen at 7 PM: 13155 Mountain Rd Glen Allen, VA Phone number (804) 752-2432 Dues are $110 and include the BASS national and Virginia federation dues. $6 for the optional annual big fish pot. We are accepting nonboaters. Sorry, but we must charge the full $110 even though you have missed one tournament. Give joining the club some thought. We fish on Saturday's and sometimes on Sunday's. Great guys and you will learn a lot and get to find the boat ramps and fish some of the local waters from Buggs Island to the local lakes and rivers. And remember, Geaux Tigers!!!!!!!!

Hannock, great post and thanks for responding. I like to leave Hope Springs and go up creek. Good fishing in the smaller section of the creek. Willow is a good place but when the grass takes over it can be a pain to launch and trailer you boat. I just attached a "weed eater" to my trolling motor and can't wait to give it a try this year.. It chops up the grass and weeds so you can work your boat into the foliage to reach places you could not fish in the past. I will send you a PM about it. And yes, those big ocean sailing vessels don't care about us small guys. Many times I have been bounced around as those boats head in and out of the Potomac and they never slow up or try not to throw a wake. I think it is a game for them. As for visiting Little Washington, not in the near future. Taking wife to UVA on Thursday to meet a back surgeon about her medical situation so fishing is up in the air, especially of the doctor says she needs more surgery. The Inn at Little Washington is known for its great food. Congrats to your girl friend for continuing this sustained excellence. I suggest to everyone reading this post to head to Little Washington if you are in the area of Washington DC and enjoy some excellent cuisine. As for the shad run, I will ask my friend about it. Used to keep up with it via Tackle Express but they closed their doors last year. May I suggest calling the Ashland BPS fishing department, 804.496.4700. Ask for the fishing department and maybe one of the clerks will know about the shad run. Ask for Conner. Conner is a great bass fisherman and he may have the answer. Once again, great hearing from you. Enjoy Little Washington as it is a beautiful place in the mountains.

Sounds like he was a true American hero and served his country well. He also devoted his time and energy as a guide, helping many have a fun day on the water. Every day we lose our Viet Nam and Korea vets. Real winners in life. Dangerous world out there. Lots of crazy people running around. Your friend did a good job in corralling them up to help make the world a better place.

Sorry Hootie, that does not look like Bear Bryant. Of course it looks sober and better than Bear Bryant. But it ain't anywhere close to the real Bear Bryant.

So your line busted at the hook's knot? Did you check the knot after catching the first fish? Did you run your line over your thumbnail checking for knicks, cuts, abrasions, weak spots, etc.? Don't blame the hook unless you have taken a Q-Tip and run it around the hook's eye. If any cotton sticks to the hook's eye then you have a damaged bag of hooks that is causing the problem. Just asking to eliminate all other causes before blaming the hook. What say you?

Hootie, the first signs of spring at the Cherry Blossoms followed by the Dogwoods blooming.