Sam

Hey Guys, I was going through the February, 2007 Bass Times to file some articles when I came across a Motor Craft ad on page 23 featuring the G-Man. It says, "IF IT'S OUT THERE I'M GOIN THROUGH IT." I had no idea it would apply to this years Classic.

I served in Viet Nam and am a very strong military supporter. However, Ike's tantrum when he kicked the alumniumn pole that had the American Flag on it had nothing to do with the American Flag. It had to do with a temper tantrum that included our flag being on the pole by coincidence. I don't think what Ike did had any anger towards the flag or our country. He took out his frustration on what was close by, the pole. What Gerald did was far more serious. Putting people and assets in peril on the water, especially cold water, is a much more serious action than kicking a pole. I wonder if Triton Boats will pull their sponsorship? I also think Ranger Boats over reacted to Ike's tirade and acted too fast to pull his sponsorship. I have written letters to both Ranger and Triton asking if they are going to continue with any sponsorships for Gerald in the future. I will let you know if I hear back and what they say. Now to sit back and see if KVD can pull off another win.

Just because he was waived through does not mean he could go fast and place the others in jeaporady. I saw him blast through the area at almost full throttle which is wrong. I applaud the tournament director for DQing him. When Ike went bonkers last year his actions did not place people and assets in peril. I think what Gerald did was far more dangerous than what Ike did last year. Now, as I have asked this question on another thread...will Gerald lose his sponsors like Ike? Will Ranger pull the plug on any endorsements for Gerald like they did for Ike? What goes around comes around! And on a positive note, KVD is amazing. Just amazing. I can't wait to read the articles on how he fished Lay Lake. Kevin is simply outstanding. And remember, he was DQed in a tournament, too, but never lost any sponsors.

"Peopel make mistakes." Tell that to the Ranger Boat Company as it applied to Ike. I think Ranger over reacted regarding Ike's melt-down last year. So let's see what happens to the G-Man, if anything.

Have you tried a white 3/8 ounce spinnerbait with one or two Colorado blades? Give 'em a shot. Be sure to attach a 3/0 trailer hook. You can add a blue/black trailer to the spinnerbait if you want to give it some bulk. Throw to the outside edge of the grass line and parallel the grass line. Or throw to the bank and reel back towards the boat. Or just throw it out to submerged structure. Be sure to run the spinnerbait through the grass or hit a tree or rock to bounce it off. And let it flutter down like a plastic and then start to reel it in. Try other weights and colors and depths until the bass tell you what they want. You may have to aggravate them into taking the bait. Good luck.

Nope. But she will lay on her blanket in the rear of the boat and read her books and complain about the sun, shade, wind, bugs, snakes, etc. She is not into fishing and has no interest in fishing. But you should see her on her sewing machine. She can sew and embroider beautifullly. And she is an outstanding cook and home decorator, too. She pushed me into fishing so I would not stay at home and be a pain while she sews or decorates, etc. So she never complains about what I buy or when I go on the water. I consider myself very lucky to have her by my side.

I have the origina Gator Mount prototype from its inventor on my bass boat and last year the pin holding the springs broke and a number of the springs came unattached. I had it repaired last year before I "winterized" the boat and today I tried it out by pulling on the trolling motor cord to place it overboard and the head gets stuck on the front part of the mount and will not go forward unless I lift up the bottom part of the trolling motor tube by hand and place it over the bow. It seems that the trolling motor head is getting stuck on the front part of the Gator Mount body. Any suggestions as to how to remedy the problem without purchasing a new Gator Mount for the trolling motor? Thanks.

Fantastic! Man, do I miss the Louisiana food and climate and people and fishing and Mardi Gras and the wonderful Cajun people, etc. We had salmon cakes and beets for dinner last night. I think you did a lot better than I did. I am heading for Baton Rouge in June for a LSU recruiting conference and I will be hitting the po-boys really hard. Keep enjoying what you have down south.

Congrats on your inheritance. You may have found a gold mine. Treasure it all!

I kiss them. I don't hug them. I also kiss the dog.

Catt, Do you have the John Folse book, The History of Cajun and Creole Cooking? It is outstanding with a lot of history and recepies. The book must weigh 5 pounds. Remember, first you make a Roux!

Samoa's. They are the best. Hands down, they are the best. And if you eat them after 3 PM in the afternoon you don't get any calories.

Catt, You must enjoy those high class NOLA resturants. I have been to them all and for me, at this time in my life, I just love the simple Louisiana cooking and crawfish. In Richmond we have our LSU crawfish boil and get around 1.500 pounds of the live mudbugs shipped to Richmond from Obie Watts' crawfish farm in Placquemine. We store them in my garage Friday night (the garage smells great!) and then take them to the American Legion Post on the James River for the boil. We have around 200 locals show up, along with the LSU Alumni people selling LSU stuff. A Cajun guy makes jambalaya which is out of this world. We try to make it just like the boils in Louisiana...all you can eat and drink. You can have those fancy resturants, like Commander's Palace and Galatoire's and Arnauds. Give me Mike Anderson's and Ralph & Kacoos and the local Uptown family resturants anytime. Remember...Come to Louisiana as You Are and Leave Different!

That's what fishing is all about. Memories. Really good memories. So glad you son made it down your way and you had a good time. More lifetime memories for you both.

You guys are going to the "high class" places. When we visit NOLA we stay out of the French Quarter. Been there and done that many times so we stay in Uptown or Metarie. Court of Two Sisters and Brennan's have super presentations. But all in all, I still like R&Os and Serios' where you can get a real po-boy and not a Hogie that the resturants in Virginia call po-boys. And yes, the Muffalata's are super, too.

Is that an ***? #2 behind Ike in Angler of the Year and the #2 spot in the Classic? Is that an *** for Ike, too?

Check out the back page color ad in the lastest FLW magazine. It is from Wal-Mart pushing FLW products. I think Wal-Mart is still in the fishing business.

Yes, I do. I was born and raised in NOLA and I used to ride in the Sparta parade; the one that kicked off the night parades in New Orleans. It was a blast. And fishing in the Mississippi Sound, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne, the Biloxi Marsh, Grand Island, the marshes in Lafourche Parish, the Gulf, Des Allmands, Rigolets area, the marshes and Audubon Park Lagoon brings back wonderful memories. When we go back for Mardi Gras we watch my high school's marching band in the parades. When I attended Fortier (Fort-Jay- its French) we were the top high school in New Orleans and we were the Tarpons. We had an orchestra; not a marching band. Fortier is now the Catfish. And us "guys" can't go back to visit the school as it is too dangerous. What are your favorite places to eat in NOLA? I like R&Os by the lake; Serio's downtown for po-boys; Mike Anderson's for Seafood; and my friends homes for redfish, fried catfish and crawfish boils. If you really want a fanatastic meal, go out to the John Folse's plantation on the west bank of the Mississippiu by the Sunshine Bridge. Fantastic! And don't forget Tyger Gifts; Perils; Morning Call; Gambino's Bakery and Ruffino's for King Cakes. I may move back to the Cajun country when I retire. To be close to LSU football; the campus; and some of the best fishing in the country, both fresh and salt water. Time will tell. And remember those famous words...Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!

Awful news. It is always devestating when a young person dies so needlessly. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Outstanding! Congrats to your son, and to you too, for helping him with his fishing. Do we have a future Ike in the making?

For accuracy, to to a six foot rod. For distance, go to a seven foot rod. Try again with a six foot rod and see what happens. Then, load up your tackle and point the tip of the pole to 11 o'clock. Let the bait fall to the ground (not on your carpet). Adjust reel so bait falls slow and the reel's spool will stop when the bait hits the floor. Your reel is now set for your lure and line. And remember, no backlashes!

Bighead, Let me tell you that the Classic is unbelievable. First, you get to see the pros up close and personal. They will autograph your cap so wear a good clean one. You will get a lot of freebies so get a plastic bag, fast, in the convention center with the products show. If Tony Chachere is there get in line fast for some excellent fried shrimp. Pick up all the coupons you can get. I attended the Classic in Pittsburgh and I have a lifetime full of memories. And you can meet the rod and reel manufacturers and ask questions, too. Have fun and give us a full report!

And remember the most exciting part of bass fishing.... backing the trailer down the ramp to launch and pick-up. Especially with a lot of people watching you!

Super! I caught my first bass in January of this year. Then the weather changed and it is too cold to go out fishing anymore. Good photos. Thanks for sharing.

Caught a four pounder by Bosher's Dam in the James River in Richmond a few years ago by throwing a 1/4 ounce chrome with a black back Rat-L-Trap. My friend, who was with me, had a heart attack when I unhooked her and let her go. He could not beleive I released her. I told him I release all fish with the exception of speckled trout and redfish!