CJ

I agree with Catt, Fish Chris, and Kylakedude. My home waters of Ky./Barkley have it all. Every structure and cover known to bass except standing timber. So many and almost every technique and lure has a place and time here. It would be nice if DD bass were more common but I'm happy right where I'm at! CJ

Don't know how good I really am but, I love fine tuning presentations. From choosing baits, rod, reel, and line.

LOL. Nice fish Paul! Looks like you're gonna have a great year! CJ

Here's a link to the results from the BFL that was fished today. http://bfl.flwoutdoors.com/tournament.cfm?cid=2&t=results&tid=6218&tyear=2009&coangler=0 I didn't fish it. 29 lbs. won it! There were some nice smallmouth caught!

I do so solemnly swear I am sending Ronnie my registration today. I will be there along with a friend. I will be fishing everyday with other attendees. Look foward to seeing everybody there! CJ

I have spent years looking at maps of Ky. Lake and find new spots every time I look them over. Don't be intimidated by all the water. The fishing is looking great this year. Btw, I've been finding some grass! Looks like it's coming on early this year!

Well its been a long winter and I was definitely overdue for a little time on the lake. I've been covered up with work but finally made time for a few hours out. We caught around 35-40 fish most of them being shorts with some keepers and a couple decent ones thrown in the mix here and there. We caught em' on jerkbaits, rat-l-traps, tubes, and crankbaits. We were only out for about three hours but it was time well spent. I think I got onto something though! : Here's a little bit of a tease for ya'll coming to Ky. for the roadtrip. 5 lber. Dad and a 4 lber. Another outing or two and I think I'll have em' figured out good! CJ

LOL! I run a Legend. Can't say I work hard for it though.

I believe it was Unforgiven: "I don't deserve to die!" Eastwood:"Deserve has got nothing to do with it." Open Range: "I'm dying." Duvall:"and what for? A bunch of ole cows!" Forrest Gump: I may not be a very smart man but, I know what love is. Talladega Nights: I'm all jacked up on Mt. Dew! I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey! Oh I love that one! That's it boy turn up the heat!

It aired again last night and I watched it. Loved the trophy hunter part too. Also liked seeing that 6 lber eat another 14 in. bass!

Sorry you had to settle for a Ranger. LOL ;D

AH SHUCKS! Forgot your on eastern time Russ. I missed it... :-[

Here we go! My mouth is watering bud! That is a beauty!!! I know you are proud! Way to go man! CJ

Since you stated lures, I wont mention the lower unit deal. I remember a day I lost over a dozen jigs and 3 LC crankbaits. I do loose a lot of money in lures annually. During tournaments if I hang up, I break it off and retie. I don't have time to try getting it loose. This year I have added some swimbaits to my collection and I expect I'll be loosing a few.

That is great news! Congratulations!

Here's a report from earlier this week: Jerkbaits on mainlake and secondary points in about 8-10 ft. water. Rat-l-traps around rip rap banks. Flat sided cranks on points in 8-10 ft. Fish are starting to stage prespawn! Traps in rootbeer or orange colors. Jerkbaits with chartuese bellies. Chartuese colored cranks. Not saying this will be the story in April though. Some good fish are being caught. They are foootballs right now!

I like texting because people can only talk back if I choose to let them...LOL! Okay back on topic, the jerkbait bite is hot right now!

I have one Dora the Explorer life jacket that no one will be using. ;D Chipper, you know I got you covered! I'll make sure you are bouyant!

Cool Glenn! Great job! CJ

Another note: Golden Pond, a town that was located at the heart of LBL, was renouned for moonshining and growing marajuana. May have helped this myth? :

I like it all but, LEDGES are my fav.

I'm holding a day or two open until I get there. Some days have been filled though. I can and will take out two non boaters on some days.

As it has been stated, there's no predicting the conditions. Kent is correct. Barkley and Ky. both run toward the north. It's the southern rain that could factor in on the elevations. If she decides to flood...let her flood! Regardless, fish will be biting! Barkley could be tough due to muddy water but there are still ways to catch em'. Ky. may become stained but only a few places will mud up. Okay here's some lures for you guys to think about: suspending jerkbaits, if the water temps are slow to rise 1/2 vibration baits, where do they not work in the spring? spinnerbaits, i like 1/2 oz. willow blades w/ chartuese and white crankbaits, shad rap 7, bandit 200 and 100 or anything of their nature jigs and t-rigs, if the bushes flood! There will be bass in both pre-spawn and spawn phases. There will be more than one way to catch em'. We'll know when time gets closer.

This is interesting. Last year my dad blew out his elbow using the 12 o'clock hookset. For those who know me, I am a lean built and a little wired kind of guy. I actually use my whole body when I set the hook, most of the time. I stand when I fish, no seat on my front deck...yet anyway. My hookset starts with a quick step back, my arms are locked in. Then i generate power with my hips. The snap does come from my forearms and wrist. It's a 6 to 2 o'clock. I never have problems with my elbows...yet anyway. Dad has switched to spinning gear until his elbow rehabilitates. Catt, it ain't the years...it's the miles. Sounds like you've been down the road and back! My dad is learning to adjust and one day I will too.

What a great thread...I'm lmao! I'm in no position to add though...I've been looking for that little clubhouse on the hill. You know the one Spanky runs!!! ;D