NoBassPro

I live in Michigan, there's no lack of smaller tournaments and clubs around here. I've just never been able to talk myself into entering one.

Went out fishing this evening and there happened to be a guy stranded in the middle of the lake in a large pontoon boat. Now once we got lined up and going in the right general direction it was pretty simple, but with the ten foot (maybe) rope the guy threw me and a little bit of wind and waves, getting the things lined up and turned around was a chore. My boat is far from the fanciest rig out there, and there was no place I felt too confident tying him up to, when things started going the wrong way I wanted to be able to release it before my boat potentially got damaged Since there are alot of pontoons on the waters I fish, and not all of them are out for the winter, thought I'd ask if anyone has any tips for getting things started a little easier should this occur again. Not many other boats out there right now. Also, is there a reasonable place to attach a tow rope to a fiberglass boat that's not even really designed to tow a water skier? My arm got a bit tired before we got to the launch.

Been a long time since I've been there, but we used to do very well in Potholes Reservoir and Banks Lake. The bass fishing seemed to be a bit overlooked at that time.

Thanks. I've always thought about entering a local tourney but just never have. Between work and family its hard for me to commit to more than one or two, let alone get in some prefishing and take it serious. But it does sound fun, so kinda wondered what others experiences were.

Yea, make certain to match the rods and reels with the baits you are using as well. With the right combo fishing can go from a regular workout to fairly pleasant. Try mixing it up a little, manufacturers ratings don't always meet my expectations anyway.

Just wondered how many of you fish tournaments. Out of those that do, what do you feel the pros and cons are?

A couple #7 Rapalas and beetle spins are my back up baits. I wouldn't discount them for large fish either. I've gotten pike up to 40" on the beetle spin and numerous bass in the 4-5 lb range on the rapala. For the waters I fish those are decent. My wife's tackle box has two types of baits in it - some bitsy minnows and an assortment of soft plastic beetle spin type lures. Or gummies as she calls them. That's enough to keep her busy almost anytime we go out, and with those little baits you never know whats going to bite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvN6n1WZRzc This guy cracks me up.

nice fish!

Around here there is animosity between various subsets of fishermen. I don't see it amongst bass fishermen so much as steelhead and salmon guys . Some guys think if you aren't fly fishing you're snagging without considering you are merely triggering a reaction strike most times and need to do so without spooking the fish. And then there's the walleye guys who thumb their noses at bass and hate on musky.. the list goes on. I most certainly wouldn't consider the vocal group on the internet to be the voice of the majority though.

Thanks for the welcome! Have to admit we've good some pretty good fishing around here, but I do always enjoy fishing new waters.

Hello everyone, I'm new to the site but been fishing all my life. I reside in SW Michigan and fish waters all over the state. Looking forward to learning some new tricks to use against an old foe.

Cast past them with an unweighted finesse worm. Twitch it back almost like I would a rapala. Seems to get action even when live worms won't.