bassnleo

I'm not opposed to it at all, wish I could afford one. If the unit is banned, what's next to be banned, the lure that claims to mimic baitfish sounds or movements or scents that claim to smell like bait? Isn't that what every lure manufacturer claims?

I'm in 2 clubs.... One does the point per ounce format, the other does a scale; 40 points for 1st, 39 points for 2nd and so on down. IMHO, the 40 for first one is my favorite. I think it better reflects how an angler does overall on a tournament by tournament basis. In the system where points are awarded by ounce, an angler can have a really good tournament or two (say 15+ stringers) plus a few low ones and still win AOY based on really just the good tournaments.

2 lbs 15 oz

Deer on a crankbait, now I've heard everything ;D ;D ;D

My kickers usually come on large cranks like a Norman DD22, a 3/4 jig fished along the bottom, slow rolling a heavy spinnerbait.

Congrats, sounds like you got a good boat. I like the Venom motors...

I think this method is much more efficient. I had problems with bass shaking loose when the tubing was placed over the eye of the trailer hook because the hook didn't move. Once I changed to the way that allows the hook to swing freely, I saw increased catch rates. I experienced same thing, better results with tubing on main hook method, not over eye of trailer hook.

Unfortunately, I think you hit the nail on the head. It seems to me that after a couple years, ESPN has realized that bass fishing wil never rise to the level that NASCAR has/is.

Closest I ever came to pulling the trigger on the job was a pit that was attacking another dog being walked by a teenager. Fortunately, the pit stopped then ran off. It had already chased several other people and animals on it's journey. While I'll agree that just about any dog has the propensity to bite, just about every dog attack I've investigated was a pit.

Congrats man!! Our first is 6 months old now, what a great experience. Good luck with the late night wake-ups, early mornings, and full diapers

I think he's referring to the actual seminars as opposed to the TV program. WOW, I'm a little suprised that it has been suspended. The one's I've attended were full and I never heard a negative comment from participants. I actually worked the last one I was at in Pittsburgh. Wonder what's up B.A.S.S. / ESPN's sleeve???

Nope, ditto to the work, family, general everyday life obligations. Although I would love to be able to fish more, I do get on the water alot considering all the irons I have in the fire. I honestly think if I fished everyday I would get bored with it. I also do not think I could fish for a living, it would then be a job and I don't want to have to catch fish to put food on the table or a roof over my head. Now, when I retire....that's a different story

Since bassing is winding down in much of the U.S., especially in the North, I got to pondering my 2006 season. Overall, I'm pleased with my season. I was AOY in one club and third in another. I weighed approximately 125 lbs of bass just in club tournaments and had quite a few top 3 finishes in open team style events. Somehow, even with my moderate success, I'm still not satisfied with my performance and feel that I can improve. With that said, I got to thinking on what I want to work on for 2006 and was curious what everyone else's goals for next year are. Mine, well, I really want to expand on a few techniques that I only experimented briefly with. One is fishing a jig deeper. I purchased some football jig heads and used them a few times over the past few events. I really like the technique and feel that I can apply it to a wide variety of summer situations. I will most likely build jigs over the winter then use them when the time comes. My second technique that I plan on experimenting with is a shakey head style presentation. I've read soo much about this style of fishing that it has peaked my curiousity and I can visualize it working in several bodies of water I frequent. Third, I love fishing a spinnerbait a variety of ways but I must admit that most of the spinnerbaits I buy don't do it for me. I'm constantly tweaking them, blades, clevices, swivels, skirts, to get the bait just how I like them. My solution, build spinnerbaits from scratch. I think I will have fun with this over the winter, I may even offer some for sale. Snow is falling here as I type. It's gonna be a long winter What is everyone else going do to improve or get ready for next year?

I had a 2 lb smallmouth leap into my boat. It chased my spinnerbait back and when I pulled it out of the water the bugger kept chasing, THUNK, I look back to see a 2 pounder lying motionless on the floor of my john boat. The look on it's and my face must have been priceless.

I use Under Armour cold gear, fleece over that, Gore-Tex top layer. Warm and tosty most of the time. I must be fortunate, I don't have a problem keeping my hands warm, fleece gloves w/ fingers cut off work if I need gloves.

Your correct, my apologies. I had a friend that had a GT and had alot of trouble with it, it was in fact a 200. Have heard others with similar problems with the 200's.

Be cautious of the GT, some were notorious for having major problems and needing new powerheads.

I voted yes but it's probably more the angler running the motor incorrectly rather than the motor itself....

Interesting..... How would you figure in different bodies of water across the globe. In my experience, a Northern bass is much different than a Southern bass. Not so much the fish but how active it is given season and water temps. I hear soo many Southern anglers speak of how their bass get lock jaw under a cold front or how inactive they are until water temps get above say like 55 degrees. Northern bass will bite even when the water is in the 40's or 30's on some occasions. OR, smallmouth vs. largemouth vs. spots. It seems to me that you would have waaayyy to many variables to have a common baseline, but your thoughts are interesting.

The secret's out! LOL Thats a great acticle and many points they make I too have found to be very accurate. One of my best SM days ever was also smack in the middle of fall, after a strong low went through just 2 days prior, and the barometer skyrocketed and man did the fish bite.

It is easier with casting gear but it can be done with spinning and it actually comes in quite handy. I learned to pitch and skip underhand with a spinning rod, works great around docks with lighter baits like senko style baits.

I would be cautious about putting a motor on that is over the USCG rating. Here in PA, the fish commission WCO's can cite you for running a motor over the boats rating. As far as other States' I would believe that conservation officers could also cite you. Who else would enforce boating laws in landlocked States' where there is no USCG station? The other issue is how much weight the transom will hold safely under full power. A boat rated for 20 hp may only have a transom strong enough to hold the weight of a 20. Just my .02

I take mine to a local marine shop and have them do it. They go over everything including trailer and bearings. It's good piece of mind for $70.

I'm shocked that no one has mentioned TOPWATER. In a clear water environment a topwater bait such as a shad colored pop-r or walking style bait is deadly, especially in the Fall when the fish are chasing schools of bait. It can be a great search bait also, it will draw fish up that will strike at it, another bait may be more suited once the fish are located. Falling water may pull the fish off shore. Fishing over deeper structure or cover such as brush piles may be something to consider. Let me say this, some have responded for you to try a spinnerbait. I do not like to fish a spinnerbait in a clear, grass-less, lake. I prefer a crankbait worked along the bottom or deflected off rocks or other cover. Most importantly............ What are you strengths????? Do not go into a large tournament with the mindset that you have to fish like everyone else or in a way that you do not normally do. Take your 3 strongest techniques, apply them to the lake you are fishing (and the seasonal movements of bass) and GO WHACK EM.

Well said, only thing I would add is to read, read, read some more about the fish you are after. Knowing the seasonal movements of bass and their behaviors during these times really helped me. A good club definately cuts the learning curve.....