Big Bassman

Love Cabelas for clothing,shoes, and misc. BPS for bass tackle only. Have been buying from both as long as they have been in existence. Looks like government may not allow this deal to happen. I personally hope not! It was a leverage buy anyway and the share holder who set it up sold his shares on the rise and made his money already. Bad deal all the way around.

Largemouth

Very nice, congrats!

I have fished all of these over many years. OZ, BS, and the Rock are all very similar. IMO if you want to fish a jerk bait go to BS. Now, as to picking a lake for convenience of location to you, new to you, and full of quality fish that are catchable, I strongly suggest Kentucky. Also, per Brownie, Barkley is right there as well. Both lakes are like twins and I will guarantee you and your friend will enjoy them so much you will want to come again asap. Make sure to let us know how you did! Good Luck!

By all means fish! Rains carry food into the lake or river via streams. If the body of water is normally clear it helps dirty it a little as you have mentioned. Regardless, work those areas with a spinnerbait or crank depending on conditions and time of year. As others have stated, close to the bank and make sure to work the current. Those bass are just waiting for a hearty meal to come by.

I only kept records for one year, one lake at the request of the state of Iowa. It was fun, interesting, and helpful. That being said, I am one who thinks it is too much like work and do my best to retain the important items in my head. Retention use to work real well, but now with my age not so much.

I noticed there has been some discussion about PDF's. Let me share with you my good fortune to own one of those. Our boy's gave my wife and I each one so we would have no reason not to wear our life jackets. This early spring when I was fishing Grand Lake of the Cherokees, I fell in 40 degree water and was really happy to be wearing this type of flotation device. It brought me right up to the surface and saved my life for sure! I can't swim, so you understand where I am coming from. The cost verses the payback is very insignificant. I highly recommend them to everyone, very comfortable. Especially good for us old timers who are a little unstable. LOL

Thanks for the pic! What a great looking bunch of Bass Anglers!

Every spring and summer and fall! I shoot in the winter unless I'm fishin!

Congrats to both you guy's on your 5 lbers! A little luck is nice to have any day.

I am so happy you guy's had a wonderful trip. I am looking forward to meeting many of you as soon as I can. Maybe next trip God willing! Just like the rest of us who didn't make it, waiting for the pics!

TJ, Was there during week of spring break, March15th-22nd. Fishing was very tough and they were just starting to move up. Didn't catch a lot and biggest was only 5#'s. At that time only caught fish in Wolf Creek arm at all the normal places. Did catch a few at the Grove City bridge on the northeast cove entrance, that's where the 5 came from. Good luck to you, they should really be catching them now. If I can be of any further help just email me.

I have not fished Sugema yet, but plan on it because it looks great and word is it is! I fished Belvedere last spring a couple of times and caught some really nice fish almost 5#. As far as lake Geode goes, I have fished that lake for over 40 years now and taken many large bass there. I wasn't sure how well it would do after they drained and refilled it, but my youngest son and I have been fishing there again the last couple of years and catch 5# fish there regularly. I use to catch 7# & 8# fish out of Lake Wapello near Drakevilles before they drained it but my understanding is it has not made a good recovery like Geode. I spoke with IDNR this week and Lake Darling near Washington Iowa has been filled or almost filled but haven't heard if they will stock any larger fish in it or not. As I said, 40 years ago the Iowa State Lakes were fantastic all across southern Iowa! Good luck to all you Iowa fishermen and gals, spring is now here!

I'll be at Grand Lake O the Cherokees by tomorrow night and spend the week with three of my children and their kids. Go south every spring break for a week with whichever kids want to come along. Still trying to juggle my time for Wilson but it is in my busy season so it will be a last minute decision. Hopefully me and my youngest son (35) will be able to surprise everyone! Hope all you fellas enjoy, Spring is upon us!!