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!!

Roland Martin, says a little about my age I guess. In his day he was like a Kevin Van Dam of today. When I was watching the Classic the other day I was really impressed by the interviews Paul Mueller and Randy Howell gave. Both fellas knew exactly who to thank for their success and showed great humility. They appeared to be quality human beings. Congrats to both of them!

Current plans call for 2014: Grand Lake O the Cherokees Mark Twain Lake (2 times minimum) Lake Long Branch Lake Rathbun Lake Odessa (6 or more) Upper Mississippi Pool 9 -15 (multiple trips) Misc. Iowa Local lakes & ponds Probably will fish 70-80 days this year minimum. Will start week of March 17th at Grand Lake and then start hitting small Iowa lakes for the big pre spawn bass. After that I move into seasonal lakes and river, probably end of May until everything is iced over in December.

I have fished this lake several times over the past 30 years, but it has been awhile. Because it has been so long I'm really not sure what baits will produce the best results. In the past I always caught more Largemouth and Kentuckie's than Smallmouth. Let me know how you do I would really be interested.

Touche' Rhino!

I'll..bet..you..do..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unfortunately if you read the fine print you must be 65 years of age or older!lol

Will do SF. It's been a colder winter than normal, was down to Palistine Lake in Texas mid December and hit that cold weather and bad ice storm, whole week was shot! When we drove through Oklahoma the highways were covered with thick ice and heavy snow, it was terrible. I'm hoping Cherokee will be much better "spring break" week? Usually I take the boys and their families to Table Rock but wanted to try something different this year. It will be my first time on Cherokee but really looking forward to it! I'll be sure to get back with you.

This year probably none. There has been deep ice cover in the upper Midwest. Me and two of my sons will be at Grand Lake O the Cherokees in mid March and counting on their warm weather this week to continue. You might want to consider south of KC? Good Luck!

I will be at Lake Palestine the week of December 9th with my wife for a little rest and relaxation. If any of our Texas delegation wants to meet with a northern boy (old man now) and swap stories send me a message and we can try to set that up.

Been waiting for this info as well. Will start working at my schedule, it's a very busy time for us. If we can't make it for the whole week maybe 3 or 4 days. I fished Wilson for half a day many years ago. It was cold and I didn't know the lake. The fella I was with was a local and a customer of mine but his heart wasn't in it because of the weather, 0 fish caught. I liked the look of the lake and really want to give it another shot. Thanks to all those responsible for offering this opportunity to the membership!

I live in Iowa and fish as long as the water is not iced over and I can get my boat in and out. Once that happens I begin my trips south, for example I'll be in Texas the first week in December. If you can catch fish through the ice you can catch them in cold water. It is slower fishing and less productive for me, but you can't catch bass setting on the chair watching TV! I have fished 47 years for bass only, but do catch other species occasionally.