jbrazWI

Junebugman, There are three that I know of that are somewhat close to you; not sure if any of them do any weekday tourneys though. Closest would probably be the Indianhead Bassers based out of New RIchmond. Next closest would be the St. Croix club in Hudson. Finally, the club I belong to is the Kinni Bassmasters out of River Falls. We almost always head north for our tourneys FYI. There might be a club based out of Amery as well. Let me know if I can help out any more. Jason

Hi BK, I started a high school bass fishing team last year and your conumdrum has been where I have spent the majority of time. I will tell you the "big" companies I have talked to/emailed were not real cooperative. I have never before solicited for a sponsorship, but found out a couple of things: 1. Don't hesitate to ask local businesses that enjoy the outdoors, but are unrelated to fishing. They have been the reason we still have a bass team. 2. If you have any sportsman's clubs in your area, hit them up...they are usually looking for places to help out the youth. Our local club earmarks $300 each year for us...I have heard of other clubs giving $500 or more. 3. Lure companies would be great, but if you get enough local money, you can purchase lures/tackle for the youth with that money. 4. Pradco, St. Croix, Lew's, and Pure fishing would be four I would recommend you get a hold of. They are not going to give away free things, but you might end up getting a decent percentage off their goods. Feel free to message me if you have any more questions...I don't hop on this site more than once every two weeks so be patient with me! jason

Hi Nick, I have never fished the Wisconsin River that far north...my understanding is it can get a little skinny and boulders are not uncommon. However, I can comment on and invite you to try the Stevens Point flowage. If you stick to backwater (near deeper water) timber, I can just about promise you a decent amount of largies and any rip rap shore line (almost cliche, I know:) will work just fine for smallies. I lived in Stevens Point for 24 years and have been back there to fish the WI river in the past two week; the largies were on fire. Hope this helps. Jason

Summit Oatmeal Stout Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout Both tremendous

Hi Koopa, I have had this rain gear for four years and finally got sick of getting wet during a soaking rain. Here are the problems with it: · Velcro tabs have come unstitched · Neoprene inner cuffs in both sleeves are tattered/unstitched · The jacket seams leak along the shoulders and arms This rain gear was not the cheapest and it wasn't worth it in my very humble opinion. I just purchased some Cabelas rain gear (Gore-tex) at quite a discountcheck this link out: Bargain cave rain gear Not trying to bash Gander's gear, just giving you my experiences with their rainwear. Hope this helps. Jason

For Wisconsin: 10/12/1940 11 lbs 3 oz Quite a fish for WI Jason

Gotta say a big thanks for the quick replies...much apprecitated! Jason

Good evening, A quick question regarding guide size, as this is only my second build and will be the first where I compile all the components to my wants An experienced rod builder told me, for a casting rod, to go size 12 (butt), followed by a #10, then #8, and finishing off the rod with five #6's, while using a #6 tip top. Is this a good scheme? If it helps, here are the specifics for the rod: --Blank: Rainshadow 6'8" m/xf RX7 ISB802.75 --Guides: Fuji Concept Alconite 12/10/8/6/6/6/6/6 --Reel seat: Fuji ECSM --Handle material: EVA split-grip, no foregrip --Intended technique for rod: T-rig/light jigs --Reel used: Chronarch Mg51 I was not planning on wrapping spiral or using micros unless strongly suggested to do so (again, my first TRUE rod build). Any thoughts, suggestions, or concerns would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help. Jason

Will be starting my fourth year as a high school biology teacher.

Brokejw, At the Minneapolis Outdoor Sports Show last month, the Daiwa booth had the cork handle L/T frog rod on display. I was VERY impressed with it so I have one on order. Not sure when it will get here, but I will reply to this thread or PM you (if this one gets pushed back a few pages) when it's received. I am expecting it to be the same model that was at the sports show... Jason

I really like skipping these worms (T-rigged/weightless) under overhanging branches and docks. I fish it just like a regular weighted T-rig. Like others have said, it is a slower technique because of the lack of mass. Jason

+4. Usually there are willing fish to bite slop lures when this thinking is followed; it makes me wonder if I could start earlier (before the emergent weeds are present) and have success?

Hi folks, I've been lurking for some time now; 2x what abelfisher said. I'm not even going and I am jacked up about this trip! Travel safe, have fun fishing, and enjoy it! Can't wait to following along with the pictures that will be rolling in. Jason

Hey folks, You are welcome for that link. Although Muddpuppy deserves credit as well! I just found the article I was looking for concerning this topic and what In-Fisherman writes is as follows: "Hooks left in fish don't quickly rust away, don't quickly get digested by stomach juices. Even bronze hooks may last for months and months, often until the fish dies-sometimes of starvation, if the hook blocks the gullet." There are three other very good points about "myths" surrounding cutting the line in this article (In-Fisherman, February 2005, pp10-12). Check it out and/or read the link in my previous post on this thread...very good information! jb

Actually, fish gills are very resilient--makes sense since bass and other species of fish will consume smaller fish species (panfish) which have sharp dorsal and anal fins. I tend to believe In-Fisherman because of their commitment to write about new scientific studies and breakthroughs. I have read the article Muddpuppy mentioned many times, but for some reason the link in his post just went to their home page. Try this one: http://www.in-fisherman.com/magazine/articles/if2806_HookRemoval/index.html I started using the method mentioned in this article and it works great! jb

soldier, I posted this under another thread, but have to add it to this one: In-Fisherman's Critical Concepts 1: Bass Fundamentals. I think it was well worth the $13.00. This is the first installment of 3-4 other books coming out soon. jb

chefxian, I bought In-Fisherman's Critical Concepts 1: Bass Fundamentals last year...an outstanding book! It does not deal with techniques very much, but does cite scientific studies (telemetry) relating to seasonal movements and other fairly "new" biological studies that have been published. I believe this book was published last year or in 2003, so it is recent in my eyes. They apparently have 3-4 other books in the works at this time (one of which is devoted specifically to LM bass techniques) and I think the second volume of this series is being polished up as I type this. Here is their web site link to the book: https://store.primediamags.com/shop/in-fisherman/viewAisle?default_catalog_source_code=&index=30&store_id=15&sa_id=33&content=viewAisle&catalog_id_num=OUT jb

Welcome bigjohnstud5 I like to skip t-rigged tubes under docks and under tree branches that hang tight to the water. jb

Stevens Point, Wisconsin (right around the center of the state) jb

Hey all, first time replying so be gentle!!! I will have to agree with what roadwarrior said. These bedding fish are too protective, fishing for the females right before she lays her eggs takes precious energy away from them during the most important time of the year (in my opinion). Once the spawn has taken place, a male bass two minutes removed from the nest can result in some fairly harsh concequences. I can try to find the literature that cites these scientific findings, but I know it was an article in In-Fisherman about a year or two ago. I understand a lot of tournys take place during the spawn--to each his/her own if they choose to fish beds. I don't tourny fish, I just have a fishing addiction, so I would like good fisheries to continue producing. Again, not trying to bash nest fishing, but rather: A. giving my $0.02...and.... B. make other anglers aware that there has been some solid scientific studies/data out there about fishing for bedding bass. jb