poebassin

First bass boat! Gotta find a truck so I can get it on the water tho

Throw an A-rig haha! Oneida is a fun lake so it's neat you will be spending a whole week there. You'll probably have success with whatever you usually like to use for targeting summer largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Haha new rods are always nice. Might be cool to see the difference with a baitcasting setup compared to what you usually use but even if you don't get another rod, what you have should be totally sufficient for your trip at least. One rod has to be the 6'9" St. Croix Avid X ML for sure!

Whatever setup you like to use for jerkbaits might be a good idea

Found the link to the memo that was released last week regarding the changes. I have a BFL on the Potomac next month but it looks like they're specifically looking at tournaments between 06/16/16 to the end of October. http://dnr2.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Tidal_Bass_Action_Memo_031516.pdf

You can fish Onondaga Lake from shore out of the county park. Fish Creek around Sylvan Beach and the north shore of Oneida there are some decent shore spots. The Oneida River out of Brewerton as well, especially in the spring. Found this link I had bookmarked that has a bunch of lakes and ponds near Syracuse - many of which I have yet to check out: http://www.fishingnortheast.net/home/new-york/new-york-lakes-and-ponds/lakes-and-ponds-of-new-york-region-7/

Niagara Frontier Bassmasters is having a spring meeting in March. Prospective new members or anyone interested in finding out more about this bass club, please attend! Saturday, March 26th 2016 - 10AM - Gander Mountain (in the Lodge) 880 Young Street, Tonawanda NY 14150

After your day on the water riding with the Elites, most of the other marshals and myself just watched the weigh in. It's pretty exciting to be there in person watching it all go down. There was a bourbon tent at Waddington - so that's another post tournament option I suppose. There are usually vendors, food, activities etc. The BASS staff were super nice so there may be additional opportunities for other jobs if you were to approach them about it. Bathroom breaks are basically how they usually go on the water - whatever that means for you! One marshal said that one of the Elite guys didn't even put his rod down when nature came-a-calling haha. But yes, you randomly get matched with a different Elite competitor each day. I was able to marshal for 4 days and I was with 4 different Elites. On Championship Sunday, the camera boats are on the tournament leaders so I think there were maybe 7 or 8 marshals on the water the final day. I guess there's a possibility that you might be paired with the same Elite guy twice as a marshal but probably not likely.

In 2015, I was a marshal for the first time and it was a really awesome experience. I am doing it again this summer as well. Being a marshal for the Classic is a great opportunity - I'm jealous haha. The most difficult part of the whole thing is not fishing. Being out on the water all day and you can't even pick up a rod. Marshals are responsible for operating BASSTrakk and contributing to the blog by taking pictures as well as providing updates. This will all be explained in the meeting you will attend prior to the start of the tournament and it is all super easy. You cannot help the Elites in any way and your role is to basically be the eyes and ears on the water to protect the integrity of the sport. Bring your life jacket, snacks/drinks for the day and I thought it was important to just stay out of the way when your dude is landing fish. It is really a lot of fun so have a great time and enjoy the experience.

Right on! I made 3

Woo! BASS is holding an event out of Buffalo The catch-weigh-release scoring is the wave of the future. In May, NY BASS Nation will be having a fundraiser tournament on Lake Erie using MLF style scales as well.

Tubes for smallies! The pickerel like them too.

Carp like water temperatures above 60F for spawning usually. I use to specifcially target them in the fall with corn and nightcrawlers in ponds. It helps when you chum the waters to get a bunch actively feeding. I have even heard that carp might have a fall spawn too. This past weekend, I was fishing for bass on Silver Lake in western New York where the water tempertaure was around 46F. Hooked a few northern pike on the gold, red eye shad I was using and then got into this big common carp. 32 pounds plus! This carp took the lipless crankbait in its mouth - it wasn't snagged. There were a bunch rooting around feeding in the area that I saw moving to deeper water where I was casting it. If I was targeting carp intentionally - I wouldn't be using a crankbait!

5" Senko in smoke w/silver flake, wacky rigged!

Soft jerkbaits are great too. Strike King's Perfect Plastic Caffeine Shad in KVD Magic for example.

Agreed. Dropping one of these natural colored bad boys on dropshot has to be THE best goby imitating lure - without getting too detailed. Power Team Lures JP Hammer Shad

This Saturday, April 18th from 12pm - 2pm there is a club meeting at Gander Mountain in Tonawanda, NY. Potential new members who may be interested in joining are welcomed to attend and check it out. There is also information on the website link above on how to join. Good luck on the water!

There's a picture on the SC bass fed website. 5 big ol' beauties! http://www.scbassfed.org/

Sam - thanks so much for the resources you listed, they are EXTREMELY helpful. Are you fishing either tournament on the James River this summer? I'm currently trying to learn more about tides and what you said about fishing the outgoing tide makes more sense now. Yeah I have heard a lot about Chickahominy Creek and the big fish coming out of that stretch for sure. I have ordered my GMCO maps and I'm getting down with the historical research and map study nitty gritty. The historic James River is definitely a very interesting place and I can't wait to fish there.

Yep, in July I'm in as a co-angler for the James River. These Northern Opens can't come soon enough! Don't know jack about tidal waters and I hear this could be a brutal tournament but it's going to be awesome.

1. wacky rigged senko (PANIC) 2. berkley powerbait power worm in red shad rigged weightless

Right. I have never done it before but I signed up to be a marshal for the Bassmaster Elite event at the St. Lawrence River - Waddington, NY in July 2015. It was pretty easy and I think it cost $125.