Choporoz

Right. But the way he has sounded all year, I thought he'd go another couple years. The man never sounds old or tired...at least not 78 years old

How does it work for the Elites? Is there no 'extra credit' for longetivity, or HOF or previous AOY or Classic wins? I heard one of the BPT cut victims describing their process and it is a bit dizzying to try to follow and clearly understand who gets cut and who can stick around. I have no clue how the Elites do it

Frankly, I'm surprised by both Clunn and Zona. Who is next? Now I don't expect to be surprised... Menendez? Gross? Scott Martin? G-Man? Steve Kennedy? Bernie Schulz? Cifuentes? Only added last one because of one recent interview where he sounded like someone without much fire left in him...like 'I peaked....time to do something else'

Facebook has been best bet for me to find local clubs and tournaments. Quick search turns up at least a half dozen groups that should be able to help you. RIP @Al Wolbach

You are going to need some terminal connectors and a wire stripper/crimper, available at any hardware store. I use terminal crimps, some use alligator clips. Avoid the cheapest stripper. They don't crimp for crap. Spend a few extra bucks for a decent one. For your settings, it will be worth your time to watch a couple videos. There's thousands of variables in the settings, and you will get a good head start, and can then keep tweaking for you and your waters.

I have smoked cigars for decades. About 10 years ago I tried hard to get into pipes. I bought many pipes and a lot of different tobacco, and various tools and accessories. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but they compared unfavorably to cigars, for me. I think if I had started with a pipe, maybe I'd have stuck with that and likely saved myself many thousands of dollars. My son started out with a pipe in college and still prefers it to cigars. All I can suggest is to try it. Cost is minimal to try it, really.

I was prepared to say heck no before I even looked them up. But after looking at them, I say give it a shot. Sure, they're more than SK or War Eagle, but in line with a lot of others right now. I really like War Eagle, but they are practically disposable. If the MB catches as well, but holds up a lot better, it might actually be a value buy Jeez never would have guessed I would say that about a $13 spinnerbait...lol

Went on fly-in trips to NW Ontario in the 70s and 80s when the camp was pretty primitive. Was back about four years ago and there is a generator and running water. I was nostalgic for 'the old days', but I'd be lying if I said I didn't prefer a shower (with water heated by the sun in a big tank) to jumping in the cold lake. Lol. Also, the fridge was a welcome change from hoping the coolers hold up for at least a couple days

Cash is certainly part of it. But geography is just as important, I bet. How many pros on the top two tours live west of Texas? Out of 180 or so, maybe 15 or 20? Tough trip for one stop for most. Package a couple in a row? Even the western lakes/rivers are really spread out. I guess Potland and Coeur d'Alene could be done back to back. IDK....all those AL and TN guys might have enough pull to nix that

Purple 7" Thumpers are absolute money at one of my favorite lakes. But they must be discontinued. I had trouble finding them last year. Bought a lot directly from Strike King and 44 Tackle, but their sites don't have them now.

We are so handicapped handling jumps from a kayak. I have a ton more confidence landing a psycho bass on the boat. Somebody here once told me to always keep the head direction moving to me. It translates well to many phases of the fight, even if not literally...that is, even when you get those violent lunges near the boat that don't breech, I'm still always thinking about maintaining control of the that face. When they are coming up fast and I'm on the boat, I feel I can keep down by driving the rod tip down and away from them pretty well....not so much on the yak. Aside....my buddy loves the jump and actually encourages it, to the point of telling me to 'let her jump'. I need to get control of HIS head if we ever fish a team tournament...lol

You didn't mention budget. This one may startle your wallet. And it is a barge to paddle. But it is wide, stable, light, and pedals surprisingly well. I got this so that my wife can cartop alone, stand all day and enjoy comfortable seat with decent fishing layout. Native Slayer 10 Propel:

Like Ike, and Randy...and the brothers Johnston? Sorry, Tom. I tried to resist

Randy has been pretty candid on others' shows about how he does what he believes it takes to maximize revenue from his social media platforms. He studies the numbers and the algorithmic output to get clicks. It makes it very difficult for me to sift through for nuggets I want, like or appreciate. But he's very deliberate about his content.

Small bluegill and baby bass are fascinated by 4# mono. They obviously see it and check it out. I am not convinced that there's anything I can do to make line invisible enough to make much if any difference. I'm much more concerned about the sound and vibrations caused by line, especially braid.

I have 9" mounted just outside my right knee. No FFS. Most often sidescan across top, with bottom half split btwn map and downscan.

But the Pats, Wolverines and Astros were cheating... pro anglers not just fishing legally, their leagues are financially incentivized to encourage greater electronic usage and publicity

@Bluebasser86, that flathead had to have taken him for quite a ride. I hooked one like that in a kayak and it was at least 15 minutes before it ever broke the surface....we were all up and down the river

He's posted video of the accident on FB and Tiktok. Scary stuff.

The two lakes I fish most often have a lot of great ledges and walls close to bank and I've spent a lot of time over the last several years working those drops and shelves. I really enjoy working 30 foot off the bank, sitting over 40' of water. As much as I do it, I'm still learning every time out. This weekend I stumbled into a repeatable pattern I'd never noticed before. The only drops with reliable bites from good fish were those with small grass flats at the top. Had to tick the grass without getting fouled and then drop almost straight down to 15-20 foot rock or wood outcroppings. There were sub 2# bass in the grass, but the bigger ones were all deeper. T-rig and jig did most of the damage, but I was able to cast a big spoon parallel to the walls and trick a few.

10 is arbitrary, and likely counterproductive. Few are able to 'master' any unless/until they narrow focus to one or two at a time....maybe three. Long before you get to ten, you will adjust your focus to your waters, skill level, equipment, etc You will be much better served mastering understanding of bass behavior and their environment.

Yes. Like @GreenPig, I conciously dedicate several seconds each morning to that state. It doesn't last long, but it has great value

Sure, FFS is an added tool to most pros. Drew Gill is probably the best example for those who come down on the negative side of the arguments. Early 20s, dominant as a rookie on a major circuit and vocal about how he's a 'pure scoper'. Listening to him talk about one approach he takes on game day is just unfathomable to nearly all bass fishermen. He is playing a completely different game. Forget about seasonal patterns, migrations, structure, cover, etc. He moves until he finds an area with fish. Then, by studying their reactions, he can quickly determine preferred bait size, type, color, action, etc. In no time, he knows more about how to fish today than most of us learn in several hours. Just being able to strategize without all the preconceptions most of us have puts him in a different place right off the bat each day. It takes some folks a long time to use FFS to not only fish differently, but use it to ignore so much supposed 'truth'... if they ever get there