The Duke

The author sounds like a cry baby. If a man is not breaking a law... whats next? If the law is broken then get the law enforcement involved. After reading this guy's beef, you'd think you can go to any lake w/ a tourney and give dozens of tickets daily. I don't think this is the case; maybe with pleasure boaters. You want to complain, lets talk about the drunks water skiing, swimming on the sandbar, or on their Waverunner. I'm sorry if my bass boat wakes you up at 6am while you're still in bed, but I'm not breaking the law and if you can afford that house on the lake, you can afford thicker insulation. I live on a highway, maybe I should put a sign out for the motorists to keep it down too. They're consideration of me should be sufficient, right? The new technology and pressure of getting to work on time is ruining highway driving... Duke

Why punish those who can prefish? Oftentimes this is what separates the good ones from the rest. Face it, if they can put in the time and figure out the pattern, they are the better anglers. Duke

I don't like a lot of people I work with, but I don't make it known publically. I agree Chapman should keep his remarks to himself, or at least make them more objective. Only 1 way to interpret what he said, and I agree with the statement, "Who is he?" Duke

I agree that Jimmy has lost his edge as a fisherman, and I've never been a fan of his show (I don't understand a man that kisses each fish he catches and his laugh drives me nuts!). However, I understand also that his show is more for entertainment than it is for the serious bass angler. I think credit needs to be given to the man for surviving in this business for so long, but I do acknowledge his fishing skills are not good enough to compete in the Elite Series; I wonder if he could compete in a BFL. Duke

Smallies love them. I catch them consistently wacky rigged. I catch them well both on lakes & rivers. In fact one time last year I was out on Torch Lake, MI when they were spawning and some of them would flat out ignore a tube until I threw a wacky senko at them and ....BOOM! They couldn't resist them. Even on bad casts, they would leave their beds 15 feet to get it. After the tourney I found several leeches lying in the livewell; a connection in my mind was then made! Duke

What do you all think of the 2007 BASS Opens? Personally, I think they stink. How is a guy from the West or North going to be able to compete? Also, how are they going to attract people nationally? They never leave the deep south! Maybe I saw the wrong schedule: Central & Southern Division 3 tourneys a piece? They certainly aren't expanding that circuit. I'm a huge ***, but this doesn't seem too right. Duke

I'm not in the business of "I told you so." As an outsider, its hard for me to imagine is all. Hopefully, you're wrong, but I'm only an outsider and can't fathom the idea. I'm not sure what sponsors they've lost besides Citgo and cutting expensive TV shows? Which ones? BASSCenter? I don't see how a few pros fishing different circuits has any effect; they don't pump in any money besides their entry fees. Nevertheless, its definetly a transition period for BASS and bass fishing in general; I don't know how ESPN or anyone in charge couldn't predict it to take a few years to completely come together. Duke

There is no way I'd believe BASS is broke w/ ownership of ESPN and its recent expansion. BASS was the first and will remain. Their sponsors have grown quite a bit the past few years. With all due respect, I don't put any stock in statements with "I know someone who knows but I can't say who they are..." Duke

This is great news Matt! I think we all figured they would get away from Citgo b/c of the bad press Chavez is giving himself. He's going to destroy all of his business in America if he doesn't watch it. I think this website is proof of that. Duke

A state that doesn't get enough attention from us and myself included is New York. I've been to this state a couple of times, but not enough. Lake Erie, Oneida, Chautauqua to mention a couple, have some of the best LM & SM fishing I've ever experienced. I've fished IN, MI, OH, NY, SC, Alabama, & TN Duke

I'm guessing that in NJ you have some clear water and some rocks. If you can find them this time of year get out a jerkbait and tube. Shove a 1/4 oz jighead into the tube and drag it. You can go lighter, but that heavier weight will keep it in contact with bottom better (also snags more too). OR throw that jerkbait until your arms fall off. Smallies love that bait this time of year. If no rocks, go to the steepest points and breaks and do the same. Smallies are funny b/c they travel like a pack of wolves; one place one day and 300 yards away the next. If you're really interested, look up and buy Kim Stricker's video on smallies. Unlimited knowledge gained from it. Duke

In your area, go to a lake early and cast under every single dock and then find some pads and throw a horny toad. You may not find the biggest sack in the lake, but you'll get bit.

Reelady: have you ever listened to someone so enthusiastic? Its contagious & motivating.

I always try to establish a pattern and/or spots/techniques that will make me successful in a tournament. That is having fun for me. I love the puzzles/mysteries of bass fishing. Duke

Thank you guys for the replies . Is this something I should take to the marina? I have several tourneys coming up and can't afford to miss them. What do you think? The Dukwe

I'm looking for advice. I have a 150 Yamaha V-Max fuel injection that is having a hard time starting. I also have a hotfoot. This is whats happening: At times, I will turn the key to crank up the motor and its seems to be turning but will not spark up; however, if I apply gas with the hotfoot it will fire up. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries, but I've always been able to get it fired up after a few tries. It does not do this all of the time. The first time starting it up for the day it always fires right up and somedays it only does this once a day. But I'm concerned I'm going to be somewhere and it start. I have had this motor for 5 years and it has never done this before. I replaced the spark plugs and that did not fix the problem. Anyone know what might be the problem? I appreciate any ideas to try. I want to avoid the marina as I know it will take a few weeks to get it back during this time of year.