Hawkeye21

You can guess pretty closely what the bottom is like from looking at the contour. Flats and gradual slopes are usually going to be a softer bottom, like mud and sand. Sharper drop offs are almost always going to be rocky, usually bluff rock.

I've run into it a lot while kayak fishing. For some reason some boat tourney guys think they have priority over everyone else because they are competing for money. I get why they would think it but that doesn't make it right. I was fishing a tourney on the Mississippi River and I had multiple boats come right up next to me in the spot I was fishing. It was obviously a popular spot and they had no issues getting within 10 feet of me. They were polite talking to me but never asked if it was ok if they could fish right on top of me. They told me they were fishing in a tourney as if that made it acceptable. I responded by telling them that I was also fishing in a tourney but it was a kayak tourney. They asked me details on how it all worked and then I proceeded to tell them how I was currently in 2nd place. I think they finally got the hint that I didn't want them there.

My annual MN fishing trip is in two weeks. How's the bite been and what are the hot baits? We usually have most of our success with chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. We stay on Osakis but fish numerous lakes in the area. I try to find a couple new ones every year too.

Do you use a weight with the tube?

Exactly! I struggle skipping with baitcasters and when it happens, the more line on the reel, the bigger the mess. It looked the the reel had a bunch of settings on the break as well. Looks really cool. Was designed by KVD and Montgomery.

They were still talking about spawning bass on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario during the last Elite Series event.

There's a new Lews reel that only holds 40 yards of line. It's made specifically for pitching and skipping lures. I'm really looking forward to it.

Love that they are going back to La Crosse. If the river stays as low as it is it's going to be a crazy event.

How's the fishing been here this year?

I use mine in all kinds of cover but I only use EWG ned hooks. I never use an exposed hook.

They're not all throwing small diameter line. I one was using 16lbs test.

I use a Berkley Cherrywood that I bought for $10. Works great!

Our Tuesday night tourneys are on a 448 acre lake which is basically a small river. We get 20 to 28 boats every time and it works out. Most people have their favorite spots and some are community spots that get hit by everyone.

They all could use them, why didn't they catch just as much? Matt Pangrac broke down the stats on Wheeler's day and it's ridiculous. He was catching a 3.5lb bass every 5 to 7 minutes. That's unheard of.

There are always complainers.

I have a big rubbermade tote that I throw all my extra geat in, including bags of plastics. When I travel for a tourney I bring that with me. I pick out what I think I'm going to need on the water and put that into a bag so I don't have too much gear with me on the water.

The Plopper is mine as well. Had pretty good luck with it the first year then barely anything. Now I don't even use it.

For me, it's all about locating fish and figuring out a pattern. If I catch a couple under docks then I stop doing that and expect that pattern to continue on tourney day. After that I'll try something completely different and see if I can find another pattern. Maybe try a completely different part of water or depth or cover. It's nice to have a plan A, B and C. Heck, some days I need a plan D.

Shin talked about the technique he was using this morning. They also talked about it on BTL yesterday. Sounds like it was a neko rig being fished at a certain depth for suspending bass.

Some people swear by using it but I always tell them its a terrible thing to use.

I really don't want to fish any other way, unless I'm on someone else's boat. Boat ownership is not for me.

I know. I was giving all the complainers crap. With the new 2 pound limit they put in last year it hasn't been close to a dink fest. Now they have the Heavy Hitters which is leading to even bigger catches yet. Both are enjoyable to watch.

Funny, I haven't seen anyone comment about how this Elite Series event is a dink fest.

Congrats! Kayak tourneys are a completely different animal and a blast to fish. I have my first kayak tourney of the year in two weeks.

Was it just me or did it look like KVD was getting emotional there at the end? Looked like he was about to cry. Tournaments can put a lot of stress on these guys.