1simplemann

When you typed RM I thought you meant Ray Marine. Now I understand. Reefmaster

In baseball terms, Elite series is the regular season. The Classic is the World Series except a few guys from the minor leagues get to play as well.

Have you run your boat with the RAM's yet? For me, they move. I constantly have to readjust them. I over tightened one and it broke. Trying a mini-Kong mount this year. Haven't had it out yet but it looks to be fairly stout.

Catt, Only reason I mentioned "post spawn" is because JL did. Mid to late spawn to me indicates the spawn is almost over. Before the tournament began, most of the pros predicted the same thing. Hack's observations seemed to indicate that the spawn just the opposite and just getting started(or at least in the main lake area) If that that were the case I wouldn't have expected JL's post spawn fish especially in the same area. Maybe I should I should have asked if you have all three stages of the spawn in the same area? PR brought up a good point about southern spawns and northern spawns. We don't see waves of fish coming and going. Up here they all come at relatively the same time and leave at the same time. It's like a light switch. here one day, gone the next.

You bring up a good point that I hadn't considered. Our spawn up here is very contracted. River spawns 1st, then the lakes. There are no waves of spawners. They're there, then they're gone. I'll have to keep that in mind when I try to compare spawning situations.

I read what you wrote. You said "Post spawn is what accounted for so many Pros getting skunked" Did JL's fish look post spawn to you? To me, no. I think they were still coming. Hack made the interesting observation that he saw no fry up shallow. He said every thought the spawn was going to be early but according to his observations they were right on schedule. Based on what I saw on Live, I have to agree with him.

I don't think so. If JL's fish were post spawn, he obviously didn't skunked.

Wesley Strader is the only guy running a Evinrude or did it just work out that he was only evinrude guy that made it to the Classic?

Hooks can get you at the worst times!

But would you have all three stages at once in same area? Did you see pic's of JL's fish? Would you say they were post spawn? I'm no expert but I would have figured they were pre-spawn.

I'm a student of the sport. I try to learn on the water and also here on BR. I also try to learn from watching tournaments in other areas and how the pros break things down. Watching the Classic this past Weekend was very interesting for since the predictions suggested that the fish would be in all stages of the spawn. They also suggested some anglers would have some difficulties finding them. Spot on prediction. After that I got a little confused. Zona interviewed Hack. His take on it was that he saw very few bedded fish and no fry at all so either the fish spawned very early and already back out deep or more likely they were right on schedule and just starting to spawn. He backed that up by saying E2's and KVD's lack of catching them during morning shad spawn. The bass they were catching had moved in to spawn over night. Also a lot of anglers were commenting on the way of fish they saw move up on Sat afternoon. Most of these observations were based on the main lake where the water temp was cooler. Up north in the river the temp was much warmer so that explain why those guys caught em shallow the first couple days and then it dropped off on Sun. All of that makes sense to me and I think he made some good observations. Here where I get a little confused, Jordan Lee was fishing the main lake and it was obvious that his fish were coming to him. I would've thought his fish were just getting there about to make their move shallow. Which would fall in line with what Hack said but JL said he believed all his fish were POST spawn. Judging from the photos and the weigh in, those fish looked nice and fat with bulging bellies. I would've guessed prespawn but what the heck do I know? From what I saw, Hack was spot on but JL's theory doesn't fit Hack's. Any ideas? I ask because the spawn is so tricky for me where I fish and I would like to get better at catching those big springtime girls.

Also look at the Razor shad. Haven't used them yet but look to be perfect for drop shotting.

To change brands would cost me a bundle. Structure scan box came withe the boat. Everything is wired for the most part. Besides I don't really want to relearn another brand. That being said, I don't really plan on mapping everything. Way too big of a project. Basically I'll just fish and save my sonar logs. I'll go over some critical areas so i can get some good details. My plan is to share info with a buddy who fishes the same areas. The more info we get, the better the map will be. IG has a bottom hardness feature that will come in handy when I'm out looking for big smallies.

On my home lake, I kill em' on a 4" pearl Deisel Minnow. But last summer I had multiple 4,5, and 6lb fish spit up cisco at the boat numerous times. 6,7,8" long at least My PB smallie spit up an 8" cisco at the boat. If they'll eat a 8" cisco , I got think they'll eat a 6" Hudd if you have that size forage in your lake.

I had excellent luck last year using Trout Trick's from Z-man. Redbone to be specific. Their fluke style baits worked well also. The elastec material lasts longer so you don't go baits as often. Their Deisel Minnow swimbaits are killer as well! Pearl white.

I also like this show. I especially liked the part where KVD voiced his displeasure with Ike moving in on him while he was jerkbaiting that flat.

OP makes some valid points. BASS also needs to be able to handle the quantity of people. I see both points. I'll just throw this out there. When I was in my 20's i competed heavily in NFAA. (Archery). My 1st Nationals was held in Darington, WA. A little town in the Cascade mountains. One hotel w/ 22 rooms! That's it. The people of the town rallied around the sport and opened their homes, backyards etc. People were squatted down every where. The town folk were nice, friendly and very welcoming. They've held multiple championship. I understand BASS isn't NFAA and those were different times but It just goes to show what can happen if a community rallies around a sport. Bass needs to think outside the box a little. Lots of great fisheries out there.

Navionics did the eastern half of the lake years ago. I was told the map leaves alot to be desired. Probably because they realized how vast the lake is and spread out their grid to save time and fuel. Either way it doesn't matter because I prefer the western half. The free web app you speak of, can you actually see a map or is it just telling you it exists. Can I see the Sonarchart online of my lake and what has already been mapped? I can see some of my lake on the Insight Genesis Social Map but by no means is it anywhere near close to be done.

I think I'm following. He would upload my card and i would upload his. Yes, we both have the premium account.

Actually, only half of my lake is unmapped but that half is 60-70 miles long. It's a vast area. As I am progressing is my boat ownership, I have learned that good maps are a HUGE plus. The only thing available compatible with Lowrance is a Chip from DR. Sonar. It helps but could be better. I upgraded my HDS 7s to HDS 9's Gen 2. One of the features of the Gen 2's,3's is Insight Genesis so I can make my own maps and down load any social maps that may have been done in the area. Also I can choose to keep it public or private. So my question is Can I share my data with a buddy and vice versa? In other words, we both map the area and combine the data to make a more complete map but still keep it private. It's a vast area so 2 boats will obviously speed up the process.

Myself and my partner have caught some using a a skirted jig. Him more than me but yes they work. It's seems to be situation specific. He tends to throw it more then me. Myself, most of the time I have a tube tied on. They catch everything that swims it seems.

There's a few of us over here on the east side that chase bass! The Mighty Mo is full of them downstream of Marony Dam. And then there's Fort Peck. IMO it's the Holy Grail of SMB fishing in Montana. The state record swims there. I have pics of her!

Great Falls, but fish the west side whenever I can. Planning a Flathead Lake/Echo Lake trip this spring.

Could it be because Eric's too busy donating his money to the FLW tour?

Yep, those are some big toothy critters! I think I may have found my solution. thanks!