Bass XL

Waste of money...I gave mine away.

My dad and I took a friend and 3 of his sons out fishing today. The bite was really slow. We all caught something. Most were small. Funny thing happend though. I was fishing in about 2' water with a RC crankbait when all of a sudden I had a bite. I set the hook and fish on. It felt like a good one...then it started moving...very slowly. This was no bass. At this point everyone is pretty much surrounding me. I was trying to follow right behind the fish so he (or 'it') wouldn't spool the line. I had the drag set loose because I only had 10 pound line on. So here we are: zig-zagging back and fourth with 5 guys surrounding one guy. It was a pretty funny sight. We finally got to see this monster and it was about a 35 pound flat-head catfish. I must have snagged it on the side or something. We got to see the fish about 4 times. After about 20 min into the battle, the hook came free. It was a really neat fight, and I'm glad I atleast saw what I had on. Then I got to thinking. Why would a fish that big be in such shallow water in the middle of the day? It was about 90 somthing degrees and about 1:30...I just don't understand it.

Just made me laugh pretty hard.

Fast twitches is what gets me bit.

lol...Good point.

Those look very good.

Great fish! I too caught my first big swimbait fish today.

I've heard it time and time again: If the teeth are dull, the fish are eating crawfish. But if the teeth are sharp, they are feeding on soft fish like shad. Is this true? It sure sounds right.

They are there. I had a 10+ on while night fishing last year. Don't give up.

The truck is nice...but the boat trailer is what I like the best.

Welcome back!

Works at KFC.

Either fish slow with worm or fast with a crankbait.

Don't know if anyone has read this yet, but here is what Ish Monroe said about the subject: I like to hear the opnions of the co's. You are mostlikely one of the co's that enjoys the experience that you have with the pro. Which is great! And I wish I could draw someone like that at every event. But there is another side to the coin. There is what us pros consider the professional co anglers. These are guys that are trying to make a living fishing from the back of the boat. And still keed there regular job. They spend no $$$ on practice (Gas, Hotel) And they dont pay $5000 per event on a entry fee. But will be the first to cast on a fish that you miss or is following your bait. If I miss a topwater strike or have a fish follow my bait give me the chance to cast back on it and dont cast over my head to do it. I have had co's that have cast over my line. Several have cast at a fish that I was working on a bed. Fish that I have spent the time and money to find. Fishing tournaments is how I support my family. My only Job. These guys have steady pay checks. I dont blam the co's that are out there to learn and have a good time. I just believe all the BASS Elite guys are being put more on a level playing field.And its one more step towards Bass Fishing being a Professional sport. There is no other sport that a amature can compete on the same playing field as a pro. And If I didn't like co's in the back of my boat I would not fish the Open's which I and several Elite pros are doing this year and will continue to do next year. I have read some of the stuff on the message boards and alot of those guys have never even fished a Elite from the back of the boat they just want something to fuss about. There are several co's who belive it is the right thing to do. BASS is not getting rid of co anglers they are just trying to seperate the Elite Series from the rest of the other tournament circuts. Good Fishin! Ish

Wow, that looks really good so far.

I would try a spinnerbait with willow blades.

Reverse Stinger, Reverse Dart, or a senko.

It may just be bluegill. That is usually the problem.

I can't find the Ultra soft. do you know where I can buy it? -Ike Cabelas

Can anyone tell me how Pomme has been lately? The online reports are so limited.

Yeah I hear ya. I was hoping that they would have Table Rock on it.

The 2009 and 2010 Elite Series locations have been released. Read the whole story here: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/news/story?id=3488400

Another vote for the DD22.

Wow! So, how many 10 pound bass have you caught at the Lake of the Ozarks? I have heard guys talk about some pretty good numbers, but never size. From what I gather, the docks have become the primary target for most people. 8-) None...that's why it such a heart-break! I was fishing at about midnight and throwing the chatterbait right by the docks. I had her on for a while. Like I said, my cousin had a flashlight and was shining it in the water...we saw the fish about 3 times. I jumped down the seawall and thats when she spit it. LOZ is probably my favorite lake to fish...period. It has so many bass and most of them are decent size. It's the kind of lake where when you get on a pattern...you can't keep them off your hook. It also has an endless amount of cover and most of that cover holds bass.

I fish from the bank at LOZ a lot. We usually have our best luck at night with a big black/blue spinnerbait (single colorado blade) throwing it parallel to the bank (as close as you can). If you are fishing in the day, bring your craw colored wiggle warts. Also bring some black & blue jigs (1/4-3/8 oz. have been the best for me). Bring a black and blue chatterbait. Last year about this time I lost a 10-pound plus bass on one. My cousin was holding a flashlight and we saw the fish a few times before she spit the hook.