Long Mike

I truly had a mentor. My late friend, Jack Yates (known as Fishfordollars on these forums) took me under his wing and taught me how to become a much better fisherman and boat operator. He passed away suddenly three years ago. I still miss him to this day, and think about him often. I was standing on his boat when he took the picture shown in my avatar. That morning I caught a 4+, a 5+ and the 7/11 in the photo. I'm not the only one he has helped. Many of the long term members on these forums can attest to that.

Welcome to the forums. From your profile it appears that you live in the Monroe area. Have you fished Caney Lake yet? Six of the top ten Louisiana record large-mouth bass were caught in that lake. Tragically, the fishery was completely destroyed about fifteen years ago due to the introduction of (I've heard) 20,000 grass carp. Luckily the carp were sterile and have now died off, so the fishery is making a real come-back. I fished it about three years ago with three of my buddies. The largest we caught went about six pounds.

It's very, very fortunate that you came along when you did, and then did the right thing by helping him out.

Does Pickwick count? I love that lake.

Welcome!

You do not need a boat to attend our Road Trips. No one is left standing on the bank. All you need is the desire to make new friends ... and maybe a rod and reel or two.

From a fellow Louisianian, Welcome!

Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer. Eleventy-seven.

This coming from a man who probably drives 20,000 miles a year to attend various fishing events. Looking forward to seeing you again.

X3! I once went on one of those excursions out of Miami. Those of us on the side-rails had lines baited with small dead shad, while our hosts on the fan-tail were using live bait, and did very well. The only positive experience I had from that trip is that I didn't get sick. Never again!

Shockwave, I can't argue with your logic. I would think the limiting factor in this situation would be the rod storage capacity of the boat. Many boats can't handle the storage of an eight-foot rod.

Lake Fork, as noted in my profile and displayed in my avatar. That morning I caught a 4+, a 5+ and that beauty in the avatar, which weighed 7lbs 11oz. All three were within the slot limit on the lake, so had to be released prior to tournament weigh-in.

Because I would like to make the Toledo Bend event an annual one, would any of you folks who attended the first Baked Potato Classic have any objection if we changed the name of the event to the Jack Yates Classic? Many of you who fish the Bend knew him or have at least heard of him. Jack was a regular contributor to these forums. He was also a mentor to me and to many others. He passed away suddenly several years ago and Catt suggested via PM that we rename the event in honor of his contributions to these forums and to the countless people whose lives he has effected. I fully agree with Catt, but would like to have your input.

No it is not a tournament. It's just a bunch of folks getting together to visit with old friends, and most importantly, make new ones. Side bets are optional.

Everyone is welcome, member or not. The only restriction is that those under eighteen must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Hey guys 'n gals, check the sticky at the top of this forum. We plan on two, count them, two, Road Trips in 2016!

Bert, plans are to stay at Moors Resort on Kentucky Lake. It has all the amenities, plus is on the north end of the lake, allowing easy access to Barkley Lake if the wind doesn't cooperate. Also, plans are to again stay at the Fin & Feather on Toledo Bend.

The President is the best bang for the buck of any spinning reel out there.

I'm thinking about organizing two BR road trips for 2016. The first will be the Second Annual Baked Potato Classic, to be held at Toledo Bend in March. The second will be for our friends traveling from the North, to be held on Kentucky Lake in May. As with all previous Road Trips, everyone is invited, novice or pro. You do not need a boat to attend. There are always seats available. Further, women are encouraged to attend with their significant other, or you are welcome to attend alone. Ladies are always treated as ladies on these trips. The only difference between these and previous Road Trips is that they are now "unofficial." Glenn and Keri may or may not attend. There will be no sponsor giveaways, nor Pro speakers. Regardless, it will be the annual opportunity for many of us regular attendees to renew old friendships and, most importantly to establish new ones. I would appreciate your comments before I finalize any plans. Edit: Having received all comments, here are the dates and places. The following are the dates for the Road Trips: Toledo Bend - The Jack Yates Classic - Arrive Wednesday March 23rd, depart Monday March 28. We will be staying at the Fin & Feather Resort. Five rooms have been blocked in the motel. There are cabins available, but the available beds are limited. Kentucky Lake - Arrive Wednesday April 27th, depart Monday May 2nd. We will be staying at Moors Resort and Marina. Two cabins and five rooms at the Lodge have been blocked. The cabins will sleep four each. There are other cabins also available. Each person must make their own reservation. When making the reservation you MUST mention that you are with the Bass Resource group. You may stay a longer or shorter period of time than the dates shown above. If you need a roommate post it on this forum. You do not need a boat to attend. No one will be left standing on the bank.

Bert, you have just given me an idea. Based on last Spring's attendance, trying to put together a Bass Resource Road Trip to the Bend is out of the question for the majority of our members. It's just a lake too far, regardless of the quality of the fishery. So, why not plan on an annual Baked Potato Classic at the Bend AND a Bass Resource road trip? The BR road trip would be held at a location that could be reached by our Northern neighbors, e.g. Kentucky Lake.

The Pflueger President is probably one of the best spinning reels on the market in your price range. It has a huge following.

Oddly, there are only two people out of a cast of 50,000+ who have their own, very unofficial, forums on this site. The leader is CATT, and that's because he's noted for his bass fishing expertise on Toledo Bend. The other is Raider, because, because, ...

Same for me, but Tom has gotten me to thinking.

Clayton, if you can go through $60 in plastics in a day, then you need to start using Z-Man baits.

I love my Terrova, but I never use the foot pedal. The remote works very well for me. As said above, the one great drawback of the Terrova is that it is a PITA to stow and deploy. Why MK choose to ignore that drawback is beyond me. That's why, when my budget permits, I'm going to replace it with the Ulterra.