Long Mike

Jeff, don't worry about picking up a transom saver. Rhino is getting the recurrent brain-fart syndrome. He'll find the transom saver in his truck tomorrow and not remember how it got there.

Like an idiot I left my vest in a water-tight (not water-proof) locker over the winter. I supoosed the prolonged humidity was too much for the vest and it deployed. I tried rearming it today, but for the life of me I could not insert and lock-in the gas cartridge. There appears to be a little orange tab that is preventing me from locking-in the cartridge. I'm pretty sure I inserted the yellow bobbin correctly. Can anyone tell me what I am doing wrong? Edit: Never mind. I figured out the problem. Operator error.

Pickwick, now that was an event. Torrential rain. Lightening all around. One of us, who has an aluminum boat, categorically refused to take his boat off the trailer, much to the dismay of his fishing partner. Kent will never forgive me for that.

Chris at Tech, if you still haven't got a ride for Monday, you can fish with Scorcher214 and me.

Here's my schedule for the week. Sat. RW and I arrive in the PM and get in a couple of hours fishing before Ghoti's soirierier thing. Sun. Ghoti and Riskkid Mon. Scorcher214. Room for one more Tue. Glenn and Keri. Another Hoot in the making. Wed. Glenn and Keri take my boat. I'm with Zip Pow. Glenn and Keri have room for a third. Thurs. RW. Room for one more. Fri. Bye! For those of you who will be fishing with me, be advised that I will have breakfast at about 7:00 and will be off the water no later than 5:00. I've got stuff to attend to every evening.

My wife says that a lot, and then starts fanning the air. I wonder if she's noticed that I have gas?

I would like to welcome ick (what an ickey handle) as the latest member of the trip! He's arriving Saturday AND he is bringing his boat! It looks like everyone will be OK for boat seats for the duration. He's looking for a roomie from Wednesday until...

Ghoti, I'll email you a list of attendees tomorrow. It will be an excel spreadsheet.

Scorcher, I have a seat in my boat open on Monday. It's yours if you want it.

Gentlemen and ladies, I need a fishing partner on Monday, otherwise I will be fishing alone.

Glenn, any chance I can use the back seat on Tuesday?

I was fishing with my brother-in-law in the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana several years ago. My B-I-L cast out a plastic lure and was retrieving it. Just as the lure cleared the water at the boat, a huge gator lunged out of the water after it. He was only about five feet from the boat. It scared the bezeezes out of us. We thought he was coming into the boat!

Hooligan, do you work offshore or inland rigs? I grew up in the 'patch' and would love to swap war stories with you. Please try to make our event.

Rage Craw T-rigged on a 3/8 oz keel-weighted EWG hook, with the outside edges of the claws painted with JJ's Chartreuse. Very effective and very versatile.

If I'm driving any appreciable distance I use these. http://www.basspro.com/Rod-Saver-Vehicle-Rod-Carrier/product/15989/83208 I drive a Suburban, so it's an ideal set-up for me. It leaves the floor clear for all the moonshine I smuggle. At any other time I use Stick Jackets and stow them in the rod locker of my boat.

Well, all I can say is that I use Star-Tron fuel additive every time I add fuel to my tank. I've never had a problem and don't expect to.

Oddly enough, she's in concert here in Tulsa this evening. I found out about it too late to buy tickets. Oh no, I'm not P.O'd at all!

Kent, do you want to fish with me on Thursday?

Well, it's obvious that many or most of you guys are making your own boating arrangements ahead of time, and that's fine with me. It makes my job a lot easier. Regardless, I plan on polling the members every evening; but as of now, how many of you non-boaters do not have firm rides yet, and on what days? As of now, I have a seat available on Monday and Thursday. Boaters, watch the following replies, and take some folks out on the lake! For those of you who have never fished with them, Glenn and Keri are an absolute blast. I fished with them last year, and we caught a lot of bass, but I couldn't have cared less. I laughed until I was blue in the face. I had this generation's version of Laurel and Hardy on the boat!

Most all of the above, plus binoculars, a first-aid kit, and toilet paper. Fortunately, I've never had to use the latter two.

Well CRUD! Steve, very sorry to hear that you can't make it. I was very much looking forward to seeing you again and sharing a few beverages.

Mike, I've also got a double-handful of the Snag Proofs that need testing.

Here's the latest list of attendees, based on my receipt of Registration Forms. Scrutch WMD in Kentucky Zip Pow Alpster Ghoti Glenn and Keri Fishin Rhino 00 Mod Siebert Outdoors and friend Long Mike Roadwarrior Triton_Mike Big O Riskkid2 Scorcher214 Raider Nation Fisher Chris at Tech Traveler2586 Mr. Swabby and brother John As usual, I will be supplying all attendees with a list of those attending. The list will include screen names, real names and cell phone contact numbers, if available.

OK, folks, here’s the schedule for the Road Trip. Saturday, Apr21. Ghoti’s wine, cheese and sandwich soiree. If you can, arrive around 18:00 to help set-up and get a first shot at the wine and fixins. The formal event starts at 19:00. Tuxedos, or tank-tops and jean cut-offs, or anything in between, are required. The location is yet to be determined, but will in the immediate vicinity of the hotel. This year, a Biggest Bass contest will be announced by Keri and Glenn, and the rules will be explained on that evening. There is a possibility that Ghoti may be required to rent a meeting room. If so, contributions will be solicited for the room only. Ghoti insists on footing the bill for everything else. Sunday. Boaters and co-anglers meet in the lobby of the hotel at 18:00 to get paired up. Dinner is on you. Monday. RW will prepare his world-renowned burgers for the group. The location is a short walk down the hill from the hotel at the picnic grounds. Dinner is at 19:00, but RW will need volunteers at around 18:00 to help set up, chop, carve, etc. We are requesting a donation of $5.00 a head to help offset RW’s costs. Tuesday. Same as Sunday. Wednesday. The BIG night. Arrive at 18:00. Dinner will be held in a private room at the Top ‘O The River restaurant, just a few minutes drive from the hotel. The address is 7004 Val Monte Drive. It is adjacent to our original location, which I’ve heard has now been razed. On arrival at the restaurant, you will need to announce that you are with the BassResource group. Glenn, and all of the attending Moderators and Road Trip Coordinators will each give speeches guaranteed to last no more than one hour. On the other hand, we may have a special guest or two. You never know. BTW, dinner is on you. Thursday. Alpster will be serving his, also world-renowned, Cajun jambalaya to the group. It will also be served at the picnic grounds. As usual, helpers needed at 18:00, dinner served at 19:00. Once again, we will pass the hat, asking for a $5.00 contribution. The highlight of the evening will be the award for the Biggest Bass. Friday. That’s it folks. Most of us are headed for the house.

For those of you casting aspersions upon me, I would caution you - BEWARE OF THE FORCE. Yoda will be riding along underneath one of my hatch covers.