OCdockskipper

That is no longer correct. The old consoles have analog video connections that don't look good on TV'S larger than 32", regardless of type. If you connected that old console to a new 32" 4K up converting LED set, the image would look better. Back when HD first came out 15 years ago, the HD sets did not do a good job with non-HD images. The current crop of 4K sets upconvert images and don't have that issue. BTW, that Philips is the equivalent of a Zebco 33, although it is better than a Vizio

I'm pretty sure that kid posts on this site under about 20 different user names...

I would like to lodge a formal complaint. Talking about favorite summertime lures in the middle of March is as bad retailers putting out Christmas displays before Halloween. For heavens sake, focus on the wonderful season we are currently experiencing, fat bass headed for beds and then hanging around for weeks eating everything in sight. Summer will get here soon enough

I caught this one this past Thursday in Texas in the Blanco River, right below a small waterfall. The eye is more orange than red. I am not sure if this is a Guadalupe bass or a spotted bass, it seems like the characteristics of those two species is very similar. In any case, tough little fish, fought really hard for his size. I still can't figure out why half my pictures come out upside down here... If a mod can flip this 90 degrees for me, I would appreciate it.

251 in California plus 52 in Georgia & 11 in Texas last week for a total of 314. The Georgia numbers were fun, they were all from shore from two small lakes (4 acres) over 2 mornings/evenings. These waters also coughed up a dozen bluegill all larger than my hand. The Texas numbers were also from shore & included 4 bass that were either Spots or Guadalupes (out of the Blanco river)

WRB will win for largemouth, unless Bob Crupi is a member here under a different name.

I like the Spirex's because I am over 50 . The Spirex is the highest Shimano model that has both the quick trigger & double paddle handle, features that I grew up & am comfortable with. The lack of antireverse actually makes it easier to get the line to the top of the reel for casting without thinking about it. It also has a short neck, allowing me to feather casts with my index finger pretty darn well. If they offered those Spirex features in a higher end reel, I'd probably buy it I have 4 of them, 2 rear drag & 2 front drag. The rear drags are nice for swapping out line sizes without having to readjust the drag (plus I like the "emergency" drag adjustment lever), but they are a little heavier. They have performed well and have never cost me a fish due to drag or other malfunctions.

I think many of us live in areas where the opening day of bass fishing season is Jan. 1 and closing day is Dec. 31...

If I catch a bass on my first cast and then don't catch another for a few hours, I figure one of three things: That bass is a blabbermouth & told all the other bass to run (swim) away once he was released; That bass has eaten everything, including other bass, who lived anywhere near him; That bass is a social outcast, no other fish wants to be near him & he only hit my lure because he was looking for a friend.

Along those lines, I think Mercer asked Ike about 3 times about Ike's opinion of a 25 year old winning the Classic and what insights Ike had in how it would change Jordan's life. Each time Ike responded "Jordan is a great young angler, but we will be having a new podcast on my website" or something along those lines. Don't know if it was professional jealousy or if Ike just had some talking points that he had to get to. It is hard to tell sometimes how each angler feels about the others. I know there have been dust-ups between anglers in the past and there are some cliques among the guys (not always based on having the same sponsors). From an outsider viewpoint and my very limited interaction with some pro's, I get the feeling that the Ike/Ish/Crews group doesn't always fit in with the southerners (or that they even care to try).

I like Cliff Crochet as a person, in fact I met his mom on friday at the expo (sweet as could be). However, as a Fantasy fishing choice, he has a really bad habit of a big first day and then sliding down the standings (at least when I choose him). I hope he makes me regret not choosing him and has the biggest bag every day at Toledo Bend...

I don't think the problem would be with the number of cameramen, but rather the number of cameras available. Since these are portable and send images back to the studio, I believe they are quite expensive (5 figures plus). I am guessing there will be more footage available from the various Go-Pro, smart phones and other cameras used by marshals and spectators when they have the ESPN show. They can edit those shots in to whatever footage they shot (possibly from other days) to create some drama. I think that was done for Randy Howell in the 2014 Classic and for Jason Christie when he won his first Elite event (coming back from 11th or so).

Dude, your really need a new TV. That old Sony 4:3 tube TV is the equivalent of a Diawa Millionaire reel: Great when introduced, tough as nails but totally outclassed today. Is that old boat anchor considered high tech in Mexico?

Strader, Alton Jones & Matt Herren were the 3 with 19lb bags on day 1 & zero's on day 2 (I had Herren). I wonder if they were fishing similar patterns... The other heart breaker for some was Justin Lucas, who zeroed on Day 3 and went from 9th place to 24th. He did a reverse Jordan Lee. I can now say I am leading Fantasy Fishing...............for the BR Crew . For the "Open" competition, I am in 1117th place (96.3 percentile). I thought that we as bass fishing fanatics would do real well in fantasy fishing, but it doesn't seem to turn out like that. I too wonder how some of these guys make the "right picks" week after week, I doubt they do as much research & study on it as Kyle. The conspiratorial theory part of my brain wonders if some with hacking skills are able to either get their picks in late in the first day (after following Basstrak for a few hours) or something else nefarious. Anything to sooth my ego...

I originally joined B.A.S.S. in 1976 and have been a member on & off over the past 40 years. I should have gone your route & chosen a lifetime membership back when I was 13 years old. The lure engineer for Pradco that I met on Friday also is a charter Life member, #74 if I remember what he told me correctly. You & he could probably have some great conversations... I wonder if the lack of replies has to do with locale, that since their target market is not on the West Coast, they pay less attention to the input?

Not to mention his first day struggle with 8 lbs... wow. I think the overlooked story might be Steve Kennedy, he came oh-so close.

It is working, but if you try to access it now, it takes a long time. I never disconnected & it is working fine. Do you need a play by play?

I believe they are on break, not down. They always weigh in the first 19 anglers to get someone in the hotseat & then do the Super Six.

Last year, tournament after tournament, at the final weigh-in I would ask myself "why didn't I choose Jordan Lee?" I have believed in his abilities and potential since I first saw him on the college trail and I truly believe that he will be both a Classic & AOY winner multiple times in his life. Yet tournament after tournament, I would find a reason to choose someone else in his bucket. I never claimed to be bright... I finally wised up and took him this week in bucket C. Wow, 56-10 on 12 fish. What a performance...

Turkey Sandwich, thanks for your response. I'll briefly touch upon a few of the things you mentioned. The infrastructure in rural areas is indeed the challenge. However, I believe that to be a challenge better addressed than the challenge of trying to change an urban culture to fit a sport that is definitely rural. The security mention was just a quick way to point out the cultural differences. At the Elite event at Havasu, it was refreshing to see an event where a large number of people gathered and there was no thought of security screening. No one attends an Elite event with the thought of making trouble. The same with the parking, it wasn't the amount, rather the mindset of the organization involved in the event. I don't believe I ever wrote that anglers don't live in major cities. What I suggest doesn't live in major cities is the culture that envelopes largemouth bass fishing, both recreationally & professionally. Having lived outside of that culture my entire life, I really enjoy being immersed in it whenever possible. Lastly, while bass fisherman who live in urban & rural areas do indeed get along, it is the culture within bass fishing that I keep speaking of that binds them despite their different locales. Where the divisiveness comes in is the general population of those urban areas, the huge portion of the population who view rural areas as "fly over country". Why bring "our" event to their city in order to prove we are in the "big leagues" when many folks there really find our culture not just outdated but abhorrent? I don't necessarily expect you to agree with me, but I at least wanted to explain myself a little better,

I would rather know what time of year it is and not know the water temp than the other way around. For example, water temps dropping 5 degrees overnight in the spring is a different scenario than when that occurs in the fall (at least in waters south of the Mason-Dixon line). Surface temp is a piece of the puzzle, but I would suggest that since it is a result of other factors (weather, time of year), if it isn't known, it won't stop you from catching fish.

To add to AJay's description, the Classic is a annual tournament put on by B.A.S.S. (who also puts on the Elite series). The 50 + contestants qualify a various number of ways, either by being in the top 38 or so of points in the Elite series the previous year, winning a B.A.S.S. Open event, winning one of 3 (I believe) spots through BASS Nation qualifying or winning the College Angler championship. That is why this event has a mixture of Elite pro's, touring pro's and amateurs. It features the best on the planet with a few non-pro's having a shot at the title. Pretty unique.

That would be the challenge. Having lived in suburbia my entire life, I am not really familiar with the rural areas throughout the country as many of you are. I have been to Greenville and agree with your assessment of its people and the ability to handle a Classic. Other than that, I am pretty ignorant of the possibilities. At the risk of sounding corporate, I believe this is one of those situations where it is important to think outside the box. Many rural areas, especially in Texas, are known to be meccas for high school or college football. Some of those stadiums hold pretty large crowds & could be potential weigh in sites. That is the way I believe BASS should think, what is out there in parts of the country that embrace the same culture we do and how can they make a classic work there. As an aside, I live in the same county as Brent Ehler (Orange County). Even though our population is over 3 million people, we have one local paper, the Orange County Register. I went through the Saturday and Sunday sports & local sections of the paper and there was not a single mention of a local citizen (Ehler) leading the Classic. Even if he wins it, I doubt there would be an article. Bass fishing and the Classic is just not on the radar of the media or a majority of the population here. I am considering contacting the paper and offering to try to get an interview with Brent if he indeed does pull of the win.

On Havasu 2 years ago, it was $125. You are guaranteed 2 days, 1/2 the marshals (first signups) get day 3 and there is a random drawing for the few Day 4 spots. I looked at it as getting to sit in the front row of a sporting event. While some anglers may seem to harbor resentment for dragging a spectator around in their boat, Dennis Tietje and Alton Jones were fantastic hosts. I did everything I could to not be a problem and just observe, I know this is their office and they are working. I'll probably have to wait until 2020 for them to come back out to the West Coast, but I will definitely do it again.