roadwarrior

Ronnie Dunn. Oh! I forgot we're talkin' bassin'.

Sounds to me like you now have a nice crankbait rod! Going technique specific has tremendous benefits, but as you have discovered, there are some risks. I am sure you will be happy with the rod, you may just have to use it for another presentation.

Fish Tank, You won't be disappointed with the Calais. Which model did you buy?

Yes! The key point to be emphasized, you have spelled out the process and associated costs. The decision to proceed is in the hands of the applicant. Limited downside, potential upside (is that part explained in detail?) Anyhow, sounds like a legitimate business proposition to me.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! I hope you get several responses. Good luck with your new club.

I posted this earlier on this thread, but to restate: The climate may continue to warm as the CURRENT ice age comes to a close. The "last ice age" may have peaked 10,000 years ago, but its remnants are still with us today. The CURRENT ice age is not over.

As Fish_Chris has noted, fishing for size and tournament fishing are two different sports. My vote is for big fish, but I don't really care a thing about tournament fishing so I might be a bit bias. : Case in point, the 2005 Classic. There was nothing "classic" about that for me. In Tennessee the minimum length for a "keeper" is 15" on most lakes and rivers. If that were the case at the Classic, I'm not sure a fish would have been weighed.

No kidding, this was a great year for the SEC.

I am not disagreeing with Marty, it's certainly possible that the pond has been fished out, but I fish MUCH smaller PUBLIC ponds where every fish is keep by a multitude of people. Of course, these guys don't catch my big fish, but the ponds have remained VERY healthy for the five years I have been fishing them. I think it's more likely that there is another problem or, perhaps, this was just a bad year and you will catch bigger fish in 2007.

Well, first of all, I'm a Big 12 fan, but living in SEC country I can't but help following the teams in this conference. I don't care what your bias is, these guys play THE SCHEDULE. I think Florida has earned the right to be in the National Championship Game. As a 7 1/2 point dog, they have a long row to hoe, but this game isn't decided by the bookies. I'm expecting a great game.

What's a Daiwa? :

[Obviously my opinions are only during a tournament situation,you can catch a fish from any kind of boat, just like you dont have to use Shimano high dollar reels to catch fish. What? :

I think Martin has hit rock bottom with this promotion. That's really a shame.

Based on the photograph, I'd guess about 44 lbs!

Correct. Black with large blue flakes (021). I only fish a few colors, the others are 194, 208 & 297.

Vermelho, Welcome aboard! (I'll stay out of this discussion. I really don't have an opinion.)

They "prefer" both at different times. The "traditional" view is smaller baits in the winter, but I find big baits effective throughout the year. Specifically, I have had some success recently with a 6" Senko worked VERY slowly. I think another productive option might be a jig with trailer.

Hmm... Budweiser and bass, whodda thunk it? Great day fellas!

Great post! If that pond was one of "my" ponds, I would see to it that the man is arrested and banned from the pond indefinately.

Okay Hale, Why are fast boats such an important advantage in tournament fishing?

I don't want to argue with your friends, what they are saying appeals to my sense of logic, but I haven't found this to be an issue with the rubber net. An important point and my strongest reason for suggesting rubber nets is, in fact, fishing at night! Hooks don't tangle in a rubber net which is a HUGE issue for me when fishing treble hook lures, especially in the dark.

Let's try to stay "ON TOPIC." Would most of you agree that before targeting the Big Leagues, you will need to enter small tournaments and grow? Regardless of one's level of skill, the requirements for tournament fishing are different than "a day on the lake."

Not true. A rubber net performs flawlessly. However, I think nets should be used to "contain" the fish at the boat, not to "capture" a fish with a sweeping motion. Both a stabbing motion and a sweeping motion are recipes for disaster. Fish should be guided into the net to avoid getting knocked off.