roadwarrior

Well, I don't really care how you decide to run your tournament. If you want to outlaw certain lures, rigs or techniques it's fine by me. I fish for fun and find "catching" is a lot more fun than just "fishing". For those that are interested in catching more and bigger bass, you need to give this rig a try.

Of course, you are right. If fish are taken legally, fisherman have the"right" to keep them. I simply encourage people that want to keep fish to consider the resource. Small and medium size bass are abundant, crappie, white bass, bream, striper, sauger and catfish are all catchable. I want to encourage sportsmen to release big bass and all the smallmouth they catch. When I wrote "MY RIVER", that is simply the way I treat it, as if it were really mine. I feel the same way towards our fish.

Because fish lose all their inhibitions and their natural instinct is triggered when a wad of bait passes in their strike zone. Because of this, "uncatchable" fish are being caught. As a specific example, Pickwick has produced more double digit bass in the last several months than the total for the last several years and perhaps decades! Remember too, it's NOT primetime for green bass around here. I suspect as the northern waters open up and anglers around the country start ramping up this spring, reported catches of record fish will explode.

I know a lot of tournament fishermen feel the same way about the Senko when "lesser skilled" anglers win tournaments. I guess it's a little like playing poker with a joker in the deck or dueces wild. On the other hand, adding a little spice to the competition gives a chance to some guys that don't have one! When they're losing, nobody seems to mind taking their money. As far as the "dummy bait" argument goes, I want to know how skilled a guy needs to be to fish a lipless crankbait, jitterbug or spinnerbait? I realize some guys have a knack or can do something special, but for most of us it is just cast and crank.

I find it kinda interesting that all of the negative comments come from guys who have never fished the rig.

I will be interested in hearing your results. Lighter is better for me, but all our fish were caught on the Johnson Silver Minnow. From what I have read, everyone is reporting 95% of their hook-ups are on the middle arm which the Donkey Thrasher doesn't have.

I'm still experimenting with baits and lures, but this worked great on Saturday: YUMbrella 3.5" Lake Fork Tackle Live Magic Shad (weightless)/ 3/0 thin wire Offset Worm Hooks (light wire) on the outside arms Johnson Silver Minnow in the middle for flash 65# braid G. Loomis MBR844C/ CTE200GT

The Alabama Rig RULES! Some of the biggest bass in the country will be caught on this rig, this year. "Uncatchable" fish are being caught. In a few weeks the northern water will light up. This is the "Next Big Thing". Otherwise, I'm with Jeff...GMAN Jig/ Rage Tail Craw year around. In the spring lipless and squarebill crankbaits are killer, but I fish more jerkbaits just because I like them! In the summer, especially last year, Rage Tail Thumper and Anaconda are the tickets. I have become a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to topwater, it seems I only fish the Megabass PopMax, MegaStrike Cavitron or Rage Tail Shad Now for the not so secret, "TOP SECRET" stuff: Two years ago on the BassResource RoadTrip, Big O introduced the guys to the Baby Craw. Most of you probably remember the story, but for those that don't, Big O and our Army Sargents caught 144 smallmouth during the worst part of the storm. The rest of us "got a clue". In the spring and early summer, the Baby Craw is killer! Rig it naked on a 2/0 Offset Worm Hook, 1/8 oz bullet weight, unpegged. Number two & three would be the Craw and Lobster fished naked on a weighted Offset Worm Hook. If you prefer, T-rigged works, too.

This is MY river...I expect everyone to release smallmouth and all big bass unless it is a State Record or World Record. What this guy did is exceptional. For future reference, leave the fish in the livewell and trailer to the post office or a local grocery store. And Captain Shane, I suspect the only reason Florida can't produce a 20 lb bass is because you guys let your clients keep "trophy bass",

How 'bout jambalaya for dinner?

Gotcha!

Not necessarily for any specific touring pro, but for as many as you like! I would like to know why they generally target five "keeper fish" before stepping it up? Why not start out trying to catch the ones you really need to win? More generally, what is their grand strategy for the upcoming season?

Well, after re-reading the article I see they did not in fact have certified scales. You would think State Wildlife agents would have scales or at least round some up... PRONTO! At any rate, tremendous fish.

BEE-U-TEE-FULL!

The fish was weighed on a certified scale with the assistance of a Park Manager and Game Warden: http://www.dcnr.state.al.us/fishing/freshwater/where/reservoirs/pickwick/angler/

Man, that really sucks. I can hardly believe that anyone would keep a giant fish anymore unless it is the World Record. You know the State Record was caught and released a few weeks ago. I'm sorry the guy caught this fish.

I like the pic, CONGRATULATIONS!

WOW! Nice fish, great pic! Congratulations!

Try them for yourself, it is not an expensive experiment.

My dog of 14 years had to be put down last Friday. He was a beautiful little Corgie. We are getting a new dog from Corgie Rescue on Wednesday. http://www.petfinder.../22273318?mtf=1

Vanish has such a terrible reputation, Berkley just named the next generation 100% Trilene. "You can fool some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all of the time." Don't add more volume to your trash can. Seguar AbrazX is a great fluorocarbon line at a reasonable price. However, I think you will find Yo-Zuri Hybrid to be your best option.

Introduced a few months ago. I think you will find them superior to any other grub you have ever fished.

Well now...

I fish my version on a jig rod. Regarding multiple fish, we didn't have any on Saturday.