Ribbit_Ribbit

I just got home from my very first stren series tournament on Santee Cooper in South Carolina. I just have to say that FLW puts on one heck of an event. I had so much fun outside of the fishing that I can't wait until next season when I'll fish the entire season. Here's a little recap of my experience. On Wednesday, the first day, it rained all freaking day. Despite that it was the best fishing day I had. I had 5 bites on a black Gambler cane toad and caught 2 of them. I was a little upset because 2 of the fish that crashed were toads, over 5lbs each. I ended the day in 21st place. Thursday was a nightmar for most guys fishing. That lake can get really nasty and the wind was supposed to blow 20-30 w/ 40mph gusts. Most guys abandoned their spots and fished with a couple of miles of the ramp. I still got lucky and caught 1 fish that went 3lb 13oz and wound up in 18th. The last day sucked for me. I drew the M&M's pro Pat Fisher who was in 41st place in the points for the season and had a rough couple of days. Pat told me starting out his situation and we decided to make sure he makes the championship and if there was time we would find me some fish. Starting out I caught 2 catfish that woulda weighed 70lbs together. Unfortunately they were my only bites. Pat however whacked'em and caught 18lbs 2oz and sealed the deal for his trip to the championship. I was happy to let Pat catch his fish. It's his job and that's what matters. Points meant nothing to me and w/ the first two days I was pretty much guaranteed a check. After the final day I was in 33rd place and did get a check. That last day was awesome. I have never seen so many giant fish up on the beds. He would catch a fish off of a bed come back in a couple hours and the buck would have another female on it. There 4-9lb fish everywhere!!! I want to say thanks to my partners, Dave, Billy Bowen jr, and Pat Fisher. They all taught me some new stuff and we had a good time fishing. Also, thanks to Val from Gambler for finding me a place to stay on short notice and for making baits that made me money!! ~JP~

They work on Florida strain bass in Florida too. hehe ~jp

Thanks guys. I hope it's just the first of many. Next year I'm fishing as a boater and I guarantee that fishing as a co-angler this season has helped a ton. JP ><=>J

I fished my 3rd everglades division BFL tournament yesterday and earned my very first trophy. I caught 13lbs. 3oz good enough for 7th place. The trophy came from an 8lb. 9oz toad that was the big bass of the tournament. I caught all my fish but on fishing a texas rigged 7" gambler red bug worm in about 4ft. of water. The other fish was caught on a bill lewis rattle trap. I had two other fish on the rattle trap but of course they shook off. I want to say thanks to my partner Jim Finnley for netting that fish on the first try. I'll try to put up some of the pictures as soon as I can. Jeremy ><=>

Does anyone know how I can change my password???

It actually wasn't that bad. It was cold but the fish were still there. Alot of guys didn't figure them out but we found a few that didn't mind the cold. They were tough though and you had to fish super slow. the senko was my best friend!!!

Well, I fished the BFL tournamnet on the Harris chain this weekend and managed to not freeze to death and catch a couple of fish. It was in the low thirties when we left the launch in the morning and my partner for the day informed me we were going for a serious run. An hour and a half later and much shivering we arrived at our first spot. the water was perfect but cold and the fish were very spooky and wouldn't stay on the beds. I managed to catch 5lbs. 2oz. which was good for 30th place and a check for $147.50. I did loose two fish because of angler malfunction (my hands were so cold first thing I couldn't feel the bites) that may have been keepers but they looked small. All in all it was a great fun day. This was my second BFL tournamnet and I tell you what they do a hell of a job putting these things on. I can't wait for the rest of the season, it's all I can think about!!!! I do want to say thanks to my driver for the day Patrick Pierce for putting me on the fish and being a heck of a nice guy. Well, good luck out there and be safe. ~JP~

I just wanted to add something about what shadcranker said. he said it depends on what boat brand you have. Isn't that only a consideration for sponsorship exemptions? I have talked to pro's that fish Triton and Ranger boats and was told regardless of what boat you run the company will match the contingency money regardless. Meaning that if you run a Triton in an FLW event BFL, STREN, TOUR etc. that Triton will match the contingency money offered by Ranger or visa versa. Just curious if anyone knows this to be true or not.

I just saw the weather for this weekend here in South Florida. Looks like Saturday, the day I'm fishing a BFL tournament on the Harris Chain, it's going to drop into the thirties!!! > This should be an interesting day on the water. Wish me luck I'm gonna need it! JP

Looking for a club in eastern Florida? I know about the Lakeland Bassmasters but I was hoping there was one closer to my house in Sebastian/Vero Beach area. Thanks JP

Guess I'm pretty lucky. I have stick marsh in my backyard. I've caught fish on a hand scale that were over 14lbs and a handful more over ten shiner fishin. I was also a guide up in the boundry waters out of Ely MN and have caught several smallies over 5. JP

I will check George out. I've actually been fishing in this area for about 20 years but mostly sport fishing and I spend a TON of time at Sebastian Inlet (its only 5 miles from my house) However, when I was in my teens I bass fished everyday and fished a few tournaments. Now thanks to he hurricane's I am also semi-retired at age 30 and again have the desire to chase them big ol' toads around. I fish stick marsh, Garcia, and Kissimmee here and there but I really want to master lakes like Okeechobee and Toho. Bass fishing is so much more difficult, and fun, than what I have been doing and I'm just loving it!!! talk to you soon. JP

Wow!!!! Thanks for the warm welcome. I actually live in Vero Becah Fl which is on the east coast about right in the middle. I fish pretty much 7 days a week and just got back into bass fishing. I was a professional sport fishermen and inshore guide. If anyone on here is looking for someone to fish with in central Florida I'm about as hardcore as it gets and can fish 7 days a week anywhere anytime. Thanks again for the warm welcome and hopefully I'll have more to post in the future!!! JP

Well today was rough... LITERALLY. My partner and I fished a spot off the main lake pretty much all day. Only saw five fish caught all day and I only had 1 bite. The guys fishing the canals caught some fish but with the overnight 180 degree turn in the weather, really hurt the fishing. The next one is in a couple of weeks and we can only pray for better, more stable weather.!!!! JP CRUSH"EM