bighed

Here's a link to the registration Hillbilly: http://proxy.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/members/bassmasterSignIn?appRedirect=classicRegistration Looks like I waited too long to book my room. The Horseshoe and Eldorado are full. Motel 6 might be in the cards for me :'(

The SAL program has it's drawbacks. Last year, there was a very high mortality among the donated fish. At one point I had heard that every donated fish had died. I don't know if that's correct but some of those lucky enough to catch a giant are taking a picture and slipping the fish back into the lake.

I love the great bass fishing we have here in TX. I think we probably produce more 10-15 pound fish than just about anywhere. That said, I don't think we're in the running for a new record bass. CA has already proven it can produce that fish. Mexico could probably do the same but getting commercial fishing off it's lakes would help it's odds I think. There are other countrys that have potential as well. When I was a teen, my dad took me to Honduras. The big draw over the Mexican lakes was alot of folks believed there were record bass in Lake Yojoa.

Keith, I've been using the Izor XXX since the Classic last year. They ran a great special on it at the expo, three spools of 300 yards for about $12. It's under rated so 12 pound is really like 14 and so on. It's pretty small diameter for it's rating and I like the smoke color. It's not to bad about stretch and is low memory unless it's been on the spool a long time. A trilene knot will slip in this stuff so better use a palomar or uni instead. I had been using Gama and CX but like this stuff better by a bunch. On the CXX, that's some tuff stuff for sure. About all it's good for, IMO, is flipping bigger biats that will work out the memory rather quickly. Other than that, it's llike Kent said, slinky.

I'm planning on staying Fri., Sat., and Sun. I'd like to drag the boat over one day and watch the action in person. Hey maybe I could get Chad to hold up a BassResource.com sign in the background while they are filming ;D .

Here in North Texas we've been wacking them pretty good. Water temps are in the low 50's to high 40's right now and the jigging spoon bite is on. The drop shot with a small shad type bait is working too. We're looking for schools of shad and finding most fish in 25-35' of water.

Just pinned, don't have to fool with it when it slips. BTW, I love this trailer and the action of the claws!

do a "saved search" on Ebay with email notification and then wait a little while.

IMO, the MG is the better choice. The lighter weight buys you greater sensitivity and less fatigue. At the current price you can't go wrong!

I'd like to send a special thanks out to Still a Bigbuckifan in FL. Dude hooked me up with a Matt's baby bass, a Matt's redear sunfish, and a Rapala DT-6 in a killer bluegill pattern!!! I'll be wearing the bass out at Fork this spring with this very nice gift. Thanks again Adam!!! Bert

Like others have already said, hookset and horsing a fish out of cover is the problem. Take your medium outfit and have a buddy hold the jigs hook between forefinger and thumb so as not to be hooked. Then step back about the distance of your casts and try setting the hook. Odds are you won't even be able to pull the jig from the buds fingers.

Good, fun trail and very popular here in TX. One thing to mention, always have them weigh your largest fish no matter what. I should have been paid on a BF once ($500) in a slot lake but let the TD dump him in the tank. Who would have thought a 3lb fish would win BF on Fork during the spawn. :'(

now that one does look like a lm.

Nice fish Jesse, but not a largemouth. Although I've never heard of any being caught in J Lo's part of the state, both Falcon and Amistad have had stockings of smallies. Amistad Stocking History: Largemouth bass -- 1967, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73 Florida bass -- 1975, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 Smallmouth bass -- 1975, 76, 78, 83 Channel catfish -- 1967, 68, 69, 71, 72, 73 Hybrid striped bass -- 1975, 76, 82 Blue catfish -- 1971 Striped bass -- 1974, 75, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 91 Walleye -- 1954, 75, 76, 77, 78 Northern pike -- 1976 Muskie -- 1976 White Crappie -- 1968 Falcon Stocking History: Largemouth bass -- 1984 Florida bass -- 1975, 76, 78, 79, 81, 84, 85, 89 Smallmouth bass -- 1984 Hybrid striped bass -- 1984, 87 Striped bass -- 1976-79, 83, 88, 89 Walleye -- 1975, 76, 77

Yes, lighter rods/reels helped mine recover and have not had the pain since.

How bout those Sooners!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Sign me up!

Chronarch MG's are on sale most places right now and are very light/cast light baits well. Hang one on a Loomis 820 rod and you got a top shelf outfit. I know this is not really in the price range you were talking about but was worth a mention. big

It's been about a month for me too. Last time out it was rocky points and secondary points. Mostly spots and mostly unders.

Congrats on the first boat ;D a Whaler is a fine way to get started. The TM will be border line but should be ok until you have the funds to update. Speaking of updates. Be careful of what you modify on the boat. Whalers hold value like crazy and you don't want to diminish that in case you decide to change boats later. big

Awesome project guys!!! My hats off to all who made this happen and to MSG AL and Brian Reeves for their service and sacrifice for our country.

Remember that this was also the tourny the Jr. World Championship was held at. I bet those kids had almost as much fun as competing at the Classic with the pros like BASS had promised them

The 2" senko works great on a dropshot rig. BPS sells their brand in 2" and 3" in the crappie section at my local store.

I fish nothing but Falcons right now. They are really popular in my neck of the woods and fit what I'm willing to spend on a rod. The new T7's are very light and sensitive and have a great warranty. I really don't think you could go wrong with one. An all purpose rod is kind of tricky. Too light and you can't get a good hook set on plastics, to heavy and you can't cast the weightless stuff, work the shakey head, etc. A 7'MH should do the trick for you. These can be picked up at Academy's rod riot they have from time to time for ~$100 or so if you have one in your area. big

Robo FL 7", color doesn't seem to matter. Thy work great at night too.