InfantryMP

I am not a huge tournament guy, however if I were, and this situation was going on for 10 years, I would cruise over behind the guy with "enough" space and start fishing. If he doesn't say anything to you, then obviously it is not a huge deal. If he does, it should be rather quickly, so you are not necessarily wasting a lot of time going there and finding out. I call this the trial by fire technique. Enough space to me may be different than others, but I would imagine it is specific to what your fishing on. If you are fishing a point then no one should come next to you and throw in at the point. However if there is a ton of isolated structure out there, and someone is 50-75 yards away flipping them, I would be cool with that.

MDJ is tearing it up right now, and his last was 7.5 and he said he hasn't moved 40 yards all day! Beast mode!

Last weekend I saw a lot of boats coming out in the Kokomo area. I have not brought mine out yet, but I think it is getting time to do so. I have a few things to do it, and I want a new trolling motor. It has a chance for a rainy snowy mix here tomorrow, so it may be Sunday...Anyone have their boats out already?

I use the Eeiliminator on mine. You can also use it on spinnerbaits as well. Very versatile bait! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/GameChanger_Lures_Eeliminator_/descpage-GCLEL.html

I use a St Croix Eyecon 7'6" ML, and a 7'1" St Croix Bass X ML for my finesse setups. I have caught a ton of fish with the eycon rod (walleye designed). I feel like I can cast everything a mile with the 7'6" rod.

I know this is going to sound crazy, but I have never caught anything on a popper. I have casted frogs, ploppers, jitterbugs and any other top water, and I catch em. I have even caught bass with the mouse top water baits, I think perhaps this year I will try em out again. I just do not have the confidence in them.

I ran a powder coating business in southeast GA for 5 years. The illusion colors you speak of. Are they true illusion? or just a candy color? If it is powder, then illusions only activate with a clear. The heavier you apply the clear, the darker the color will turn out. I would imagine since you are using the vein that you are applying a candy layer on top of that and not a true "illusion" powder, unless you are adding all three layers of course. The clear on an illusion color just literally should be a dusting to make the color change happen. If I can help in anyway just message me.

I am in the same boat...I have the Motorguide X5, and I would like the spot lock feature as well. I have 3 Lowrance units installed on my boat, so I do not want to have to change those out to be compatible, but at the same time, I do not like my X5, it is wonky at best.

I have about 8 3700 plano boxes, and 3 bass mafia boxes full of lures labeled. I am not sure the count of them. I now have to get another soft plastic container because I cannot hold anymore. Might be time to give some away to family and friends. I seem to get all the ned style, and drop shot baits.

I am getting the itch especially this week since it is warming up! I am in the Kokomo area, and have the Wildcat creak, and the Kokomo Reservoir. One of the creak arm go within a 1/4 mile from my house. I usually ride the quad up there and start some wading. I am hoping for a few smallmouth bites, now that the water is heating up! I haven't been on here lately to be honest, but I did get a new rig last year. Triton TR17. 3 HDS 7 Gen 2's, IX5 TM, Mariner 115. I love it! The deck is extended so I can get two up front if I want. I have already hauled it down to Smith Lake, and put a whoopin on some southern LMB. I also hammered this 4.21lb LMB in Noblesville from my brother's neighborhood retention pond! I sight fished this one, and there was another bigger one with it. I am hoping to get them again this year!

I understand this concept. Here is the issue with that in my opinion. Everyone practices where they play. Baseball players practice on a baseball field and then play on one. Pro Fishermen have to practice on the water. I can tell you that if you listen to a lot of anglers, they say their intent is not to catch but to locate potential fishing spots. If they catch one, they try to shake them off to not disturb the area too much. I guess I am not sure it is feasible for them to practice their skills on one body of water, and then drive to the actual tourney water. I agree it would be more of a challenge, but who wants to watch every angler potentially struggle? Those tournaments that are broadcasted and Youtube have exploded the sport so much that people do not want to see the struggles they want to see the fun and the thrill of catching. This is just my opinion on it. I like the whole idea of a better challenge for sure, and great anglers will find a way to be successful in the end. Good Point on the fact that just hooking up, and taking fish away from their specific habitat is not ideal for them. I like the MLF format for the catch and release. I think it works out for the better. I have always been a catch and release kind of guy, but it is also nice to know that there is data backed up by science that shows fishing the spawn has no adverse reaction. Thanks for sharing that.

Well to everyone who mentioned to not have practices before the tournaments it makes perfect sense. What other sports do that? None.

I do not think any other professional sports ban practices prior to a tournament so I do not see that as a problem. I think one of the things that could be changed that I believe to be silly is the penalty in MLF for the fish hitting the boat deck. I know you do not get one if the fish barely touches, but when you catch a lively bass and it pops off, why is the angler punished even if it is just for a short time? I understand the importance of the fishery and the species and protecting them as much as possible, but I do not believe one bit that is a big enough issue to penalize someone for it. Especially when the format can allow for someone to climb 20 spots in 20 minutes catching dinks all day. Every minute counts when you are trying to make the cut.