AlabamaSpothunter

These dudes are seriously going to start reconsidering winning the knockout stage and getting the bye. I saw pics of Wheeler with his family at Disney World yesterday. How you can do that in the middle of a $150k derby is wild. It's great he spent time with his family though. You see this in the MLB playoffs, those teams with the wildcard round byes really struggle to get back on pace after the byes. Nice to see the sport still has a place for oldschool knowledge and experience even with Davis not winning. He was a small weather front away from winning a BPT trophy.

Ole Bobby Lane calling his shots. Wouldn't mind seeing him win if Davis can't pull it out.

Pretty wild drama surrounding this event now between Aveena and Poche. Apparently Poche let Aveena go into his area to catch one more fish on day 2, yet he proceeded to catch a total of 3 and Poche cussed him out then. Then yesterday because of how slow Poche's boat is vs. the big glass ones, Aveena beat him to his spot on Apocka. The cherry on top was Aveena catching that 6lb+ fish in front of Poche yesterday. They both are cussing each other out on their social media accounts on facebook. Strong middle school girl fight vibes. Bass fishing can be such a petty sport.

Haha, same thing Katie.....don't own a tractor, but when I do I'll know I'm truly free 🤣

You could never disappoint any of your many fans here including myself Katie! I'm just excited to enjoy your unique fishing journey as always, along with seeing a new specific goal or chapter. I think it just makes sense to focus on those outlier monster fish during the start of your season, then you have the rest of the season to target numbers that defy logic like every year 😎

Let's GOOOOOOO! This makes me so happy to read! I just know a really special fish is in your future again this year.

You can likely figure it out if you analyze this video closely enough.... That said, he was going to win that derby regardless of what type of soft fluke style bait he was throwing imho. He was on the juice, it was a timing/location deal more than a bait deal.

Yeah he basically forfeits some of these events especially up north like at the SLR by having a Gator Trax. For a guy like me it would be a perfect boat though. They really are cool boats. ETA: Can't lie, I love how Poche is such a thorn in the side of Tournament directors and owners, especially Boyd Duckett 🤣

Funny you should start this thread, as this video has been going viral recently. I forgot to send it to you the other day. This is why I wouldn't kayak fish in the ocean ETA: Here's the full video by him, it's a better watch as it gives context to where he's at and how fast it can go south MASSIVE GREAT WHITE SHARK HUNTS MY KAYAK! ( Terrifying SOLO Encounter )

Man society sure has changed since the days of those caps. Remember when they put College BB teams on them for March Madness. Bob you might not be on the fish right now, but the incredible universe that you've built on your homestead is better than any catch. As Americans we're all born free men and women, however sadly most Americans spend the majority of their adult lives chained to society. You on the other hand are master and commander of your entire universe. Truly free men and women own tractors 😎

You guys think he's a spaz right now, go check out his Off The Grid series on YT. The dude takes that Gator Trax into unimageable places. Seriously entertaining stuff. Those are really tough boats, they couldn't have picked a better spokesman for their brand.

Most good men would have already folded given the incredibly tough luck you've been dealt recently. I'm terribly sorry to learn about your mother. She's still watching over you! I pray I have your strength, tenacity, and resolve should I face a similar tough period in my life. You're a role model for us all.

Straight chocolate milk here as well. Almost sunk the S.S. Minnow, took like an hour to bilge out. Gonna be awhile until fishing is good again sadly.

To me the fish don't look that healthy, even those two 8lb fish Wheeler caught yesterday. Then again Florida fish are always longer skinnier fish it seems. I assumed it was just the immediate post spawn condition on most of these fish, but then Tak just said they saw lots of dead fish that scared the anglers before the event started. ETA: If folks remember last year's Elite Series event there, the anglers were talking about how unhealthy the Chain was.

Poche might be the first dude to beat up a marshal 🤣 His strange hang up with the scale angle is quite odd.

It's exactly that for me. That ends up yielding a number of other great benefits like increased sensistivity. Why use a sinking braid? – SUNLINE America Co., Ltd.

I was but a wee little lad at that point, had no clue though. Seems they fished a number of events there and then just stopped going. Guess the chamber of commerce didn't ante up enough money. That's the part of the sport that nobody ever really talks about. So many awesome fisheries don't get to partake because they can't or won't pay to play. Chickamauga: A look back - Bassmaster

No doubt A-Jay, and I'd be the same way. That said, a really talented angler such as yourself would only need a season with a scope to get dialed in with it. That's one of the biggest negatives I see with FFS usage and young anglers. If you take a guy that could hammer them without it for years, and give him the scope, he's just going to be that much better. Now take a kid who has never known Bass fishing without FFS, take it away, and he's going to struggle mightily going forward. ETA: Poche...." I shouldn't have to teach you out here" in regard to weighing his fish and holding the scale at an angle. I never thought about the angle of the scale making it inaccurate. Anybody seen something like this before?

Amazing how this format neutralizes or at least illuminates the pure scopers like Drew Gill. Dude caught 40+ lbs using the scope in the 2nd period, now he can barely catch a single fish by the mid-way point in the period.

I really should, maybe scratch an item of the bucket list as well by hiring a guide on Chick. Imagine a Classic on Chick 😎

Haha, I figured you're the one bribing them 🤣 Selfishly I just want the Classic to come near me so I can attend the Classic expo. It's the Super Bowl for tackle buyers 😁

I mean I understand why they keep coming back to Knoxville for the classic since it keeps breaking the record for attendance, but I couldn't have been more disappointed when they announced it's going back again in 2026. Kind of the problem with the Classic, it requires such a unique venue to host it. Redcrest should be an absolute banger this year though.

Yeah I know, but I want to see the modern version of Wheeler get the opportunity. Really hard to believe he wouldn't win one or two if he had the opportunity every year like the Elite guys do. Hard to be the goat when you haven't won a Classic in my book. Surprised somebody hasn't flipped the transducer and tried to copy Scott Martin's epic win on the big O last year. Drew Gill is in 2nd and he was using FFS to get back into the top 5 last period. Somebody will figure out a way to make FFS a factor I'm betting.

Agreed, you can't beat an on his game Wheeler without fishing super clean. It's like when you watch an underdog football team win against the #1 ranked team.....they have to play a turnover, and penalty free game usually to win. Meanwhile the #1 team has to commit numerous turnovers and penalties. You can hear Wheeler constantly reminding himself to slow down, dude's a savant if I've ever seen one. It will be tragic if he never has the opportunity to fish for a Classic win or two.

I feel like Keith is going to catch a monster any time now. Even though this type of Bass fishing isn't anything I can do around here, it's refreshing to watch pure Bass fishing. Flipping and ripping lips is quite enjoyable to watch. I love the scenery, something about watching guys flipping nasty cover.