AlabamaSpothunter

Dang getting a Century Club belt must be epic......what a great derby even for a Scopefest

Here's a quick list of some of the most sought after $125+ lures that I've found KGB- anything Phoney Frog- anything Hinkle- anything 86 baits- anything HPH- anything 3:16 - most of their stuff Bucca Trick Shad/Bull Shad These are just the Glides and Swimmers that I'm into. There is an equal amount of companies and baits that are in the wake/rat/crank down category. Yeah I'd have trouble throwing even Jackhammers around ESOX fish. Heavy leader would kill the action on most glides anyways.

Weigh in is starting. BASS is just so much better than MLF, that's the biggest thing I take away after following the sport again after a long break, and now after both the Elites and BPTs are over. Shame somebody like Jacob Wheeler won't be fishing against these young Elite guys for years to come in order to see another KVD emerge.

My buddy has a box full of them lol, he LOVES them. There are about a dozen big bait makers that sell baits for $100-300, and sell out every drop within a minute or two. Some drops for things like Chad Shads go in 10-20secs. The high of actually "winning" a bait you've been trying to get is almost like fishing itself. They're the crack rock of Bass fishing imho.

Just don't look at his Trick Shad or Bull Glide though ? Trick is $175, and I think the Bull Glide is even more.

Justin Atkins

Robertson talking about using his as a bidet at weigh in yesterday......yeah not showroom ready ?

True, but I've never watched a weigh in where at least one angler didn't have boat troubles, I bet the service crew numbers would be staggering. Most of these guys like Robertson hit the "full send" button regardless where they're at ?

I was the same way until I realized that the difference b/t budget and expensive swimbaits was like oil and vinegar. The good thing about $175 lures is that you'll fish the thing to death or lose it trying. I'll buy $20-30 of Chatterbaits randomly on sale, and might never use them.

The rush of chunking a $175 bait that can't replaced that took months to get, and then landing a monster on it is unlike anything I've ever experienced in fishing. Don't hesitate to spend your money on the premium high big baits. They cost for a reason, and the good ones have epic track records of catching trophy caliber fish.

Never seizes to amaze me how unreliable and how often boats break. Been around, owned, and operated them my whole life. What a shame!

At the top of the sport there is two categories imho: 1. Dedicated trophy Bass hunters 2. Elite Series anglers at the top of their games who care more about 4-6lb fish than 10-20lb fish. I'm neither, but you were in category 1. I've not sure there has been anybody that has been at the top of the game in both categories. I'm sure A-Mart caught his share of DDs, but nobody remembers him for monster Bass, rather being razor edge innovative, a finesse guru, and top tier derby angler. Both types are at the top of the sport, just different pursuits. I'd rather chase a fish of a lifetime than a check, but I'm sure the high of chasing a check while catching Bass is a high of itself.

Imagine how handicapped those outsiders from Japan are compared to the good ole boys ? Aaron Martens is considered one of the greatest of all time, may he RIP.

You make Muskie seem like nightcrawlers and Bluegills ?

This was instilled into by my fishing mentor who was a great friend of Ray Scott and Tom Mann. According to Swindle and Hackney, making money professional Bass fishing is harder today than ever before. It's a game for turbo optimists and gamblers

LOL at comparing the A-Rig to FFS....."turning average anglers into great ones" These guys are just sour that they're in the wrong generation to dominate using it. Hope the next duo aren't Trout specialist ?

Shultz and J-Willy talking about restricting FFS.....SHUT IT DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

The ole " I made the Classic cut, I'm actually going to go fishing now and have fun" ?

It's America, the land of 20yr/zero down loans. We printed and handed out for free as much money from 2020-2023 as all the money before that point. Our dollar is little more than Monopoly Money at this point. Grocery bills have gone up 25-50% for many in the last few years. Just like in 08-09, the first things that will be sold are Glitter Rockets, RVs, Side by Sides, etc. That time creeps nearer and nearer. Eventually they can't keep kicking the can down the road. Interestingly enough according to guys like Swindle and Hackney, the professional Bass fishing money for anglers has never returned to the pre 2009 days.

He makes me smile more than any other angler. I suspect he's vastly smarter than he portrays

Slow down and down size the bait.....after that I go home ?

Did it last week on day 1 as well when he turned up with a bad bag.....very poor sportsmanship, agreed. Perch handled it with dignity and so does pretty much everyone else. He's always been an emotional child lol.

Either way this is such an exciting event.....so much on the line, AOY, Classic and Elite berths, and for me the historic nature of this event potentially. Century belts are getting handed out, already biggest single day SM record. Epic stuff. Great time to be a BASS fan. ETA: Perch, what's the deal with that story of dude attacking him and dying on his deck. 5.5lbs.....I might have actually beat somebody today. What a humbling sport.

I always forget how much importance I place on the Bass species, and how little importance the State and Federal agencies place on Bass in the grand scheme of other species especially. This is a huge reason fisheries are constantly changing imho. Spraying, not spraying, letting one invasive species thrive while trying to target others....playing God when they don't have the full tool kit. ETA: WOW, Christie might have just crushed his Classic chances on his home lake. That sucks!

Big Bass predictions? 7.4 before it's over and done with, Mercer is gonna freak out, it's going to be epic! ?