Thanks, Ronnie.  I would love to be there but I can't take vacation days on such short notice.  You guys be careful and catch some hawgs.  

Hate to add to the list, but I had a bomb dropped in my general direction at work today, and I cannot take off that week after all. I think my pal, Riskkid is coming on down without me.  :'( :'(

Hate to miss it. I may come down one day if possible.

You guys whack em good now. Don't get discouraged if it gets slow during stretches. Keep covering water, and when you find em, sloooooow down. They group up in that grass. You guys will love the lake.

For those of you that want to make a short field trip one day, or go there by boat (dock right accross from store), Waterfont Grocery is a must hit local bait store with food and nice folks running it. Most of the guides hang out there. The bait monkey lives there, but he's a friendly little primate.

SC

man, major bummer losing all these guys. i was really looking forward to meeting catt and shadcranker, along with everyone else that isn't able to make it anymore.

8 days fellas!

Only one week left!  7 DAYS!!  Yee Haw!

Me and Speedbead will meet somehwere between Hazelton and Harrisburg tommorow so i can hand over the meatballs, there is something illegal about all this

I leave a week from today at 6 am.  I picked up the boat yesterday from the marina.  I got my new impeller installed, had the trailer bearings packed, got the lower unit oil changed, and a scheduled maintanence tuneup.  I am locked and loaded.  I am putting line on all my reels right now.  It's hard to believe the only thing I have left to do is buy my fishing license online and pack my clothes.  I have been waiting for this trip since last April.

i still have a few small loose ends to wrap up, like picking up at least one pair of sunglasses and packing clothes, but aside from that i am good to go. i got my license the other day online, it's super quick and easy to do and i suggest anyone that hasn't gotten theirs yet do so online. you can print it right out and you're on your way.

i've actually got a few questions that may come off as noob-ish, but this is my first big fishing trip and i'd like to be as prepared as possible.

first, how much is too much as far as rods and tackle when fishing on someone else's boat? i'm only going to be bringing 4 rod set ups down with me, and my tackle bag only stores 3 boxes but i'll have another bag of just soft plastics that'll probably stay in the room save for a few bags each day. would the tackle bag and 4 rods be too much as a non-boater? i just don't want to clutter up someone else's boat deck.

second, expense-wise how much am i looking at spending each day i'm there? i plan on chipping in for gas money every day, as well as any snacks or lunches, but i wasn't sure how much i should really plan on spending while i'm down there. any ideas?

i had a few more i can't think of right now. any help is greatly appreciated guys.

Hey Mike,

Last year at Fork, because I got screwed pretty hard by "Ricky the boat renter" I did all my fishing from the back of another members boat.

I HOPE I THANKED YOU ALL PROPERLY!!!

Everyone knows I have XXX number (way too many) rods/reels. The average boat won't hold all the crap I've got, so I chose 2 bait casting setups and one spinning rig and my big Okachobie bag. (one bag only) so I could share my baits with my partner for the day. I also have a little soft six-pack cooler to carry snack crackers, candy bars a sandwich (and one to share) and a couple of sodas/bottled waters. Don't count on being able to stop and buy lunch, have it with you. Be respectful of someone else's boat by being careful not step on the seats or spill stuff on the carpets. Always put on your PFD when the gas motor is running. At the end of the day help clean up (pick up all the old torn up plastics and lunch trash, etc.) and help get the boat ready for the next day. $20-25 a day should cover your part of fuel unless you do a lot of running. Best thing you can do is ASK. "Hey can I help you wash the boat?" "Are you sure that's enough to cover the gas?" etc. I am sure you know what to do.

Let me tell you, DON"T WORRY! These are some of the best people you will ever run across. Last year I got to fish with flechero, BigHead and Art Pasley. We had one slammin good time. I would jump at the chance to fish with any of these guys anytime!  You are going to have the time of your life! I hope this helps.

Ronnie

Mike,

 When we get into Alabama I am going to stop at a WalMart to pick up my license and we can fill my cooler with drinks and lunch stuff for the week. The cabins have fridges and like last year I will be making my lunch every morning. So plan on doing the same and there will be room in my cooler for your food as well.

So are you excited yet?

Just the fact that you are thinking these questions ahead of time, assures me you'll have no issues.  Fluke and Ronnie gave great advice and these are 2 of the above mentioned "great" people that will be around you.

Any questions, just ask one of them.

It was a pretty day today, almost 60 degrees. I spent most of the day loading up the bassbuss and getting her ready to go. All the cooking stuff, pots, pans and the ice chests. Cleaned and polished and vaccumed, made sure all of the provisions are in place. Made all the beds with fresh linens. Checked all the fluids, changed the oil, aired up the tires, installed the GPS, MP3 player and XM-Radio. Next Saturday at this time me & Speedbead will be on the road to riskkid's place to enjoy an evening of food and fellowship. Sunday morning, it's on to Guntersville! Life is good and I am blessed!

Ronnie

Well it's starting to look as though we planned this trip at the perfect time.

Guntersville currently has water temps in the upper 50's with no major cold fronts in the next few days. The water is stained. The fish were on grass edges in 3-8ft of water this past week. They haven't moved shallow yet but if we get a week of good temps then "LOOK OUT". It will be on.

My plan going into this is to cover some water with a spinnerbait and Med Cranks and lipless crank. The areas I am focusing on are the sharp bends in creeks and ditches. With points and grass nearby. When I get a bite I will slow down and work several different rigs along the edges of grass including a Jig, C-Rig, T-rig and Dropshot.

The reason I am saying this is because this is what I do all the time. My suggestion to everyone who hasn't fished allot of different water is to fish your strengths at first and catch a few fish. Then branch out and learn new tricks from those who you are fishing with. If you are new to bass fishing then don't feel intimidated. Jump up on the front deck and ask your partner to show you how to do it.

You guys are making me even more excited every time someone posts on this thread. I am ready to go now! Gonna be real hard on a fella waiting this coming week.

It will seem like an eternity. ;D

Jimzee,

The bassbuss is pretty full. I am having trouble finding a place to put them crankbait boxes I got from KB.   ;) ;D

Ronnie

TIME TO PAY UP! for the dinner!

We will have giveaways, raffles, and a special speaker.  YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!!  However, you will be excluded if you don't pay NOW.  Deadline is Sunday night, March 16th.

Here's the list of people who have not payed yet. If you're name is on it, then you will not be able to attend the Wednesday night dinner.

Triton21, Fendercaster, koko36265, surveyor13, midnight madness, Couch Tater, bassbob07, Techo, ReelDoc, Dabesfishin, jeremyt&wife, A_Glenn_2&wife, BackOnThewater&guest, fishbear, GAFarmpond, CBurgerjr.

Contact Alpster immediately if you haven't payed yet!

THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!

thanks for the replies guys.

Relax...things will go smoothly. Bring what you like, but I will have snacks and drinks for our cabin. I consolidated a bag for what I'm taking, then downsized some more for a small plastic box for everthing I plan to fish.

Rods and reels are not a problem, either. Bring what is easy on the plane, we have a few guys with extras! Pack one suitcase, you don't need everything you own.

8-)  

Heck I'm getting excited and can't even go. Yall have fun!!!

Relax...things will go smoothly. Bring what you like, but I will have snacks and drinks for our cabin. I consolidated a bag for what I'm taking, then downsized some more for a small plastic box for everthing I plan to fish.

Rods and reels are not a problem, either. Bring what is easy on the plane, we have a few guys with extras! Pack one suitcase, you don't need everything you own.

8-)  

Like RW says,

Wayne & I will be in the BassBuss (AKA Bass Pro Shops on wheels). We will have pounds of plastic, etc. I will have a dozen or so rigs that are pretty decent, they just look funny because the guides go around the blank.  

Ronnie

I'm going to have a few Dobyn's Rods to loan out as well.

I talked with Muddy about an hour ago. Speedbead was sick today, so the "Meatball Connection" will go down tomorrow. I am going to write a book and make it into a movie. Wonder if I can get DiNero to play Muddy (You talkin to me??)

I had to chain the bass bus to a tree, keeps trying to leave without me. Are we there yet??

Ronnie

Ya definitely got the sick part right....I felt like I was gonna die.  LOL

I will be meeting Muddy tomorrow somewhere north of Harrisburg. I obviously cant give away the exact location as then "the boys" would have to be called in to keep people quiet  

Anyway, I am so pumped up for this trip that I cant even put it into words....

Good luck guys!  Wish I could make this deal sometime!  We will be on pins and needles looking for reports/pics whatever you can get out!  I want to see some slabs!

Happy Releasing,

H.G.

I want to see some slabs!

Slabs? We ain't fishing for Crappie. lol

You leaving the Snoopy rods home this year ;D