mixermarkb

Thanks Champ. I keep telling her if it takes off she's buying me a new Basscat and I'm wrapping it in a Mrs. B's wrap. I'm really proud of her stuff. I've never given soap a second thought, just bought dial or used whatever the hotel had when I was on the road a lot. When I finally got around to trying her soap, (months after she started making it) it really did feel better. She knows the science, I don't, but I guess there are a lot of silly man-made chemicals in store bought soap that she doesn't use in hers. I do know my skin does feel cleaner and like there isn't any residue left on it, and it really has helped our son's excema.

Blatant plug so delete if the admins feel like it, as it is my wife's company. These do work as well as anything I've ever seen to take smells off your hands, and because of all the "girly" type oils and stuff she uses, don't rip your hands up in the process- http://mrsbsoap.com/products/orange-vanilla-scrubby-bar by the way, +1 for the KVD sticks from me as well-

Diet Code Red is still around, not everywhere stocks it. Best soda ever.

I'm gonna come back and fish for sore mouthed fish and watch the Elite guys run around and practice on Monday and Tuesday the week after the kitty cat derby, unless life gets in the way. The wind has been tough, but if you get out there and deal, chances are really good at a LMB in the 4 pound class. It's almost been a daily thing, and I don't remember a time on Bull where that was possible. I don't think I'm all that much better of a fisherman, and as a matter of fact I know I was better a few years ago. Bull is just that full of healthy bass. I can't wait till the smallies really get going- the BASS guys are gonna have to put on a show to win this one I think- I think at least one 25 pound sack is possible-

Lots. Fishing is still good, not as good as last week before the cool front(s), but even with a slower bite, I had 4 keepers with one about 4#'s yesterday, with my first topwater fish of the year coming in the evening, and a solid 15 pound or better limit this morning throwing a wart. Had a couple non keeps today throwing a spinnerbait in the mudline as well. Water temps are 55-58, with a few places bumping 60 in the afternoons. Points and transistion banks seem best, steeper than last week. Last bluff in the creek type stuff with wind blowing on it seemed to hold the best fish. Bite was definitely slower if I got past the fish too far back into the spawning areas. Good luck to all the derby guys in the next couple weeks, I think it's gonna be the 18th till I can get down again.

I've caught several 4 pound ish LMB and a few nice smallies around/under that stuff so far on Bull this year. It's kind of freaky because it looks like blood in the water, but it doesn't hurt the fishing any

Same thing on Bull, but I don't mind it because it seems to hold keepers LOL

The walleye was on a gravel point in Arkansas-

18.8 was first, 14 was second, then it was way downhill from there. I think those were the only two limits-

I'm just trying to learn-lol Wind and clouds I have covered Dave. Love those. So on the high skies windy days you are still right there in the main surf? Even with 20 out of the north? Or are you finding a spot that's kind of out of the main wins and still fishing the rippled bank?

Ok guys, it's no secret on our Ozarks lakes that when you have strong winds out ahead of a front, or even while one is arriving, that the bass eat on windy banks, and if you surf the nasty stuff, you can catch some tanks- my question to some of you on here is this: On the bluebird days in the spring, when the front has passed and it's cold and windy, do you still fish the wind? Or do you look for areas in the lee, and try and slow down and downsize. I had a terrible day on Bull Saturday, and I think the big reason why is that I was hung up on power fishing in all that wind. I didn't make the adjustment to try and get out of the wind where it's possible to finesse fish until it was too late. My theory is that the cold wind drops the water temp faster than areas in the lee, and there might have been a few bass hanging around that would take something little and slow. thoughts? I know the smart play is don't go fishing on post cold front days, but most of us who still work for a living can't always pick the days we get to fish. How do you guys get bites post front when everything seems to die. First place in the derby I was in was 18.8, second was 14, and I think those were the only two limits out of about 20 boats- clearly they had something figured out I'm missing...

Lol

if I doood it, imma get a whuppin.. yep, dave doood it.

What was that about Bull being fickle? She won today. 7-3 in the local tourney out of TMR, no keeper bass, didn't catch the first short until nearly noon. I just sucked. Didn't help that all the places I was looking to fish either had a boat on them, or one headed to it or coming away from it. Tough, tough bite. Did have a 24" walleye though, so at least the wife is happy. hope Monday and Tuesday is better-

Sorry Ben. Deleting my post now.

#monolinesmatter

Lol, that's a very democratic way you treat your tackle Dave. Did Bernie and I get through to ya???

Boats are always a touchy subject Champ, but I think we were keeping it civil. I do agree though, use what you can have/afford. My main point was lots and lots of bass were caught when 17-18 foot boats with 150's were the gold standard. If that's what you have, it's plenty as long as you use common sense. You may not be able to run WOT across the biggest water on a sloppy day, but you can get out there and catch fish.

19' with a 200 is plenty of boat, but I get what you are saying Dave, bigger is more comfortable when it's ugly out.

Dave, try riding on a 340 with a "150" that's really a 200 horse power head with all the fun extras like drilled exhaust, etc etc!

With all due respect Dave, until ranger got to the Z series hulls, they were among the wettest, roughest riding boats on the market, per given size class. Drop the troller on one, and it was like fishing off a dock. But any Champion, Basscat, Charger, Phoenix, Stratos, or Triton would most likely ride better, be faster, handle better in turns than a comparable Ranger. The old 340 was an exception, that was a hot little boat with the right setup. Ranger performance took a big step up with the Z series hulls, and now they have a boat that performs as well on plane as it does on the troller. Now if JM can use his raw material buying power to get the prices down across the whole Tracker Marine group, Ranger included and doesn't start building boats in Mexico for cheap labor, Rangers will really be a hard boat to beat. I probably won't ever buy a new boat though. I'm happy with my Champions, and will just repower, recarpet, re-seat and keep electronics updated as best as I can afford.

That's doing well for a 176 with a 135V6. The 17'6" is a fun little boat, those things can turn on a dime, and really have quite a bit of fishing room. 20'+ extra wide beam, 225/250 horse rigs are nice, and I love mine in rough water, but for those of us who don't have a camera guy walking around filming us for TV or two folks in the boat paying us for guide services, they aren't necessary for bass fishing. People see the pros in them and of course want to have what the pros have, but it's a little sad to me that some guys don't feel like a 17-18 foot glass or even tin boat with a V6 isn't enough to catch bass on any lake short of the Great Lakes.

Yeah, I can't pass every ranger in my Champ anymore, they have made them a much better boat. Still wouldn't buy one, but they are nice rigs now.

Yep, Ham is right on. Bull is as good as it's ever been right now. She's fickle though and things could get tough tomorow though, so enjoy it while it's good!