Brett Groeteke

True, One of the reasons why I'm fishing Webb's tournaments this year since they aren't allowed. Just a lot more fun to throw multiple baits than to be forced to throw that thing alone in 2 of the events

Sorry to hear your displeasure. When did you buy the gloves?

Conditions were brutal. I was actually really surprised there were over 40 boats that showed up. I'll actually mention something I think the readers on here would be interested in. Last year I worked with the guys at Bass Pro to design a pair of gloves for fishing in those kind of conditions. We came up with the 100MPH glove that is insulated, waterproof, windproof, and has less lighter fabric around the palm and bends of fingers to provide the best feel and dexterity. They are expensive but worth it if you are going to try fishing in the winter.

Fished the Joe Bass team tournament out of Ahoys on 3/11. It was a challenging event since it rained, sleeted, and snowed on us the majority of the day, but it was good to be out on the water regardless. Fished the event with my brother, Ryan. We started out trying to catch some deep fish (50ft plus) on a grub that my brother had found the day prior. In retrospect, it wasn't the right choice considering the conditions, but it was too difficult not to try it since he had 3 fish over 4lbs doing it the day before. After trying deep for an hour with nothing to show for it we started hitting some shallow banks. First spot I caught 4 in short order on a wiggle wart, but only had one that would go in the box, a squeaker smallmouth. I looked up and spotted one more tree that I really wanted to hit before we left, one of those perfect cedars that has fallen over and is laying horizontal. I paused my crankbait as I deflected off of it and had a fish annihilate my bait. I set the hook on a heavy fish and felt it take me over the other side of the tree before pulling off. Oh well, off to the next spot, a mixed rock bank that my brother caught three keepers on 2 weeks ago during Webb's event. This one kicked out a couple of 2.5lb largemouths that wanted the crankbait. We were getting bit but not the kind of quality it takes to contend in a spring derby with nasty weather. We tried running back into a creek and I caught one over 3 in a little cut with chunk rock, again on the WW. We then went an hour or 2 with no more bites when I lost one on a jig. It was probably the hardest bite I've ever had. I set the hook on her and as I tried to reel, my wet hand slipped off of the handle twice, resulting in no pressure on the fish and a lost opportunity. Fortunately my brother redeemed me as he caught our biggest fish shortly after off a secondary point. A 4lb largemouth that fell victim to a Bass Pro Shops grub. We culled two more times on the grub before weigh in and ended up with 15.56lbs, a small check, and a boat full of snow. As expected, the weights were high. I believe the top 3 places were over 19lbs so job well done by those guys.

I used one for a bit a couple weeks ago and while I didn't catch anything on it, I can tell you I was impressed by its action. It cast nicely, self rights pretty well, and leaves a nice bubble trail. As you might expect, it doesn't make the louder plopping noise of the 130 size, but it churns out quite a bit of water and has the noise of the 90 size Wp. There's guys out west that have been doing really with it around grass. since it floats you can stop it momentarily in the holes in the grass.

I was there on Sunday, they've got a bunch of good stuff in there

I fished from Campbell Point up to Indian point this weekend, even up in the James some and Campbell point had the clearest water I saw, probably pushing 8-10 ft visibility. I can tell you that the big bass of the tournament came out of big creek

Just wanted to take a moment and invite everyone to come out and fish the American Diabetes Association Benefit Buddy Tournament on Table Rock on August 29th out of Mill Creek. The Tournament is hosted by the Webbs of Central Pro Circuits. $100 entry fee, 70% payback, tons of raffle items and giveaways, plus free breakfast and lunch. Hope to see some of you there, just don't beat me in the tourney!

Fished the dam area on Saturday and weighed in 14.30 in the Joe Bass tournament. Started off great as we had 2 fish in the 4lb range in the first 20 minutes flipping trees inside a cut along a bluff bank. Tried that for another 2 hours with no more luck so we went and threw spoons for a bit, catching a couple keeper Kentuckies out of 30ft. Finally got our 5th keeper late in the day off a rock pile in 18ft on a football jig, a fat smallmouth about 2 1/4 pounds. Turned out the fishing was really good for several teams, as it took over 17lbs to crack the top 3. After hearing the other reports, Big cranks in the James was the place to be. My hats off to the guys that figured out that bite, it's something I haven't spent enough time trying to figure out

That is what was told to me by a Normark Sales Manager

Have some information that might clear up some things. First, the Spro Rock Crawlers will be available on January 15th, had some manufacturing delays that delayed them from their previously stated 11/15 eta. I heard from John Crews today who said the following: "I have fished an old wiggle wart quite a bit. The Rock Crawler is a really good bait. It will get down to 12ft on 12lb test. Nice hunting action. They are it really good the last few days. It's a winner." Crews is sponsored by Spro so I wouldnt expect him to talk trash on it but glad to see it has his seal of approval anyway. Also, Normark is not redoing the wiggle warts and has no plans to do so. They maintain that the molds are the exact same, and the only difference is the materials that are used.

Haven't jumped on here in quite awhile but The baby went to sleep early tonight so here I am. Anyway, Normark delivered the new exclusive warts today so they'll be available online within the next day or so and in the Spfld store in about a week

Quillback, I'm glad to hear you say you feel that Bass Pro does a better job of keeping things in stock. I'm not afraid to admit that I do work for Bass Pro and I am in charge of ordering and keeping in stock the freshwater lures. We have systems in place to stay in stock and I can tell you that 95% of the time we are out of stock, it is because the vendor is unable to keep up with demand and ship us product. Mr. Babler, I like and respect what you said- it was a logical and well said statement

Amboyduke, very well said. Thank your for attempting to clear up some of the misunderstandings

One more reply and then I'm done. Stating that CPA does not announce its payback is complete ignorance. Go to the website, click on tournament info and then 2013 pro-am payback. It clearly states that there is an 80% payback and even goes so far as breaking down the payback based on how many people participate in the tournament. The idea that a person wouldnt welcome $1000 in gift cards on top of the 80% payback for winning the tournament is confusing to me. Of course I would prefer a boat but saying gift cards are worthless just doesn't make much sense to me. You can buy clothing, line, tackle, oil, marine accessories, hunting products, or use it for a dinner at Hemingways.

Champ you might want to ask Mike Webb what Bass Pro has done for him and Central Pro-Am. Bass Pro is his #1 sponsor and they have donated thousands of dollars of Gift Cards to CPA this year. This has been a very entertaining thread. Funny that it started out about Lews reels (and I agree that they make a great product) and has started to include Nitro/BPS. Two of Lews' highest profile employees, Lovan and Eustler both run Nitro boats.

I must say I don't get the animosity towards Bass Pro. They are looked down on for making a decent product and charging a fair market price? I just dont get it. Are they as smooth as a Lews or Shimano? Maybe not but they are pretty similar, made in the same factories, and getting what you pay for is a legitimate claim. The retails are already fair market price and they are regularly on sale. As far as Nitro goes, I really don't understand the hatred there. Nitro boats today are vastly improved than just a few years ago. While you can't turn on a dime like in a Skeeter or have the top end speed of a Gambler or a Basscat, again the key is value. A new Nitro is thousands less than the other brands. I'm not trying to pick a fight, just sticking up for what I believe to be a quality company in Bass Pro. To my knowledge, no other company in the Industry gives more donations or does more for tournament fishing and I will always shop there because of it.

Redfins and Storm Thundersticks are both good options. If you can tune one just right they are hard to beat but the lucky craft is probably my favorite, especially on schooling fish. It's smaller size seems to get better hookups than redfins or spooks, in my opinion

It was 45 Saturday morning

Fished with a good friend around Mill Creek ( white river) today. Caught around 30 fish, but only one keeper. Lots of 14 1/2 inch fish. Caught them all on a Spro Jerkbait. Couldn't get them to eat a wart. Didn't throw an a-rig but did see a guy catch an 8 pounder on one on the other side of a point from us.

It is legal to use in the OMTT

The word at work (Bass Pro) is that the wiggle wart was still catching them this weekend. Surprising that they are still eating it but I saw pics that proved it

Fished the dam area this weekend and caught several keepers in the 3 to 5lb range on a wiggle wart. Main lake ledge banks seemed to be the best. Tried finding some deep fish but no luck out there