Teddy

Well, I have to tell you that we had 10 boats in our bass club. That is 20 guys, so about 6k spent that weekend (your math of $3,000 was wrong). I asked the lodge owner what impact his business would have, if the tournaments and clubs would not book through him. He told me that they accounted for about 40% of his bookings. I don't claim to be the smartest person, however, I own a business and if I lost 40% of my business it would hurt. The fact is that these tournaments and club event help your local economy and provide a great tax base for your schools. I am not calling anyone hillbillies, but you don't seem very smart, if you don't think this helps. We stopped at the gas station 2x's, ate at the OO saloon, bought gas on the lake, shopped at a local grocery store, stayed at a lodge. HMMM..... By the way, the picture below was from that Sunday. My brother and I fished in 20mph winds in a sleet storm. We managed a limit. It was nice being able to pull them out of the well at the end of the day and show what we did. We took second because another boat caught a 5+ and 4+ pounder. It was also very nice seeing the fish they caught. The fish were released in the water behind the picture. I believe in conservation, enjoyment of the world God gave us. This is what my brother and I took part in that weekend. We will have the memories of our fingers freezing while catching a limit for weigh in on TR lake for the rest of our lives. You guys need to get over the idea of weigh-in's. There not going away anytime soon. And you should be glad for it, your economies and schools are better for it!

I am coming down tomorrow to be in a club tournament. There will only be 10 boats in the tournament. I am guessing that each guy will spend between $200-$400 on our fun weekend. You are crazy if you think that club tourney's and the big ones don't help the local economy. I agree with tjm, I enjoy getting away from the stresses of life and just being on the lake. The last thing you local residents want is to push away the fishing tourist due to your obnoxious view on live wells.

Wow, you all have more time than I. I have not read all the comments, however, I just think this is a silly conversation. We all have a sinful nature, cheating would happen. Money makes the world go round. The TR community is in a better place because of Tournament fishing. The economy is far better off with tournament fishing, whether it be clubs or the big tourneys. I love the outdoors. I release most my fish instantly after I catch them, however, when I go fishing with my children we eat them. I feel this helps plant a seed in them the success of a good day fishing. When I am in a tournament I will drive them all day and weight them in. When I go deer hunting with my boys we will eat the loins the same day we killed the deer. Again, it plants that seed. I can promise you one thing. TR is a very tough lake to fish successfully, and the population is not going to be damaged so bad that there are not any bass, due to transport. And if this happens, the MDC can add fish to the population. We live in a commercialized money driven world, this is not going to slow down. That is a good thing for all the lodge owners, boat repair companies, eateries, grocery stores, tackle shops, etc... you get my point. Like it or not, you want the big tourneys. It keeps the economy humming!!!!

Best advise I can give anyone is 'don't buy new'. Especially with sports cars and boats. It is not very hard to find a 10 year old bass rig with very low hours. Most people don't use their boat more than 10 times a year. Boats are very expensive. The average nice bass rig goes for more that what most people make in a year. You can get a very nice used boat for 1/3 or 1/4 of the cost of a new one. Just my 2 cents!

What color wart?

color of water, and color of spinner bait?

I come down every spring, normally about the same time you will be down. Sometimes it is a shad bite, sometimes it crawfish bite, rarely are both really good. Your first task is to figure that out. Once you figure this out look to the suggestions in this forum. This has always suited me the best. My experience is that the Rock is harder than most lakes, however if you take your time with your presentation you will get bit. With this rain you may not find clear water, if you do go with lighter line, Flourocarbon is a must. All that said, the Rock is the most beautiful body of water I have ever fished. I always enjoy the time on it, whether I catch a bunch or not. I am sure you will have a great time.

I would recommend that you use 6# Fluro on your light line/spinning rod, and 10# Fluro on your slow presentation baitcaster. I always have a baitcaster with 15# mono for top water or a reaction bait. I use Berkley Vanish Transition line and have never had a problem with it, however, if the line gets stretched I always retie.

Water was very clear and yes the blades were painted. Here is a picture of my bait... I would not think it would work in clear water, however it worked great!

Fished Thursday through Saturday and fished around KC area. Yesterday I had my best day ever on the rock, caught 7 keepers, best 5 would have been about 14 pounds, Best was 5.5 pounds. Had a mix of LM, spots and browns. exclusively used a Strike King Pro .38 in red shad. Most caught in less than 5 feet of water. I Just love the Rock!!!

Thanks for all the accolades. I was just looking to help others. The only bsit we could catch them on was a PBJ jig with green craw trailer.

otsi=SANR.htm Here is a picture, and by the way. I did not meen that it was the best day ever in all of history. I meant it was the best day on LOZ for me. I am not sure how to just have my picture show up. We did take second in a 52 boat tourney....

On Saturday my brother and I fished for about 7 hours. We caught about 40 bass with 8 keepers. Our best five were 14 pounds. We fished from 40mm to 44mm. We used a pbj jig with watermelon craw trailer in 2-6 foot of water.

I will be down the week of may 28th. I have not had much luck bass fishing. I know the crappie fishing most post, however, I would appreciate any guidance. I will be fishing from mm 30 to mm 45. Thanks, Teddy

I will be coming down tomorrow and was wondering if you all know what patterns and baits were used by the elites. I know that many of you watched them on the lake. Thanks, Teddy