Ketchup

Daryk, In my boat I have 2 rods with braid. Both of those rods have about a 3' leader of 8lb mono. As stated above, I want a weak link to the line so I can break off on a deep hang up if needed. Also that braid, to my eyes even in not so clear water, looks like a fire truck hose being pulled thru the water. I do fish straight braid on occasion, but most of the time if I'm using a reel with braid, it will have a mono leader to give me that piece of mind that those fish aren't thinking there's a fire nearby because they see that fire hose in the water.

After watching the video, I may have to order some. Oh wait, their sold out. Andy how about you make us some.

Sweet beans man. Where was it at "Town"? Now the fun for the next few trips start. I know your itching to get out there.

Dissolved oxygen is the single most important factor for keeping bass alive, and an understanding of factors that affect oxygen levels will better enable anglers to keep their fish alive. There are several options on the market that allow a tournament angler to do everything within his power to provide for a healthy livewell while the fish are in his possession. Those options that Phil mentioned have none of that. An ice chest is a sign that someone is going to be eating fish that evening. I can remember loosing 1 fish while in a tournament in the past 10 years. That fish went home with some people fishing off of the dock. I try to do my best by making sure prior to tournament day, of making sure everything about the livewell is 100%. I know a few of our guys use chemicals to help maintain health, oxygen, less stress, etc. I would say that the typical tournament angler "any species" is more in touch of what fish need than non tournament guys, as it's how they get paid t the end, by keeping the health of the fish priority. I know not everyone agrees with this, but just an insight from someone who has fished hundreds of tournaments from Pa. to Az.

They say if you have nothing good to say, then say nothing at all. I will keep that quote in mind as I respond with my take on this "culling" thread. Culling has been around I'm sure as long as tournament fishing has been a sport. Is culling detriment to fishing as a whole? I would say it has very little impact as a whole. Is culling detriment to tournament bass fishing? Again I would so no. Yes it has an impact on a small number of fish, But the reality is that many bass are taken out and eaten every week on this lake and others like it by the thousands of anglers out to catch food, and still they continue to produce. Catch-and-release has done wonders for this fishery and many like it. So has culling fish for the table. The best measure, instead of listing that you hate culling, or tournament anglers in general, is to maybe spark up conversation about livewell care, handling fish even if you plan to return them within seconds with wet hands instead of dry hands, using a rubber net instead of a mesh net, using additives in the livewell to help with stress, only keeping what you can eat that day instead of bragging about your "limit" of big walleye or crappie you caught. These things not only apply to bass tournament anglers, but anglers of EVERY type. You hooking an 8" bass down deep and yanking that hook out while he bleeds as you throw him overboard is no better then a tournament angler loosing a fish in the livewell. Out of our 9 tournaments last year, I only know of 2 bass that were weak after weighin to where I wasn't certain they would make it, but yet they swam off. Now what happens hours or days after I'm not sure, just as the non tourney guys aren't sure about the fish they release the days they fish. This topic will be a debate amongst anglers as long as fishing is allowed. Again, use your vast knowledge of fishing, and spread it in a positive manner by giving known facts about how to help fish "tournament or non-tournament guys" better care for what they catch.

Looking at my tourney weights for Toledo, I was only 6 ounces off. Wish I could guess that well on my picks.

Good deal. Pretty cheap fix

Without a doubt

Well if it's at least .100 ga. Foil then come join us for some great tourneys. ?

He put it in his fish tank.

Haha, Hey D, you not on that "other" forum currently, so no banning gonna happen anytime soon.

BassTrakk shows Jacob Wheeler has a limit in the livewell already. And its only 7:15am.

Born in Sherman. Most of my family still live there, or in Denison. We make it down there a few times a year. Love Fork and planning a trip soon.

Sorry to hear you "settled" on a Merc.. You can always step back up when that motor peters out. Texas? My home state.

True 96. I was off the water at 2:30. Peek-a-boo around the docks with a 7" worm T-R'gd is what most of my fish came on. Caught a few on a wart but the number were liking the worm.

Thanks Andy. I just seen this.

Good to see you guys got into them. I started out the truck headed that way yesterday, but decided with the wind picking up, i would stay closer to home and go to TR. Nice job on the fish.

I was out yesterday out of Aunts, and like Bill, i caught alot of 12" to 14" fish. Out of the 25 or so in 3 hours, not 1 went 15". I marked suspended fish in several locations, but you might as well bury them under the rocks, because me catching them in that manner is like catching a firefly while in a wheelchair. It can be done, but its a chore. "Not in any way making fun of anyone in a wheelchair." That wind kept me within a mile of the ramp as i would rather fish in the rain or snow than that much of wind.

Nice job. The dam area has given up some good fish over the years. We camp in the cove where your video started day 2 at this time of year, its hard to not fish it. Thanks for sharing the video.

Says the guy that passes EVERY other Tracker on the water with that souped up Merc.

I will be up there Friday the 21st to see how things are. I will look for ya when i running around looking for areas that are holding fish. Great to have ya join us.

Sounds great. Well all but the Cali part. Grew up "10 to 21" in Riverside and hope I never go back. Good luck Friday. I will be there Sat.

I have debated this myself as I love to fish, and meet new people. I can twist my schedule usually at work. Any other time you need someone to join ya, Hollar.

haha. im always recruiting. Passed out info Sat. to 2 guys on Pomme

Aluminum Triton?