Champ188

Webster defines "forum" as a medium (as a newspaper or online service) of open discussion or expression of ideas. Mark, you are complaining because myself and others "continue to offer their thoughts and opinions" on a forum that exists just for that reason. For the record, you have no idea whatsoever just how much information I share with OAF members both online and by inviting them into my boat for a day of fishing. In the past year alone, I have taken five different OAF members fishing, provided them with lures to take home, etc. So I'm not exactly the villain you'd like to paint me as. Bon voyage, dude. See ya next year.

Is that counting those fishing both days as two entries?

By nature, big bass tournaments draw bigger crowds because it only takes one cast rather than five to win the whole shebang. They also draw a higher percentage of inexperienced tournament anglers, although I'm not sure that's really a factor anymore. It used to be there was a silent code of ethics among tournament anglers, and that only a select few failed to follow them (don't cut people off, don't wash people up on the bank with your wake, etc.). However, the overwhelming lack of respect/regard for anything or anyone beyond your own nose has spilled over into every facet of life these days. Regardless, the more entries, the more jerks. And because they can actually get lucky and win some money as opposed to five-fish limit tournaments, the jersey-wearing, KVD-worshipping, can't-catch-a-bluegill-on-a-cricket crowd flock o these events, charging around the lake on nothing but adrenaline and testosterone and cutting off anyone in their path. Strong words, yes. But those who ignore or deny they exist are part of the reason there are so many of them. Glad I'm writing this from my recliner about to go enjoy a round of golf. It would be no fun out there this weekend. P.S. It will take more than disgruntled locals for tournament organizers to consider limiting the field. They are here a few days out of the year and then off to their next event. What do they care whether we like their derby or not? The more entrants, the more money they make ... bottom line.

Dave, my only concern is that you used the word "piping" outside of the context of plumbing.

I can't recall ever having caught a goggle-eye above Kimberling City. And Donna and I have put in a lot of hours up there.

QB, your methodology or test kits must be flawed. All of these station owners touting no-ethanol gas are liars and us idiots are falling for it. I read that somewhere.

Yes, it does suck. For Arkansas guys, the Short Stop station on U.S. 62 in Garfield sells no-ethanol regular (87 octane). For my money, it's easily worth the price of 15-20 cents above ethanol gas.

I can definitely see them being useful in Oklahoma. We just give the folks a hard time who obviously buy them for the looks and only use them occasionally to anchor their boats to the bank at weigh-in --- provided they caught anything to weigh in. LOL

Amen to eyeballing the flat banks. Most any of them will have a good percentage of gravel content, especially if the slope is slow. And the Corps wouldn't be the Corps if they didn't drop the water out of the bushes. Heck, we can't allow those insignificant bass to actually have a successful spawn.

Terrible, awful, no-good place to fish. I was only in there to get out of the storms. I went screaming out of there fast as I could go after the storm passed.

To heck with lunch/dinner. Anyone who knows me will attest that I could stand to skip a meal or two. As for a jersey ... YES PLEASE! A little psychology secret ... I only rag on the jersey jocks coz I don't have one of my own. Jealousy is a hideous thing.

Nicely done, jolicious. My favorite line from an eTrade commercial: "Read the rules, Shankopotamous!"

Is this a great group or what? Classy of you, C4F.

Nice rig indeed, but no Power Poles? Hate to say it but you're gonna stick out like a sore thumb without them on Table Rock. Coz they are EXTREMELY vital when your boat is sitting in 20-50 feet of water all day. Seriously, hope you have a great trip. Keep that Ned wet and you'll catch a lot of fish.

In other words, a pretty pedestrian day on the Rock.

With the lake at 917 (or thereabouts), you'll have a hard time seeing any gravel because those type of points are generally flat, meaning they are underwater right now.

Love my Cobra irons although I'm starting to get a touch of Ping fever. And yes sir, we were on the lower end. Launched at Old 86. The nap was enjoyed in the back of Beardsley.

You're onto my secret. I fish in my golf caps and play golf in my fishing caps.

Anyone without a Redfin and/or Spook tied on will be missing a good chance at a good bite. Same goes for swim baits. There's also a fb jig/hula grub/wobblehead dragging bite developing as many of the fish come off spawning beds and set up on points with gravel/small chunk rock. With the water now in the bushes, there's a chance of catching a good fish on a spinnerbait worked diligently around the flooded brush provided there's some wind.

You might be onto something there SplitG2. LOL

Now that's funny I don't care who you are.

Increasingly, it seems there is no bad time (nor bad way) to fish the Ned.

Every 24-volt MotorGuide I've owned has been prone to pop breakers if you stand on the pedal too long. I now have a 36-volt Minn Kota Fortrex and haven't had a single issue with that (or anything else).

Yes, I realize the payouts are listed. You didn't read my message or chose not to address it correctly. I said "actual percentage of entry fees paid back to the anglers" is not listed. That's a major concern among all tournament anglers and has been for years. I'm just asking, how much of the cash taken in is paid back out? 70 cents on the dollar? 80 cents?

Nothing in tournament fishing is "free." Your entry fee covers more than prize payouts. In fact, the actual percentage of entry fees returned to the anglers doesn't seem to be revealed on the tournament website.