Champ188

A friend loaned me a book called Trackin' Trophies a few years back that is a real eye opener. If the book is truly representative of how big fish behave --- and I have no reason to doubt it --- they spend only a small fraction of their lives in waters where they are likely to be susceptible to the average angler. Jason nailed it about where they spend the rest of their time --- way out offshore, suspended with the baitfish. Furthermore, the biologist who did the research for the book (he used electronic tracking tags) found that when these big fish did move relatively shallow to feed, they usually did so under the cover of night. I do think the A-rig has made some of these fish more vulnerable to those who throw it (I'm not among them; tried it and just don't enjoy it). But I also think the numbers of catchable big fish have declined, leaving them even harder to locate and catch. I think it would humble us all to know just how many are really out there that are just hard as heck to get a lure in front of. As for those who have toted them home for photos and then killed them, the rest of us are now paying the price for your irresponsibility and ignorance. http://gifyoutube.com/gif/v13pJk

Go bass fishing and throw a California Craw-colored Ned rig on gravel areas. You'll catch a lot of bass and probably have a few bonus Walters mixed in.

Nicely done, indeed. Good pics, too.

Yup, especially considering the hooks are way too big.

If the other one was QB's Ford, that's using the term "truck" rather loosely.

Not bad at all. Way to get after them.

The Petrino jokes even play down here.

I smell what you're cookin', Dave.

That bushes deal sounds kinda like it might be floating worm time. There's usually a pretty good bite on that thing for a little while after the spawn. Maybe it's time for the Floating Ned.

At 25 yards, you can practically converse in a normal tone of voice. I think we can all agree that is way too close.

Well said, Bass Enforcer. I appreciate the perspective.

No, aarchdale, you guys are the ones throwing a fit because I don't share the opinion that this tournament is the be-all, end-all, peaches-and-cream event of Table Rock bass fishing. It makes no difference if I'm the only member of this entire forum who feels this way, it's a public forum and I have every right to my opinion. For the last time, I don't care if they hand out lollipops wrapped in $100 bills, I do not care for this tournament and I've about reached the point that I don't care for any of them, including any that I've ever competed in or may compete in again. My reasoning remains the same. Because of its sheer size, this event seems to bring out unprecedented levels of rudeness on the lake ... as if our everyday rudeness these days isn't already excessive. Does the big-bass format also lend to more of the run-and-gun, devil-may-care attitude of some contestants because of inexperience in how to behave during a competition? I think it probably does, but I'm not prepared to back that up so maybe so, maybe not. What I do know is that it's high time people started showing some respect for others on the lake and anywhere/everywhere else in the world. But a realistic person such as myself also realizes that isn't going to improve. So as my last word on this topic, I stand by my feelings and it doesn't bother me to stand alone (or with 5bites).

That advice is as sound as it gets. Good luck to you guys.

Pretty one, and a black crappie at that.

Far more amused than imploded, Mark. Hey, since you're headed over to Grand and obviously planning on coming back here next year, here's a name you might want to keep in mind: John Higman from Evansville, AR. Seems John decided to test his skills at circumventing the rules of the Arkansas Big Bass Bonanza a few years back and was downright successful, winning the whole shebang and $101,000. Did I mention that he finished second in 2008 with a fish over 7 pounds? Picked up a darn good paycheck that year, too. Well, in 2010, he was back and by gosh was leading again with a fish over 8 pounds, and his dad weighed in two more over 7. Finally starting to smell a rat, tournament organizers started examining the situation and next thing you know, the Higman fellows were disqualified. And all this after John, being the kind-hearted pillar of the community that he is, gifted a buddy with $86,000 of his 2009 prize money. Just thought you might want to keep an eye out for these dudes since Evansville is only a couple hours' drive from either Table Rock or Grand. You just never know how those feel-good stories of big-bass derby winners might turn out. Here's a little YouTube video of Mr. Higman in 2009.

Translation: As much as a fishing tournament, it's a dog-and-pony show to make money for yourselves and good ol' Johnny. It isn't a destination event for the bass that get hauled out of the river arms and bounced around either by boat or trailer all the way to the far east end of the lake. I assure you, they have no interest in visiting Johnny World. Your tournament has by far more entrants than any other annual event on the lake and hauls fish farther than any other. Even the local Homer Sloan and Shriners derbies have multiple weigh-in locations. But then they are only 10x10 pop-up tent events that raise money for sick kids and other charities, not big commercial bassapalooza productions intended to line the pockets of yourselves and good ol' Johnny.

See you at the spelling bee on Friday after Thanksgiving. Oh wait, that's a football game. You might want to start working on this word ... o-b-l-i-t-e-r-a-t-e-d.

Glad you got out and enjoyed a nice long weekend with your brother and Bill.

Nice trip. Thanks for the report!

Dennis, it is not (yet) a crime in this country to have an opinion and speak it. And that opinion doesn't have to align with those of everyone else --- or anyone else, for that matter. No one was abusive toward OBBT. Some of us simply hold opinions that go against theirs or those who support them. No crime committed.

Nothing good can come from holding a trophy fish vertical, shaking it at the camera and bellowing, "Git you some of this!"

Definitely a nice job of fish handling. Thanks for sharing and pointing that out. Everyone needs to take a lesson here, especially the BASS Elite and FLW Tour pros who injure no telling how many fish with their devil-may-care handling of the creatures that make their living/careers.

Lots of fun there. Thanks for sharing.

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?