Champ188

Nope, when all is said and done, they are bass and they do crazy things sometimes. I guess if they were too predictable, folks would've wiped them out years ago. And they wouldn't be near as challenging to chase around.

That's as many walleye as I've ever heard of anyone catching in a single day on the Rock or Beaver.

Supports what I've always heard and believed … that some of the biggest fish move up and spawn first. Not that any are spawning now in this cold water, but those were up cruising.

Doesn't have to be that tough. Lots of guys on this forum catch em pretty strong all the way thru the winter without throwing that hero-maker contraption.

Video sure looks like it floats.

I’m good with all that. The jersey thing is mostly a joke and I couldn’t agree more about respecting the fish and the resource in general.

Can't risk an arrest for impersonating a legend like yourself.

The context of this forum is Table Rock. I clearly stated that I've never seen reason to anchor my boat in 15 feet or less on TABLE ROCK or BEAVER. If I lived where shallow lakes were the norm, I'd have them.

So does a 3-foot bungie cord and a courtesy dock. Or a Hamby bow protector. I've been fishing 40 years without power poles and have never damaged or scratched a boat tying it up to a courtesy dock or beaching it to load/unload. I like toys as much as they next guy but not to the point of paying thousands for something I can easily get along without. I've also never seen the need to anchor my boat in less than 15 feet of water on Table Rock or Beaver. Even bed fishing in these lakes, you very often need to keep your boat sitting in water much deeper than power poles or talons would reach. And then there's the issue of getting your boat in the garage with those things. Just my opinion but I don't get it. What I do get is anyone who pays $4,000 for them or thinks they look cool enough to want them is gonna try and justify the expense. Just like jerseys, they are pretty much a decoration. Don't help you catch fish one bit. You can see that in person at your local weigh-in.

Watched the Bassmasters TV show last Saturday and it was just sad how they had an ancient Bob Cobb on the intro pitching the current field of no-names as the greatest anglers in the world. Cobb knows better. He was Ray Scott's first hire when Ray launched BASS in the late 60s. It was Cobb who brilliantly created the TV show in the 80s, long before the Zona/Dave Mercer earache era.

Those Power Poles are invaluable on The Rock. I have no idea how Donna and I get by without em. I doubt we'd ever get a bite if it weren't for 😂our matching jerseys.

Good job, my friend. Glad to hear the water temp didn't bottom out during that last arctic freeze. I'm hoping for a bunch of warm rain the next couple of days. I've seen that kick start things this time of year.

I just bought 3 new Pro Guide 27s last year. Running a Fortrex 36V and can fish two days on a full charge. Previous set lasted 4 years. I'm sold.

Thanks for your kindness, TRB. Given there are a fair number of jerks out there who would NOT respect a dock owner's property, I can understand why some would not want boaters taking shelter in their slips. I always stay in my boat and just slide in and out without banging around.

All truth. Well said. This time of year, water temps can vary 6-8 degrees depending on area of the lake. Knowing where the warmer water is can be the difference in having a pretty good day or going fishless.

Not even me and Donna are that crazy. For gosh sakes, it was sunny! Now if it was cloudy and snowing/sleeting, we might have been out there. 😄

Bo doesn't blank. Ever. Not in his repertoire.

Prayers for a speedy recovery.

Watch out now! 😂

Not disputing the deal about spooking the school ... I can see that as a real possibility. But I’ve also seen him do the same with big LM caught in totally different surroundings and mention taking a group photo later. I’ve even seen him ask his partner: “Think this one will make the cut?” My opinion is that he’s a self-saturated poophead. I’m sure others see him differently.

Someone needs to poke them with a stick. Big one. Hard. Over the head. Till they have trouble walking. Zona wannabes. That loudmouth buffoon puts em in the livewell constantly on TV.

Global warming … another "win" for the liberals. 😆😂

Mono has far more stretch than FC and will absorb a harder hookset. I said I don't trust myself not to set the hook too hard sometimes. I haven't yet achieved perfection. Congrats on your arrival.

I use 6-pound mono exclusively on my spinning rods. Shaky head and Ned are pretty much the only things I throw on them. Grub on occasion in the winter. Best mono I have found for this use is BPS Excel in the green tint. Tough stuff and isn't bad about coiling when stored. Pull it behind the boat once a trip to get the twists out and you're ready to go next time. I change it about every 3-4 trips. Not because it's worn but because at $9.99 for 1,500 yards, it's just easier to respool than mess with old line. Right now, it's $6.69 for that 1,500 yard spool . I won't argue that fluorocarbon might be a bit more sensitive and I wouldn't think of using anything but quality carbon (Sunline Sniper or Trilene 100% FC) on my baitcasting tackle for jigs and other "feel" lures. But I'm stuck on mono for spinning apps. I just don't trust myself not to rear back too hard and snap light-test FC. In the words of comedian Ron White … "I've seen me do it."

I remember a Central Pro-Am tournament a few years back on Beaver Lake being won just the way Plug is describing. Local guy named David Franks won it.