Champ188

Babler knows the biologists in the area. Maybe he can chime in.

Johnny does sooooooo much for the sport, I'm surprised he hasn't built a launching facility on TR. Oh wait, he has. But he charges an entrance fee to use it. LOL

Bill, as a career sports/outdoors writer for newspapers including the Arkansas Gazette (later the Democrat-Gazette), Pensacola News-Journal and Hot Springs Sentinel Record, I can assure you that Brent/Mike were beyond appreciative of your information. Sources like you make the newspaper's job so much easier. My fishing report locations ranged anywhere from 10 to 25 lakes/rivers, and most of my contacts were dock/fish camp owners who were wonderful people ... salt of the earth ... but it was like pulling wisdom teeth every week to get enough info to publish a worthwhile report.

This all reminds me of a funny exchange between finesse jig guru Jim Eakins and a patron at a tackle show where Jim was working: Patron: So, Jim, how do you know a fish has the jig in his mouth? Eakins: Because they don't have hands.

A highly intelligent and well-informed fellow he certainly is.

Thanks, guys. My only regret is that my Valentine didn't catch it.

I would bet anything short of my life that the fish weighed 4 1/2 pounds. Was really fat and full of eggs and the guy holding it is 6-4 and a little north of 400 lbs. We have a pretty decent digital scale in the boat and I would've weighed it except I was fighting the wind on the TM, trying to get her unhooked for a couple of pics and just not paying attention to the fish. It wasn't until I got home and looked close at the pic that I realized it was a spot.

Costs absolutely nothing to set the hook. Well, except maybe a lost lure.

Great day, guys. You had a good partner today, QB. I'd like to get him back in my boat again soon.

No good, for sure.

Well said, my friend.

You said a lot right there, bo.

It will change. A lot. And probably pretty soon judging by the forecast.

I would and DO believe it, and therefore I'm a cut-Zinker man only. You've paved the way, my brother. I'm mostly smart enough to walk behind you.

We considered going to Grand but when I walked outside at 5:00 and the wind was howling, I said nah, we'll go north. That's the nice thing about pretty much giving up derbies ... not duty-bound to practice at a particular lake.

First cast at 8:30 a.m., last fling at 3:30 p.m. Fished pretty hard throughout the day in the middle White River arm, roughly from Campbell Point to Baxter. Only had nine total to show for our efforts, with just two keepers. Wind howled all day, swinging around from northwest to due east by the time we left. Jerk bait carrying a lovely Tim Hughes custom paint job produced the first and biggest fish. After that, bites came on a crank plug, a single swimmer and the Venerable Varmint. Apologies (not really) to the BASS Open and other prefish drive-by guys if you don't know our lingo here. Weather has these fish stirring. Saw water temps up to 51. Pretty surprising where we found some of them.

Donna and I are in for this open derby. Do we pay in advance or at the ramp?

Amen. This is a co-ed forum and besides, we want to be youth-friendly, too. The internet has plenty of other venues for that stuff.

Everyone is a winner. Everyone is awesome. Everyone gets the same thing regardless of how much talent they have or how much effort they put into it. Let socialism ring!

Some strong names there for sure. I've mentioned it before but Donna and I fished Central Pro-Am back before all of the format changes and Watson was always a pleasure to be around. Good people.

Oh no you did not just say that.

Absolutely! No one can possibly fish to any degree of success without a JERSEY!

It is the Sherman tank of tin boats. May not be designed for lake fishing for bass but it will get the job done just fine.

Do not lick me. Don't even THINK about it.

abk does not possess a RAP (River Area Permit). Only card-carrying RAP-pers are allowed up in these parts. On three now, all you river rats ... "I like big bass and I cannot lie."