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Not only are the use of the appropriate nets necessary for the health of the fish, but also for the safety of the anglers. Three years ago, I marshaled with Chris Lane when he won the BASS Elite on Lake St. Clair. We were in Lake Huron for some of the fishing and he was standing on the front deck with no butt seat up front. A lot of the guys don't have any pedestal seats in the boat at all. Chris fell down to the deck a couple of times and he was dangerously leaning over the side of the boat to land fish. I asked him to at least put his Mustang on, but he refused. By the way, Chris was an awesome guy to spend the day with. Last year, BASS made the Open anglers fish without nets. Matt Vermilyea, who this year is fishing in the Elites, had his Co-Angler fall out of the boat on Lake Erie. Matt was able to get him back in the boat, but he fell out trying to reach for a big smallmouth bass. Two years ago,, when I fished the Northern Opens as a Co-angler, you could use a net. My buddy who I traveled with that year and is fishing the Northern Opens again this year, feels that the no net rule is the dumbest thing ever for the Open tournaments with Co-Anglers.

Is loon the black one?

I've been reading more and more about the RK Crawler. What colors have you guys been throwing the most?

Northern Lake Gimmick bait?

Spawned out already?

Nice report. Reminds me of when I took my son when he was that age. Treasure those times. He has a 4.5 year old son now and he is already fishing. Looking forward to getting down there and catching some of those Table Rock bass myself.

How many boats are usually in this tournament? How far away from the launch site do most boats go?

I watched a youtube video today of Mike McClelland throwing the Spro 115 on Table Rock. He was working it quite fast and said it only goes 4 foot deep. More of a spawn or post spawn bait. HE WAS CATCHING SOME NICE TR BASS ON IT.

I bought a couple of Bionic Blades at BPS when they had the rod and reel trade in going on. Normally $80 a rod, but they were $30 off and then I got another $10 off for trading in a 30 year old lightning rod. One of our best jerk bait fishermen in Michigan not named KVD uses a 6' 6" Bionic Blade medium for throwing his jerk baits. I also bought a 7-6 Heavy action to throw the A Rig with. Most of my rods are St. Croix or Shimano, but the deal was too sweet to bass up on. I agree with the other suggestions mentioned as all good options.

Good luck guys! Can't wait to see the pictures.

My wife and I fished with Ray Hanselman on Lake Amistad 7 years ago, and we had a tough morning, but a better afternoon. My wife even caught a ten pounder. I gave him a $50 tip, and he handed $60 back to me and said he didn't do his job good enough that day. I told him that we learned a lot and my wife caught a ten pounder,but he wouldn't take the money back. It was nice to see him do so well last year on the FLW tournaments.

Glad to see a good report on Aunt's Creek. I hope you and your son have many years of fishing trips to come.

Great Tutorial Bill! I taught my son when he was five just about the same way you described in our big back yard, with a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce crankbait with the hooks removed. Blind, you will love it for throwing 1/2 or 3/4 ounce spinner baits. Good luck!

First time I have seen the Mag Wart used here. I have a bunch and use them in Michigan for big smallmouths, but have had my best luck on Table Rock with the Fire Tiger Mag on Windy, deeper points. These reports are getting me revved up to get down there!

OH Boy! It hit 62 degrees here in Michigan and melted most of the 10 inches of snow we had last Wednesday. WHat will these fish be doing when I get down there on March 31? Will they be spawning by then? Crazy how fast things are changing every where. We might hit Lake St. Clair for smallmouths:) Good luck on the Rock guys. I hope you don't get too much rain.

The spinner bait seems to be making a comeback:)

I know I have some of those wee R 's. They used to be my go to baits too, before the newer stuff pushed them to the back of my stuff. Nice report:)

That sure is a nice fish you caught on the RK Crawler! Hope that rain isn't too heavy this week for you all.

W T 46-47

What was the weather like there today? It's supposed to be in the 50's up here in Michigan tomorrow. Should melt the 11 inches of snow we got a few days ago. TR lake temps should be getting close to 50 in some areas tomorrow.

I ordered some earlier today. Still a better price than anywhere else. Thanks

Thanks. I thought that was the site, but I thought we got a better deal the last time I ordered.

WHere is the best place on-line to buy your Death Trap hooks? Seems like I bought a bunch from some place on-line a few years back at a great price. Pretty sure I got the info from someone on this forum. Thanks for sharing in advance.

I'm heading to my barn to get my STX's that I have so far and change out the hooks. Thanks guys!

Do you guys change the hooks on the STX? They seem to bend pretty easy, or is that what you want for when you get them hung up? Also, have any of you added a feathered treble on the back? Thanks. With 11 inches of snow we got hit with yesterday, plenty of time to modify baits. Thanks.