abkeenan

Indeed. Won our league and got 24th overall out of 7,402 members in the Tackle Warehouse Group. Congrats.

Yes. Except my sponsor is NOT supportive of my fishing expenditures. Very odd and unorthodox business relationship. Sometimes sharing the same bed with my wife/sponsor gets awkward after another Tackle Warehouse rod tube shows up on the doorstep.

I've bought most of my reels the last 5-10 years off Ebay or direct from Sportsmans Outfitters in Dothan, AL. They carry both Lew's and Daiwa. They run smokin' hot deals with prices that won't be beat. Give them a look next time you're looking to buy. I've been happy with everything I've ever gotten from them. Never an issue. Let's just say I have a BUNCH of HUK Daiwa Tatula performance shirts now. Which are almost as awesome as the reels. 😎

I think Quantum had some okay color schemes. 🤣

Agree with all of this. Only reels I own consist of Lews, Shimano and Daiwa. Wonder if Lew's will make their flagship rods and reels with KVD's signature or stamp of a approval on it? In the past I think Jason Christie was kinda their golden boy for the high end Lew's reels. The amount of information available to the consumer I think has really changed how people purchase nowadays. Back in the Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Hank Parker, etc hay day in the 60s thru 90s guys/gals just took their word or endorsement of a product as gospel. Good enough for them, good enough for me. But with the internet and age of information consumers can search reviews, opinions and tech specs on any product with a few key strokes on their laptop/tablet/smart phone. People/buyers are not as dumb anymore and more cognizant of marketing gimmicks, shoddy materials/components or flat out BS. The old model of sponsorship is no longer as effective as it once was. That said, I think KVD is one of the few outliers. Anything he puts his name on carries weight in the industry. If it weren't for him Quantum would have probably been out of business before the 2nd Bush administration took office. In the end it's good to see a local company/brand grow like Lew's has. The fact that they were able to land a whopper like KVD is a good deal in my book. Competition to drive innovation and better products is never a bad thing in any market.

I don't think there is any question he is the best of all time. He's the Tiger Woods, Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan, etc of professional bass fishing. Regardless of what he does the rest of his career, he's a legend. I've met him and chatted twice now before the Big Bass Tour events when he was propped up at the Springfield BPS. Really a cool guy.

Figured someone would have mentioned the news yesterday that KVD will now be sporting Lew's rods and reels. Saw the article and why it made sense since the equity company (Peak Rock Capital I believe) already bought out Strike King. Quantum has been going downhill for quite some time and this has to be the nail in the coffin...right? Will be interesting to see the KVD inspired Lew's models of rods and reels.

I think that's the strategy you have to go with if you are trailing. The guys near the very top probably want to play it relatively safe. But the two in our league that are in "striking distance" will have to take a risk on low owned anglers and pray that they do well to make up that ground.

Indeed. My brother Connor has been talking trash the last couple of weeks. Would be cool for either him or Bassmaster to finish near the top. I've seen pics of the haul you get from TW for winning the BASS fantasy fishing. It's like a tackle orgy. Good luck to both. Certainly don't need my help!

Guys, Looks like I goofed (shocker) and said that this last Elite Tournament on Tenkiller was the last event of the year. But it looks like the AOY Event is the last which starts in 5 days. So be sure to fill out a lineup for this last deal. So reminder to ALL, get those teams filled out! When the season wraps up I'll post here on the thread on what members are sending baits to what members. You'll then reach out to that member via a private message to get their address to send the 1 bait of your choice. Thanks to all who participated.

It's not the same or even close. But to be honest, I have kept more up to date on the BASS tournaments than BPT. The 1,000 dink format has just killed it for me. The initial novelty of it has completely worn off in my book. I have almost no interest in MLF at this point even though they have the majority of the world class bass fishermen in their circuit. I have a BUNCH of the MLF episodes DVR'd and haven't even bothered to watch them. I'm probably in the minority here but that's just how I feel these days.

Just a reminder that the final Elite event of the season starts next Thursday. So set your lineups. The event was switched from Fort Gibson to Tenkiller just an FYI. We have 19 contestants that participated this year and quite a few haven't filled out rosters in multiple, some nearly all, weeks. Let me know what the league would like to do as far "payouts" on who gets baits this year. Top 3? Top 5? etc.

Was pretty surprised to read that the guide had been around the TR Dam when they caught it. Was expecting it to be way up river by Beaver. Fish made a long journey down the White that's for sure. Can you imagine catching that on topwater in low conditions in the AM or PM thinking it was a black/brown? I know I'd have the rod in one hand and MDC on the phone in the other telling them to get me a certified scale to State Park Marina ASAP! They'd hang up on me though because I'd done that once before on a crankbait attached to a big flathead. False alarm!

They only bite on MY command. I only command them on paid member's casts. For your comments your membership just doubled, wise guy.

Yep. Thanks for pointing that out. Looks like we have quite a few guys not filling out lineups. Come on gents!

Clunn "the ageless wonder" also still showing why he's one of the best anglers or all time.

Area local, Brian Snowden puttin' a hurtin' on them today according to BassTrakk. Glad someone decided to go with him in their lineup!

Last reminder to set your lineups. Elites start tomorrow morning. Good luck.

Been a long time since last BASS Event. Just an early reminder to get your lineups set for next week.

Been meaning to give one of those a try.

You should. Unless your mail man took a fancy to it before it hit your mailbox.

Didn't post a report but was down last weekend with the bro and topwater around the dam was on fire. Caught them pretty much all day on it. Caught them shallow in the back of pockets and also deep main lake stuff. Caught them on an unnamed Tim Hughes custom painted bait that I only know of one other in existence. 🤐 Mostly all quality largemouth too. Waker caught them 4-1 versus poppers or dog walkers. Nothing huge. Biggest was about a 3+LM. Did have a diesel smallie around 4lbs torpedo the waker and not get it one morning. Looked like one of those Great White videos of them smashing seals off the coast of South Africa. Just a vicious blow up. Gotta get out there early as the best time for that is starting at 5 and ends around 7 for the real hot action. Whites were mixed in with the browns/blacks on the main lake. Get while the gettin' is good. Will also add that they liked the big worm after dark. More-so than the jig. Gonna have to get with Bo to show me how to properly use his products. 😁 This post has been promoted to an article

Been awhile since last BASS Elite event. Just an advanced reminder that Guntersville starts next week. Get your lineups set, gents.

From what I saw the top guys were flipping the flooded bushes/wood with either a jig or a shakyhead worm for the most part. Some were picking some up on a jerkbait on the outside of those bushes. Wiggins caught most of his quality fish up shallow on a Plopper.