Donna G

Copied this from another site. A little more info. We're going tomorrow. Indoors. Me like now. ====== You get free admission and can talk with professional anglers Denny Brauer and Randy Blaukat along with other local and regional fishing experts this weekend at the Bill’s Marine Boat Show in Joplin today, Friday January 8th and Saturday January 9th. Seminars include information on area lakes like Grand, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals as well as the latest winter and spring techniques and tackle for bass and crappie. Hours are 9 to 9 both days at the Jack Lawton (edit) Convention Center located at 5300 South Range Line in Joplin. Hourly door prizes both days along with free hot dogs and sodas midday on Saturday only. See the all new 2010 Z521 Ranger at the show, the boat that is the buzz with today’s professional anglers. There are great prices on a select number of last year’s Ranger models as well as the best deals in the area on late model demos available with remaining factory warranties. Come to the free show and guarantee yourself that 2010 will be your best fishing year ever. Happy boating, Bill’s Marine 231 South Hwy 37 Monett, MO 65708 Phone: (417) 235-6078

Just passing it on - saw it on another site. We're going tomorrow. ====== You get free admission and can talk with professional anglers Denny Brauer and Randy Blaukat along with other local and regional fishing experts this weekend at the Bill’s Marine Boat Show in Joplin today, Friday January 8th and Saturday January 9th. Seminars include information on area lakes like Grand, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals as well as the latest winter and spring techniques and tackle for bass and crappie. Hours are 9 to 9 both days at the Jack Lawton (edit) Convention Center located at 5300 South Range Line in Joplin. Hourly door prizes both days along with free hot dogs and sodas midday on Saturday only. See the all new 2010 Z521 Ranger at the show, the boat that is the buzz with today’s professional anglers. There are great prices on a select number of last year’s Ranger models as well as the best deals in the area on late model demos available with remaining factory warranties. Come to the free show and guarantee yourself that 2010 will be your best fishing year ever. Happy boating, Bill’s Marine 231 South Hwy 37 Monett, MO 65708 Phone: (417) 235-6078

Just passing it on - saw it on another site. We're going tomorrow. ====== You get free admission and can talk with professional anglers Denny Brauer and Randy Blaukat along with other local and regional fishing experts this weekend at the Bill’s Marine Boat Show in Joplin today, Friday January 8th and Saturday January 9th. Seminars include information on area lakes like Grand, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals as well as the latest winter and spring techniques and tackle for bass and crappie. Hours are 9 to 9 both days at the Jack Lawton (edit) Convention Center located at 5300 South Range Line in Joplin. Hourly door prizes both days along with free hot dogs and sodas midday on Saturday only. See the all new 2010 Z521 Ranger at the show, the boat that is the buzz with today’s professional anglers. There are great prices on a select number of last year’s Ranger models as well as the best deals in the area on late model demos available with remaining factory warranties. Come to the free show and guarantee yourself that 2010 will be your best fishing year ever. Happy boating, Bill’s Marine 231 South Hwy 37 Monett, MO 65708 Phone: (417) 235-6078

Jan. 1 at the Polar Bear it was 42-46 degrees where we fished - Prairie Creek up a little ways. Hubby went back this week before it got stupid cold and fished 41 degree water same general area. He figures it has probably dropped to the high 30's now. Think we are headed to LOZ next weekend. If we're going to fish frigid might as well practice. First Central Pro-Am is LOZ this year March 6-7. Normally goes to Beaver first then LOZ in April. Beaver is April 3-4 this year. Headed to the boat and tackle show in Joplin tomorrow. It's indoors. See below. = = = = You get free admission and can talk with professional anglers Denny Brauer and Randy Blaukat along with other local and regional fishing experts this weekend at the Bill’s Marine Boat Show in Joplin today, Friday January 8th and Saturday January 9th. Seminars include information on area lakes like Grand, Table Rock, and Bull Shoals as well as the latest winter and spring techniques and tackle for bass and crappie. Hours are 9 to 9 both days at the Jack Lawton (edit) Convention Center located at 5300 South Range Line in Joplin. Hourly door prizes both days along with free hot dogs and sodas midday on Saturday only. See the all new 2010 Z521 Ranger at the show, the boat that is the buzz with today’s professional anglers. There are great prices on a select number of last year’s Ranger models as well as the best deals in the area on late model demos available with remaining factory warranties. Come to the free show and guarantee yourself that 2010 will be your best fishing year ever. Happy boating, Bill’s Marine 231 South Hwy 37 Monett, MO 65708 Phone: (417) 235-6078

Dang! I didn't think anyone was out 'fun' fishing on Friday. That's someone who really loves his fishing. lol Guess we should have weighed in. I think there were several teams with bigger bags than us who didn't weigh in either. I'm going to get the offical results from Jeff this week and post them. Thanks for the info.

Thanks. Glad to be back. Looking forward to the time we get to meet you, too.

I don't have the official results, but I'll see if I can't get them and post. Believe 17-18 lbs won it and none of my regular crew knew the anglers, so I can't tell you who it was now. I think Roger Harp was second. There were a few 15, 14, 13 and 12 lb sacks. We had 9 lbs in three fish, but didn't weigh in. Several stud teams on Beaver had zero to 4 keepers and didn't weigh it. We decided if a few of us added our bags, we'd have a limit. lol Started out mighty frosty, but it wasn't really bad with all the layers. Little dicey launching as the ramp was frozen solid when we backed in. A few boaters were hammering on the big motors trying to get 'em firing. I had to get on the trolling motor to move away from the launch because I couldn't get the Merc in gear right away, althought it started immediately and never died. Been a good motor. Was sure glad when the sun came out and you didn't have to keep swishing your rod in the water to get the ice out of the guides. Got my lips stuck to my spinning reel blowing ice off. Funnier than that was when I was blowing on the little tiny line feed on my baitcaster. I inhaled for another blow and sucked up a big chunk of ice. That'll make your eyes big. Enjoyed the day with my best friend and fishing partner. Maybe one year we'll make a serious run at it. Now it's time to start thinking about Central Pro-Am at Lake of the Ozarks first of March. Happy New Year

I have this topic going under General Angling Discussion, but I thought I would put it here so the TR crew can weigh in. Please note I am quoting someone from a similar topic last year below. I'm goal-oriented, but I'm not a goal-oriented GUY. = = = Last year someone started a topic with this text "I know, I know, this might seem like a silly topic asking about fishing goals, but I'm a goal-oriented guy. So do any of you have something you want to improve on or perhaps fish a body of water you've never been on - maybe buy a boat or tackle? Let's hear what you'd like to see for yourself in the new year. Heck, even getting out of bed and getting in some fishing is a goal." The topic generated a lot of posts and was interesting and fun. Wanna do it again? Donna G "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive, but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope."- John Buchan, 1915

Definitely praise God. Thank you, Eric.

It's great to hear from you, Don! I'd have to retire from my day job in order to keep Champ in line. It's a fulltime operation. lol Just kidding. He's a rock and my best friend and fishing buddy, of course. I'm glad I was able to pass on a word of encouragement when you needed. I've been on the receiving end of that support more than once, so I cherish how special it is. Yes, definitely, we'll catch up with you. We've got a Pro-Am and team at the Rock May 1-2. Take care and blessings for the New Year. Donna G

Ha, ha. I was quoting a real guy from the forum last year. I couldn't remember who started the topic on 2009 goals, so I wasn't able to give him credit. I've heard of a boy named Sue. Guess there could be a guy named Donna.

Not sure where the fish are hanging either. I wasn't with hubby when he got ambushed by the striper. Probably mid lake. He did say he was having trouble locating any good stable groups of shad. He would come across a small ball, turn and go back over the same spot - poof, all gone.

The Polar Bear goes out of Prairie Creek. You can sign up at Jeff Cook Insurance Agency in Lowell (Jeff runs the tournament) or at the ramp on Friday. $60.00 for the team and that includes big bass.

Thank you. I know what you mean. When I learn of others with cancer now it has a totally different impact than before I was diagnosed. Glad you enjoy our posts. I've been AWOL lately, but I've missed the forum, so I'm glad to be back. We'd like to meet you. Please keep an eye out for us. We're hard to miss. Motoman? You work for Motorola? lol

Last year someone started a topic with this text "I know, I know, this might seem like a silly topic asking about fishing goals, but I'm a goal-oriented guy. So do any of you have something you want to improve on or perhaps fish a body of water you've never been on - maybe buy a boat or tackle? Let's hear what you'd like to see for yourself in the new year. Heck, even getting out of bed and getting in some fishing is a goal." The topic generated a lot of posts and was interesting and fun. Wanna do it again? Donna G "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive, but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope."- John Buchan, 1915

What brave souls are fishing the Polar Bear New Year's Day? I am, I am. Hope I can cast after getting all the layers on. Anyone know what the bass are doing? My guy lost a jerk bait today to a hungry striper. Fun stuff, but can't bring those to the scales Friday. Anyone think there's a chance of 110 boats like last year? I'm guessing not. Donna G

Thanks for all the kind words. Happy fishin' and a new year full of keepers and lunkers.

Thank you, Techo. So glad to hear you and Mrs. Techo are teaming up. That's awesome! I hope you have a great time. There is nothing I care to do more than fish with Champ. Good times. Good luck. Keep us posted. Donna G

I know this isn't a 'fishy' topic, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has expressed concern and encouragement this year since I had kidney cancer surgery last December. It was uplifting to read your notes to me and Champ188. I say this now to let you know I recently had check-up number two (go every six months). The doctor pronounced me still cancer free and the one kidney is rocking along pretty well. I can't wait for the upcoming tournament season. The timing of my cancer surgery was such that I didn't miss any events last year except the annual Beaver Polar Bear on New Year's. I was sad about that. Really. Forecast is a balmy 34 for this year's derby. E-ha! At any rate, I am blessed in more ways than I can count and I wanted to let you know that you guys are part of that reason. Happy New Year's. Donna G

Chartreuse square bill main lake rocky windy point. Not the fish in the pic.

Techo, since I about blew my coffee out my nose, I guess the answer is no, you didn't offend. However, I've been told that the real reason there is a discrepancy in measurement between men and women is because we girls have problems with depth perception. Funny thing. There are some days in the boat when I can call 'em short or keeper with fair accuracy and other days I'm having to measure 17-inchers. It's weird. Champ rarely has that problem, but on a couple of recent trips he had me measure 14" fish I was positive wouldn't keep and even one that was 13". Guess we all have our days. I think ours relate more to old age and bad eyes. lol BTW, after Champ gets in the boat from the courtesy dock when he's backed me in, he stands there with his hands on his hips looking down from his 6'4" till I get out from behind the wheel. You might try that. I'm proud of you for teaching your wife to back the trailer. I'm getting better at it all the time, but I'm still uncomfortable on crowded ramps and during tournaments. My trainer has been very encouraging, though. What I really want now is some hands on instruction for approaching a crowded courtesy dock - with Champ in the boat directing. Hear that Champ? Have a great weekend. Donna G

I agree with getfished about being tactful. There are definitely times when the difference in experience and skill between the front and back isn't much because maybe the pro is new to the front and co-angler is especially skilled and a variety of other reasons. I know one co on CPAA that I've asked several times "What the heck are you doing in the back?" But, he prefers it for himself, just as I do (but at my skill level I DEFINITELY don't have any business on the front lol). However, a majority of the time the pro has likely been tournament fishing longer and maybe with more success than the guy in the back. And besides that's why a lot of us say we like the back - to learn. That being said it's the pro's boat and he's the one that practiced to find the fish, few though they may be. I would just be very cautious about recommending a different tactic or area so as not to offend. I have had some pros ask if I had anything going when what they are doing has dried up. I've also offered baits that I was catching them on. Sometimes they are accepted and sometimes not. A couple of times a pro has asked for baits when I happened to be catching them better on what I was using. You have to make your own decision about whether to suggest an alternative. Two things more to keep in mind - it could be a long rest of the day and I have heard some pros complain about amateurs offering advice from the back deck. Donna G

Aw, Techo. You and Champ make me blush! Thanks for the kind words.