Today, Anglers In Action

[Bill Babler]

Anglers in Action Derby today out of Kimberling. Only 35 boats, and for the life of me I cannot figure it out. It pays way more than any series we have on this lake. Huge Dollars, and if they have enough boats, the manufactors kick in their derby money, so its sad a great derby like this only draws 35 boats with a payback of at least $2,500 for string, and $2,500 for big bass reguardless of boat numbers.

As usual Wes Endicott collected the entire deal, with I believe a 7 pounder for big and a 22 pound bag of goodies for the rest of the bucks. Davis boys were runners up and they had a great bag of nearly 22 pounds. These boys can really fish. I just love to see them and how time after time they weigh 20 pound stringers. Great Job Guys.

Beck and I nailed about 16 pounds with a 4 pound LM topping the list. Didn't drag them to the scales as why stress them further as we were short a 5 and 6 pounder that would have nailed us a check. Would have, could have,should have, may have helped, but I doubt it. We had 30 keepers, but the wrong kind for a derby, and the perfect kind for guide fishing. Wonder what we do for a living?

Early on FLAT WATER, WE SUCCKEEEEED!!!!!. I cannot tell you but you should know how much flat water hurts me on this pond. Wind started at Noon, with the fog burn-off, and we just flat killed them for 3 hrs. in the breeze. Bluffends in the wind were on fire with very nice 3 plus pound K's and LM. Fish after fish came in on the stickbait in the 2.5 to 3.2 pound range. We culled the livewell 4 times just by onces. We needed that big nip and just could not get it no matter where we flung.

Bill Beck is the one of the best friends, I have ever had, and a fisherman that has no equal on this pond, it is always a complete joy, win or lose to be his partner. We tend to like the same methods, which most usually are guide methods rather than strictly tournament methods, and sometimes that hurts us, however we always have a big bag, just sometimes not as many LM as we need.

We knew we needed LM and really fished exclusive spots for them, and we caught 3 pound K's. Should I fuss about 3 pounders? It's hard too.

If you can get out there with a breeze, it is fantastic, if the water is still, Good Luck.

[denjac]

I am suprised at the low turnout. Maybe it being the Easter weekend?? See ya this coming week.

[Ealy]

Tough day for us. My buddy Russ Collier and I were Lucky Boat 13 today and had high hopes of a big black. We spent the first couple of hours trying to bang a big LM where they've been doing their thing, saw them up flushing shad, but always too far to cast. You move over to 'em and they're gone. You look back and they're where you just were and out of reach.

After the fog burned, I had a hankering to run bluff ends, but got a little sidetracked. I've fished conditions like this 2 out of the last 3 years (not last year) in April . Lots of good fish up shallow, mean cold front comes through, fish bite like crazy and then high skies and no wind. Fish pull off the bank (or beds) and for some reason the bluff end bite is the deal. We only fished 2 bluff ends all day and the second one (at 2:30) yielded a keeper black.

We weighed in a meager 13.5 with a 4.32 black. I enjoy fishing the way I fish, but the kentuckies and smallmouth I catch on tourney day don't cut it. The last five tournaments I've fished on Table Rock I've weighed in 13.5lbs. I'm starting to see a pattern here. The smallies and ky's that supported tournament weigh ins after the virus just don't hold a candle to the good bags of Largemouth coming from the White, James, and Long Creek arms. I know there are plenty of big blacks swimming around in the clear water, but they're smarter than their cousins uplake. I've had great days from Kimberling to Dam, but the most memorable are always the nastiest days of the year.

I'm ready to start taking my chances upriver.

[Jackie D]

We did have a great day of fishing. Until the motor went down at 11:00am and all we could do was idle. We never put another fish in the boat after that. I have never had a more frustrating day on the water dealing with mechanical failures. We had 4 blacks between 4.0 and 4.75 pounds a piece and one that weighed somewhere around 3.75 and we knew we had to cull that one fish to win and I had her on twice and they both escaped capture. Maybe next time

Anglers in Action Derby today out of Kimberling. Only 35 boats, and for the life of me I cannot figure it out. It pays way more than any series we have on this lake. Huge Dollars, and if they have enough boats, the manufactors kick in their derby money, so its sad a great derby like this only draws 35 boats with a payback of at least $2,500 for string, and $2,500 for big bass reguardless of boat numbers.

As usual Wes Endicott collected the entire deal, with I believe a 7 pounder for big and a 22 pound bag of goodies for the rest of the bucks. Davis boys were runners up and they had a great bag of nearly 22 pounds. These boys can really fish. I just love to see them and how time after time they weigh 20 pound stringers. Great Job Guys.

Beck and I nailed about 16 pounds with a 4 pound LM topping the list. Didn't drag them to the scales as why stress them further as we were short a 5 and 6 pounder that would have nailed us a check. Would have, could have,should have, may have helped, but I doubt it. We had 30 keepers, but the wrong kind for a derby, and the perfect kind for guide fishing. Wonder what we do for a living?

Early on FLAT WATER, WE SUCCKEEEEED!!!!!. I cannot tell you but you should know how much flat water hurts me on this pond. Wind started at Noon, with the fog burn-off, and we just flat killed them for 3 hrs. in the breeze. Bluffends in the wind were on fire with very nice 3 plus pound K's and LM. Fish after fish came in on the stickbait in the 2.5 to 3.2 pound range. We culled the livewell 4 times just by onces. We needed that big nip and just could not get it no matter where we flung.

Bill Beck is the one of the best friends, I have ever had, and a fisherman that has no equal on this pond, it is always a complete joy, win or lose to be his partner. We tend to like the same methods, which most usually are guide methods rather than strictly tournament methods, and sometimes that hurts us, however we always have a big bag, just sometimes not as many LM as we need.

We knew we needed LM and really fished exclusive spots for them, and we caught 3 pound K's. Should I fuss about 3 pounders? It's hard too.

If you can get out there with a breeze, it is fantastic, if the water is still, Good Luck.

[Ping]

Bill,

Once again, thanks for the great reports! That sounds like a great tournament, first time to hear about it...maybe that is why more people dont fish it. Got to know about it in time to work it into the schedule and get permission from the honey. Good marketing + great event = high turnout.

[S&M]

Post deleted for the betterment of the members.

As well as my membership on this website.

[focused fishing]

Bill see's the big picture here and I hope it's not to late to have more of these type of tournaments.

Show me one tournament that pays out $5,000 for first place, plus pays out one position for every 5 boats entered up to 20 places with a full field. Then start adding on insentive dollars and an angler could walk away with $5,000 to $15,000 dollars.

Here are some incentive figures some of the boat manufactures pay out.......

Nitro - $7,000

Champion - $3,500

Stratos - double the tournament winnings

Lengend - $1,500

Triton - $7,000

Most of these incentive programs require a minimum 60 boat field, and it seems each AIA tournament is shy anywhere from 10 to 20 boats from making a 60 boat field. I know a pretty good reason why these events are just shy of making a 60 boat count, but if I tell you guys why, people are going to get upset.

Maybe the hard truth needs to be heard so us as anglers can get the most from paying to fish.

Until then, I'll just keep supporting AIA and spreading the word because AIA is an organization that is truely looking to give the anglers the best possible payout, with the lowest possible entry fee. AIA really wants anglers to succeed in this sport, hobby and recreation. We as anglers really need to back an event organizer such as AIA because without them, payouts won't be squat.

AiA is one of the best run circuits in the area and it is one of the best values for your buck. Low entry fee, high payback, you get to fish an entire season on your home water (no motel or eating out) and at the end of the year you compete for $25,000 cash on a neutral lake.

If your not fishing AiA you need to take a realistic look. Whether your a begining tournament angler or a seasoned pro AiA has something to offer.

[techo]

I third the motion! I really enjoy AIA. Great fishermen (and ladies) with a whole lot of friendly thrown in. My partner and I are regular folk that just wanted to try the tournament stuff for fun. It is not to make a living or prove we are any better than anyone else. I fished as an AM on another tournament trail and won't ever go back to that. The trail is probably okay, but I would much rather spend the day with my best friend (next to wife and dog) and josh with each other about the fishing. We get to visit with folk before take off and weigh in. Everyone is smiles and open to conversation. It isn't all tournament shirts at AIA. It is a great mix, with the tourney shirt guys willing to throw you some advice at the end of the day. Some will even give you some advice at the take off! Did I mention they have attractive girls working the booth and free coffee in the morning?

[Jackie D]

Ok, You got my attention....Why are they not drawing more boats?

Bill see's the big picture here and I hope it's not to late to have more of these type of tournaments.

Show me one tournament that pays out $5,000 for first place, plus pays out one position for every 5 boats entered up to 20 places with a full field. Then start adding on insentive dollars and an angler could walk away with $5,000 to $15,000 dollars.

Here are some incentive figures some of the boat manufactures pay out.......

Nitro - $7,000

Champion - $3,500

Stratos - double the tournament winnings

Lengend - $1,500

Triton - $7,000

Most of these incentive programs require a minimum 60 boat field, and it seems each AIA tournament is shy anywhere from 10 to 20 boats from making a 60 boat field. I know a pretty good reason why these events are just shy of making a 60 boat count, but if I tell you guys why, people are going to get upset.

Maybe the hard truth needs to be heard so us as anglers can get the most from paying to fish.

Until then, I'll just keep supporting AIA and spreading the word because AIA is an organization that is truely looking to give the anglers the best possible payout, with the lowest possible entry fee. AIA really wants anglers to succeed in this sport, hobby and recreation. We as anglers really need to back an event organizer such as AIA because without them, payouts won't be squat.

[S&M]

Post deleted for the betterment of the members.

As well as my membership on this website.