Weekend Wrap UP + OBBT + Trip will Bill Babler

[abkeenan]

Friday morning went out with our own Bill Babler after years of wanting to get in a trip with him. For anyone that is thinking of getting a guide Bill is the best. From professionalism, to boat to equipment NOTHING is lacking. Just top notch and good company as well. Went out starting at 6am out of Old 86 with Bill in the dam area and there was a topwater bite to be had for the first 2-3 hours with overcast skies. I threw a spit'n image and brother threw a spook. I had told Bill that we were really trying to specifically target larger fish and the locations that might be best for them and Bill answered the call with just a BRUISER of a smallie that he stuck on a swing impact. Didn't have a scale on the Phoenix but just eye balling it was pushing 5lb's and threw it next to the measuring board and was probably pushing 22 inches. Just a healthy beautiful brute dam smallmouth. Enjoyed the trip and had a great time with Bill and my brother.

Saturday and Sunday we didn't fare well in the OBBT even with Bill's locations, baits and presentations. Fish really changed with the front that rolled in over the weekend. Fished from Indian Point to the furthest recesses of Long Creek and everywhere inbetween. Caught fish but nothing over 2.5lbs and the magic # to cash a check was usually right at 2.75-3lbs for the 7th spot. When the wind was going it was really hard to get that topwater going or swimbait down bumping bottom plus the fish had just left the locations or had lockjaw. Even without cashing a check a great weekend. Spent time with family and finally met Bill in person.

For all the OBBT bashing I won't get to deep into that and I personally love the format and the opportunity to win a little money or potentially a new boat. Yes it causes a lot of boat traffic and some extra jerks on the water but that happens even without tournaments going on as I've seen on normal weekends. It's just part of the game. As far as hurting the fish population I doubt 300 boats or 600 anglers (most of which are hack wanna be weekend anglers like myself or worse) could do anymore damage than 100+ highly skilled BASS Elites who probably catch 10 times the amount of fish during the course of a tournament plus the pre-fishing. It's just one weekend and the revenue pumped into the local economy can't be overlooked. I'll fish the OBBT as long at Oakley, BPS and other sponsors put it on. The OBBT puts into motion getting away for a weekend to fish with my brother and see family members. I'm sure there are other guys in the same boat (pun intended) that fish with their brother, son, dad, uncle, mom, sister, etc and it's great that it happens no matter through what avenue or venue. Just look at the winner...19 year old fishing his 1st tourny with his dad. Does it get any better than that? I think not.

Again thanks to Bill for the trip and if nothing else was learned other than upgrading your topwater hooks to daiichi deathtraps it would have paid for itself. It's shocking to see how many fish blew up on my brothers spook and didn't get stuck with stock bronze hooks that come on the super spook. Bill upgraded them after the trip to the deathtraps and those suckers stick anything that even slaps at the bait. Made a huge difference on Sat and Sun when fish blewup on it. Nothing was over 2.5 like I said but at least they got hooks in them and got them to the boat. It's reassuring when some of spots that you have fished in the past are some of the spots that Bill recommended. Maybe I'm not as dumb as I had always thought! Thanks again Bill and OBBT staff! Can't wait to get back down and game planning for OBBT 2016!

-Brett

Pics of Babler, Brother and the Brown Beast:

[rps]

Well Done Bill!

Well done abkeenan!

Sorry you did not cash a check, but at least you did not feel unarmed. I am also glad you enjoyed.

[Champ188]

Glad you got out and enjoyed a nice long weekend with your brother and Bill.

[abkeenan]

I understand both sides of the argument where locals don't want their lake treated like a dump, with lack of respect to fellow anglers and the inconvenience that comes along with crowds. I get that...and it's certainly warranted. But at the same time it is a public lake and the tournament pulls money into the local economy that others just would not happen. In the end it's just once a year after all.

[dtrs5kprs]

Too much Mizzou going on in that boat. Like a little den of evil...

[jolicious]

Too much Mizzou going on in that boat. Like a little den of evil...

There were a couple of hicks in Razorback stuff out there this weekend to help bring balance to the universe

[abkeenan]

Too much Mizzou going on in that boat. Like a little den of evil...

There can never be too much MIZZOU David.

M! I! Z!

[jtram]

Z O U

[dtrs5kprs]

There's a joke in there somewhere, about how many Tiger fans does it take to spell Mizzou...

[NuB2TR]

Just wanted to affirm abkeenan's experience of taking a ride in Bill Babler's boat.

I hired Bill for a half day trip yesterday (Monday) morning and took my dad (85 years young) with us. Bill had the best equipment and slickest ride money can buy, but that stuff is just icing on the cake. I'm sure a lot of folks out there have all the neat toys, but the real difference in making the experience enjoyable, memorable, and worth sharing with others is the guide. Bill did a great job in explaining how to use the gear and work the baits to a couple guys not too familiar with either.

We put in at Shell Knob and worked many of Bill favorite spots from Cambell Point to Viney, but couldn't get bit on several of them. Even on a day when the fish had a sever case of lock-jaw, Bill still put us on several shorts and a real nice keeper.

If you're considering a guide service, Bill's the guy. I doubt that there's any better.

Thanks, Bill. Had a great time and will be doing it again.

...Dave (& Lou)