Leaderboard

I cheated and took an extra day off. Like all of you....I'm ready for the next road trip already. A very Big Shout out for Pete-K and Marilyn!..........Thank you for some extremely great BBQ, smoked chicken, baked beans, slaw, cake.......and more. You both went way above and beyond, driving up to feed us even after you realized you were not going to be able to fish with us. To say Thank you is such an understatement after your display of generosity and dedication.......but unfortunately, saying thank you is all I can do..... Thank you both and hope you can make the next road trip!

First entry for 2014 in the smallmouth category at 5.50lbs. PA state record is 8.5lbs. 5.50divided by 8.50 =s .6470588 X100 =s 64.71.

Much better with a splash of Jack.....

Needham’s Roadtrip…..Tales of a Train Wreck. Well the day arrived for me to leave…. Then my irrigation turbine locked up, trip delayed…. Finally leave out on Friday 2pm. Two miles down the road a Humminbird cover flies over, cant find it…. 75 miles down the road I chip a tooth, sitting still in the truck. Bad JU JU I am feeling. Roll into double head, eat some great BBQ done up by Pete-K…… Pete you are welcome anytime, my friend. Many thanks for the Good eats. Then I tie knots in the dark, and rigging up for what I am hoping to be a big black bass beatdown. On Saturday, I have Carl and Susan……. Alarm does not go off and I finally wake up at 6am, much later than I wanted. I apologize for the rest of the day. Fishing was pretty good, but slowed in the afternoon. Luckly Carl was on a multi species bite, catching everything from drum, to whites, to catfish! It was a GREAT time, Carl and Susan are great people and I wish them many happy years together! Personal Total: 11 bass with two big uns Our top 3: My best 2: Sunday: Better start as I woke up on time, but my alarm was still screwy…… fishing with Jon and MikeL today…. We run water, I snap off one and lose one at the boat. Fishing pockets and shallow points….. fishing was very slow and my mind is reeling, thinking and thinking on what and how to do this. We all boat a few fish in the morning. We drop MikeL off as he was only fishing a half day and headed back to FLA. MikeL is a great guy and I hope to fish with him again! While idling back out…. I am turning gears…… it dawns on me “shallow is relative”. I turn to Jon and say. 15fow is dirt shallow to these fish, so what do we do? I run through my mind all the stories and reports from the rest of the group from earlier in the week. We pull up on a bluff…. Which is wider than most. It had a great “staircase” 8-12fow wide shelf that dropped to 22-25, then to 35-40….. but this had wider “stairs” than I had seen. I drop a waypoint on each side of the “stair” then turn around and fish it. Knowing if we didn’t bust them here it was over, I had no more to go …. But this felt different. I was actually somewhat calm. BAM, big fish boated. Come to the next point and catch one right at the boat… now it made sense!!!! No fish in coves this morning and now two bites in 18+/- fow. Come up on a tree and cast the Siebert Jig at the end of it, BIGGGGGG UN. Now we have a purpose. These fish were deeper on wood, only got four bites that afternoon, but they were the right ones! They felt like they were moving out all afternoon…. And with more time I think we could have moved futher out and really done damage….but alas both myself and Jon had to get on the road. Our trip was over, but I learned so much. I am thankful to be able to fish with my friend Jon(bassinisaddicting), and hope to do it again next year, if not sooner! Here is what we caught in the afternoon: My personal total: 7 fish with four over 4# Total for the weekend= 18 fish with 6 over 4#!!! 2 on squarebill 3 on senko 1 on shakyhead siebert outdoors 1/4oz extreme shaky 12 on tweaked Alabama Craw/JFrancho/mix color Siebert 3/4oz dredge football head with green pumpkin rage craw I enjoyed every minute of fishing with these fine folks… it was truly a great time. It was great to see everyone again and many for the first time, and I look forward to it next year. Siebert Outdoors dredge football jig is hands down the best jig out there. Period, end of story, not even close to being up for debate….. I can not thank Mike enough for tying me up 3 dozen jigs, of a custom color, on his way to the roadtrip! If that aint customer service, it don’t exists anywhere, THANKS MIKE SIEBERT! Here is what the bass thought about my Siebert jigs: I also have to thank each and everyone that attends these trips, you have no idea how much I learn from you all! And by the end of my stay I took a little bit of everyone to piece together what I think I figured out, never alone always as a team. I have worked hard to become better on the water, to think, to plot, to be able to piece each bite together, to build from the last fish to the next. Jeff doesn’t want to take any credit, but he deserves a bunch. He has FORCED me to slow down and almost be a mild train wreck instead of a mile long track of carnage! So thanks to everyone and anyone that came to the roadtrip, I hope to see everyone and many more next year!!!

That is no joke there. They went way above and beyond. Awesome BBQ!!!

well....back at work today...ugh!! was another awesome trip!! it was good to see everyone again and meet new friends. can't wait for next year!! special thanks to my roomies... Mike L and Jeannie Macmichael and Susan and (who could forget) Memphis FF enjoyed our time together... hope ya'll make it next year too.. also..very special thanks to all the mods who work so hard to put this together.... Glenn (and Kerri) you do a wonderful job...very much appreciated!!

Home and back in the working man's routine. Susan and I had a ball....she is on board again for next years trip. A big thanks to Mike, Gene and Brian for making her feel welcome and comfortable in their boats, MUCH APPRECIATED, you are true gentleman!! Besides a few LM bass I got a few whiteys, a drum, a cat and a turtle. What I lacked in numbers or size I made up for with variety...it's the spice of life they say!! Thanks to Glenn and his "middle management team" for all you do and a big shout out to Long Mike for being the coordinator. Let me not forget the great meals and all that were responsible!! Looking forward to next year and seeing all my old and new friends again!!

For bottom contact......the rod, for reaction baits the reel...just IMHO.

I could hear that Chicago accent thru that post lol..

The minister called the children to the alter for their Sunday children's talk, as he has done for all the years he has been the church's pastor. The little darlings rushed to the front of the church and sat down as the old minister took his place at the top of the alter stairs. He thanked them for coming to see him and told them that since Easter was approaching he wanted to speak to them about the resurrection. "Do any of you know what a resurrection is?" he asked the kids. "Yes!" a young boy exclaimed as he raised his hand in excitement. "So tell us, my son, what is the resurrection?" the minister question the young man. "Well, I am not too sure but I do know that if your resurrection lasts more than four hours you need to see a doctor." It took almost 15 minutes to restore order in the church.

Shots fired!! Shots fired!!

I can't believe they ever took the cocaine out of it.

Home in the arms of my better half at last. I already talked her into going next year. Glad to hear everyone made it home safe and sound (haven't heard from Long Mike yet), Thank the Lord and thank you all for a great time. I, too didn't know what to expect and the trip far exceeded my expectations. You all did a great job of planning and everyone's hospitality helped keep my belief that most people are good, you just need to give them a chance to show it. Thanks again and good night, this old trucker is tired.

We are home safely, everything stowed and now for some dinner. Again, awesome trip!

Yep. What a trip. Just made it in about an hour and a half ago. Papa joe is safely on his way to the land of Lincoln. We had a great time, met some good folks and learned a bunch. Actually I learned more in 3 days than I've learned in the last 3 years. I was really in over my head. These guys and gals know how to fish. A special thanks to all the people who put this together. Can't wait until next years trip. I caught some fish and missed more. I was like Beckie, asleep at the reel.LOL. A very special thanks to Mike L, Ghoti, and bass is addicting for sharing their expertise, tips, and fun with me.

I just rolled in about an hour ago. Amazing trip as usual and my favorite yet. I will post a full review after I get settled and sleep a little.

While at Okeechobee A Hybrid Sunshine Bass cross between a Striper and a white bass hammered a trap this weekend, she was ripping out drag like crazy I thought it was a catfish, I knew it wasn't a bass the way it fought. I got two nice slabs off it and we ate it last night, man it was very good. Notice the new 250 ProSX Now we're cooking with grease.

JDM Baits. Especially Megabass. Don't do it. Just don't get started. It's a deep hole and at the top the monkey is peering down at you. J D M Baits Swallow your soul as a whole Wallet empty now

What do you guys do when people decide to fish next to you within a few feet? I got a hard strike on my lucky spinner from Sieberts (stocking up on these haha) so since these guys invaded my space I yelled fish on! The bass took off and they left their lines in the water. Looked at me like I was dumb. If you take a look at the pic you can see two of their lines wrapped around mine haha. Ended up being a touch over 4lbs. Not super long but chubby. To free my line and the fish without hurting it I cut their lines. They didn't say anything and I handed them their lures back. I got a dirty look but was I wrong? My line, my reel, the fish, my leg were all tangled in their line and I felt I was being as courteous as they were to me. Tossing their line within three feet of my casts because they saw me catching and then when I said fish on they left it out there. Idk I could have been wrong but still. Good news was only I caught fish and lots of them. Just because they were throwing where I was doesn't mean they were showing the fish what they wanted. testing this new phone and posting pics on here finally.

What an amazing time My buddy let me burrow his extra pair of waist high waders and took me to a place he likes to go to during the summer. With the sandbars you can walk atleast a 100yards out in certain directions. When we first got there around 6:00pm we found a nice school of perch & krappies. It was just something about being that far out in the lake and catching fish and letting them go at your waist. I dunno i just highly enjoyed it lol.. Started to get dark and everything stopped biting, but this girl i caught wanted me to feel the full experience before i go and purchase my own pair of waders. overall very fun night

I don't start threads as a rule but I will on this topic. I watched the Classic recap show after work. I thought, good deal. I want to see what they say about the top five. Some how they failed to mention second place, at all, what so ever. Okay, I have a bias and I'll admit it. I think Paul Mueller is a great guy and has a real career ahead of him. He set a classic record for largest single day weight. Well he's not one of the cereal box anglers but come on, to omit his accomplishment in the mix was shameful. Don't get me wrong, the accomplishments of Tharp, Evers and Howell should never be discounted but leaving the Federation guy's accomplishment out was a discredit to the program. I'm done. Time for my pills.

"Light" reels are designed for finesse, light spools start up quicker and slow quicker to match the lures that are lighter and easier to start a light spool, but slow in the cast quicker as the spool has less weight it's momentum slows with the lure more evenly, this makes both more efficient together. The light weight is nice also because most rods designed for finesse are lighter weight and the less total weight you have in your hand the more efficient vibrations can be picked up, and the easier it is to keep balance in the system. My 6'10" Extreme in MXF is quite at home and d**n hard to beat for a finesse setup with the 5.9 oz. Lew's Team Pro on the seat. but I would find another rod for the BB1 which was designed more for medium and heavy weight lures for it's designed efficiency. PM sent,,,,,,good luck in choosing your reel, there are many that will satisfy, I don't believe the BB1 is one of them??

Get to bed old man... Thanks Brian it was a pleasure to meet ya..

Home safe and sound, and very tired. I had a great time, and as with all Road Trips, met new friends. It doesn't get any better than that. We had a total of thirty attendees. For one third of them it was their first Road Trip. Speaking for for Glen, Keri and the rest of the Mods, it was great to see so many new faces. We're glad you enjoyed yourselves and hope to see you all back next year. Now, this old man is going to bed.

Went out today for a little over an hour. Landed 2 3+ Pounders and had 4 throw my line, good to see the bass finally hitting.

I think Coca-Cola is 100% absolutely perfect the way it is!

Awesome catch man! and great release as well. I recently released a state record fish as too, NC hybrid bass, its always good to let those monsters continue growing and reproducing. That fish really is crazy looking like some kind of prehistoric shark, hard to believe there's creatures like that lurking in our lakes. Congrats!! A

and with that.......here comes Hottle's greatest hits, vol.2014 (not sold in stores)

Thanks Guys...You know what they say..."You can take the boy out of the city" etc. etc. Oh, a few final thought's... I never thought it was possible to catch a catfish on a 2oz, Bomber deep diving, rattling, chartreuse crankbait!! Caught a "Rock Bass" (whatever the heck that is!!) Saw a fish caught that was literally smaller than the bait it was caught on!! And people in this world are so good, that they can actually sit in water 60 ft deep, and still be close enough to the shore to spit, and still catch fish! All at the same time!! (I still can't believe that one!!!) Mike Mike

I went out for three hours and caught 21. Took me two hours the figure out where they were. At every lay down right near the bank I caught one of two. Some in water just inches deep.. the biggest was only 3-4 but still had some fun..

I could too.........and I could listen to it all day!! Thanks Mike L.......... and thank you too MemphisFF! Good people right there!

It's a vicious circle.

I'm sure it was no trouble at all. Probably thousands just like it on his hard drive.

Well after 13 hrs of driving south we finally made it home. And I'll tell ya, I'd gladly turn right around and head north and do it again! When we committed to join the roadtrip, Jeannie and I didnt know what to expect...spend 4 days with folks we didn't know, never met etc. But it began in a way we had hoped, and ended the way we had hoped. First I want to publicly thank and acknowledge our roommate's for thier frienship and for making Jeannie and I feel welcome...Mac and Susan (macmichael and his wife) Jeremy (Memphis FF) and Jon (bassin is addicting) Again, I was serious when I told you guy's that if you ever make it to Florida, and have a spare few days or only one, you have a place to stay while I show you first hand what a "Florida Strain" bass looks like up close. Next a word of gratitude to Glen, Keri, and the moderator's for all the planning, organizing and scheduling that was done. Your hard work sure shown through, and was an example of your commitment to put on a first class event. One last thing to all my boaters, Macmichael, Ron, Mike and Brian even tho I didn't catch one lousy, stinking, solitary smallmouth, I Still Love you guy's Mike

Hit my usual stomping grounds this evening for 2 hours after work. Size, not numbers tonight. In fact I only got 7 bites all night, 6 made it to the boat. A 14"er LOL and then a 5-2, a 4-14, a 4-10, a 4-3, and 3-12....any time you can put darn near 23lbs in the boat for the best 5 in 2 hours after work is OK in my book.

Those are some awesome pics Brian!! I only wish I was catching fish of that caliber.

My very first year teaching, I was teaching 5th grade. It was the last day before Christmas break and this little girls brings me a wrapped present and says "My Mom said to wait till you get home to open it." I thought, okay. I got home and it was a half gallon of Crown Royal. I wasn't even sure if some sort of law had been broke, lol.

My best two from Sunday: How much did they like that color jig from Siebert's??? YOU TELL ME! I kept finding my jig here:

Yeah, I'm always trying to make mine tip heavy by about six pounds anyhow. Hootie

Here is a little sneak peek at what happened on the weekend.....

So does this mean that once you're kicked off of that forum that you'll have more time to post here? Thoughts and Prayers to all the Mods!

I can't imagine why anyone would want their favorite lake on this or any other "Top Whatever" list. For what it's worth, all those Michigan lakes listed there are swamps with nothing more than dink walleyes and hammer handle pike in them. Smallmouth? Never heard of them unless its 10" bass with small mouths! Change your vacation plans and travel somewhere south of the Mason-Dixon line where the real fish are.

Good Point. I lost my full interest in BASS when they took the AM's out of the back of boats. Sorry...old fashioned ... still believe it's the average joe who pays their bills. Any pro who whinned about AM catching his fish just didn't quite make it with me. There's things that could of have been done....three fish limits etc. Oh well...I'm old and set in ways. Tight LInes

Come to the Roadtrips!!! all the lakes chosen for the trips are full of quality fish! It is a really cool experience to fish a lake for a few days in a row, you begin to figure out stuff you normally would not on Saturday only trips. It is really neat to see and experience! For a guy learning like myself, it is a real confidence booster!

and by speachless you mean speechless, I bet..indulge already?

If I ever felt like I had a problem that picture made me feel normal :-)

if you want to send me your email, I can forward you the results. I will be fishing Kezar next month also. I fish all of Wayne's tournaments.

That's right I said it. I'm done, I'm fed up with being a slave to something. I'm done with it draining my money and taking my time. And its the silent killer of my health.. how can I be a role model to young people around me when I'm doing this.... I quit smoking over the weekend. After finally "getting mad at it" and a lot of prayer I've been able to WANT to quit bad enough that it hasn't bothered me yet. I've been chewing a lot of gum. I am going have to lay off the coffee and beer for a while....coffee and a smoke was my thing. Yall keep me in your prayers. I've been smoking since I was 15 and this isnt gonna be easy

More like Shatter Rap!