Dinky

I do recall when we were in that area with chris et al, but was unaware we were on the basscam--hope I wasn't doing anything stupid or worse!!!

I was a Marshall at Okeechobee last week end also. This was my 6th or 7th time but my first trip to the Big O. I went early and fished a couple days before the tournament and then decided to forego Marshalling Saturday (I was an alternate anyway and they said they probably wouldn't need me) and go shiner fishing. What a hoot. Wednesday evening after the meeting and pro assignments I had a chance to visit with a few of the folks I have Marshalled for and fished with in the past. Had a short visit with Ish and complained about my cocoon sunglasses losing therir side lenses. Fished with him in the 1st Southern Open. He stored his truck and boat in my driveway after it for a few weeks while he flew home. Sure made my rig look puny. Didn't get to congratulate him after his win though. Spoke to Dave Hite and asked about his son who is in his first year at West Point. Thursday I drew Morizo Shimizu from Osaka, Japan. We went all the way to Clewiston; (now I know how Columbus must have felt when he finally sighted the coast of North America!!) and then about 30 minutes more back into a couple of 'ponds' he found in practice. After about an hour with only 3 fish and no keepers we headed for the Monkey Box. Note: I learned on my first time-never sit on your hat and pray that your hemorroids are made of fiberglass because it is 'bumpy' at 70+mph in a moderate chop. At 1:00pm Morizo had exactly "0" in the box. By 2:30 he had 5 including a 6+pounder-which he referred to as "Big Mamma" Morizo used some top water skinny dippers and naked swimmers type early. Switched to flipping with craws and sweet beaver types later on edges of the grass and pads. After the weigh in he needed to get his prop changed so we went to the service trailer. What a mad house. But, in about 20 minutes they--the Merc techs--had his new Fury 25 on--half price on tournament days. Story is they had to take a lower unit to south Okeechobee and change out Shaw Grigsby's on the water on Thursday. Have also been told they can replace a power head in less than 3 hours. Amazing. Friday I was with Andy Montgomery from NC. I was very impressed with his ability to cast under docks and pontoons-he hit the marina on the way out to the Monkey box. Those guys definitely fish in places most of us never put our lures. Andy had a tough day and lost a 6 pounder at the boat late--don't know if it would have pushed him into the top 50 for Saturday but was very disappointed for him anyway. Andy used two sizes of swim baits with skinny dipper trailers as well as a chatter bait with a large trailer. Also flipped with a 1/2 to 3/4 oz black and blue jig with a blue KVD creature trailer and rage craw trailer. Also flipped with rage craws on 11/2 oz weight--it was the only way to get through the thick mats. A great experience--learned a lot as usual and will be in Oneida in August to fish and Marshall.

Buzzfrog- There usually are quite a few Elite Series Pros who fish the Opens as well as many other pros you probably have hrard of. I fished with Ish on the 2nd day of the 1st Southern Open at the Harris Chain this year. There should be some booths/displays to see. I'll be at Lake Norman fishing as a co-angler, but that certainly is no reason for you to hang around at the weigh in too long!!

I will be there and will be glad to bring some wine and/or beer. When you get a count on how many are going to attend either pm me or post.

It's hard to pick but your lists are good. I too will be at Okeechobee marshalling. Going down there early and taking my boat to do some fishing before the tournament. Let know if you can break away early in the week to chase some bass. I have had the pleasure of Marshalling for KVD as well as Casey Ashley. Both are absolutely fantastic to watch and were very professional of course. I was with KVD on Pickwick 2 yrs ago. Aftet the weigh in we were on our way back to his boat and he was literally surrounded by fans wanting autographs and photos. He turned no one down. No one. It took us 45 minutes to clear the area and get to his boat. He said he did not mind doing it at all, that the fans and their enthusiasm was what it was all about. What a gentleman. I also was lucky to marshall for Boyd Duckett, Grant Goldbeck (last year on harris chain on Saturday bed fishing with Shaw G. in the canal), Davey Hite, and many others. They all were happy to explain what they were doing and why. I have learned a lot doing it.

I can help with the boat situation so lets talk at the Road trip.

Scorcher- I see you list Lake St. Clair as your favorite lake. I have heard the smallmouth fishing is pretty good there. I will be at the RT on gunnersville in april maybe we talk about a trip there later in the spring if you are interested.

The only retail stores I can seem to find any bass fishing magazines in are Barnes and Noble and Books a Million.

It is unlikely that a competitor would not keep his fish with him at all times until the weigh in. The live wells should be able to aireate enough with use of live well oxygenator chemicals.

Thanks for this info! I don't get WFN but really like the show.

Both TSA as well as baggage handlers may be prone to stealing. There are locks available and approved by TSA that you can put on your checked luggage. The locks can be opened by a key used by the TSA only. At least this keeps the baggage handlers out.

I have always carried on my reels with line on them and never had a problem. Anything with hooks should be checked. Never had a problem with soft plastics either. I am usually leaving from Kentucky so the TSA agents are all fishermen anyway!! A lot depends on the particular airport/TSA agents involved. Some are jerks---some are fishermen and understand about tackle.

Long Mike; Mailed my form yesterday. Will be there all week with my boat. Looking forward to it!

Unfortunately the last 2 weeks in June is when I will be in Canada chasing those elusive smallmouth. Looking forward to seeing you at Gunnersville.

Yessir! I have my reservations already and will be sending in my form tomorrow or Monday-or as soon as I can kick my printer into submission and get the form printed out! I'll be driving in from the Harris Chain in Florida if anyone is coming from that direction and needs a ride.

Scrutch- I have a place on the Harris Chain of Lakes==about 45minutes from Orlando. When will you be there and are you planning to do any fishing?

Great job, JB! I didn't do nearly as well as you, but had a great time for my first Open. I will do it again for sure.

A week or two before the tournament you should get a packet of info in the mail giving the details of times/places etc. ; but the same info is usually available on-line at the BASSMASTER website at about the same time. There will be a mandatory check-in and meeting on Wednesday afternoon--usually 3 or 4 pm. Then the pros and marshalls have separate meetings to go over rules, parking, etc. normally about 1 hour. Then the pros and marshalls meet together and they announce the pairings for Thursday. You meet your pro and arrange when and where to meet Thur. morning. You can help them launch if you want to do so but if you stay in the boat you can only operate the trolling motor--or you can park the trailer--either way the usually appreciate the help--same for loading afterward--but--it can get late since they have to go through the weigh in. You do not need a jug. They do not make pit stops. You do need sun screen, sun glasses, water. You will get a hat and shirt at the Wednesday meeting to wear so you can be identified as a Marshall. Bring your own food water soft drinks. they usually have ice to keep stuff cold but may not have room for a six pack and a lot of food. You can take a still camera but not a video camera. The pro is required to have a PFD for you on board but everyone brings their own anyway At the weigh in Wednesday afternoon they will have posted the pairings for Friday with the pro's phone number and where he is staying. You can find him at the weigh in and make arrangements their or take his number and call him later.When he leaves the stage at the weigh in they give him a print out that has his marshall's name and phone number on it so he can call you. You will be allowed behind stage at the weigh in as long as you have your marshall shirt and cap on. Since you are from that area I assume you know about Dinasaurs in Syracuse. If you are on the list to be a Marshall on Saturday you will have to stick around the weigh in until it is over for a meeting where they will make the pairings for the 24 pros fishing on Saturday.

I can see that when he says that bass fishing 'isn't rocket science' it seems like an insult to you, especialy since you spent time trying to teach him what you know. It was a bit of a slap in the face for him to say that, not to mention the fact that it was classless on his part. Someone already mentioned the idea that is so true: boats don't catch fish. I do see a lot of what I call 'reverse snobbery' by some folks-not necessarily on this board, but just in general. It is an attitude that anyone who does have a $25,000 or higher cost rig has to be 'put down' or sneered at and that it is a badge of honor to show him up in a 14' aluminum boat. As for the Tracker Boat: definitely one of the most versital, safe, fishable, affordable fishing boats around. I hope to be buried in mine. But, Skeeter makes a good boat also. I don't think it would bug me if a guy buys a $25,000 Skeeter as his first boat. But it would bug me a lot if he was so classless as to tell me bass fishing wasn't rocket science after I had spent time helping him out.

My son and I went to Brazil in October to fish for Peacock Bass. Caught a 22lber and a 23 lber. Awesome. Also caught some piranha and a couple freshwater barracuda. Ate some of them, too.

Long Mike, What is the latest on the 'mini road trip' to Falcon? Of course I am seriously interested but would also appreciate as much advance notice as feasible regarding possible dates. Thanks.

I have tried just about every conceivable method for storing soft plastics and have found the best way is to keep them in their original bag-it has the size, type and color info readily available. I store these, by type or size, and sometimes even by color--in quart freezer bags and label them with a Sharpie. Then I put several quart bags of like kind plastics into a larger freezer bag--again labeling the larger bag to indicate its contents. E.g. I may have crawfish, trailers, and the like in individual bags---I have my Rage Craws in small bags, my Paca craws in separate small bags etc.--these are then consolidated into a larger bag labled "CRAWS & TRAILERS". Or various sizes of finesse worms in small bags--then a large one containing all THE "FINNESSE WORMS". I have several plastic tubs in my garage on shelves and I've labled them and keep the large bages in them. I can then take out whichever bag or bags I need for a particular trip. I have found that keeping the soft plastics in their original bags makes it easier to inventory when it comes time to replenish. Plus any salt or other scent on them will not dissipate as they would if taken out of the package and stored in a plastic tackle box. These plastic bags can be easily put in my boat storage or packed in a tackle bag to carry on another boat. I don't keep any terminal tackle in the bags with the soft plastics. All terminal tackle is in a seperate plastic tackle box(s) and marked for easy access. At least it works for me.

I'm in--assuming dates are workable. Sounds like it would be a great trip!!

I, as well as many others I fish with, have caught numerous 8 and 9 pound largemouths on Senkos, lizards(various brands),Carolina rigs (using Senkos even!) crankbaits, top water lures -- to name a few. Some have been caught on steep/deep bluffs, some on shallow banks. This all leads to the conclusion that you have probably not caught as many, or as big, fish as those using Senkos have caught. And, you never will as long as you retain such a narrow minded opinion. I do agree that you certainly can't teach anyone anything about a Senko if you don't know anything about it yourself. Good luck, you will need it.

Wow! Someone needs to check to see if anyone has filed a missing pet report!! Looks like she swallowed a small dog! Great catch!!