bassin73

O K, I started this session last week end, and have had many reply back with there thoughts, and 2 cents worth. This will be my last post concerning my first. I am 61 years old, have 2 grown children, and did indeed raise them according to the Christian ways the bible instructs us too, as parents should. They grew up knowing right from wrong, and have become responsible adults, thanks be to God. When I wrote the topic of this discussion it was about the image portrayed by professional bass fishermen representing in my opinion the greatest sport there is. Period. I said then and repeat again I am a realist, and know I cannot change anyone's ideals, nor would want to. I just care about the morality of our sport we love, and those that are following in our foot prints. I think we all could, and should, be more cognoscente about who's watching and listening to us. Thanks folks, have a great life.

Integrity is something one acquires over a period of time through moral behavior, and practice of values that is upstanding. It can be earned, or lost according to one's lifestyle. The letter I posted, basically was concerning the example that our young people are watching, and being taught that, the we behave is acceptable behavior. I think we as adults should live better examples. Monkey see, monkey do. So to speak. I heard one time that if one does something for 20 days, it becomes a habit. Forgive me if I offended anyone, or was out of line. This is just my observations. Happy new year all!

I didn't cancel my subscription to get there attention, I cancelled it out of my own convictions. I wrote this letter on Bass Resource Guide for that reason. You will be surprised how much attention this site gets. Maybe, just maybe the message will find it's way to the right persons that can make the changes. I know the right things to do, our children do not. I realize good things take time. But, I would love it if this forum brings about any good changes, no matter how long it takes.

Thanks for the feedback folks. I think that where there's a will, there is a way. People of low esteem, and lack of integrity will try anyway possible to gain an edge, even if that means hiring others to aid in winning big money. As in the instance of those two anglers who stuffed split shot down bass's throat for weight. Or have others fish off limit body's of water for them before tournaments. I believe Rick brought to light the fact that anglers that have big sponsorship backing have an unfair advantage over those who don't. I remember when homework, talent, and confidence won tournaments. With today's electronics, gadgets, and GPS locators, it's not really fair competition for those less fortunate that don't have big money backing. I fished tournaments where it took sweat, determination, and talent to win. But in those days when I won or lost, I felt good about it, and slept well. Now I fish for fun. It's better that way.

I am writing this letter knowing full well that it is going to create controversy among many. There are also those that are going to agree with me. 32+ years ago I started full time, a life long endeavor of supporting what I consider the greatest, healthiest, and most fun hobby in my life. When I graduated high school in 73, I lived on Toledo Bend, outside of Zwolle, La. I tended bar at the Sportsman Club. I was around a lot of tournaments, and the patriarchs of the beginning of B.A.S.S. But didn't get involved in the sport like I am today. Bass fishing is my earthly passion. There are only a few things in my life that are more important to me than bass fishing. I am the kind of guy that tries to stay in the middle of the road, so to speak. I am a realist, and know with good, along comes bad. There's no way to avoid it. I am going to shed some light on this subject that not everyone knows, or hasn't thought about, but is present non the less. Along the way I am going to mention names for example reason's only. In the 40+ years of being around, and involved with this grand sport, I have seen it morph from an organization created to promote responsible handling of the species, comradery among men, and along the way teach our young people responsibility with the resources we were born with. I understood B.A.S.S. to be for responsible behavior toward the resources, and species. It was a win, win deal. Those in the beginning that had a vision of something better, started the sport we now have. Great, well maybe. Along with notoriety comes corruption. I have watched small entry fees split in 3 ways, turn into million dollar winnings. Anytime there is that much money involved there is going to be fraud, cheating and corruption. We all have heard stories about incidents involving that. I have watched this sport grow from it's beginning (a really good thing) to full blown sponsorship, all about the money thing. Integrity sort of gets sidelined when big money, and mega million dollar sponsor's come into the picture. When Nascar dropped it's affiliation with Winston because of the dangers of tobacco and it's harm to folks health, most folks applauded it for obvious reasons. I think that B.A.S.S, and the bass fishing community should do the same thing. I, believe that by accepting big money to promote liquor, tobacco and such sponsorship, is sending the wrong message to the young ones we are trying to pass along our way of life. If we go along with this as adults, then the young fisher people will think that it's alright for them to move forward in that direction also. I recently dropped my subscription with Bassmaster the magazine for this reason. I know that if children, and young folks pick up these magazines, (and they do), and see these liquor, smokeless tobacco, and cigarette advertisements, they will think nothing about it's dangers. We as adults need to set the example, and not promote these habits, and products. We can still have fun teaching bass fishing, and passing on the fine art of this sport, without sending the wrong message. While I am on the subject of sending the wrong messages to our children, I would like to address the issue of correct behavior when fishing in front of children. There are those that have very little self control of there anger in public. I have witnessed heated arguments, near fights, and literally temper tantrums among our so called idols. One incident I recall, I remember one angler (pro) didn't even slow down his boat when passing another angler fishing in a nationally televised tournament. Really! What kind of message is that to be sending to young folks? They break rods, throw things down in the boat, and scream hateful things at others, even animals. This is supposed to be fun, and relaxing. If we don't learn self control when the cameras are on, I can only imagine what happens when they are off. One more thing, The specie that we love and seek religiously (bass), are being released back into the water wrong. I believe it's called catch and release, not unhook and throw. C'mon guy's, if you are in that much of a hurry to cast again, that you don't release it overboard the right way, especially in front of our children, and on camera, what kind of example, and message are we teaching the ones that follow. Well enough said. I have been wanting to speak up for years, I just didn't know how, or where to say it. Thank God for The Bass Resource Guide forum. I have a lot of respect and admiration for the following fishermen, they are a credit to the sport, and are what it really about. To start, my thanks to Ray Scott for creating, and the vision of B.A.S.S. Next the fine men I admire. Gary Kline, Mark Davis, Mark Rose, Shaw Grigsby, Andy Montgomery, Hank Parker, Bill Dance, and Gerry McGinnis. These men, along with others are some of the real ambassadors of bass fishing. My hats off to them. Whose going to fill there shoes when there gone? Thanks, smallmouth55

You know, That's a matter of fact and opinion. I say if your dealing with facts, then lets compare. Reel weight Lew's 7.4 oz./ Curado 7.4 oz. that's the only tie between them both. Line recovery, Lews @ 6.4 to1 ratio 28", Curado @ 6.3 to 1 ratio 26" per turn. Ball bearings, Lews, 9+1 and Curado, 5+1. Max drag, Lews 14 lbs./ Curado 15 lbs., Price, Lews, $159.99/ Curado, $179.99. Opinion: I have both the Lew's, and Shimano I love them both. I cannot choose one over the other as far as performance goes. They are two of the better reels on the market. There are more expensive, and less expensive reels out there. But as for me, these two reels are all that a bass fisherman need. I say they are about as close as it gets to a tie. You cannot go wrong with either, and won't regret buying either one, once you use one or the other. I say watch Tackle Warehouse, BPS, or Cabelas, till free shipping AND they go on sale. Then buy. Dig?

Hi fishin kid Pa. My name is Joseph, and I live out west in Oregon. I, or we out here have one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the U.S. We have the Columbia River, (world class), and the John Day river. My personal best smallie is 2 @ 4 lbs. One in Lost Creek Reservoir, in southern Or., and the other in Applegate Reservoir, also in S. Or. They fight the best out of all the species of Bass. So don't ever stop fishing for them. You might want to try a crawfish crankbait, med. diver, in a red or brown color, w/rattle in it. They just can't lay off of it. That giant rock will hold the biggest smallie in that area. Thats where I would try it. Cast up stream, and crank it under that rock. You better hold on though, a large SM, will jerk your rod out of your hand. By the way, I like SM so much, that is my display name. later, smallmouth55123