DILLY07

Day one during Iowa Bass Nation, I was paired with old grumpy dude. It was during spring state in Lake Okoboji. I was a non-boater and I could take over the trolling motor for the half day, we even agreed during meeting the night before. So, in the morning, I meet him at the ramp and put my stuff in his boat. I get in his truck and back down the trailer down. His half day is up. I go, hey bud, is it okay if I take over and go to my spots. He says, No. I was like, Oh I thought we agreed. He nods to me, and says sucks to be you. Horrible tournament ever. I zeroed that day. Day 2 went better.

Pre spawn. I've been catching 3's. Dillon

Its going in humps. It'll be here before we know it.

I live in Iowa. I've been fishing every single day. Only one day I skunked. It hit 82 degrees here.

When its windy, I usually put 3/4 oz jig. 3/8 oz to Ounce bullet to flip and pitch. 3/8 oz lipless crank or 3/8 oz chatterbait.

I was out prefishing upper river in Dubuque for Fall State for Iowa Bass Nation. I was pitching and flipping sweet beavers in lily pads, little tight pockets. Had a huge bite. It was cloudy that day, had my brand new oakleys on my hat bill. Hooked set that so hard, and didnt realize my oakleys went flyin in to the water backwards. I was like I just bought that last week. Oh well, bought a new one, same exact ones.

I was just curious if you guys ever have done a good deed while fishing or other good deed? I have 2 good deeds last year. It meant a lot to me. One day in warm 75 degree spring day in May. I was just fishing on the bank for a bit before I go on the river with a buddy to prefish for a tournament. Anyways, I was fishing and all the sudden I hear a scream. I was like What the heck was that? I'm like looking around. So, I reeled up. Took off to see whats happening? It appears early 70's age man fell in the mud and towards the water. He sprained his ankle. He can barley walk, so I lifted him up. Hes pretty clumsy. Putting all the pressure. I didn't care if he was dirty or anything. I put him in my truck, rushed to the urgent care to make sure. Waited for his doctor. I waited for him to hear the outcome. It was just sprained ankle. I needed to leave to prefish the river. The man gave me his sons number. I call his son who lived 30 mins away from here. Gave him all the details that happened. He was glad someone was there. Otherwise, something could happen bad to him. 2 weeks later, the man gave me 100 dollar bill that I did a good thing. I declined. I gave it back to him. I never saw him again. I saw him in the newspaper. He died 5 weeks later by heart attack. I went to his funeral, I dropped my lure in his grave that I used on that day. It was a kids day fishing at a community park that Iowa DNR hosted. My brother and I went there to check it out to see anyone was having fun. Oh boy, it was like Christmas to them. I walked around the park. I saw this down syndrome kid about 10 years old. I saw him wearing a Bassmaster shirt. That's what caught my eye. I I asked his mother and father if it was okay if I can talk to your son. They were fine with it. I talked to the kid for good 15 minutes. He was catching bluegills left and right. Having a blast. So, I told him and his parents that I'll be right back. I ran to my truck to get couple jigs that I make. I gave him 10 jigs that he can use later in his life. He was shocked. He went to his dad, saying I'm going to be pro someday. That dropped my heart. Lets hear yours.

500 for big bass. 10 seconds left to go back in check in... bam 5.5 pounder 19 inches long. Also might be fishing the Oakley Big Bass Tour next year.

Why care what someone else thinks of your boat? Fish in club or a club that is affiliated with B.A.S.S. so you can fish in the North Carolina Federation or Nation. Thats what I do.

Iowa does it twice a year

I use Oakleys cause I've been around them so long. I really like their Big Taco glasses with polarized lenses. 2nd season gone through them. Never had problem with them. Just be careful with high end glasses.

Day 2 on Iowa Bass Nation aka Federation for B.A.S.S as a non boater. I was paired up with this guy, Greg, a local on his town where the tournament event was held at in Dubuque, Iowa. Story is going to be detailed... I get up at 3:20 a.m. and so pumped for Day 2 and hoping for a limit ( which ended up with 3 keepers). I get coffee, hurried to the boat ramp. I waited for Greg to meet me at the ramp so I can put my gear in his 2014 Legend. So, I get in his truck so I can back down his boat. Got that done. I meet him down at the water. Exchanged words and such and talked. Finally, launched was number 33, took awhile. Went to the Lock and Dam to go up river. Got to this spot, I remember this exactly spot where I caught 2 keepers in that area during official practice. I didn't tell him. I did later the day. Anyways, I see he was using black and blue chigger craw 3/8 oz pegged. He pitched to high. I don't know why but his lure got in the tree and got stuck. So, he kept pulling it, like it was tug of war. He was like hell with it, he pulled so hard with his strength that he get. It popped out, but thing is the bullet weight came out FLYING and hit him the nads. . He groaned and started laughing so hard. I was in tears of laugh. But got 2 keepers in that area, just like I did during practice. Later on that day, we became friends. I'll never forget that day.

I'ved had Owner brand treble hooked my finger. It hurts I learned my lesson. Sometimes, I'll boat flip the fish and grab the crank and quickly lip the fish. Get pliers, unhook the trebles and throw the lure in water. or Sometimes, I'll belly lift or grab the head.

Lake Okeechobee

For me, Im crazy. I don't pay attention about the rain. I focus on catching bass. If it rains, during 50 degree weather, I wear Nike Reax Run 8's with under armor ankle socks. I rarely had my feet wet, cause of my rain suit, covers basically most of my shoe. In summer, I usually wear my rain coat with shorts with Nike Reax Run 8's or Reef Fanning Sandals that is air cushioned for long hot dog days.

This is would be mine if I was in the Classic. It gets me pumped.

Lipless Crank or Small Compact Jig

6 pounds and change on 6th Sense Brown Eye Shad Lipless Crank on a point during Big Bass Challenge #2

Texas rig and let it fall, hop it slowly on the bottom or depending on the bass activity.

VMC, Owner, Trokar sometimes Gammy.

I got everything. Id just contact them. I use the bag with my extra reels that I have. I use them if theres something wrong with my reels currently during tournaments.

Wow unbelievable! Back then, those pros thought those boats were fancy! A lot of things changed. Pretty crazy.

I usually get 3 year fishing license in the state of Iowa for 50 dollars. I think 30 dollars non resident in Illinois. Other 40 in Missouri. I'm getting Wisconsin pretty soon.

I fish in the B.A.S.S Nation aka Federation as a non boater for right now.

Sometimes I'll tow my friends Stratos or Champion, I get about 9-11 mpg on my truck. I drive a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 1/2 ton Big Horn Edition with several upgrades.