Big Bassman

Love Cabelas for clothing,shoes, and misc. BPS for bass tackle only. Have been buying from both as long as they have been in existence. Looks like government may not allow this deal to happen. I personally hope not! It was a leverage buy anyway and the share holder who set it up sold his shares on the rise and made his money already. Bad deal all the way around.

Largemouth

Very nice, congrats!

I have fished all of these over many years. OZ, BS, and the Rock are all very similar. IMO if you want to fish a jerk bait go to BS. Now, as to picking a lake for convenience of location to you, new to you, and full of quality fish that are catchable, I strongly suggest Kentucky. Also, per Brownie, Barkley is right there as well. Both lakes are like twins and I will guarantee you and your friend will enjoy them so much you will want to come again asap. Make sure to let us know how you did! Good Luck!

By all means fish! Rains carry food into the lake or river via streams. If the body of water is normally clear it helps dirty it a little as you have mentioned. Regardless, work those areas with a spinnerbait or crank depending on conditions and time of year. As others have stated, close to the bank and make sure to work the current. Those bass are just waiting for a hearty meal to come by.

I only kept records for one year, one lake at the request of the state of Iowa. It was fun, interesting, and helpful. That being said, I am one who thinks it is too much like work and do my best to retain the important items in my head. Retention use to work real well, but now with my age not so much.

I noticed there has been some discussion about PDF's. Let me share with you my good fortune to own one of those. Our boy's gave my wife and I each one so we would have no reason not to wear our life jackets. This early spring when I was fishing Grand Lake of the Cherokees, I fell in 40 degree water and was really happy to be wearing this type of flotation device. It brought me right up to the surface and saved my life for sure! I can't swim, so you understand where I am coming from. The cost verses the payback is very insignificant. I highly recommend them to everyone, very comfortable. Especially good for us old timers who are a little unstable. LOL

Thanks for the pic! What a great looking bunch of Bass Anglers!

Every spring and summer and fall! I shoot in the winter unless I'm fishin!

Congrats to both you guy's on your 5 lbers! A little luck is nice to have any day.

I am so happy you guy's had a wonderful trip. I am looking forward to meeting many of you as soon as I can. Maybe next trip God willing! Just like the rest of us who didn't make it, waiting for the pics!