freddymac

BASS XL, I feel your pain. I live in Des Moines and had every intention of being there. But, BASS is making the right decision.

Stanzman, Try Mid States Tournament Association. Great tournament program. $65 for co-angler registration with some really nice pay outs and door prizes. It's also kind of a unique tournament structure. It sets up like a pro-am, so you're paired by random drawing, BUT...the co-angler and angler weigh in a combined weight. So, unlike in a lot of tournaments, the angler actually wants his co-angler to catch fish! Here's the website: http://www.smithvillemarine.com/smibass/ Tell 'em BassFeed sent you!

FishChris either has freakishly long arms or a knack for catching monster bass. Billy Raymond

Hey...I know you! Billy Raymond

Fished as a co-angler last year. This is my first year as a boater. Billy Raymond

What's the word on Truman Lake? Anyone been out there recently? Billy Raymond

Des Moines, born and raised. Fish with Iowa Bass Anglers. Getting ready for our season opener...in Missouri...go figure. Billy Raymond

I'm interviewing Tom tomorrow (Sunday Jan. 13) at 4 PM and I'll be posting this episode Monday evening (Jan 14). I'll put a note in here when it's up. Thanks to you and everyone else for the questions, should be a good interview. Billy Raymond

Thanks Fin. I'll make sure to work those in. Good questions. Billy Raymond

I'll ask him, Russ. Should be an interesting answer.

Good questions, guys. And I agree that Tom is a great guy. He's really gone the extra mile to get me in touch with his pro staff. I think he'll be a good source. Billy Raymond

Got out over the (beautiful) weekend to do some fun fishing (not a tournament). It's the first time in a long time that I've been able to do that. A busy summer and a rash of boat troubles have kept me landlocked. I took a friend along who is an amazing photographer and takes every opportunity to photograph wildlife. He took some amazing photos, and if he gives me permission I'll try to post some of them here. By the time we cooordinated our schedules, most of the day was gone. Didn't get the boat off the trailer until almost 4:00 PM. The bite was real slow to begin with. It seems they'd only bite if I managed to drop a finesse worm directly on their head. The few bites I did get came on the fall. The bait never made it to the bottom. Caught about five 12 to 15 inch fish this way, every one of them relating closely to the shady side of standing stumps. By about 7:30 PM, the sun went behind the trees on the western shore and the topwater bite took off. Almost as if on cue, fish starting blowing up through the mats and near isolated grass patches. I tied on a Ribbit swimming frog and went to work. Trolling along the east bank and keying in on the edges of mats and those grass patches, I got another four of five fish on some vicious strikes. None of the fish were huge...1.5 lbs probably, but it was nice to get out and just fish for the fun of it. Hooper (a 65-acre impoundment in central Iowa) is always a great lake when you just need to catch some fish, have some fun, and get your confidence back.

Hey, we all need to set goals...I think I'll aim slightly lower than this guy! http://www.kcci.com/news/14003453/detail.html?taf=des

Russ, An admirable job of capturing the spirit of a CAST for Kids event in photos. Of course, nothing compares to actually being there and sharing your boat with a deserving child and a grateful parent...but this came close. I am so anxious to make one of these happen here in Iowa. Thanks man. Billy Raymond

You're arguments about the undersized motor make sense. But I guess top speed isn't the most important consideration to me. I don't fish on lakes or rivers that require running several hours to find viable fishing spots. And even in my current "slug" (1988 Charger 185 with 175 Johnston), I can't say that the difference between 45 mph and 65 mph has been much of a deciding factor in my tournament success or lack thereof. Sure, if I were fishing big-money, big-water tournaments, with hundreds of other anglers in the same event, I'd agree that top-end would be an important factor. But even when I win the tournaments I enter, the prize money barely covers my travel,hotel, and fuel expenses. I'm a weekend angler with an average-joe income. I can't spend upwards of $30K just to go as fast or faster than you. What I see here is an affordable, reputable, reliable, and highly fishable boat designed for angler just like me... IMHO