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

I just received this press release via email. I like the sounds of this boat. May have to look into replacing my 20-year-old Charger with one of these. I am curious how much the upgrade to 115 HP will cost, though. I'm hoping to have someone from Stratos come on the podcast and talk more about this model. Stay tuned STRATOS 186XT Bigger than any other 18-foot boat in its class for under $17,000 MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Aug. 21, 2007) When the Stratos 176XT hit the market in late summer 2006, it exploded onto the fishing scene by giving anglers everywhere a less expensive, more stable and longer-lasting alternative to aluminum boats. Now, the XT line has been expanded with the 2008 Stratos 186XT, giving anglers even more space and power for under $17,000. New for 2008, the Stratos 186XT is an 18-foot, 9-inch boat that feels and fishes like a 20-footer. The additional 15 inches of space is added to the front deck of the boat, giving it the same fishing space of most 20-foot bass boats, plus the added convenience of features like recessed trolling motor foot pedals and a 7-foot, 6-inch center rod locker. Completely rigged with 90-horsepower outboard, 40-pound Minn Kota trolling motor, Humminbird electronics and Road Armor Equipped® trailer, this is the most accessible and roomiest 18-foot boat in its class, meaning anglers don't have to sacrifice big money for big fishing space. The added length of the 186XT also gives it a wider beam, making it rated for a maximum 115 horsepower more than enough power to get anglers to their favorite holes in a hurry. The 186XT's combination of features, value and fishability has been a long time coming for serious bass anglers and local tournament competitors who want a new rig without breaking the bank. Available with a wide range of factory rigged outboards, new features on this boat include the added convenience of a lid assist on the center rod locker, a boarding ladder, Road Armor Equipped® trailer constructed of 4-inch trailer framing and Humminbird PiranhaMax 215 electronics standard at the console. All the features that serious anglers have come to expect in a fishing boat are present on the Stratos 186XT: spacious rear deck, aerated livewell, on-board charger, power tilt and trim, running rod rack, tackle storage boxes and custom-matched upholstery on the three-across, fold-down bench seat are all standard, as well as a fit and finish that most anglers expect to pay well over $20,000 for. Color packages for the Stratos XT line in 2008 include red gel coat, blue gel coat, Black Onyx polyflake and Gunmetal polyflake, each with a white deck cap. STRATOS 186XT Overall Length: 18'9" Beam: 89 inches Maximum Horsepower: 115 Fuel Capacity: 23 gallons Total Person, Motor, Gear: 652 lbs. Length on Trailer with Swing-Away Tongue Open: 20'1"

LBH turned me onto this post. I'm convinced! Chris, wanna be my guest on BassFeed and talk about the ins, outs, ups, and downs of big bass hunting...including answering some of the critics? If so, drop me a note and we'll schedule a time to do it. By the way, I'm from Iowa, where "hog" actually means hog...and I've seen swine smaller than that take ribbons at the state fair. Scary. Thanks! Billy Raymond