BASS fisherman

Basically, the members challenge is where everyone who wants to participate signs up on a thread that will probably start next March or April. The basic jist goes like this, after a bunch of people sign up by listing their limitations, strengths and weaknesses, the first person on the post challenges the second person to fish a lure they have never fished before. And the challenge is to become confident in the lure and catch fish with it. The challenging carries on down the post until the last person is challenged and then they challenge the first person on the post. Here is an example if I was going to post on the thread to participate in the members challenge: I am a non-boater who only fishes from shore. I usually fish small ponds that have stained to murky water. Most of the lakes I fish have good cover such as stick-ups, laydowns, milfoil, and alot of over hanging trees. The pond I fish most often is totally smothered with hydrilla. I am confident with: shallow to medium crankbaits plastic worms rigged weightless topwater lures and jigs I have no confidence in: jigging spoons carolina rig drop shot rig deep cranks and jerkbaits The person who signed up before me would challenge me to fish one of the lures that I have listed as one of my non-confidence baits, keeping in mind my limitations such as that I am only a shore fisherman, so some challenges may be next to impossible to complete. In other words you wouldn't challenge someone to fish a crankbait if they said they fish ponds that are full of weeds. You have to take into consideration what they could do, and what they couldn't do, and give them a fair challenge. You have to have a digital camera to take a picture of the bass, and be able to post it on the site. If you get skunked, most people put up a pic of a skunk. But you have the whole month to try to complete your challenge. It is alot of fun to catch that first fish on your challenged lure. The point is to become confident in more lures. I can't wait until spring!

Wow Avid, thanks alot. That means alot to me. This place does feel like a neighborhood, I can't count the times I received help from other members on here that had nothing at all to do with bass fishing. This site and the members have helped me become not only a better angler, but to grow as a person as well. I have learned way more than just bass fishing here that to put it into words is simply not possible. Thanks

I'm sure we will do it again this year. I think LBH just deleted the 2006 thread because it was taking up space. I could be wrong though. I learned a few new techniques last year while participating so I look forward to this years challenge alot.

Thats a good joke everytime I hear it! ;D ;D

Once again I am the oddball. I have broken probably 4 or 5 Gammie EWG hooks just this past year alone. But....I had snagged them all on branches (except one that was either a pig buried in weeds, or a dink buried in 200 #'s of weeds) and I would let some line out, set the rod down and pull on the line with my hands. The hooks would break at the bend closest to the point every time. Of those hooks, only one of them had been bent before and manually bent back to use again. And I had mono line on everytime. Seems to me the # test of the mono was between 8# and 14#. As for the rod, all the hooks broke off while using an Abu Garcia Conolon spinning rod rated medium action, that anyone can buy at Walmart for $40.00, but I think they are on sale right now or marked clearance for only 20 bucks. The Conolon casting rods sell for $30.

Great questions so far folks! Here is a small article from the site here: Ish Monroe Headed for Classic History Career Season Takes California Pro to Bass Fishing's Biggest Event California pro Ishama Monroe has never fit the profile of the average professional angler. First, the 29-year-old angler grew up in the San Francisco Bay area - hardly a traditional hotbed for bass pros. It was only through summers spent in Michigan that he was exposed to bass fishing. Then there is the fact that Monroe is African-American. Several black anglers have competed on the CITGO Bassmaster circuit over the years, but none have enjoyed the success of the California pro, who has five top-10 finishes to his credit. Monroe recently became only the second African-American to ever qualify for the CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer - exactly 20 years after Mississippi's Alfred Williams accomplished the feat in 1983. He is the first African-American to ever qualify through the professional ranks - Williams earned his Classic ticket via the BASS Federation. "Making the Classic means a lot," Monroe said. "To me, it means everything. It's a lifelong dream. "I've met Alfred a few times. We didn't get a chance to talk about the Classic, but we talked about the whole demographics of bass fishing. He said making the Classic meant a lot to him. I think from an all-around standpoint, it brings a different demographic to the whole sport of bass fishing. So I think it will make kids in any ethnic group think, 'I can do this, too.' "This is the 20-year anniversary (of Williams' Classic). And that makes it a big deal." Monroe has had his sights set on making the Classic since childhood. It was a dream that separated him from his friends as he grew up in California. "I was about 10 years old when I decided I wanted to fish professionally," he said. "I remember watching some tournament on television and thinking that's what I wanted to do. I already had the love for fishing. "I pretty much decided that I wanted to fish, so I went and started talking to sponsors. They said they wanted somebody that could speak well, and somebody that could sell their products. I went to summer school every year so that my senior year I could go to business school. From there, I graduated and went to college where I took public speaking and marketing. "Growing up in the San Francisco Bay area, my friends were into everything else. There's drugs, there's violence, cars. While my friends were going out on dates, I was going fishing. It was a little bit uncool, but personality goes a long way with my friends so it worked out well." Monroe was asked if he feels any added pressure as only the second black angler to qualify for the Classic. "I don't think there's any pressure at all," he replied. "More than anything it's going to be exciting. ... I'm going to become a hero to some kid now, and that's pretty impressive. "There's definitely more responsibility. Any time you do something like this it's a major deal. And I can't go out there and be ignorant or do something wrong. I just have to do everything pretty clean cut."

Thanks for the tip. Already taken care of.

I recently contacted Ish Monroe and asked if he would be interested in participating in an interview that would be posted on the BassResource forum. He has graciously agreed, now all I need are your questions. I will pick the best ones and then conduct the interview. After it is complete, I will post the complete interview on the forum for everyone to enjoy. So, what do you want to ask Ish?

I have an Okeechobee bag which holds 8 3700 series boxes. Box Contains 1. "Hooks and Sinkers" 12 diff. sized hooks, assrt jig heads, carolina rig beads, trailer hooks, extra spinner blades, lead tape, assrt bullet weights snaps, swivels etc......... 2. Plastics 1 Assrt sized Senkos, Dingers, Culprit worms, different grubs, Small Swim baits, Ribbontail worms and lizards. 3. Plastics 2 Tubes in assrt colors, frogs, Ikas and beavers. 4. Plastics 3 Jelly worms, bright Senkos, trick worms, flukes, YUM craws, and more lizards. 5. Deep Divers (cranks) Rapala DT's in different depths, and colors, Excaliber cranks in assrt colors, whittlers cranks, countdown lures 6. Shallow Divers (cranks) 1- cranks, jerkbaits, a couple whittler's cranks 7. Jigs and Trailers Assrt. jigs in different colors and sizes,1/16-1oz trailers to go with the trailers. 8. Topwater lures Walk the dog lures, jitterbugs, poppers, prop baits hollow body frogs, and spoons. Then in the pockets I normally carry: Paper towels, scale, 2 cameras, 2 pair pliers-1 rapala pair that have split ring nodule, and a pair of side cutters, pair scissors, 3x plastics, split shot, bull-shot, spinnerbait/buzz bait box, 2 hook hones, lure scent, big pair hemo stats, watch, compass, matches, thermometer, and license. Bandaids, red and black markers, and extra batteries for cameras. Plus more that I cant think of off the top of my head. Oh, and a note book to record conditions and fish I catch. A pocket knife too. Definatley way too much stuff considering my bag weighs about 30lbs or a few pounds more. But I like to have what I need and to be prepared for most situations that can arrise. Any more and I'll need a wheel arrow to carry it all.

I think overcast and low light could be put in the same catagory. I use amber colored lenses for low light conditions. I also use smoke or grey lenses for bright days.

I found another few. I was 6 in the first 2 pictures, which were also taken at the same pond as the previous picture. I was around 12 in the last picture. First fishing I ever did off of a boat. I have since fished the lake many times and actually get to fish a tournament there this year.

I was 6 or 7 in this picture. I still fish the pond in the backround. If you can see the camera in my Dad's hand, it is one of the old Super 8 cameras. Great video but no sound at all.

Yes Mike, I have a couple little stone sharpeners. You can get them at Dick's for around 50 cents each. I have to fish the minnow more often this season. I have one 1/2 oz and a couple bigger johnson like lures. Never had much luck with any of them. Never gave them a fair chance though.

I am sorry to hear that Matt. What is the biggest bass you have caught with them?

I like Bassin and In-Fisherman.

I gonna have to dig out some of the old pics I have. They are in color though. I'll post them tomorrow if I dont forget.

Today I was fishing a rock ledge with a c-rig. Got a nice 15 inch bass. Try the c-rig. Whatever you fish, fish it slow and like everyone else said, find the structure!

I dislike red hooks. I have yet to catch one bass with any lure that has red hooks. To me they are a turn off to the bass. And I do have several lures with red hooks.

I like those jigs. Looking good! You have any for sale? I can never find jigs with the screw in heads.

Nice job! Dinks or not, you got some bass! I went out today. 20 degrees with a 0 degree wind chill, caught one bass. Missed several others.

It has been a combination of learning from others, reading books, and finally time spent on the water. With the highest being a cross between reading books, and on the water time. I love reading about different techniques, and habits of bass during the seasons. And I love to modify techniques while on the water.

Starbucks Statement on Refusal to Donate Coffee to U.S. Marines Response to Internet rumor Thank you for taking the time to contact Starbucks regarding coffee donations to those serving in our armed forces. Starbucks has the deepest respect and admiration for U.S. military personnel. We are extremely grateful to the men and women who serve stateside or overseas. We sincerely appreciate that they are willing to risk their lives to protect Americans and our values of freedom and democracy. While Starbucks as a company cannot directly donate to military personnel, many of our partners (employees) show their support by donating coffee. Recently, there was an e-mail circulating the internet that contained misinformation about Starbucks and our support of the military. Starbucks was able to locate the author who turned out to be a Marine Sergeant. He was very grateful that we contacted him and apologized for any misunderstanding, as he did not intend to spread the rumor. He subsequently sent an e-mail to his original distribution list correcting his mistake, which I've included at the end of this e-mail. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify Starbucks policy regarding charitable contributions. We are able to donate to nonprofit organizations that are designated as public charities under Section 501© (3) of the IRS Code, including public libraries and schools. The U.S. military or individual military personnel do not qualify as a public charity. However, on an individual level, many Starbucks partners have collected and shipped numerous pounds of Starbucks coffee overseas. Starbucks partners receive one pound of free coffee each week as an employee benefit (known as "partner mark-out"). Many of our partners have elected to send their weekly mark-out of coffee to members of the military or military families, and related organizations. As an example of this generosity, our partners in our Atascadero, California store sent their weekly mark out coffee to troops in Afghanistan so they are able to enjoy a little piece of home. Our customer relations department in Seattle donated hundreds of pounds of coffee to the sailors in the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group. These are just a few examples of our partners supporting the troops. We recognize and appreciate the very personal connection that customers have with us and how they might miss their Starbucks Experience while overseas. Thank you again for writing and ask you to accept our deepest appreciation to servicemen and women and hope you remain a valued Starbucks customer. If you have any additional feedback or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to contact us at (800) 235-2883 or email us at info@starbucks.com. Sincerely, David Campbell Customer Relations Starbucks Coffee Company Text of Sgt. Wright's Email: Dear Readers, Almost 5 months ago I sent an e-mail to you my faithful friends. I did a wrong thing that needs to be cleared up. I heard by word of mouth about how Starbucks said they didn't support the war and all. I was having enough of that kind of talk and didn't do my research properly like I should have. This is not true. Starbucks supports men and women in uniform. They have personally contacted me and I have been sent many copies of their company's policy on this issue. So I apologize for this quick and wrong letter that I sent out to you. Now I ask that you all pass this email around to everyone you passed the last one to. Thank you very much for understanding about this. Howard C. Wright Sgt USMC 1st Force Recon Co 1st Plt PLT RTO

Another one, Target doesn't support Toys for Tots for the same reason. I also believe they do not allow the Salvation Army to set up in front of their stores either. Same with scout groups selling fundraising items.

I could fill all 9000 characters on here listing all the pranks I have pulled. Way to many to list.

Heck I prefer Dunkin' Donuts personally but here it is: NO COFFEE FOR THE MARINES Their coffee is tasting more and more bitter..... STARBUCKS DENIES COFFEE TO MARINES Recently Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they send some of it to the troops there. Starbucks replied, telling the Marines thank you for their support of their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops their brand of coffee. So as not to offend Starbucks, maybe we should not support them by buying any of their products! As a war vet writing to fellow patriots, I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street-to-street and house-to-house for what they and I believe is right. If you feel the same as I do then pass this along, or you can discard it and no one will ever know. Thanks very much for your support. I know you'll all be there again when I deploy once more. "Semper Fidelis." Sgt Howard C. Wright 1st Force Recon Co 1st Plt PLT PLEASE DON'T DELETE THIS .. ALLOW IT TO BE PASSED TO ALL IN MEMORY OF ALL THE TROOPS WHO HAVE DIED SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO SUPPORT THEM OR NOT!!! It's too bad, I liked Starbucks, but no more for me.