fishballer06

This. Really makes me wonder how some of these guy manage it whenever they're only making the cut maybe 2-3 times in a season. An example. Frank Talley has been fishing the elites since 2019. Five events this year. Best finish is 52nd, with two finishes in the 90's. Only made $7500 this season. He won an event in 2020, and beside that he only has one top 10 finish. Entry fees alone for the Elites are about $4500 per event.

You must not follow the Elites too well. Derek has had a top 10 finish in each of his Elite seasons. He was definitely a good stick.

Derek Hudnall has announced his official retirement from professional bass fishing mid season. Derek was sitting 55th in points in the BASS Elites this year. He made the cut in 3 of the 5 events this season, and he even managed to take 5th place at Lake Seminole last season. Derek said that financial troubles were his reason for hanging it up. Best of luck in the future, Derek. https://www.bassmaster.com/elite/news/derek-hudnall-announces-retirement-from-elite-series/

This is easy. Glenn May Tom Young Dwight Hottle Trey McKinney

Heads up everyone - Derek Hudnall just announced that he's retired from professional bass fishing. Derek was sitting 55th in points and I'm sure is on a few fantasy rosters out there. Edit - Official article on the announcement. https://www.bassmaster.com/elite/news/derek-hudnall-announces-retirement-from-elite-series/

Not a single suggestion to throw a frog. Shame on all of you.

Friendly bump. 9 days to make picks.

I was going to suggest putting them on a scale. You'll easily be able to tell whether a 3/8oz weight is lead or tungsten very quickly just by the size.

I was a long time Trilene knot user until I started using FC. From my experience, I was burning line whenever I would cinch the knot down. That's when I learned the San Diego Jam knot and my life changed forever. Learn it. You will love it.

The great part with making your own is you can get as wild and plain as you want to get. I make a sexy shad color skirt that does well for me.

Are you looking to have someone build you some skirts? Or just asking what color skirts you should use? Quite a few of us here are capable of doing either, myself included.

I can't say one fish changed my life forever. However I can remember as a kid (maybe 12 or 13) going on a fishing trip to Canada with my father and grandfather. I had very little money and I spent some of what I had to buy a spinnerbait that I saw in a tackle store. Up until that point in my life, I was just a bobber fisherman. First day out I tied that spinnerbait on and started chucking & winding. After a short time, I caught my first fish, a bass probably close to 5 pounds. I think that was the "aha" moment where I converted from a bobber fisherman to a lure fisherman.

I could see sneaking in 2-3 ounces and no one being able to notice. But 2.5 pounds is going to be noticeable to any experienced fishermen. I'm just picturing an 18" fish that weighed almost 7 pounds

Stained? Like chocolate milk colored? Give me the darkest colors possible. Dark colors show up no matter what color the water is.

Any chance I could buy a dozen off you? PM me if so.

As someone who basically only fishes all black topwater baits, I go by sound and feel. A little experience with night fishing will really help hone these skills.

Back to back events in Alabama in June actually. Wheeler and then Lewis Smith.

Well that was a fun event. Congrats to Patrick on the win. Now we've got 29 days until the next one on Wheeler in Alabama. Here's our current top 3. LMoore (who is absolutely crushing it this year) BassNJake Provoke 106

That's solid! A lot of guys seemed to struggle this event.

Day 1 has been postponed due to storms. www.bassmaster.com/elite-day-1-postponed-at-lake-murray/

Who is everyone taking? We've got til tomorrow night to make picks.

I've been testing out the Evo Elite chatterbait with the Freeloader as a trailer. So far I've been very impressed.

This thread has mid-January cabin fever written all over it. Dislike: Drop shot Can't stand: Ned rig Doesn't work: Banjo minnow

Weight is completely dependent on depth and speed I want to fish at. For general casting in shallower water 3/16 to 3/8oz is ideal. Deep water I'll go up to 3/4-1oz. Hook size I like a 3/0 to 5/0 size. A smaller 1/0 or 2/0 size is good for smaller baits and jig heads. In general, the longer the bait, the bigger the hook size.

Really hate to see this happen. Everything looks good at face value right now, but only time will tell how this will turn out.