WTnPuddleJumper

has to be Vienna sausages and ritz crackers

If you lost all of these fish during your slump on the same rod might I suggest changing rods. I have found that a rod with more flex in the tip (like a duckett ghost) has helped me land more fish.

Every club is different. Some are run by a voted in board, others are ran by a single person. Some clubs are federated thru either B A S S or FLW which usually escalates the membership fees, where usually the top anglers will get to compete in some regional and national tournaments to qualify for some of the professional events. Others are independent type clubs that's season usually ends in a classic. The majority of the clubs will either have a boater/non boater format where your partner is decided by a draw every tournament, or the club will be a buddy format where you fish with the same partner throughout the season. As far as benefits are concerned I like the fact that the tournament season will introduce you to new and different bodies of water that you would normally not fish. There are a lot of things to consider before joining a club. First and foremost look at the clubs prior schedules. Are the lakes that the club fishes the kind of water you like to fish? How much do you want to spend? Tournament fees range anywhere from $25 per boat to $200 per boat. Some clubs payouts are very top heavy where others pay deeper. membership fees can range from $25 per person to $150 per person. Some clubs meet once a month, ours meets once a year. Then there is the size factor, would you rather compete against 10 boats or 50? Bass clubs are great if you get in the one that fits your needs. You will have to do a little research before pulling the trigger but hopefully you will find one. It is a great experience

With a Texas rig I like to "check" them before jerking. Usually as soon as they hit it I will drop my line and watch it until it moves, then pop em. With a Carolina rig I will drop the line and ease it back tight to see if they are still on there, then bust em

My Bass Club Real name is Steve Born 3 years Before Steveo-1969

I understand inflation. And I am not basing my complaint on how much Bandits cost back when I had a full head of hair. My complaint was the fact that anywhere else you can buy the same lure for $5-$6. Bass pro has em for $7.99. That's not an inflation issue, its a greed issue. Its the same scenario with a lot of lures BPS carries.

I know they sponsor this site but I can't resist. I have been chunking Bandit crankbaits since they were made at Sardis Lake, MS. Back then they were around $3 a lure. I go to the Pyramid BPS yesterday and they have the same Bandit lure, only this one is probably imported, and half the quality of the original, for $7.99! $7.99!!!! Thank You BPS for price gouging the folks that put you where you are today by purchasing your products.

Check out the westtn puddlejumpers on facebook. We put up a monthly schedule of most of the west tn based bass clubs schedules. The puddle jumpers are having a afternoon tourney sunday 6/11 at Gibson county lake. blast off at 2pm weigh in at 730 open tournament. Mr Lou puts on a tourney at Pickwick State Park ramp every Monday nite from 6-10pm they avg 15-20 boats for this one. Its fun and a good bunch of folks they have a facebook page as well think its called pickwick Monday night tournament. Perry ville marina bass puts on a open tourney as well. they also have a facebook page hope this helps--have fun--go fish June Calendar of events 6/2-3 Puddle Jumpers Cooking Team at variety club in memphis 6/3-4 Po Boys Cuba Landing TN River 6/3 Peanut Tri State Mckellar Lake 6/10 West TN Catfish Anglers Carruthersville Mo... 6/11 WTPJ Afternoon @ Gibson 6/17 WestTN Elite Bay Springs Crows Neck 6/17 Fayette County New Johnsonville TN River 6/17 Peanut N Miss Enid Lake 6/24 Perryville Marina Bass Perryville TN River 6/25 WestTN Puddle Jumpers Birdsong Resort TN River Every Monday Pickwick Monday Night Tournament State Park Ramp

A lot of fishermen are not the email type. You might want to show up at their next weigh in and introduce yourself, that way you can see first hand if these are hospitable folks who will welcome you into their group.

I think a lot of the b.a.s.s. articles promote lure/tackle sales. We are fortunate down here to have the Mid South Hunting and Fishing news. It gives us a monthly fishing report of most of the major lakes/rivers in TN, ARK, MS. They feature different lakes each edition and is always informative and caters to the weekend sportsman. They post all of the bass clubs schedules and results and even post pics of the winners for free. I believe Bill Dance owns the publication.

Ive got a few funny ones but all true Catch a bass while taking a leak, boat bass before putting up your business uhhh done that Flip a bass in the boat that was never hooked ( he was just clamped on the brush hawg) been there Catch a double on a bandit 100 yep set the hook on a 3#er and net him on the other side of the boat yep (reelfoot lake) Have a bass rip your worm off the side of a cypress knee out of the water check and my favorite: Make a monster cast with a Carolina rig in which you hang one of your other rods on the deck launching it 50 feet from the boat (multiple times) always in front of a stranger btw

Texas state record is over 18# caught on a crappie hook at lake fork. this texas lakes record caught on a mcnugget. Fat bass nonetheless!! That's what fast food will do to ya!!

Bass Clubs can be great if you can find one that fits your needs/expectations. Our club is one huge fishing family. We cook or eat out the night before tournaments, we laugh, joke and carry-on like we've known each other our entire lives. We help each other out and share fishing info. Its more than just points and trophies. But yes fish all the club has to offer, don't just hen pick your favorite lakes. This will help build a bond with you and the club. Some clubs raise money for charities (ours does). I understand I am rambling but if you join a club, jump in with both feet, enjoy all it has to offer.

Knowledge trumps all. Green Punkin is my go to color. Let's get it on!!!!!!

I have a gen 3 9". Great unit BTW. The touch feature is great. I rarely use the SI feature. I am more comfortable with the sonar readings not to mention I fish shallower bodies of water. From your post above it sounds to me that your a "sonor" guy (kind of like me). You might want to save your money at first and just run it with the 83/200 and see if it fits your style. If not then add the SI Stuff later.

I was fortunate. I was raised on a 17 acre lake. had a 6 foot glass rod and a zebco 33. our go to bait was one of them mepps spinners that looked like it had a little catfish as the body. Back then it would catch anything in the lake. I'm 51 now and still greatful of such a good upbringing on a lake. Thanks Mom & Dad

I would have to say, the first bass rod and reel I ever bought, since then I have spent a lifes fortune chasing them big mouths.

Id still be using $50 Silver Max reels if the dern level winds wouldnt quit working. Ive tried the $150 range reels and they lasted a little longer than the $50-$75 reels. But not 3 times as long. I can afford any of them, but choose to use the cheaper reels. The $80 Lews are holding up fine so far, but I keep hearing about the KastKings and was wondering if they were as advertised or all hype. P.s. Jaderose--why such anger from a question? take a chill pill bud

I know there is a few threads on the forum about this, but I couldn't really find the answer I was looking for. Any of you guys that do own and use regularly one of the KastKing Baitcasters please chime in. I currently am using Lews Laser MG reels, and so far they are doing their job. I used to use the Abu silver max but the level winds started going South halfway thru the fishing season. First off I am rough on my gear (ask Road Warrior) I fish a lot. I use heavy braids and heavy mono. I fish a lot of cypress holes and river runs. I fish 20+ Tournaments per season. Is the reel worthy of this type of load? If so which model(s)? Thanks for your input!!

Dan, I grew up on Otter lake. I know the one your talking about though

If you can get permission, Otter Lake in Raliegh is a 17 acre private lake that was stocked with florida strain bass in the mid 80's. My PB was caught and released there (12.5). I bet there are some bruisers in there now. There are actually 2 lakes in that subdivision Otter and Beaver. Forest Lakes Subdivision. The entrance to the neighborhood is across from Broadmoor Baptist Church on Austin Peay. Between Yale and Cov. pike

ive left clear water (because the bite was non existent) and went and caught a decent sack in the chocolate milk water numerous times.

first place I think this year will be 900 -1000. I target big bass, but sometimes they wont cooperate. We also fish 3 slot lakes in our trail where only 1 bass over slot allowed per boat. (state law). So targeting the larger "unders" really determines the winner in 90% of the time. I don't disagree with what your preaching Im just hitting it from a different angle

I see 2 of God's greatest creations 1) a pretty woman 2) a largemouth bass.

In fishing a club tournament scenario where AOY points are a factor, I think consistency is more valuable than fishing all day for that "kicker fish". A sack full of quality 16" to 20" bass will benefit me more than a 6# kicker and 4 barely keepers. Now there are those super special days when all of your stars line up and you show up to the scales looking like you are toting a 31 class marine battery, but most of the time if you show up with 15-17lbs you are most likely going to go home smiling and a little richer.