AlabamaSpothunter

You're a special person Katie, I truly mean that, and I take comfort in your words! The first 10mins I still had that narcotic high going on from catching a good one, but as each hour went by until I posted that and heard comforting words from you, the guilt feeling has grown. I don't feel guilty about harvesting game, but when I'm not trying to harm these critters since they generate so much joy in my life, it's just soul wrenching hurting a special one especially. Thank you for the kind words as well, just to clarify a bit....it was just two nice ones, the 6.6 on the buzzer, and then 7 on the Shimano swimbait. Fishing at least for me is the ultimate test in persistence, as well as managing your expectations and frustrations. Mon-Thurs, every day I got stuck in a thunderstorm on the lake, so much so that a really nice gentlemen waived me down today and gave me his card with his number and a few of his neighbor's number in case I got in trouble. "Me and my wife love to watch you out there fishing, but sometimes we worry about you because you don't seem concerned with the weather". I explained to him my singular focus on my white whale and told him I'll send him pics of her if I get her, or he'll see me riding the Pequod to the Icey depths ? Really classy and kind act. I got the smallest taste of @king fisher life today, and I'd like a refill, and make it in a larger glass ?

Would have been an amazing day, but I had my first big fish (5lb+) get hooked poorly resulting in some bleeding. She absolutely choked that big 7.5" Shimano head first and that stupid treble went under the first gill slit. I was able to go underneath and remove the hook and the wound wasn't very traumatic, but you read stuff and some people will tell you it's a 100% death. It makes me sick, and I pray to God she lives. If I quit this awesome sport it's because of the guilt. Never felt this way growing up, but now I'm a bleeding heart. Sorry I had to get that off my chest. Caught a super healthy 6.6 on a buzzbait, as good of an explosion as the lost giant video I posted a few weeks ago, one that you know instantly that it's the right kind of fish. Stupid GoPro was filming upside down. I got to disable that rotate feature. Then I caught the 7lb fish on the Shimano swimbait. Lastly I caught a Warmouth which was magnificent, I love these little dudes. If they grew to LGM size, nobody would fish for LGMs.

Beautiful big brown fish, congrats! Great to see you back on the water again, and also great to see you fishing with your dad.....you already won once you two launched the boat

Can you repost whatever you linked, it's not showing up. Agree 1000%, he was pretty devasted over losing Lay on a dead fish. I was watching it while fishing, and what do you know my feed cut out a few anglers before Ben weighed in. When I looked on the leaderboard my mouth about hit the floor. My only guess is that he went swinging for the win, instead of his approach at Bug's Island. That first day's bag put him in a position that he wasn't in at Bug's. Dang that stinks, I really want this dude to be the next goat, but fishing is just a different animal.

I mean that's pretty good for starting out in the game ?

The rod is the most important part of the equation imho, these baits really require a technique specific rod. You said large glide baits, if you a throwing something like an S Waver 168 than those will work. Not so much on a true big glide like a 8" 3oz+ bait.

Appears Brandon Palaniuk is making a hard charge, it would incredible to see him make back to back 10 cuts. Cannon sandbagging a 20lb bag on Basstrak, I'd imagine that's closer to 21-22lbs. Ben's gonna have to really catch them today it seems. These Opens are crazy hard to win. You got Elite hammers, local hammers, huge fields, co anglers, if you win one you certainly deserve to fish the Classic.

8 fish an hour, yeah I should just quit Bass fishing or move to Maine. Awesome stuff Katie, and get a DAYGUM STUD tomorrow ?

Is that the case with all the knock offs as well?

I don't use a O ring, but I literally get one fish per bait. Been throwing them the last few days after not throwing them since I was a kid. Now I remember why I dislike them. $7.50 a bag, these things make my MB 110s seem like absolute bargains when you calculate fish per dollar spent.

I don't know why looking at pics of newly purchased tackle makes me happy, but outside of the latest catch thread this one produces the most smiles from me. You're a freak, a serial offender, and you're way past the point of help ?

You're not an idiot, but the Zillion is the most idiot proof reel I could imagine. Don't worry about it, all the above replies nailed it.

Yeah McKinney is the real deal, he's an absolute hammer, and he's so young. Sky is limit for this kid!

LET'S GO! He's looking good at 18lbs

You guys got sound on the feed? eta: sounds good nvm LET'S GO!

Look at the pressure on some of these spots, crazy Mckinney seems destined for the Elite series as well.

He's gonna drop a bag I can just feel it. I have to think he's catching quality fish if he's dragging around one of his favorite offshore baits, a swing head. Hi co angler is catching em too, that's always a good sign. Milliken, Mazy and McKinney making moves - Bassmaster

Lol, we share a brain, I was literally just trying to count all the Elite guys in this derby. So many good hammers in this field.

Yeah it's gonna take 40+ to make the top 10 I think

I think I'll drive up for the weigh in on Sunday if Ben makes the cut. This lake is really, really suited to Ben's style. My PB SM came from it.

LET'S GO SLAUNCH HUNTERS! ? Glad you started a thread, as usual Ben isn't on the Basstrak. Man I wish they televised these Opens, and I know BASS regrets not doing it now seeing as Ben Milliken is one of their biggest drawing competitors. Wheeler is on the upswing of a boom, they've let some grass come back, and the LGMs have been thriving because of it. So many great anglers in this Open, but then again the first two had a ton of hammers in them as well. Lots of Elite guys. I got 20lbs a day to win...........Ben's gonna win it with a total weight 63.5lbs ? If Ben doesn't win, I'd like to see Brandon Palaniuk win to make up for last weekend.

8.5lb LGM from Pickwick is pretty incredible congrats! Awesome trip Bob and Roadwarrior, great to see members meet up and do some fishing together.

I'd rather fish a flooded lake than a drought stricken one. You'd think lower water would make congregating fish easier to catch vs rising water making scattered fish harder to catch but that's not been the case for me.

You'll catch a 10lber on that stupid thing just like Ben Milliken said the monkey ?

Well one guy found them, 30lb bag right now.