My Bassmaster U Expierence

[Will]

Wow, let me tell you I had the greatest fishing expirence at Bassmaster University! I arrived friday night at midnight, just to get up at 5:45 to head to Bassmaster University, which was alright. First speaker was Mark Davis, there were not a whole lot of people maximum of 200 so I was fairly close, and to listend to the speakers was just awesome. After Mark came Randy Howell. Randy was fantastic, he went on floating worms and was very active with some humor built in. After Randy came Ike, who did some finnesse fishing who was also great getting excited and climbing around the stage. I can't say I learned a tone from any pro, but I would learn little tips and tricks from them all. After lunch I watched Randy Howell and Mark Davis, but missed Ikes. Instead of watching Ike I took Mark Davis and Randy Howell to the airport, just them two and then a friend of mine. It was awesome I sat in the back with Randy, and for 30 minutes we could talk to them 1 on 1. I also got a picture with them both! Although I missed Ikes, he went with the KS Federation and I out to eat supper at KC Masterpiece in a private room. Ike was directly across from at a little round table. So I then had 1.5 hours with Ike and some pictures. That man is small (well compared to me). Then today, Sunday came, KVD was going to the Super Bowl so we started at 7:00 and KVD did the first 2 sessions back to back. I got him to autograph the 05 Classic dvd for me, but then I skipped his seminars to go pick up Shaw Grigsby and Rich Tauber. I then got to talk to both them for a 30 minute drive, also to cool. When I went I told myself I would not buy lures, well the baitmonkey got me. All the lures I bought were the last ones of there brand. I got a Lucky Craft Sammy 100 for $9, 2 Bagley Killer B2's for $5 apiece, 2 Bagley Balsa B's for $5 apiece, and then 2 packages of camo finnesse worms. So some great prices. I was very suprised with Ike over dinner. During the presentations he would jump around and did a great job of explaining and even had some yelling. When he was in a smaller private room he is actually calm. He didn't do anything that a normal fisherman would do. When he was asked about being the #6 most hated atheletes he didn't seem to hate it or love it although he thought it was a great thing for the sport of fishing bringing it out. He brought up a good point then with ESPN. He really wants ESPN and BASS to get things going right, if ESPN doesn't get the tournament fishing who can, the only other options would be ABC. My favorite speaker would of been Rich Tauber, who isn't known real good. Instead of going for the win he shoots for the top using finnesse to get the regular paycheck. Eventually he will win, and I think if he can win the Classic then he might try going for bigger fish and winning. He was great for sharing his knowledge with tricks with the public although he promoted his sponsors alot. He told you simply "go buy a loomis drop shot, go buy tungsten weights, go buy my drop shot baits." If you have the chance to attend one of these seminars go to it it's great!

Shaw, Rich, with me

Ike with me (he is a little guy)

Mark, Randy, with me

[Gatorbassman]

That's just too cool man.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

That's awesome man!!  I haven't been able to go the past two years.  I will definetly be there next year.

[KYbass1276]

How great is that to have the pros of the sport we love come out and teach us how to be better. Look how freindly and accesable they are Bass anglers are truly lucky to have these guys

[pittbassfishing]

Glad you had fun Will. it would have been great to been there.

[Chris]

Rich Tauber is entertaining he throws a tube a lot.  Glad you had a great time.

[flip_pitch]

glad to hear it! i've talked to randy howell a number of times, great guy!

[ball_coach_1]

Great for you man, that is awesome.  Unlike most professional is sports, fisherman are just GUYS.

Thanks for sharing your story, good stuff to read.  Wishin' I was there.

[squid]

Holy cow Will, you are one TALL dude....lol  Great pics.   Gotta love Shaw.

[cgs2004]

After Sunday, Rich Tauber has now become my favorite BASS pro, man is that guy hilarious!  He was by far the most entertaining of the weekend, Ike wasn't bad either.  Tauber is such a character and I like his style of fishing too.

[Sam]

Bassmaster U is excellent.  I am glad you not only got to go but had those fantastic photos taken.

Jimmy Houston, Denny Brauer, VanDam, Ike and the others put on a spectacular show and it is worth every dime of admission.

I hope you took notes!

[Landis76]

Hey, I was there.

I liked Mark Davis but I didn't like how he answered my question about what makes the difference between a fisherman like himself and a fisherman like us. He said it was God given and sometimes no matter how bad you want it, you can't do it. Sorry, but I thought that was a wrong message to send to the kids in the audience.

Randy Howell was nice but he was kinda boring and I don't remember much about his lecture.

Ike? Well I walked in an Ike hater and left a fan. The guy is undeniably an awesome fisherman but he has a passion that cannot be denied. And the best thing is, he is geniune. He really loved teaching us and he put the kids first.

Van Dam, he was alright. He taught basics of spinnerbaits and jerkbaits but it wasn't really anything I haven't heard before.

Shaw is just an all around good guy. See him twice and he is another guy who enjoys teaching.

Rich Tauber is an awesome speaker. You really enjoy his lecture. Honest and genuine. One of my favorites and I have been going for five years now. If you see him on the schedule near you, go, it's worth it.

[JT Bagwell]

Anybody know where to buy those BassHole shirts like Mike is wearing

in that picture? I have looked all over for those dang things.

JT Bagwell

[Guest JoshKeller]

Holy cow Will, you are one TALL dude....

thats what i was thinking. I'm 6'5 3/4", and Will looks even taller than me!

[Landis76]

Anybody know where to buy those BassHole shirts like Mike is wearing

in that picture? I have looked all over for those dang things.

I asked Ike about that shirt too. He said they'll be on his website soon. I don't kow if they are his design and such but he will be selling them. He also had snazy black shoes with fish and his name on them as well.

[FutureClassicChamp]

After Sunday, Rich Tauber has now become my favorite BASS pro, man is that guy hilarious! He was by far the most entertaining of the weekend, Ike wasn't bad either. Tauber is such a character and I like his style of fishing too.

Rich is awesome!  I was chattin with him yesterday at our BMU

[JT Bagwell]

Thanks ALandis