Robert Hunter hauled this 11.7-lb melon outta Ardmore City Lake, OK on a SPRO Little John crank (not sure which one):

Check this largie kinda shaped like a…squatty banjo? A 10.82 ketched by Trey Daggett on Toledo Bend, Texas-rigged Zoom Z Hog outta a brushpile:

Eric Bennett sacked this 10.61 in an ABA derby also on T-Bend. Fishing a point in 8′ with a Texas-rigged Zoom Lizard, 17-lb Seaguar fluorocarbon, Lew’s Speed Spool Tournament Pro Reel and 7′ MH Lew’s Custom Speed Stick rod:

Plus a couple stupid derby catches:

Frank Johnston crushed ’em in a Red Bluff Bass Anglers derby on “Crullers Car,” CA. His winning limit had a 9.94, 9.53 (those two pictured) and 8.51 — total weight = 33.13 lbs. Sounds like he DID NOT use wimp-stick gear: a spinnerbait. 2nd had 8 lbs.

Donny Schlottmann caught these two ditch melons also in Cali, on the Delta, with a purple Senko. First he caught a PB 8.10, then an hour later caught a 10.31. Rumor has it Donny is over 6′ 6″ which is why the fish don’t looks huge:

Ones I took and quick stories on ’em….

When you’re one o’ the most popular guys in bassin’ and B.A.S.S. holds you out of the weigh-in for a bit, you make the best of your time and respool…in the rain. He’s smilin’ cuz I was jackin’ with him about it…a little:

Ike pulls in and the kids swarm all over him like bees on grape soda. Not sure what his kid appeal is — maybe the temper tantrums?? HAHAHA Ike!

Skeet he goes back and pops open the tailgate of his Shaq-sized truck, and what’s the first thing there: a stepladder cuz else you can’t get in it! lol

That many rods and that many baits in the “didn’t work” pile — safe to say Howell wasn’t dialed in in this one:

Kriet wanted to bet me that he’d make the Classic. Reminded him we’re buds so I was rooting for him anyhow, but he still wanted to bet so…. If he doesn’t make it, he’s takin’ me saltwater fishin’. If he does make it, I’m buying him the high-dolla swimbait of his choice:

Seth Feider having his second breakfast of the day:

Feider and I were on Ike Live from the Classic, jacking around about stuff with no regard to the amount of caffeine and lack of sleep affecting at least Gluszek and me. Warning: Don’t watch if you don’t have a sense of humor…sheesh:

Brent Chapman intro’d me to this new Sportsman Protein Shake. Let me tell you: Legit tastes great. Think I downed like 10 of ’em. NO nasty aftertaste. Gitcha some.

Blaster reader Cam had to be the only guy wearing Iron Maiden Eddie kicks — killer! Or should I say “Killers” (that’s for all you Maiden fans):

Sunday morning a gang of us went to Crosspoint Church outside Houston, in Pearland. Awesome time. One of us couldn’t sing a lick but not namin’ names (hahaha just kiddin’ homies!):

Final one: Looks like Dave Lefebre gave up his sketchy van for a normal ride this season. Solid choice:

– A Zona text to me after I hit him with some stats during the Classic that showed most guys were fishing shallow, and most guys who were catching ’em were fishing shallow. So I was like:

Was ready to give him the smackdown on day 3 but J-Lee proved him right mang!

…for me was the 16″ minimum length limit. Bear in mind a 15.75″ Texas bass is a 2-3 lb fish.

On the one hand you can say that these guys are the best that year and the Classic should be a challenge. Okay…BUT would you be cool with throwing 2.5-lbers back? That’s happened a lot. One guy told me he release one that would’ve gone 3 lbs.

No idea how Ehrler weighed 11-10 for 5 fish. They must have been dealthy skinny.

Been told there’s no worse feeling than trotting a goose-egg across the Classic stage. I believe it. And how ’bout the psychological effect of getting enough bites to keep you in it but having to throw 12.5 lbs back??

Did it matter for the eventual winner? Impossible to say without a bunch of analysis no one did. Even though I don’t get a vote, I’m hopin’ no more 16″ limits, 15″ limits, slots or whatever else in a Classic.

Either way, I hope the guys didn’t use the bottom ruler: