Mike Long. Mike DDang Long! He did it again, probly like the 2,351st DD he’s caught. This time a 16.1…in 43.9-degree water (!!) at “one of our [CA] mountain lakes at 4,600′ elevation:”

Tiddybits: 15-lb Seaguar Tatsu, signature Airrus Beast rod — no bait named but possibly this new, unnamed glide bait? Also said, “I like 2-3 days before and after a full moon and new moon.”

John LaBove smashed this 15.48-lb blimp outta Lake Fork, TX, believe it was put in the TX ShareLunker breeding program. Sounds like someone said it was caught on a jig (black/blue) with a Baby Brush Hog in 4′:

Tip for all you Rayburn fishermen: If Phil Marks is signed up to fish, hand him your entry $$ and just go fun-fishin’. Seriously, WTHeck.

Phil — who designs baits for Strike King and last year changed his middle name to “XtraDeadly” — won what I believe is his 3rd or 4th Rayburn tourney already this year at least weekend’s BFL. And won by 5 lbs. Crazy.

But he got WAY outside his comfort zone, by not crankin’ something with XD in the name:

Phil even looked like he was still in a little bit of a daze from not crankin’:

Hahaha Phil! Srsly tho — pretty dang #stout:

“Cashmere hammer” might have to be Phil’s new nickname….

B-Rob, gotta auction off a boat with Phil in it for your Rayburn charity derby man….

GA’s Matt Baty won it with 45 lbs — kind of a combo winter and shad-spawn pattern thisaway: “targeted prespawn staging fish on a creek channel turn with grass growing about 2′ off the bottom along the adjacent flat.”

Here’s the top 10 finishers’ baits broken down — lots o’ different baits be workin’:

> Crankbait = 40% — Strike King 5XD (20%), 6XD, Rapala Shad Rap, Jenko Silent CD 20 (winner fished it)

Shoutin’ out Bradley Enfinger (9th) for fishing the Shad Rap on casting gear…so you don’t have to chuck it on the spin:

> A-rig = 30% — YUMbrella Flash Mob Jr only one shown

> Swim-jig = 30%

> 20% each = Bladed jig (including winner), Senko-type, Flip plastics

> 10% each = C-rig, Punch mats, Topwater (Vixen), Lipless (‘Trap), Worm, Spinnerbait

NFL combine stuff is kinda weird. Seems like how these guys do in actual games would matter a whole lot more than measurements and drills…but I guess NFL execs get little man-crushes on giant dudes running around in their skivvies…. #weird (Check what current Giants corner Elite Apple was asked in one of his interviews.)

ANYHOW…If we had NFL measurements in bassin’:

> Weigh-ins — Not of fish but of bass-heads. What’s the ideal weight for a pro bass-head — less than 200 lbs? Up to 225? If you’re too light does that mean you’re at risk of bouncing outta your seat in rough water? If you’re too heavy, does that mean you won’t be able to run up to the bow fast enough?

> Height — Can you be too tall in bassin’? Doubt it. David Kilgore is like 6′ 8″ and he’s qualified for multiple Classics so…. Can you be too short to use a 7’+ flip-stick? Nope.

> Hand spread — Can your hands be too big? What if your hand completely covers a casting reel?

> Arm length — Do longer arms increase casting distance? Probly…an advantage for flats and frog mats? Doubt it but….

> Vertical jump — Love to see some Air Ike along with the yell.

So…what if we had bassin’ measurements. Can’t be physical, so skills:

> Flip splash — Bigger the splash, smaller the chances of success in the big leagues.

> Casting accuracy — You mess up the spot or get snagged or hit a boat or dock, no good.

> ‘Lectronics Wonderlic — If’n ya can’t answer super-detailed questions about your units, you ain’t gonna make it. Keep sayin’ it: the Elites are nerds — they know EVERYTHING there is to know about their equipment.

> Map study — Don’t think for a sec all you do is run to GPS points in the Elites. You study maps, you study water levels, you study shad migrations, you study cloud movements, heron body language, you name it — but you must know how to break down a physical map fast and thoroughly.

Okay bottom line: There’s NO WAY any physical measurements can predict success in bassin’, or in my opinion any other sport. You get there because of natural ability (yep, some fishermen are just better), work ethic and — here’s the big one — what’s between the ears. Case in point:

I know you know but this shot makes it ultra clear:

That craw is under-lit — interesting how much light gets through that shell. [chin-scratch emoji]