Believe that’s the time on MLFers Live when Brandon started singin’ “Eye of the Tiger:”

Thought it was cool because, you know, never heard BP sing before…but one dude at the dock wasn’t diggin’ it at all:

– John Crews talkin’ ’bout avoidin’ burnout from fishin’ too many derbies. You probly don’t know that he keeps sane by doin’ this in his free time:

Don’t get the whole butterfly cat deal — oops, sorry John, “cat butterfly” deal — but dude is a talented painter no doubt.

– SC’s Mike Allman talkin’. Recently won the Wylie BFL, the first BFL he ever fished — congrats! Sounds like an old-school hazing-type ramp sitch there in SC. Mike specifically mentioned a couple local hammers he was scared of, but I blame Davy Hite for setting the tone in that state. Davy SEEMS all chill now, but check out how he used to treat Elite rookies:

Maybe I’m wrong, but my spider sense is tellin’ me that guys in Cali derbies fish a lot the same — meaning real similar techniques and many of the exact same baits. I’m sure you guys can point out tons of examples where that ain’t right, but anyhow that’s how it went down this time.

Props to CA’s Kyle Grover who’s 66-13 won it by almost 9 dang lbs! He caught ’em slow-fishing a community hole by draggin’ 1/2- and 3/8-oz Phenix football jigs with a Strike King Rage Bug on the 1/2 and a 3″ Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw on the 3/8. Also caught some on a Norman DD22 deep crank (chili bowl):

Baits of the top 10 finishers broken down:

Dropshot = 40% — Roboworm in margarita mutilator = 30%

Football jig = 30%

Crankbait = 30% — Strike King 10XD = 20%

Flip plastics = 30%

Topwater = 20% — Frog = 1, Walking bait = 1

Swimbait = 10% — Keitech Fat on a 1/4-oz Fish Head Spin Underspin. I’m shocked more guys didn’t use a Keitech….

Swim-jig = 10%

Shout-outs:

1. Love Kyle fishing the still-deadly but you barely ever hear about it DD22. Norman also still has sick colors, like “mountain doo” (eeew!):

2. Most-mentioned brand among the top 10: Strike King.

Check this mullet smallie caught on Mille Lacs, MN, which is RIGHT WHERE SETH LIVES: #sketchy

@sammoorefishing shot

Looks a little derpy too, which along with the mullet could make this strain the ultimate bass fishing trophy….

Case you think this ain’t even close to bein’ true, here’s what Seth had in his garage when I was there. I was like, “What the heck’s all that?” He said, “I’m trying to come up with a new flavor of Mountain Dew.” Didn’t think much of it…til now….