If you’re getting the BassBlaster for the first time it’s cuz a bud signed you up!
Today’s Top 5
Most Elites can’t wait for the fall cuz they get to put down the fish sticks and get after mammals. But some do hunt fish trophies in the fall, like Brandon Palaniuk.
Texted me this a couple weeks ago:
> Just to give you a heads up. I’ll be sending you a pic of an 8+ smallie in the next few days.
Then he sent me this:
> I know I said 8 lbs. This is only 7.70 lbs. Good thing I got one more day lol.
That’s as close as he got, but I love the hunting giants thing. Anyone else doing it? This might help:
Here’s the exact combo he used:
> The bite was pretty slow so I got on the big motor and started driving around until I saw the fish on the graph. Spun around and first cast caught a 2-lber and next cast caught that big one. She was in about 45′ relating to a steep drop.
45′!! Wouldn’t say where exactly he was but was in ID. Also:
> I picked 8 lbs because I think it’s a realistic goal. When I break it I’ll go to 9, then 10, and then probably chase the world record. You don’t hear as much about guys chasing the world record for smallmouth, but I think it’s about time it gets broken!
Love it!
– Johnny Morris talkin’ ’bout tellin’ his wife about what some see as an inevi marriage.
Gotcha! Hahahaha! Nope, that’s Denny Brauer talkin‘ ’bout teasin’ his wife Shirley that he might fish the Elites again. Says he knows he can still compete, but his 66-year-old body probably won’t let him. He’s right.
Sounds like Amistad, where he lives, is coming back:
> …his personal best is a fish he estimated at right around 16 lbs — it pegged a Cul-M-Rite scale and a Boga Grip…each of which maxed out at 15 lbs.
Pics or it didn’t happen mang! Don’t think this was it but it’s a nice’n:
I kinda like it — no jaw issues:
Cool shot but how often do bass hit the back of a bait? Is that normal for swimbaits? Or does his “#punked” comment mean it’s a not for real? I don’t fish ’em much:
– First thing a dude listed as stuff picked up as part of a cleanup of AL’s Lake Purdy, which is down because of drought. AL bass-heads still rockin’ the Vie-enny sausages!!
Had some smoked bologna at the Strike King event last week (first time for me) and was assured that Vie-ennys are just small bolognas. Didn’t know whether to feel good or bad about that, but this is money:
News
1. Bassin’ brother dies in Afghanistan.
Army (I believe) Sgt. John W. Perry was killed by a suicide bomber this weekend. RIP bassin’ brother.
Don’t know if it’s okay to hate, but I feel that way about those nut-jobs over there messing with our guys. Be safe military peeps.
2. Skylar Hamilton going tin on Elites.
So far the only Elitist with a tun tub, running an Xpress.
3. Elitist David Mullins gets Garmin, Benchmade.
4. MS: More ramps close at Ross Barnett.
Due to drought. Same here in NJ — my home lake’s ramp docks are 12 feet dry.
5. CT: Nice barone scribble on retiring CT Nation prez.
So many great peeps in this crazy bassin’ world, always glad to read about them (you!).
6. CA: Angler Marine Bass A Thon this weekend.
Anaheim, Nov 19-20. Guys there: Rick Clunn, Shaw Grigsby, Jimmy Houston, Chris Zaldain, and US Open Champion Johnny Johnson and other western sticks.
7. Bassin’Cat has new website.
Raaaaaar! Why BassCats don’t have teeth on their hulls I don’t know but I keep hopin’ to see it.
8. Interestin’ Bass Pro Shops deets from NY Post article.
While Bass Pro Shops’ margin doesn’t quite twinkle as brightly as the 62% level posted by Tiffany in the most recent quarter, it is better than two tech favorites: Apple (38%) and Alibaba (30%).
> Privately held Bass Pro rang up revenue of $3.4 billion in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, according to the presentation — compared with $4.2 billion for…Cabela’s over the same period.
> Bass Pro is expecting its profit to expand by nearly 10%, or $108 million, after merging with its slightly larger rival, mostly by pumping up the already plump margins, it said.
> Bass Pro said 45 percent of Bass Pro customers also shop at Cabela’s….
And just in case you think it’s a done deal as is:
> The merger of 182 stores is expected to get a tough antitrust review from federal regulators, sources said. Last year, they blocked the Staples-Office Depot deal, and forced Dollar Tree and Family Dollar to sell more than 300 stores before a merger could proceed.
10. Toyota has to fix pickup/Sequoia rust.
Definitely an issue for some years, glad they are fixing it.
Tip of the Day
How to lose fewer fish on a lipless crank.
Mark Davis shares this quick tip. Looks weird, but he assured me it works:
That’s a Strike King Red Eye Shad, of course.Also posted a loooong vid of Mark going through detailed breakdown of how to rig and fish a Carolina rig, which lots of folks haven’t learned how to do. Check it here.
Quote of the Day
There’s nobody gabbing at you.
– One reason a 102-year-old great granny loves to fish. Hahahaha! Obviously she’s never led a big tournament and tried to fish while being interviewed…. #ohsnap
Shot of the Day