Started playing a little tennis with the Mrs. Not because I love it, just we needed to do something together and I didn't want it to be fishing. Fishing is "me time" if you know what I mean, and I don't have all my feesh stuff anyway.

Anyhow, she gets real excited, asks me to watch tennis with her, wants to know if I want lessons or am I interested in playing mixed doubles. I said, "So if you like fishing with me once in a while, do you want to watch it on TV, get lessons and fish tournaments?" She got the point – but is still after me for more tennis....

Not having a home is a little uncomfortable. Feels restless. I always thought it would be in FL – the wife and I had the house picked out in our minds, etc. This analogy hit me the other day:

I'm a wide receiver and God is the QB and coach. I have my mind fixed on what I think is the right route, but He doesn't throw me the ball. I ask Him why – "I'm open!" And He's like, "You're not where I want you to be." And I'm like, "But I'm open. Get me the ball and I'll score." And He's like, "Go where I'm telling you to go. Run that route."

I know He wants me to be on the field, get the ball, score and win, I just need to be exactly where He wants me to be – and run the right route with the right timing. Timing! Know what I mean?

Anyhow, that's your deep thought for the day, let's git to bassin'!

Yep you all know, still gotta run it down, here we go. First here's what B.A.S.S. said, which is for the Elites and the Classic only:

> ...the number of live sonar transducers will be regulated to 1 and it must be mounted to the trolling motor....

> Secondly...competitors will be limited to a total of 55" of screen, including bow and dash head units.

> Thirdly...competitors may now have only 1 electric motor mounted to their boats. [Meaning no "bass brakes" on shallow-water anchors.]

> Lastly, B.A.S.S. will focus on a more diverse Elite Series schedule, creating a wide variety of fishing styles demanded for success. While live sonar technology will remain a consistent tool used at the very highest level of competitive bass fishing, experience and a deep-seeded understanding of fish behavior, movement and patterns will also be needed for success moving forward on the fisheries scheduled.

My one guy's 2c having thought about all those things already:

1. This will change relatively little if anything in terms of FFS and FFS experts dominating certain tournaments. Guys who are great with it are great no matter how many trannies/screens you give 'em. Not saying that's good or bad, just what it is.

2. The one thing B.A.S.S. mentioned that could have the biggest effect is tournament scheduling. But unless something changes, they are at the mercy of what tourism peeps want to pay for what tourneys when, and seasonal weather. In other words, it's not a blank slate.

3. On the one hand I'm not surprised by B.A.S.S.'s announcement because it's been rumored for a while that it would just restrict trannies and screen inches. On the other hand I am surprised because I think most/all peeps agree that that won't do much to significantly change anything – except the $$ spent on rigging-out boats. Obviously that's okay with B.A.S.S. and it's their company so....

As always – let's see what happens man.

Other than that

1. I wonder: Why just the Elites? Why not the Opens and on down the line? Why let guys qualify for the Elites with 4 trannies? etc.

2. So...the Elitists still can have FFS and Humminbird Mega 360?

3. This was curious:

> B.A.S.S. will also provide a list of acceptable live transducers from all major electronics manufacturers. Equipment not on this list is banned from usage in Elite Series and Classic competition. This equipment list will be vetted and updated annually.

Since the only peeps who make FFS/live trannies are the big 3, does this mean that some transducers – like the long-range/salty Garmin one used to see schools 200' out – will be on the black list?

4. So 1 FFS trannie means for now co-anglers fishing from the back deck won't be able to use FFS?

5. I try to remind myself that most people are doing their best so I need to show them grace. (At times I actually do this! 😁) So whatever you think about B.A.S.S.'s decision – which obviously can be changed whenever – I hope you golden rule 'em (not the bump board Golden Rule lol). Doesn't mean you can't let them know what you think, just hopefully with grace – which I think Clark Wendlandt did very well.

6. So now we have B.A.S.S. which hasn't changed much, and the NPFL which has completely banned FFS: Wonder how many Elites will try to fish the NPFLs now. We wait to see what, if anything, MLF will do. Not making any change is the only unused option left – but because of MLF's format there's more they can do. Plus they have 5-fish trails too so.... Always fun to find out!

Fletch Shryock posted:

> I say we allow FFS for Period 1, ban FFS for Period 2 and a boat race in Period 3!!

Lol could happen!

7. Gotta say: This whole FFS mess started when Canadians came here to fish.

HAHAHA just messin' guys! 🇨🇦😁 Pretty sure they'd be tearin' it up without FFS....

Is Andy Montgomery an electrician? No but have you heard about the electrical tape trick to help you skip better? Here's a good YT vid with Brent Ehrler talkin' 'bout it – and away we go with Andy:

1. Do you or have you ever used electrical tape or some other "aid" to help you skip?

> "Personally no, I have never done it. But that is where I got the idea to design the Lew's skipping reel with the shallow spool.

> "I had some elderly buddies that would fish with me a lot, and they would try to skip like me. One of them did the electrical tape deal – that was the first person I'd ever seen do it. It helped him skip...that's where I got the [Lew's reel] idea from.

> "...electrical tape is one thing, but that shallow spool takes it to a whole different level. It's so much better than electrical tape. I expected it to be the same, but it's so much better."

Foller-up: How do you feel about Brent saying you can skip "just like Andy Montgomery" if you use tape on a reel? 😁

> "[Laughs] I'd say if they buy the Lew's Pro SP, it's gonna take it to a whole 'nother level [laughs]."

2. Skipping well is one of the hardest things to do in bass fishing. Why do you think there aren't more skipping-specific reels and rods?

> "That's a good question. They've popped up. I had one at Daiwa, and when I went to Lew's we got some skipping stuff...but that's a good question.

> "I think skipping's kinda taken a backburner to this FFS for sure. I mean, why not blame it on FFS? Everything else in the industry is blamed on it so I'm gonna blame it on FFS [laughs]."

3. In the FFS era, is it still an advantage to being the world's greatest dock skipper?

> "No. Not right now. No. And my advantage has been taken away just because these guys who fish professionally, all of 'em can skip. So if [the fish] are on docks, they all get a lot of pressure.

> "As far FFS...everyone says that will open up the bank. Me and Andy Morgan – and Cox – we talk about how it's harder now to catch one on the bank than ever. Not sure why. Do they get pestered before they get there?

> "It should be easier with less pressure...I don't know. Is it pressure on these lakes? It's for sure harder to catch one around banks than ever."

Bonus Q: What's one bait you skip that you think most people don't?

> "Probably a spinnerbait. You can't send it, so you can't skip it to the back of a pontoon. But you can send it far enough to get the job done.

> "I use the same line and reel [as for jig-skipping], but for the rod I use my Thunder Cricket rod...because the skipping rod is pretty stiff. You don't need something that stiff for a spinnerbait."

His regular skipping gear

> 1/2-oz Strike King Skipping Jig, 3.38 Strike King Rage Bug, 20-lb Strike King Contra Fluoro ("20 will skip better than 17 or 15"), Lew's Pro SP Skipping Reel ("out of everything it is the #1 deal in the setup"), 7' 1" H Lew's Signature Series Andy Montgomery Skipping Rod (also comes in 6' 9" depending on your height).

Spinnerbait skipping gear

> 3/8-oz Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait – "3/8 because once you put the trailer on there it increases the weight."

> "It's all about what trailer you put on it. You've gotta put a Rage Bug or a Rage Swimmer on there...something that's got some bulk to it. You can't skip it with no trailer and you can't skip it with a split tail. You've gotta use something that's gonna slide a little."

> Same reel and line as for regular skipping.

One quick deal: I've been in a boat with Andy several times when he's skipping docks. It's mind-blowing. He could hit a mosquito in the rear that's 3' into a crack 1" wide, 25' away from the boat. Incredible.

NY's Dante Piraino is holding it – because he finished 3rd at the recent St Lawrence 'Yota fishing it. MLF said he dropshotted a Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm and fished an "oddball lipless bait" but didn't name it. After a bunch of hunting around we figured out what it is:

It's an ISSEI GC Zari Vib, not sure if the regular or Jr version, in what looks to be "uchida craw" (not the color in the package).

Here's a YT vid of what it sounds and looks like underwater.

Cool little deal. Dante fished it with a 7' 6" MH Abu Garcia Fantasista X Rod, Abu Garcia Revo SX Rocket Reel and 18-lb Sunline Shooter fluoro.

Books could be written on that question with facts + speculation – this is just one example, and talkin' the days bite window not hours. It's from a Marlin mag post about using weather tech to find those billfeesh:

> Typically an eddy that has remained intact and consistent for 2-3 days is best because the food chain is probably [fully] in motion at that point.

> The flip side is that if one of these bodies has been consistent for upwards of 10 days, then it might be fished out– either by people or predators.

Far as I know, most bass fishermen feel like fishing is best ideally 3 days after a major weather change (with a couple specific exceptions). Interesting that the Marlin folks are talking about a current change (plus water temp change) with the same time period.

Makes me wonder if we could graph changes vs bites on a fishery how many of these 3-day deals we could find, and whether we could predict 'em...or is someone way ahead of everyone there?

One more thing from that post:

> Areas with high chlorophyll levels are often in green water, and because most pelagics [which also might be most bass] are sight-based foragers that prefer clearer blue water, you want to find these 2 bodies in close proximity to one another.

Marlin fishermen also incorporate chlorophyll/water color data into their tracking/forecasting systems – whoa:

- Uh...dang! Sounds like a horror movie/medical school description of hooking a fish – more than I ever wanted to know, maybe you too. 😬 From a deal on Mustad having a new hook-making process that for now is only for salty hooks.

1.Johnny Crews' insight on tackle sales

From FTR ^:

> "The more traditional, popular flipping-bait sales are probably down 20-30%, but dropshot baits might be up 10%. And Fluke-style baits are super popular right now."

Also said this about the B.A.S.S. FFS rules:

> "They gave us some parameters, just like...you have a 250-hp limit and that's it. Some guys were spending as much as $40,000 to $50,000 on electronics alone!"

2. Matt Becker quick runs down his 'lectronics

On the @bassfishinelectronics IG – here's his console setup, here's the bow. Matt's been one of the best on the BPT and that's partly through deep understanding of those screens – and computer chips, wires, batteries, robotics, lateral lines and of course particle physics...😁 Just messin' but he for sure knows what's up!

Btw he also says in a YT vid that a lot of guys are using Aqua-Vus....

3. Gerald Swindle's fave high pressure crankbait...

...is this:

That's the Rapala DT20 I believe in "Helsinki shad."

4. Lee Livesay has a fave Carolina rig rod

Who knew that? It's the 7' 6" MH Halo HFX C-rig Rod, and here's Lee talkin' 'bout it:

Lovin' the chair! 😂

5. Artist interpretation of how mad Cliff Crochet gets...

...when he sets the hook and the reel doesn't slip...I guess?

😁 That's Cliff's KastKing Deadbolt Reel which has NO DRAG! Cliff don't need no stinkin' drag!!

6. WI's Gary Adkins won the Saginaw Bay NPFL

Had 56-12 and beat Zack Birge by just 1 oz:

> "I caught my two biggest fish on day one shallow. I saw they vanished from the deeper spots and went to the shallow points and shoals [and humps]...."

Sounds like he caught 'em on a spinnerbait and a dropshot. Zack picked off reef roamers with a dropshot. Jason Williamson was 3rd and fished offshore shell bars with bait.

7. "Ghost sexy shad" now in Yo-Zuri topwaters

That's the Yo-Zuri 3DB Series Pencil and it's now available in a bunch of their topwaters. In my 2c their "ghost sexy" is one of the best.

8. That Lunkerhunt mouse is catching 'em

One of the baits I most wanna fish from ICAST, available on TW....

9. Ever see a hair jig with a head like this?

It's the Jewel Feather Shad, only available on their website. Comes in 1/2 and 5/8 in pearl and grey.

10. Andrea Tetto new Yamaha director of marine biz planning

Internal hire.

11. ND: Zebras found in South Golden Lake

12. Keep an eye on...

Hunting is Always on the Ballot

Great post about how politicians are taking wildlife management out of the hands of the DNRs and the peeps who fund them (us). Written by Jim Curcuruto, exec director of the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation, which I hadn't heard of before.

Lines of the Day

Wetsuiting is a form of saltwater fishing that involves wearing a wetsuit and wading or swimming out to offshore rocks – almost exclusively at night, often during storms – to access deeper water or faster currents than can be reached in traditional waders.

These are the 100% nuts NY salty striped bass guys I've mentioned before. Just read that statement man, it's crazy!

For the past 2 years, the zoo has been supporting the animals through the "courting, mating, and egg-laying stages."

Breeding crawfish at an Aussie zoo. Probably just as good to chuck 'em in a pond and let 'em be?? 😁

Bryan Schmitt: Where tidal fish go now

Good stuff from an older MLF deal ^:

> Come Aug and Sept...traditional grass beds at the mouths of creeks can begin to get a bit stale on the tidal fisheries.... They've been beaten on by scores of anglers through the spring and summer....

> "This is actually a time of year when it condenses the fish.... Tidal water is always connected to the ocean, so it always has some kind of salt influence. When you get into the summer, generally speaking, the rainfall is very minimal...bass want to get away from the salt.

> "...the bulk of the fish transition to seek cooler, cleaner water with less salinity and more oxygen...in the headwaters of creeks. The whole life system seems to go there. For some reason it's a littler cooler, it has more oxygen and less salinity.

> "The farthest back you can go is where they go...to where you can't even get your boat."

> The one thing that will hold the fish in the main river and prevent or reduce the migration into the creeks is milfoil.

> A dropshot or a wacky rig will do a lot of his work when the tide is low and falling. With an incoming tide and fish pushing up toward the banks, he says a vibrating jig, a frog or a buzzbait can come into play.

"Name another sport that is less lucrative than it was 20 years ago."

- AR outdoor writer Bryan Hendricks talkin' pro bassin'. True, not good (at least vs inflation) and a significant indicator of...something that is not talked about enough.

A little apples to oranges because the big pro sports have revenue streams and tax breaks that pro bass fishing doesn't have, but still.

Bryan is one of the last remaining mass meda outdoor writers who's on top of things. Glad someone is paying him to do it.

Apparently this is for real, and if so we need that color phase bullfrog here!!!

> ...native to Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar. These frogs stay inside the pond throughout the year, emerging to the surface as soon as the first rains fall. ...they change their color to a bright yellow to attract female frogs and for breeding purposes.

'Injured' bald eagle at Missouri national park was 'too fat to fly'

An eagle "too fat to fly"?? Does that sum up the state of our nation? 😆

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