Classic Day 1

Charlie Hartley has up dated his blog on his Day 1 success...

Of coarse go to BassFan and Bassmaster and Bass Zone for additional day 1 coverage.

John Murray blogs his day at Bassfan Bigsticks...

Boyd has blogged Day 1...

Looks like conditions suck, but that could mean conditions are ripe for catching fish.

Yeah! Classic blog with "BasstraK" again this year.

Doesn't look like Bass Zone is going to have the "On the Water Blog" this year. They are keeping the the Bass Zone live chat from the water.

I guess the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship started yesterday at Lake Keowee in S.C..

The Day 2 leader is Dianna Clark Bumpus Mills, TN Weight: 20-14. Can't say that I've ever heard of her, at least I don't think I have. Today's Big Bass was a pathetic 2lbs2ozs caught by Sheri Glasgow Muskogee, OK. On day 1 Secret York caught her only fish of the tournament but it went 5-8.

Marcia "Reelady" Rubin is sitting in 8th (out of 12) with 11-6.

I am not sure if you are supposed to be a Bass Insider or not to get live streaming, but whatever the reason, I don't get it.

Live Blogging the weigh-in:
Well the Classic weigh in is about to start looks like Skeets up first.
Real-Time Leaderboard.

Skeet comes in with a mediocre 11-5, looks like he's out of it. He did only catch 3 bass so the size is there, but it will take a miracle for him to catch up with projected 20lb bags coming in.

Boyd Duckett will not be a repeat champ: 2 fish for 4-15 (Buzzkill for Bass Pundit 1, but I moved him out for the BPboys)

KVD rocks it with 20-3. And to think I was getting jittery on Van Dam and nearly dumped him. (I would have dumped him most likely for Martens who is supposed to also be having a good day.)

Pre-tourny fav Swindle bombs with 5 fish 9-12.

Horton totally bombs with 1 fish 3-9. I nearly had him on BP 1 traded out for Kennedy then Kennedy for IKE who is supposed to have a big bag.

Ish who was supposed to be "on em" 2 fish for 3-11. Ouch!

I traded Duckett for Chris Lane 2 for 2-10. Looks like I should have kept the original pick of Lintner 5 fish 13-2 in that slot. (Bpboys)

Remitz bombs 2 for 4-6 (This was kind of expected, anyone who kept him on there fantasy line up wasn't paying enough attention. Remitz was the 4th most chosen Classic fisherm with 35% or 5968). I will be interested to see if McClelland bombs as well because I think him and Remitz fish similar styles.

I should mention MN Federation Angler Brent Haimes caught a limit but it was a small 8-7.

Big Show bags 19-3!

IKE only 18-5, the BasstraK had him over 20lbs. Still this is OK, IKE was a last minute fantasy add after I had dropped him once.

Coble comes in with a dissappointing 3 fish for 8-10. This is a double disaster both BPboys and BP1 carried him. I should mention that home town boy Ashley sacked a respectable 18-10 which is a score for both posse teams.

WHAT!!! BASS blogger Charlie Hartley from freakin OHIO bags 21+

MCclelland bombs 1 for 2-4, yep looks like he and Remitz die together.

Bobby was the Lane to take, a respectable 15lb bag. What happened to Chris?

Martens only sacks 12-15 (The BasstraK had him at 15+)

Come on Kennedy!!!
Kennedy 5 for 12-13

Weigh in OVER!!!

Fantasy Review:
And Kennedy closes out my fantasy day.
BPboys: 2 top 5, a middle of the pack and 2 lower half's with one of them being 2nd to last.
BP1: 2 top 10, a middle of the pack and two lower half's.

Bassmaster Classic Week

What’s Your Go-To Bait? over at Getting Reel.

Boyd Duckett blogs about Bobby Knight and the Classic.

Way to go Boyd, make me even more jittery in my fantasy picks.

At the KevinVanDam.com website I decided to join the KVD forums. (Hellabass has been there for awhile as RichLindgren.com)

And since I am in the joining mood, I also decided to break down and enter
Rich Lindgren's Bass Fishing Forum.

I've been all around Rich's forum and I am really impressed with the place. I wish all other boards would go to that set up.

Bassmaster Classic Week

Hellabass has his 2008 Fantasy Fishing Kick Off (I give away some secrets in the comments).

In FLW Fantasy Fishing I have joined 3 leagues (Futurebass, Hellabass Blog, and FishingMinnesota.com). The Player's Advantage definitely gives you a lot of helpful information. One of the exclusive content items is a Blog by Jeff Schroeder who is a FLW media guy. I hope the Hulksters FF blog is open to the public.

Apparently with BASS Fantasy Bass Fishing you can only get Pundit Picks with a Bass Insider membership. BOO! Of coarse in BASS fantasy, Pundit Picks were never as important as those on the FLW side where you have a full 200 boat field to choose from every different tournament. In BASS FBF you are really limited in picks due to the point system.

Bassmaster Classic Week!!!

Well it's Bassmasters Classic Week: Check out the hype on the MN participants at Josh Douglas Blog. (2/9/08 entry)

2007 Bassmaster Classic Champion Boyd Duckett is blogging again. Go comment him some encouragement.

The BassFan Army Weekend Warrior Championship will be held in a couple of months and at least 4 Minnesotians are going to be in it.

Big Bass Bonanza
Doug Pietrzak -- St. Cloud, MN
Nick Gross -- Watkins, MN

Excel Bass
Jim Smith -- Brainerd, MN

In-Fisherman Editor Steve Quinn -- Brainerd, MN is in as a wildcard.

Fantasy Bass Fishing News:

Being that it is Classic Week and the first FLW event is a week from Thurs. it's time to put that FBF research into high gear.

I did break down and spend the $25 ($40 -$15Walmart Card) on the FLW Anglers Advantage. I figure if I get lucky enough to win anything, it will be more than worth it. One of the primary reasons I signed up was for the Pundit Picks. In the past this info was given for free, but not anymore. It says in the Anglers Advantage Pundit Picks description that the Staff and Touring Pro's will have selections just like in the past, but for now all they have is Staff picks. I haven't looked into all the Angler Advantage features and I haven't chosen a line up yet.

Updated: Initial line up now selected. It's quite a different experience picking 10 instead of 5 anglers.

I have decided to switch the Posse's league in BASS Fantasy Bass Fishing to Futurebass.com do to lack of participation at the league I created. I am keeping the Super 6 Pick'em league the same (Minnesocold Super 6).

What's with this: FLW Fantasy Fishing is running a free feature called "Top 10 Countdown" The problem is that they started the counting down with angler #9. HUH!!!

So I have been looking through those MN BASS club websites and I am just amazed by the Baxter Bass Snatcher site. Their club "Tournament Archive" goes back to 1977, so they have an amazing allotment of statistics going back to that time. Their "Statistics on Lakes and Tournaments" goes back to 1983 and gives up all sorts of interesting info on Lakes they have fished (You just have to go look to see all the statistical Breakdowns). They also have a statistical archive dedicated to "Angler Statistics, Lakes and other useless info."

Through these archives you can learn of the feats of 2007 Minnesota Bowfin Club Grand Champion Chuck Steinbauer. This guy is one good stick. According to the records he has been fishing with the Bass Snatchers for 31 years. In those 31 years he has been the Club Angler of the Year 10 Times. In those 31 years he has finished in the overall Top 6 (State Tournament Qualifiers) 27 times, his current streak of Club Top 6 finishes goes back to 1981; This feat is remarkable because the Bass Snatchers is not a small club, they have had between 27 and 40 members in the years Steinbauer has been in the top 6. He has fished 179 club tournaments and won 34 of them with 75 top 3 finishes. He has caught the "Lunker"/Tournament Biggest Bass in 27 of the 179 tournaments. In the last 5 years his average tournment 6 fish bag has weighed 13.53lbs. In 2007 when he won the club AOY he averaged 14.99lbs per tournament (6 fish limit). In 2004 he won club AOY and averaged 15.29lbs per tournament (6 fish limit). In 2007 he made the MN State Team finishing in 11th at Leech Lake. I also found out he was 2nd Place in the AOY for Excel Singles in 2007 Out of 23 who fished a full season with 85 anglers total (To bad, I think 2nd place got nothing).

Happy Birthday Steve!!!
(He is my younger brother, the baby is my brother Todd's daughter Isabelle Grace who is now 3)

Bass Pro Site-ING

Derek Remitz "The Wolverine" His site is done by bigfishtools.com

Jeff Kriet

Rick Morris- I can't believe I didn't already have this in the Site-ING blogroll as that I have his blog blogrolled.

Some MN Bassfishing Clubs:

Sunrise Bassmasters (North Branch) This is Derek Remitz's old club.

Range Bassmasters (Brainerd Area)- This is the club I blogged about fishing Platte/Sullivan in 2005. This club has In-Fisherman editor and Bass Guru Steve Quinn.

Baxter Bass Snatchers: This club has the distinction of having 4 of the 9 Minnesota Bowfin Club Grand Champions: Chuck Fields (2000), Guy Henkensiefken (2001), Tom Swanson (2002), Chuck Steinbauer (2007)

Check your "Favorites" The MN Bowfin Club has a different web address.

The Blogging Brainerd Lakes Bassmasters- Yes that's right this club blogs it. The blog has been in existance since June 2005. Since it's a true blog, it will go on the Blogroll-O- BassNblog plus the MN Fishing Clubs Blogroll.

Loon State Bassmasters- This Central MN bass club has semi-pro's Roland Willis and John Schlee. I've fished against John in an Excel Singles Tournament on Gull. I'd never fished the lake before that tournament day. I ended up catching a bunch of bass and finishing in the top 30%, which I thought was pretty good seeing that most if not all of the field was made up of local's. I was only 1 big bite away from the money. Not a lot of info at this web site.

North Star Bass Club (Since 1974)- This group claims to be the oldest Bass club in the state. It doesn't appear to be a Federation club. They are out the West Central part of the state.

Zumbro Valley Bassmasters (Since 1979) A club member, Brent Haimes, is fishing in the 2008 Bassmasters Classic as a Federation Angler. This was his road to the Classic.

Prior Lake Hooksetters- Twin Cities based club. Not a whole lot of info from this website.

Metro Hawg Hunters- BASS Federation Club out of the Metro(duh!)

Not that anyone will care, but I have re-organized my Blogroll-O-BassNblog.

2008 Bassmaster Classic Qualifier Charlie Hartley is blogging his way into the classic:

It's called "Charlie Hartley's Classic" because that's what it really is — my classic. I've been waiting for this my whole life. That's no exaggeration. My whole life — years and years of tournament fishing — has been pointed towards next February.

Go visit, it's a good read.

Story of Mark Davis returning to the BASS Elite Series... If they have Davis for a pittance in BASS fantasy bass fishing, which they should do to his two year absense, you can bet he'll be in my line up. I am hoping his value will be 8 or below.

Yesterday, I was looking at the 2008 Tournament Schedule on Classic Bass (Classic Bass is the definitive web-site for Minnesocold bass tournament fishing). While browsing the tournaments I began to think about whether or not I should think about trying to fish some bass tournaments this summer as a non-boater/co-angler. It would be good for my health if I get out more than I did last summer and I'm thinking that fishing tournaments might give me a little bit more motivation to get out and fish.

Does the BP really need motivation to go fishing?

The answer to that after 2006 most definitely is yes. Last year I did do a fair amount of fishing from shore in the Spring, but once the hotter weather hit in June I just was not finding the energy needed hook the boat up and go. I have been finding it harder and harder to deal with the hot weather since my heart attack in 2003 and this really messes with my energy level and motivation. Maybe if I am looking foreward to tournament fishing some of this negative trend can be reversed; That's my theory any way.

The tournaments with Co-Anglers are the Silverado Tour, ABA Bassmaster Weekend Series, the new Minnesota Federation of Bass Anglers Series, and the new Excel Elite Pro/AM.

The Silverado Tour is pretty much the Premier Pro/Am Circuit in Minnesota, which means it's the most hardcore and most expensive at $200 a tourny for AM's. Their Am slots are already filled.

I believe the ABA Bassmaster Weekend Series is going into it's third year and provides opportunties to advance beyond just the 4 tour events. They have TOC, regional, and national. Hellabass and his dad fish this tour and really seem to like it. While I could probably afford to fish this tour I think all the travel would wear me down.

The MFBA has a series of 4 tournaments that would be a little lighter on the travel for me but is still more than what I am looking for at this point.

That obviously leaves the Excel Elites which are run by a former fishing partner Joel Stokka. They will only be having 2 tournaments (Leech July 27) and (Whitefish Chain Aug.31) both of which don't require extensive travel time for me. I love the idea of fishing the heavy cover in Leech and there is a lot of Bass to be caught on the Whitefish Chain. I am seriously considering these tournaments.

Hulkster Hawks FLW Fantasy Fishing: "Sign up or to the turn-buckle you go!"

Apparently he is going to have a Fantasy Fishing Blog.

I'm just glad they didn't go with Jesse "Govenor Turn-buckle" Ventura.

More BassNblogs

I found these BassNblogs with the help of Boyd Duckett Blog:

The Fishin' Blog: Started in Jan 2007, it's mostly about Bass but does run into a lot of other subjects.

Bass Fishing from a Different Perspective: "Bass fishing, and professional bass fishing in particular, is a fun, fascinating, and gratifying sport to be involved in or follow as a fan. I work in television production on the Bassmaster Elite Series and will share my perspective on the sport." Started in May 2007. Seems to have a lot of inside stuff for the Bass Elite Series. She hasn't posted since November.

Fulltime Fishing.com: This is an angler down in FL who does a lot of bass fishing and reports about it. Misc other fresh and saltwater fishing covered. Looks like the blog was started in January of 2006.

BassFeed (The Bass Fishing Podcast) This blog is obviously a site dedicated to podcasting about Professional Bass Fishing and Bass Fishing Info. This site is pretty cool, started in March 2007. Learn more here!!!

Kirk's Fishing Hole:Blog started on Halloween 2007. Bass and Cat fishing.

Here's a story I came across: They're Ice Fishing In Bikini’s

BASS Fantasy Bass Fishing

I am a little slow on the draw, but the BASS Fantasy Bass Fishing and Super 6 pick'em are now open for registrations. Better hurry cause the classic starts Feb. 22.

The prizes this year seem to be a small step up from last year maybe. For the Classic they are going down 10 places and for regular Elite Series events they go down 6 places. I can't say that I am very impressed with the #1 prize for the classic: One (1) 100,000 Trip Reward Points from Ramada Inn ($500 ARV) for First Place.

Right now my leagues are: (This is subject to change if no one else sign's up)
Minnesocold Fantasy Bassmaster
Minnesocold Super 6

Baby Steps

I took some baby steps toward doing some ice fishing today. I located my five gallon pail, and panfish ice tackle. I am out of string bobber stops and don't have any pliers or scissors. I got the Vexliar carrier out of the tackle shack along with my ice rods, jigging raps, and jigging spoons.

Yet to do: Mount reels on my two panfish rods and put line on them. Get pliers and scissors, find Coleman lantern, find and put together propane heater, mount Vexliar on carrier.

It is very possible I will ice fish this next week when it warms up.

Bass Pundit Blogging In 2007

I was curious to see what I blogged about in 2007. Here are the results:

Bass Fishing: 107 Posts
Fishing: 22 Posts
Football: 12 Posts
Holiday Greetings: 3 Posts
Weather: 2 Posts
Personal Life: 1 Posts
Total Posts 147

There were a lot of posts that combined more than one topic, but I only counted these under 1 Post; Usually these posts had something about bass fishing in them.

Super Bowl 42 Thoughts

I am sorry but Eli Manning does not deserve to be the Super Bowl MVP. On the game winning drive he threw a pass that absolutely should have been picked off and had two other throws that were up for grabs and could have been picked. If anyone on offence the MVP should be David Tyree for making that spectacular catch that kept the final drive alive. That was the play of the game and it was as good a catch as your ever going to see. Tyree not only kept the ball from being intercepted but managed to hold on despite the defence being all over him. Without that catch, I think it doubtful that the Giants win the game.

Speaking of the other QB; I don't think Brady had that good of a game. He missed throws to open receivers on several occasions. Sure the Giants were getting a fair amount of pressure, but Brady was definitely off his normally dead accurate self.

The Giants defence was really the game's MVP. I have to give the Giants credit, they beat the best team in NFL history when it mattered the most. I am shocked.

The Commercials: I do not think there were any truely outstanding one's. Most were quite forgettable. I think my favorite was the car commercial where the squirrel ran out in in the middle of the road and the squirrel plus many others got wide eyed and wide mouthed at the impending carnage of an on coming car, only for disaster to be averted when the car was able to nimbly swerve out of the way.

Puppy Bowl IV: Did you watch Animal Planet today? If not you missed out on what is now my favorite Super Bowl tradition: The Puppy Bowl. If you haven't seen it, it is a TV show where a bunch of puppies of different breeds are put in a mock up football stadium where they play for the cameras. You can see the "Puppy Players" here. My favorite has to be the biggest puppy of them all, Bruin the Alaskan Malamute.

This puppy just lumbered about compared to all the other puppies running all over the place. Good Fun!

Some New Blogs to Check Out

I am a bass fisherman Yes there is yet another BassNBlogger out there. The blogger goes by the alias BassFishingDem and is out of Shreveport, Louisiana; He is not a tournament angler. From the looks of it this site is dedicated to all manner of bass fishing from BassFishingDem's fishing reports to a plethora of tips and fishing info. The blog started in August of 2007 and garners quite a bit heavier traffic than the BP; Obviously someone that knows something about blogging that I have yet to figure out. I found this blog thanks too:

Penn's Outdoors This is a Hunt/Fish blog from Pennsylvania. He says his favorite fish is the Smallie, so we will put it in with BassNblogs. I found this blog because he commented here at BP.

JoshDouglas.com I found this blog through Hellabass. This guy is in Gopher Bassmasters with Hellabass.

Secret Weapon Another blog found thanks to Hellabass. This blog is for the lure company Secret Weapon Lures.

Boyd Duckett Blog This is the blog of the 2007 Bassmasters Classic Champion. Another blog found thanks to Hellabass.

ESPN Outdoors Blogs- Boyd Ducketts blog led me here. Here you can find access to bassin blogs by Alton Jones, Kevin Short, Ryan Coleman, and Brian&Gregg Watts Brothers.

Getting Reel This is a bass fisherman out of Virgina. Lots of bass topics. Found thanks to Hellabass.

Jeremy Starks Bassmaster This is the blog of another BASS Elite Series Pro. He has not blogged since last August. Also found thanks to Hellabass.

Sport's Outdoors Forum This new MN blog has a lot about Ice Fishing so far. We will probably have to wait to see if this qualifies as a BassNblog. Found thanks to Hellabass.

U2 3D

My older brother Jeff took me to see the U2 3D concert movie at the IMAX for my birthday. WOW!!! Amazing!!! Increadbile!!! Awesome!!! A must see for all U2 fans no matter how casual.

The promotional material claimed the experience was "better than a front row seat" and I would have to agree with that assesment. The 3D really puts you right there in a way a flat screen never could. It would be revolutionary to see a sporting event in this new high res 3D 3ality digital technology. I would love to watch a football or hockey game where you are so close, it's like the action is right in front of you and larger than life. I am sure watching on the big IMAX screen enhanced the experience quite a bit over what you would get in a regular theater. It really was amazing.

Also as a birthday gift Jeff gave me U2 the Joshua Tree (Remastered / Expanded) (Super Deluxe Edition) (2CD/DVD). The first CD is the Joshua Tree remastered, the second is the Joshua Tree B-sides plus Silver and Gold (Sun City) and 4 songs and a poetry reading that I've never heard before. The DVD is the Joshua Tree Tour Paris Concert, Outside it's America-Documentary and two music video's. Plus you get a small book/memior and some U2 prints. Thanks Jeff!

Packers Lose!!!

Congratulations to my sister-in-law Kristen's NY football Giants for their overtime victory over Favre and the Packer Nation in the Ice Bowl 2.

I will be rooting for Randy Moss and Lawrence Maroney in the Super Bowl. As I said before at 18-0 the Patriots have earned the mantle of being the best football team in history. It's doubtful that the Giants will get in the way of the Patriots and that NFL Championship.

The Weather: We are currently in what will probably be the coldest stretch of the winter. It was something like -17 last night. When it warms up I may do something about getting my ice fishing gear together.

Ouch!

Two years from today I'll be 40. Will I make it? Will the blog make it? Will I go ice fishing between now and then?

My older brother Jeff turned 40 New Years Day. To celebrate he took a trip to Sunny and warm Puerto Rico. Actually it is just a really long distance law school field trip. I am sure he will have some fun in between studying. Have a good time bro, you deserve it!

College Bowl Games: Who cares!!!
I will probably watch the national Championship Game. Maybe Ohio State will getter done this year.