Lady Bass Angler Article Archives       |
Have you thought about entering a tournament as a non-boater or joining a local club, but felt too intimidated?
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Ways to look Professional at the Weigh-in:by Conny Jenkins, Pro Angler
One angler writes: “When fishing tournaments I try to represent The Women's Bassmaster Tour and my sponsors in a professional manner. No matter what I do, by weigh-in time I am still sun-burned, wind blown, hot and sweaty, or drenched. What do I need to do to look good at the weigh-in.”
 You've' been out all day in the heat, wind, rain or cold and look around at the other anglers. Some look like they have been farming in a field all day while others look like they just arrived ready for a photo shoot.
You never know who is going to be in the audience or taking a picture of you so it is always important to look professional. It only takes a bit of preparation in the morning to pack what you need to freshen up in the afternoon.
If you'd like to be prepared for the cameras here's a few tips from other pro anglers on how to look good at the weigh-in.
“Make sure you carry a clean pressed tournament jersey in your boat to slip on before getting on stage, brush your hair and gloss your lips. And take off those sunglasses - folks want to see your beautiful eyes.” Debra Hengst
“I keep a beauty kit in my boat at all times. It contains a brush, small mirror, and lip gloss. I also will wear my tournament shirt at the beginning of the day and once I reach my first stop I take it off and put it in one of my compartments. This keeps it clean all day. At my
 last stop I put my shirt back on so it is fresh and clean for weigh in. Now if I know I will have a camera boat on me I keep my tournament shirt on since I want my sponsors to be seen on camera.” Laura GoberSome other quick tips include the following suggestions that anglers do at their last stop before they come into the weigh-in.
A light brush of powder makeup foundation will get rid of the oily shine some of us get.
Use wet wipes to wash up a bit and reapply at least mascara, lipstick and blush.
Slip on an attractive pair of earrings.
Make sure your shirt is buttoned up and the collar is straightened.
A portable curling iron for a quick touch up for longer hair.
In the morning pin your hair up under your hat with bobby pins, then take them out for a fresh curled look.
Place your shirt in a dry cleaner plastic bag for help prevent wrinkles.
Use a light mist spritz throughout the day to stay refreshed.
It may help to feel a little more refreshed if you pop in a stick of gum to freshen your breath, as well. Take time to gather your thoughts before you go up to the weigh-in, whether you have fish or, you might be asked a question by a reporter or have a photographer take your photo so you need to look your best.
So plan ahead and develop a routine to present yourself and your sponsors in the best possible light.
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Boyd Duckett “On Unfamiliar Waters” FISHING UNFAMILIAR WATER
Bass tournament season will shift into high gear later next month when the Bassmaster Classic kicks off the Elite Series season at Lake Hartwell in South Carolina. Hartwell is a great fishery that most pros have quite a bit of experience fishing. These days, it’s pretty rare when for the pros to get a chance to wet a line in a body of water that they have never fished before, though it still happens to vets and rookies alike. Though we may fish for a living, we still find ourselves from time to time in the same position many of you find yourselves in on a regular basis: on the verge of fishing a lake that they know nothing about.
Hiring a guide is not an option come tournament time, and the same bodes true for a lot of people whose budget just doesn’t allow for the added expense. Left to fend for yourself, there are a few tried-and-true tricks that can make your first trip to a lake more successful and efficient.
First of all, get a good map of the lake. There are even lake maps on CD that you can use on your computer. Even an old map from the local marina can be a good start. Lake maps can help you locate some general fishing areas, as well as advising you of potentially dangerous rock bars and stump fields. Also, scour the Internet: there’s sure to be a message board for the area you are going to fish where locals and out-of-towners alike will be posting where and what they’re biting. And don’t be afraid to ask other people at the marina and boat ramp.
If you are like me and bass is the species you are after, the first place that I always look is the classic spots. Deep, rocky points, humps and bars will probably have a resident population of fish. If you can find some trees that have fallen into water that's deeper than five feet, there’s a good chance that the area is holding fish – especially if the area offers quick and easy access for the fish to reach deep water.
Once you’ve found your area, set some limits for yourself. Even if you think the fishing might be better 30 miles away, limit yourself to the reasonably sized area that offers the characteristics you are looking for. It is much easier to manage your fishing in a pond-sized area than if you are trying to cover 50,000 acres of lake.
If your chosen spot has some weedbeds that grow below the surface, start with a spinnerbait or buzzbait on some medium-heavy tackle. By doing this, you are trying to entice those fish that hang out on the edges of the vegetation to feed. If the weedbeds are deeper, try a shallow-running crankbait. These baits, in addition to enticing strikes, allow you to cover a lot of area quickly to determine the presence and behavior of the fish. If you find an area with more trees and stumps than vegetation and the bass aren’t responding to the quickly retrieved buzz, spinner and crankbaits, slow down your presentation with a Berkley PowerBait Classic Jig and a PowerBait Chigger Craw trailer or a Texas-rigged Berkley PowerBait Power Worm. And don’t give up on a bait too quickly, otherwise you will set yourself into a pattern of switching rigs every other cast. Just like running to different spots on the lake every 15 minutes, constantly switching baits makes for a frustrating day on the water.
Being able to size up a body of water in a short amount of time under varied conditions is what makes or breaks a professional angler. It takes practice and patience so don’t expect to fill your livewell with a bushel basket full of 8- and 10-pounders the first time out. But if you pay attention and take the time to record some simple notes for yourself, your next trips are bound to be even better.
--- Boyd Duckett
Boyd Duckett, from Demopolis, Ala., is the 2007 Bassmaster Classic champion and currently fishes the BASS Elite Series.
Reprinted courtesy of The Fishing Wire
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Secret Weapons Being Deployed? Although most of us don’t think about it, we probably inherently realize that the equipment professional athletes use in competition really aren’t the same as the “identical product” we buy in stores. They might not all be as radically different as a NASCAR ride, but the pros get equipment well in advance of the rest of us.
Last year, fellow Alabamian Boyd Duckett won the Bassmaster Classic using a new bait developed just for the event. It was the Berkley Chigger Craw and Duckett said straight out that it was responsible for most of his catches. The “Chigger” was a hot performer
 throughout the rest of the 2007 Elite Series.This year, it seems the secret laboratories are once again cranking out baits that have, in essence, been tuned to perform in South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell. The Berkley pro team will be using some pretty interesting gear.
Earlier this week, we received a plain brown package that contained the “consumer-ized” versions of most of those products. Consumerization, incidentally, is nothing more than packing the baits in retail packaging. We say “most” because one came in packaging that had none of the usual marketing and informational material, but more on that in a minute.
Our informational package included, for instance, the Hank Parker Football Jig. This jig head features “3-D Angry Eyes” and they look every bit as angry as promised. It may look a bit cartoonish, but Parker’s accompanying tip says it will trigger more strikes when bass are clinging to rocks. It comes with a pair of three-inch double-tail grub trailers and an optional skirt. The skirt is one of those options where the pro anglers employ their personal touches, modifying their individual baits until they are, well, individual.
Other rigs include a Finesse rig Mike Iaconelli says is deadly (it, of course, has angry eyes, it is Ike’s remember) when given the right presentation ( he recommends light line and a drag, hop and shake presentation to attract inactive fish in clear water) and a Flippin’ rig by Jay Yelas. Yelas says his Flippin rig is good in clear or stained water and recommends using the Chigger chunk trailer and jig skirt to coax bass out of heavy cover. These jig rigs come with double tail grubs (Parker/Iaconelli) or Chigger Chunk trailers (Yelas)
Worms and Swim baits go from heavy to hollow, respectively.
 New five-inch “Hollow Bellies” are swimmers with an oversized paddle tail designed to add additional wobble. Another interesting feature of these baits is the clear coat finish. Berkley says that finish helps magnify the natural image. The three-bait package includes 6/0 3/32oz. Weighted hook (for Texas Rigs) and a size 2 Treble hook, 3/32 oz. Bullet weight, size 5 swivel and split ring for open water rigging.
Heavy weight worms, on the other hand, use weight to give the lures a sinking sensation. The new SinkWorks (these are 5”) are versatile to allow the worm to be used in a Texas rig, on a small jig head, weedless or wacky rigged. It sinks faster than traditional worms, adding to the action and is available in ten colors with a slightly smaller profile than the Fat Sink Worm.
2007 Bass Elite Series Angler of the Year Skeet Reese says the weighted worm gives him the ability to “slow down my presentation for fish that have been highly pressured.” He also says it’s one of his favorites when fishing solely around thick cover.
But it’s the unmarked and unadorned clear plastic bag that’s gotten my attention. Inside a clear bag is a jig head that has the apparently obligatory angry eyes, but looks like something ripped off a Mardi Gras parade outfit or an LSU fan’s best party clothes. It’s purple and gold, a color ensemble called “Joker” on the simple label. It comes with a three-inch double tail grub (in watermelon) and looks like it just may be this year’s semi-secret weapon.
No promises, but at the first opportunity I’m going to take my 1/2 ounce Gripper Jig (Joker), attach my watermelon double tail grub, and see if I can’t rustle up some cold water bass. If nothing else, I’ll give them a color splash to brighten up their day.
After all, it may be the same gear, but the guys on the packages are the pros.
That’s probably the biggest difference, right?
--Jim Shepherd
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10 Rules for Cold Weather Fishing TOP TEN TIPS FOR WINTER FISHING FROM BOATU.S. ANGLER
Stay Safe on the Water and Catch More Fish
The pleasure boats are gone and the water is now all yours. But don't venture out for your next winter fishing trip without following these top ten tips from BoatU.S. Angler, a membership program that offers services, fishing tips and safety information just for trailer boat anglers:
1. Check the bellies of fish you bring up and if you find silt, that's an indication that the fish has been glued to the bottom. So take your time presenting the bait or lure, stay in one spot for a longer time and use presentations with smaller baits like drop shot or shaky heads. Find the deepest water close to shore and fish more vertically than horizontally.
2. With the pleasure boating season over there are fewer potential rescuers to assist you in an emergency, so never fish alone. Leave a float plan behind with your spouse, friend, or anyone else who is willing to call authorities if you haven't checked back in at a predetermined time.
3. A spray of line conditioner, such as Reel Magic, will help keep your lines ice-free. Use a smaller line size so you can get better hooksets with less line resistance. Low stretch line is best in the winter as well.
4. Wear layers of clothing - preferably synthetic or wool - but never cotton. It's a poor insulator when wet.
5. Use attractants such as Jack's Juice, which can sprayed on a soft plastic lures. Fish are sluggish and attractants encourage them to hold on longer.
6. Bring along high-energy foods such as granola bars and warm drinks. It's important to keep hydrated in winter's dry air. Stay away from alcohol, which dilates blood vessels and cools your body's core.
7. Cold water drains energy and body heat rapidly. If you fall overboard, a life jacket can give you the time you need to pull yourself back in the boat before the effects of hypothermia set in. Vest styles can provide warmth both in and out of the water while automatically inflating life jackets allow great freedom of movement and fit over bulky winter clothing. Also, make sure you have a method to get back in the boat, such as a built-in boarding ladder or a short length of rope with loops for footholds that is firmly attached to a cleat or other fixed object.
8. According to U.S. Coast Guard boating fatality statistics, January's and February's cold weather represent the greatest fatality risk. Always check the weather before you go. With hypothermia a very real threat, sudden squalls can be deadly.
9. Now is the time to disconnect water pressure and speed hoses behind the helm gauges to prevent freeze damage.
10. When you're done fishing and before you leave the launch ramp, trim the outboard motor all the way down, remove the kill switch and turn the engine over for a just a second to pump out any water that may still be inside the motor. Remove any mud or plant debris from the boat or equipment and thoroughly drain livewells or anywhere else water may have pooled to stop the spread of invasive species. Storing the boat high and dry for two days before fishing a different body of water can also help. Remember, it's your fishery.
BoatU.S. Angler is a program from the nation's largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning freshwater anglers, increase boating safety, provide consumer assistance and ensure fishing remains worry-free. For more information, go to http://www.BoatUSAngler.com or call (866) 906-0013.
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FISHING AFTER COLD FRONTS
With Scott Suggs as reported by The Fishing Wire
First, let me say that as an angler I understand that bass fishing after a cold front can be very frustrating. Especially if you fish in areas with Florida-strain largemouth bass, cold fronts can pretty much be the excuse you need to park the boat and head to a deer stand or sit in the house and watch football.
But cold fronts are just a fact of life for most of the country from about October through April. That's a long period of time to simply give up on bass fishing. Those fish have to eat at some point during this six-month stretch; fish are going to be caught by someone somewhere. I figure that might as well be me. So learning to deal with the effects of cold fronts as it relates to bass fishing is the first step towards keeping my days on the water successful when everyone else has packed it in for the year, leaving you on the water with cold air temperatures and bluebird skies.
As the air temperature cools from a cold front, the surface temperature of the water will also begin to cool. This will force bass in shallow water to seek holding areas in deeper water where the temperature will be warmer. I use my electronics to find brush piles in deep water or deep-water ledges near channel swings or secondary points. Once I find them I do like to use a jig or a drop shot, something with a vertical presentation. A ¾-ounce football jig tipped with a Berkley PowerBait Chigger Craw and dragged slowly through these areas can be very effective. Drop shotting a Berkley Gulp! Sinking Minnow can be effective, too. Just shake the rod tip, trying not to move the bait too far.
Sometimes smaller baits can be they key, too. If you normally catch fish on a 10-inch Berkley PowerBait Power Worm, try a 6-inch worm; same goes for stick- and creature-style baits. Being cold blooded the body temperature of a bass is regulated by its environment. When the water cools, they become lethargic and their metabolism slows. Big meals aren't needed, but a easy meal - one that won't require much work to capture or consume - is always welcome.
Don't overlook tight cover, either. Bushes, root balls, dock pilings, logs and rock can sometimes draw in large numbers of bass. They will huddle in these protected areas where the water temps are move stable. Trying pitching jigs or wacky rigged soft plastics like a PowerBait Fat Dover Crawler in these areas and let them sink. It might take some time, but you can catch these fish.
More than anything, fishing after a cold front requires anglers to slow down. The bass are going to be moving and reacting slowly, so your presentation should not be fast. Bait like Gulp! are ideal for slow presentations because the scent and flavor that are built into the baits works even better when fished slowly. The scent clouds will fill the area and actually draw in fish - even lethargic ones - in search of an easy meal.
Fishing after cold fronts isn't ideal, but don't let low air temperatures keep you off the water. This time of the year can yield some very big fish that have been gorging on the shad that spawn in the backs of coves. Plus, there won't be much boat traffic. Just change your tactics a little and go catch some big bass while everyone else is sitting around the house.
Scott Suggs is the 2007 FLW Champion and the first angler in professional bass fishing to win $1 million in a single tournament.
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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT E-10 ETHANOL FUEL AND WINTER BOAT LAYUP Last year recreational boaters in most parts of the country were introduced to gasoline containing higher concentrations of ethanol, a corn-based additive that replaced a known carcinogen, MTBE. The new fuel, dubbed "E-10" for its 10% ethanol content, unfortunately has the ability to attract greater amounts of water and "phase separate," or form two separate solutions in the gas tank, usually over a long period of time. Once this happens, the engine may not run and internal damage can occur.
With the lengthy winter lay up period again upon us, many boaters and anglers are asking how they can avoid winter fuel problems. BoatUS has these recommendations, some of which were gleaned from midwestern marina owners where E-10 has been in use for over a decade:
The best practical recommendation is to continue to top off a boat's fuel tanks to about 95% full, leaving room for expansion. A tank that is almost full limits the flow of air into and out of the vent, which reduces the chance of condensation adding water to the fuel. Anglers who fish over the winter should also top off their boat's gasoline tanks between outings to prevent condensation. Read More >>
Note that some mechanics mistakenly advise that leaving a tank partially filled allows you to "freshen" the old fuel by topping off the tank in the spring. Leaving a tank partially filled with E-10 invites phase separation, which cannot be remedied by adding fresh gasoline. Once E-10 phase separates, the water will remain at the bottom of the tank. Midwest marina owners report that phase separation typically occurs when boats were stored with tanks only one-quarter to one-half full.
Draining fuel tanks of E-10 gas, while completely eliminating any chances of phase separation, is potentially dangerous and not recommended.
Once phase separation occurs in E-10 gasoline, additives and water separators can't help. The only remedy is to have the gas and ethanol/water professionally removed from the tank.
Ethanol is known to chemically react with fiberglass fuel tanks, which can cause them to deteriorate and potentially fail. This is most common with tanks built before the mid-1980s. Unless your boat's manufacturer can confirm that your tank was built to withstand ethanol, the only remedy is to not use E-10 gas (which may not be possible) or to replace the tank with a non-reactive material such as aluminum.
While ethanol does attract moisture, never try to plug up a fuel tank vent to prevent moist air from entering a tank. Without room to expand, the additional pressure could rupture fuel system components.
With any fuel that sits in a tank for a long time, it's important to add a stabilizer. But understand that stabilizers do not prevent phase separation.
Get ready for winter, but get out and enjoy your time on the water if possible.
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You're Out!Read the Rules
By Conny Jenkins
It was about an hour before daylight. A vehicle was sitting in an all night restaurant parking lot. A single man sits behind the wheel with the engine running. A few minutes later another vehicle pulls in and a man gets out with a small brown paper bag. Slowly the first man gets out, looking around apprehensively to see if anyone is watching. Quickly the brown paper bag exchanges hands while both men look around making sure the transaction has not caught the attention of anyone. Both leave, driving off in opposite directions.
Unfortunately, clandestine meetings like this are all too common. For the some this might appear to be a drug deal going down. It was nothing so sinister. This was simply a husband pickling up baits from a local angler before his wife starts a practice day. Maybe not sinister, but what about a tournament rule violation?
Picture these scenarios:
• The Women’s Bassmaster Tour will begin in a few days. A tournament is weighing in at a launch ramp. Several women gather to watch the weigh-in. One woman follows a man to his boat. He is parked in a slip so she stands on the dock and watches while he busies himself putting his rods and reels away. His actions are methodical, taking his time. The woman is able to see each rod and reel, surmising the line size based on the type of reel, each lure turns slowly in front of her.
• A woman goes to a local tackle shop to purchase her license. Customers mill about as she gives the information needed on the application. It is evident she will be fishing the upcoming tournament. A customer begins telling her how he has been catching fish. She politely explains she can not receive information; it is during the dead water time. Not to be dissuaded the man says something to the effect, ‘Well, I am not talking to you, I’m telling Joe, and I can’t help it if you hear our conversation”. Everyone laughs and the man proceeds to tell “Joe” the bait, technique and depth that he caught fish during the past week as the woman listens in.
• The first day of practice is over and the women competitor is tired. Her day is not finished yet, she must change the line on a couple reels. She sends her husband to the local tackle shop to pick out the line she needs.
• There is a man fishing out of a pontoon boat. Several boats approach intending to fish that same point but move on when they see a boat on the ‘hole’. Then one boat approaches and stops just short of the point. The man picks up the anchor and leaves the area. Later the man is at the weigh-in and it is learned he is related to the women in the last boat.
What transpired in each of these scenarios could possibly be against rules – the Women’s Bassmaster Tournament Rules.
I drew a partner one time that told me how he was disqualified two weeks after a tournament was over. Although he had not won any money in the tournament, all of his points for that tournament were taken away. The scenario: As he and his paired partner approach a small boat fishing the same bank, he says, “How ya’ll doing”, using the phrase many of us use as a simple greeting. The people in the small boat had been crappie fishing and had caught several; they also mentioned they caught a nice keeper bass. He moves on around them and continued to fish. Two weeks later the tournament director calls
and asks him to recall the situation. His partner had written a letter stating he felt when the question was asked “How ya’ll doing?” the man had knowingly violated the rule about seeking information. The decision was to disqualify him.
Know your rules. Read them one rule at a time. Don’t miss any words. Think as you are reading them what scenario each one might apply to. There is no gray area when it comes to interpretation – what the words say is what they mean.
I admit that I have been around so long that I can remember when some of the rules were added and the controversy over a situation that caused the inclusion.
Dead water, off- limits, no help after the cut-off period – these are all particular rules you must be familiar with whether you are a pro angler or co angler. You are responsible for your own actions.
You have invested a large amount of money into having a great experience fishing the Women’s Bassmaster Tour. Do not be disqualified because you did not take the time to study the rules. Do not have others view you as ethically challenged.
If you have any doubt, have the tournament director clarify a rule for you before you run the risk of disqualification. Always do the right thing.
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Whale of a tale - or a world record? Claiming a world record isn't as easy or pleasant as it would appear. When you present what you feel is a record accomplishment, you might feel yourself puff up with pride, but if you have the same experience as Neptune, New Jersey resident Monica Oswald, you may have second thoughts about submitting your second record.
The off duty nurse was fishing off the Monmouth County, New Jersey coast two weeks ago when she landed what some have called the Holy Grail of record fish - at least for the eastern seaboard. Oswald landed a 24.3 pound summer flounder - more commonly known as a fluke.
What should have been a wonderful experience for any angler has been anything but for Oswald. But the blame's at least partially hers. She, it should be pointed out, is an amateur angler - not a charter boat veteran. So, she didn't take appropriate care of what might still be a world-record fish.
She didn't even manage to keep the fish in one piece, but I'll explain that later.
When the guys at Scott's Bait and Tackle in Bradley Beach, NJ weighed her fish, it wasn't in the "optimum condition" one would expect from a potential world-record catch. She was fishing with a friend in a 23-foot boat when she hooked what she says she at first thought was a ray. After a long fight, she got the big fish to the surface - and the comedy of errors that has led to her being savaged on internet chat rooms and fishing forums across the country began.
First, the fish was too-darned big for her net. It slipped out and got a bit marked up. Then, it fought on the deck causing Oswald to damage the tail while standing on it to work the hook out.
It gets worse.
The fish was too-big for the cooler on board and both the head and tail stuck out. More damage. When it finally arrived at Scott's, owner Scott Christensen says it looked a bit "beat up." That's an understatement - the fish's head was nearly severed from the body, and its tale is, indeed, ratty with scales missing.
OK, Scott admits, he's seen better-looking fish, but he's willing to swear the fish was fresh when it arrived in his shop. Neither, he says, was it caught as a by-product of a commercial dragging net. That would have disqualified the fish from the International Game and Fish Association records - the world records are all hook and line, not commercial catches.
A word on IGFA records - they're normally set by anglers who are seeking to set new records - and have the experience to present pristine fish to the certified weighing stations. Most record-fish only have a mark from the single embedded hook.
Oswald's fluke, unfortunately, appears to have looked more like it had been in a prize fight. And that damage is why angler forums have questioned everything from Oswald's honesty to her physical appearance. Anglers, it appears, don't like to have records broken by amateur anglers or women.
Christensen also says he can produce a number of other people who came in to see the big fish.
The largest mistake of the whole affair appears to have been Monica Oswald's excitement. Christensen offered to keep the fluke in his cooler - but she wanted to take it home to show her family.
She did - and after showing it off discovered it wouldn't fit in her refrigerator. She put it in a cooler in her garage, expecting an officer from the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife to come and check out the fish the following day.
When he arrived, the cooler was open - and the fish was gone. They found part of the fish in the yard, but the head and part of the body was missing - apparently the victim of a wandering raccoon.
Now, the only tangible evidence are photographs taken at the bait shop of Oswald with her fish - and the IGFA record application. A decision on those records, incidentally, normally takes about two months.
But Oswald's determined to see the whole deal through. Although she's not talking to the media until after an IGFA determination, she is going to be talking to a polygraph examiner later this week. It seems she is now qualified for a boat worth $50,000 in The Fisherman magazine's "Dream Boat" contest. One stipulation says that the magazine has the right to polygraph all any contestant.
Executive editor Jim Hutchinson Jr. says he's not "saying she's guilty" but says with the controversy online, feels he "owes it to his 55,000 readers to resolve the issue."
In the meantime Monica Oswald's not saying anything and her husband says she's a bit overwhelmed by the controversy, but she'll be able to handle it.
After all, he says, "Monica doesn't have to answer to anyone but God and the IGFA."
In the meantime, the online anglers are having a field day - at her expense.
Reprinted from the Fishing Wire
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Definition of hero is a person distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility andstrength, a champion, someone who fights for a cause, celebrated for bold exploits.
MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FIREMEN
Hero, such a small word for such a big person.
After Sept. 11, 2001 many of us began to redefine what a hero truly is or should be. Are athletes, actors and national figureheads heroes? Are anglers competing on the national tournament trails heroes? Maybe, maybe not.
I'd like to share my feelings about my personal hero, a man who was my hero as a small child, teenager and still today. My hero was not athletic, on TV or elected to any office.
Billy Vern Jennings was sixteen when I was born. My oldest brother always had my heart, my trust and my adoration. As a teenager Billy moved in with our grandparents when Grandpa had a stroke and was cared for at home. He took on the farm chores in addition to playing basketball and homework. Then as a young man, he served his nation in the military.
One of my earliest memories was when he brought his future bride, Nancy, home to meet us. We loved her like a sister from that day on. Billy and Nancy settled in Kansas City where he became a firefighter. I loved to visit their home, spending many nights and weeks there. There was always a smiling face, loving and encouraging words and hugs. Lots of hugs - that's probably why I'm a hugger today.
Billy often told me how proud he was of me. As a teenager I joined the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. As I approached 20 years old, the age of majority for Rainbow Girls, I was disappointed I would not be able to continue on into Eastern Star because you had to have an immediate family member as a Mason, which I did not. Billy questioned me several times about it because he knew how much the structure and friendships of the organization meant to me. Just before my 20th birthday Billy surprised me, he had become a Mason. This was an incredible gift. My hero had come through again for me.
Firemen were often called on during their shift, at that time, if there was a need for blood in an emergency and an immediate transfusion was needed. Having a rare blood type, Billy willing rushed several different times to the hospital to help save another person's life. Good Samaritan, another description for Billy.
Billy loved his job as a firefighter and he enjoyed the men he worked with. We've heard about how colleagues become `family', even as anglers we often refer to other competitors as family. As a fireman you live, sleep, eat, work and play together for days at a time. You help each other out, cover for each other, party together and even work with each other on part-time jobs to make ends meet, when off duty form the fire station. You share your happiness and sadness; you laugh and cry with each other. You truly become a `brotherhood', a family.
In the prime of his life, blessed with beautiful children and a promising future, Billy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. By that time it had already ravaged his body. From a cane to a wheelchair to a hospital bed it progressed very aggressively.
His firemen `family' would take him fishing. Long before the days of wheelchair accessible ramps, they would carry him, a strapping 6'3” man, and his wheelchair down the banks and into an aluminum boat. Times he thoroughly enjoyed.
As his condition worsened and his body weakened it was Billy who kept encouraging me, pushing me, always smiling no matter what life was dealing him. As we gathered for a Thanksgiving, with Billy in the hospital yet again, we had a family decision to make. His heart was too weak to pump to all of his body. His legs would have to be removed or he would eventually die a death involving gangrene.
The decision was made and I dreaded facing him, dreaded the sorrow and hopelessness he would feel. It was again my hero who smiled when I entered the hospital room. Who told me not to worry because they made prosthetic legs and he had told the doctor his little sister would buy him a new set of legs. He had so much love and faith in me he never doubted that I would come through for him.
When I learned of the devastation on September 11th, learned of the thousands dead and the heroic effort of so many, saw how the media focused on the firefighters, I thought of my hero and knew without a doubt he would have been one of the first ones in if he could. I thought of his fire station and his family there and knew they would have all gone in together, just like they always stuck together.
Billy would have been my hero even if he had chosen a different profession, but being a fireman just made him a hero to more people.
As we approach Patriots Day I encourage you to send a note to your personal heroes, let them know how important they are to you. Hug them if you can.
Send a note of thanks to your local firefighters, law enforcement, military personnel and other public servants in your area, whether they be volunteer or paid, thank them for their dedication on behalf of you and your community.
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Tow Your Boat Safely!By Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson
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Fishing Resumes Versus ProposalsBy Scott Rauber*
Over the years, it has become commonplace for anglers to prepare a fishing resume for potential sponsors that highlights their accomplishments and involvements over their fishing career.
Recently in an interview with John Kushnerick of Quantum Fishing, he indicated that they receive about ten contacts per day from anglers for sponsorship (and that doesn't include clubs, organizations, and charities). Requests for sponsorship have skyrocketed as tournament trails pop up like hit records for every species of fish.
Because the fishing industry has led anglers into developing fishing resumes in hopes of gaining sponsorship, it has created a measure of complacency. An angler may think that a resume, and a good resume to boot, will greatly increase his chances for landing sponsorship. However résumés, long or short, are being replaced by marketing proposals. And with good reason.
Anglers who can bring a plan of attack (Proposal) for marketing, advertising and promoting a company actually position themselves as one who is looking ahead to ways that will help the sponsor land new customers while retaining their current client base.
Now, preparing a proposal takes thought and planning. It requires the angler to prepare and consider marketing avenues of all angles that will assist the potential sponsor in obtaining what they're interested in - leads, sales, and revenue. A resume describes things the individual angler has accomplished and essentially says to a potential sponsor, “Look at what I've done; look at me!” The proposal on the other hand says, “Here is what I propose to do to help you bring in more business. Here is what I can do for you!”
In preparing a sponsorship proposal, all avenues for marketing, advertising, exposing, and promoting the sponsor should be calculated, whether they are derived from:
Internet
Mail
E-Mail
Print Media (Newspapers, Magazines, Circulars, etc.)
Personal Contact
Simply stating that you'll proudly display their logo on your tournament shirt, truck and boat is expected if you are approaching tackle companies and is considered ho-hum in the fishing industry. However this type of exposure may very well assist you in preparing a sponsorship/marketing proposal for a business that is outside of the industry.
The bottom line is that the key to a successful proposal is concerning yourself with the success of your sponsor(s). If you plan and strategize to help them become successful, you'll become successful.
Bass wishes in getting sponsored!
*Author of How To get Sponsored For Fishing Tournaments Volume 1 www.FishForFREE.com and Volume 2 www.FishForFREE2.com . Publisher - The Sponsorship Newsletter www.FishingSponsorship.com
Scott can be reached at scott@fishingsponsorship.com
 CompanionsBy Conny Jenkins
Most of our marriage we have had a pet as a companion. Each has carried its' own personality and charmed us in different ways. They have enriched our lives. Most have come to us as strays.
 Wallace was not in favor of an animal in the house but was swayed when our first pet came into the marriage with me. It had been my mothers Shih Tzu and when my mother died my father asked me to care for it. Miss Tibbs lived with us through four moves and finally succumbed to old age. She was a real trooper, who traveled everywhere with us. Miss Tibbs loved sleeping in the boat as we fished. When she died, she left a great void.
We had a few other companions through the years. Some we rescued but kept only long enough to find another home and others quickly became masters of the house!
Sonny and Samantha were a brother and sister who came to us from a farm family, whose children had already named them. I went to the house to pick up Samantha, and while waiting, Sonny curled up on my lap and fell asleep. Oh heck, might as well take them both. All of our pets have ruled the house but lived indoors and outdoors, moving in and out at their pleasure. Samantha was caught outside and killed by two dogs who lived two blocks away and had jumped their fence. I worried for a
 long time that Sonny might have watched his sister die. When the owner of the dogs went to court we were successful in getting a monetary fine assessed and having the dogs put to sleep. Besides the tragic loss of my beloved friend I felt a great concern of what would happen if the dogs jumped the fence again and a child was nearby. Sonny lived alone with us for a few years before an abandoned full blood boxer moved in with us. From the very beginning Duchess made it her mission to adopt Sonny as her buddy. It took a few years but Sonny finally came around. People would tell us how cute it was to drive by our house and see a dog and cat sleep together at the front door. Duchess truly cared for Sonny and would not go to sleep at night until she made sure Sonny was in the house before we went to bed. They were amusing, this tiny cat and big dog. Sonny took to sleeping on Wallace's lap so Duchess would have to curl up as close as possible to his chair. Sonny was about fourteen years old when we had to euthanize him due to diabetes. On hindsight we should have brought Sonny home and showed his body to Duchess so she would know what happened to her little buddy. Duchess had mothered Sonny for so long, about ten years, that she simply did not understand where he disappeared to. The first week she searched the house and yard. By the second week she stopped eating and had to be fed morsel by morsel. We took her to the doctor and other than arthritis and elderly she seemed healthy. She laid at the door waiting and hoping for Sonny to come home. When we would coax her outside so she could relieve herself she walked back and forth in front of the house. After four visits in as many weeks she had lost all hope and no longer wanted to live. Nothing could cheer her up. After consulting with the doctor we let Duchess join Sonny, it was the only place she wanted be. As much as she loved us she loved Sonny more.
When Wallace became ill the grandchildren thought he needed company so when their barn cat had a litter we adopted Sam and Mitsy. From the very beginning they chose sides. Sam would be my cat and Mitsy would sleep for hours on Wallace's legs. On days when he was feeling particularly bad they would both sleep with him, loving and nurturing him back to health. For three years we found joy in watching their antics.
Sam and Mitsy would come and go in and out. During one trip outside Sam got into a cat fight and had to spend five days at the hospital being nursed back to health. Mitsy did not miss him much because we fed her treats and made sure she was treated especially well during his absence. She even got to go to the hospital to pick him up. Of course, while there she had her checkup and received her annual shots. When Sam came home we continued the antibiotics and both our babies received special food. Sam had recovered just before we left for the Women's Bassmaster Championship.
While on our trip we received word Mitsy had died. We had made them stay inside and were being checked on by my sister-in-law, Linda. We had no idea what could have happened, she had just been to the doctor and was fine less than two weeks earlier. A few days later the national news unfolded telling us the special food we gave her was tainted. She did not stand a chance. Sam on the other hand had been taking antibiotics and eating dry food.
We said we would not get anymore pets, we could not handle the loss. Sam would be our only companion and that was it. Little did we know that another cat had already been staking out our home and had big plans of moving in. This sleuth had slipped in a time or two before Mitsy died and we shooed him out. We did not see it for a few weeks, then one day it was
 begging to be let in. We have tried to make it stay out but Wallace and I neither one have any resistance. We had a cold spell and just could not bear for him (or her) to shiver outside our door. On closer inspection this little friend has been taken well care of, his front claws have been removed, is healthy, knows how to use a litter box, and comes when fingers are snapped. After a few tries at a variety of names we settled on Raven. When I tried to give the cat away one lady, not knowing we were calling him by name, told me "if you name him he is yours." I came home and told Wallace what she said and that seem to settle it, Raven would join our family as the newest member. This is Wallace's buddy, Mitsy. The squirrel kept knocking on the
window and running back and forth. We weren't sure if the squirrel wanted in the house or wanted Mitsy to come out and play, we were
glad a glass separated them.
Tough guy talk about Bass fishing in MexicoOk here is the pep talk and I only give it once. Let's start with what to bring and not to bring.
Passport or a notarized copy of your birth certificate.
If you are a women you need a copy of your marriage license too.
A picture ID like a drivers license too.
Money for tips. Tips are one dollar and you can bring about 20 or 30 of them. Then you should plan on tipping the boat guide a total of $20 per day ($10 per person) if he doesn't do a good job don't tip him. After that you don't need money for licenses, drinks, food, lodging or anything else. These people in the camp will work like crazy with or without a tip. We like to give them tips. We also bring down our old T shirts, hat, jeans etc in any size after we have our bag packed. (For children, women, boys men) Then we give them the extra cloths, clean out your closet, these people will appreciate it.
You only have to bring like 2-3 pairs of jeans, use one clean pair for the airplane to and back. One clean shirt for the airplane to and back. Then you ware your dirty, stinky cloths fishing and we all smell the same. Don't over pack. You will need a light jacket for the boat rides in the AM and PM. You will need a hat or two, maybe one long sleeve, light shirt material if you find yourself sunburned. Bring suntan lotion. There is nothing to buy at the camp. It is at the end of a very, very, very long dirt road.
If you don't bring a toothbrush you can't buy one.
Ok let's talk about a day in the life.
Sunrise you are woken up, you take a shower etc and come into a full sit-down breakfast. Then your gear that you have left outside your door, is carried to a truck and the guides take the truck and your gear to the boats. When you get done eating you go to the nice truck and ride down to the lake. 2 people and one guide get in a boat and if you are smart you smile at the guide and shut up. Don’t try and tell him where to go like I always do. He will have a full ice chest of what ever you have told them to pack. If you drink beer at 6 am it will have beer, if it is coke, or bottled water, no problem. You fish to noon. The guides unhook all your fish, they will fix your worm and net the fish etc. You come back at lunch and you get a full sit down lunch. You lounge around and swap stories or take a quick nap and off you go again. The fish do NOT bite between noon and 2 PM, don’t ask me why.
So off you go again with a full tank of gas, more ice chest stuff and more fishing until sunset. Then you come in, have a full sit down meal. Free margaritas, beer, steak, or whatever the cooks are cooking. After you get done eating it is already 8pm and you need to get up at about 5:30 so it is time for bed. Then off you go again in the morning.
Ok, what kind of gear?
I’m going to tell you and you had better listen. Rod and line. Rods should be 6 to 7 foot, Medium to medium heavy. Line should be 17 to 25 # test. If you show up with a spinning outfit with 12 # test and think you are going to catch fish you are mentally sick. These fish are very strong, very big and very aggressive. They live in the worst parts of the Ironwood, Mesquite, Buckbrush, Cactus and any other thing that has been flooded by the upcoming water. Remember they pull the lake down to irrigate. The trees grow fast, then the water rises and the fish move into the jungle. You are not getting them out with 12 or 14 # test. You will lose your lure, you will look stupid and you will not have any fun. This goes for women and children. My wife will be fishing two MH 6 ½ spinning rods with 17# test. She will loose fish she cannot turn. But she will have a fair chance with the ones under 5-6 pounds. I will be using 20 # test mono on a 6 ½ MH stick. Nothing fancy no real overkill. I will have one rod with 17 # test in case I want to play around a little. Bring your rods in a tube case for the airport.
Tackle box. All this stuff about 14 inch worms is bunk. They love 7 inch worms. They like tequila shad, (red shad) they like blue with any color tail and they love watermelon with a chartreuse tail. I will have 7 inch worms, 9 inch and a bunch of 11 inch. They do like the 7 inch worm, but you can throw a 9 inch and they will eat it just as quick. So I bring nothing but big stuff, I can always bite the head off. All my worms start at 9 inch and go to 11 inches. They love a floating worm or a fluke with a 5/0 hook thrown on 17# spinning gear reeled as fast as you can. They will come up in packs of 4 or 5 and slam the worm or the fluke. I would bring 50 of the worms in the brightest colors and I would bring 75 fluke in 5 inch in silver shad. These fish love color.
Lures. Everything, but they like chuggers, Zara spooks, some buzz baits, etc. They love topwater in the AM, then you go to spinnerbaits, white, chartreuse . Then you go to worms, then lunch, then worms, then sunset back to the spinnerbaits and topwater. Some guys throw a lot of fat free shads etc.
Hook size should be 4/0 to 5/0 forget that little 1/0 stuff, you are not fishing for dinks. No hook should be less then a 3/0, no worm less then 7 inches. And that about does it. Bring an extra spool of line with you (No Stores!!!!). Pack your pocket knife in your check in luggage, nail clippers, sunglasses etc. The boats are roomy and dry. But still take care of your camera etc.
The guide’s don’t speak English, neither do I, so I pack a little toilet paper with me and wave it at him if nature calls me. Some times I call back.
Plan on having the time of you life. You can be 600 years old and they will put you on fish. So just plan on a beautiful trip. Bring some tip money and everyone will be smiling all the time. It’s great and you will love it. Any questions e mail me at kicknbass@earthlink.net And don’t show up with any sissy equipment because I am not going to lend you one of the 12-15 complete outfits I am bringing. I come ready to break rods, strip reels and just reach down and pick up another one. You had better be ready to do the same too. Love you all. Cosmic>
Reprinted courtesy of Kick'n Bass
Mize Fails In Bid to Become First Female in Elite SeriesOn the eve of the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series Wildcard tournament held in Leesburg, Fla., last week, angler Lucy Mize stood on the verge of making BASS history.
After a successful season on the Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour presented by Triton Boats where she qualified for the inaugural Women’s Bassmaster Tour Championship in February on Lake Mitchell- Mize found herself in position to earn her tour card for the 2007 Elite Series via the second-chance Wildcard tournament. She qualified for the Wildcard by finishing 35th in CITGO Bassmaster Northern Tour points.
With a top-10 performance in the Wildcard event, Mize would have became the first female pro to qualify for BASS’ highest level of competition. And the possible distinction was not lost on the 45-year-old Arkansas angler.
“Isn’t that neat?” Mize said when the feat was mentioned. “I’ve thought about it quite a bit, actually. It would be a dream come true, but I know there are other anglers out there that want that same dream. It’s going to be hard to accomplish.
“I’ve been trying to get to this level seven or eight years. I’ve had some chances in the past and it’s my own fault that I didn’t do it.”
Mize joked that she and husband Jimmy, who already qualified for the 2007 Elite Series, would have bought a double-decker boat trailer to travel together on the Elite Series next year.
“He told me that if I made it he would kick my tail next year,” she said, laughing.
But as the Wildcard event unfolded, it was quickly apparent that Mize’s dream would have to wait at least another year before materializing. She finished 49th with just 5 pounds, 11 ounces after two days of fishing on the Harris Chain.
“It was tough on me in practice and it just got tougher,” Mize lamented.
More Mize news... You might recall that budding BASS angler Melinda Mize, daughter of Jimmy and Lucy, had her tournament plans put on hold due to National Guard duty she started last June. According to her mom, Melinda is enjoying a two-week break at home in Arkansas before she returns to the Middle East.
“She got to come home and we met in Orlando where we spent a couple of days together,” Lucy said. “She goes back in two weeks [and will serve] until the end of June. That is a long time. It’s going to be really hard to let her go this time.”
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I didn't get the trophy, but in many ways, I'm a winner!By Sylvia Graham
 I do miss all of you. You know I had surgery on my hand which kept me from starting the season last year in the spring----then, my mom (96) started to really go downhill--she died and then I was approached by a dear friend who happens to be a county commissioner and I found myself running for a state office. It was almost like a "calling" to me. I just had to do it. I don't fancy myself a politican, but I began to enjoy knocking on doors and meeting people. With the help of the democratic party, my family, many friends and volunteers, I really had a campaign going.
My state district covered 3 counties and was 63% republican. The gentleman I challenged had been in office 26 years and three weeks after I filed, he retired. I was unchallenged for a month. The republican party chose a very wealthy, retired United Airlines pilot to run against me. He had won a purple heart in the Vietnam war.
I held my own and ,infact, lead most of the way through the race. The last 7 days were pretty ugly from their side. They couldn't find any dirt on me so they just flat out-lied about things I said. To make a long story short---I lost by 567 votes.
 I have recieved thank you notes for running from everyone from the elderly, school teachers to business people. I even recieved a note from the republican mayor stating he was impressed with the campaign I ran. I'm packing all kinds of political walking lists, etc in boxes and have been threatened to not destroy a thing from the county democratic chairman.
What an experience this was, not only for me, but my family and my grandchildren. I am not sorry I chose to run.
More good people need to get involved. As soon as your state party becomes aware that you are a viable candidate, they will immediately jump on board!!
I didn't get the trophy, but in many ways, I'm a winner!
About the author: Sylvia Graham, veteran angler and world title holder, is semi-retired from professional bass fishing.
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 REALITY CHECK:WHAT KIND OF INFLUENCE ARE YOU?
By Carol Boykin
What kind of presentation do you project when practicing and fishing the WBT?
I don't mean how spiffy you might look in your sponsor's shirt, or what neon color your latest pair of Crocs are. Let's face it, we hardly ever see a female angler that isn't dressed to the nines. Clean, pressed, capped jauntily, and neat as a pin --- right down to her manicured finger nails.
And, when you come off the water, do you sound as good as you look?
Listen to yourself!
Are you supportive to someone else who might have had a bad day? Do you have a smile in your voice as you encourage the newcomer to the tour? Are you on guard against "the rumor of the day?"
Are you aware this is a test?
It's natural for other people to judge you by how you look or act but it's more important to be aware of the example you set by what comes out of your mouth.
Do you quietly go to "the horse's mouth" to express your concerns over the rumor and get the correct answers? Or do you jump to conclusions when a doubt arises regarding the legality of another angler's actions?
Do you question another angler's actions without knowing the full story? Or, do you sit in the boat slip while working on your rods, mouth off across the walkway, and spread rumors through idle (but loud) conversations with your friends?
The reality is we all hear rumors, we all discuss them with our friends, and we all deal with them in our own way. Whether we are trying to or not, we influence others by the way we react to what has been said. Today we live in a world of rapid communication -- and nothing moves faster than a good rumor. When this happens, let's ask ourselves, "If the whole world followed me, would it be a better world?" Please consider what you are doing. Reputations can be ruined by your example and through your influence.
What kind of influence do you have? How do you use it? It's something we all need to assess, if we haven't already, before the 2007 season starts in February.
About the author: Carol Boykin competes as a Co-angler on the Woman's Bassmaster Tour. She is a veteran angler and former Director of the Bass'N Gals Affiliated Clubs.
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Sponsor LoyaltyA look inside the businesses of bass fishing, and why you should support
the businesses that support the fishermen, period.
By Jerry Drazer
Sponsors come in many different capacities, to both the host tournament organizations as well as to tournament anglers. No matter what capacity the sponsor and their sponsorship package may contribute, the bottom line here is that sponsor loyalty begins with you, the bass angler.
In the past year or so, and in the foreseeable future, there may be fewer sponsors as well as a lot less sponsor dollars allocated due to budget cuts. This isn’t good for anyone because these cuts are usually in direct relation to sales volumes. When times are tough, and sales are down, one needs to remember that advertising and promotional budgets are the easiest to reevaluate and/or in some cases simply cut out all together. Therefore, many of the little extra’s anglers have come to expect (or taken for granted) will be eliminated for awhile, some may be permanently it’s hard to tell.
One of the main reasons sponsors come on board with a host tournament organization is because they want your business. Let’s not neglect to remember why the sponsor or anyone else is in business in the first place, to make money. Sure, there are a few sponsors that lend their support because they like the sport, or a particular organization, or person. But, in most cases, sponsor dollars are a derived percentage directly from their promotional and advertising budgets.
A sponsor might view the organization and its distinction as "very good and reputable". Realizing that any organization is only as strong as its membership they try to appeal to these potential customers through the sponsorship package and use of their allocated promotional and advertising dollars. If a sponsor doesn't get a return on their investment through the exposure or through sales they're gone, often never to return.
Welcome, to the business side of bass fishing.
Now, let's analyze four different types of sponsors, their relationship to you, the angler. The four different types of sponsors are pretty straightforward in the name classification I have assigned to them they are: Industry sponsors, Industry/Service sponsors, Non Industry sponsors, and Community Business sponsors.
INDUSTRY SPONSORS
An Industry sponsor is a business that may be selling a customer specific product or service. This type of sponsor is self explanatory, but here’s an example of a customer specific product to clear things up: If the XYZ Company manufactures Bass Widgets, it’s in their best interest to expose the Bass Widget product line to as many bass fishermen as possible. Every household in the United States won’t use a Bass Widget, not every fisherman will either, but the company truly believes every bass fisherman could use one.
So, rather than waste advertising dollars with a blanket advertising campaign, they advertise by contracting a sponsorship/advertising program with the host tournament organization, and/or some of its anglers. This is essentially called "target marketing", and it eliminates wasted advertising dollars, appeals to the "target market population", and helps keep some of their costs down.
Here’s a very quick and simple example of how "target marketing" might work: The XYZ Company has specifically identified bass fishermen as their "target market". So rather than purchasing advertising in the "ABCD Outdoor News", they come on board as a sponsor of the "DCBA National Bass Trail". Their sponsorship of this organization and the two guys on their pro-staff from this circuit gets their name out at tournaments, includes a one year full page ad in The DCBA Trail Magazine, and on the DCBA Trail Internet site.
INDUSTRY / SERVICE SPONSORS
Industry Service sponsors would include marinas, tackle shops etc… They utilize target marketing as well in many cases. Sometimes they sponsor fishermen, purchase ads, or sponsor a circuit. Or any combination of the three.
They sell industry-related products, as well as provide service and product expertise to you the angler. It’s very important to remember that these businesses don’t just sell product, they also sell service. A marina for example, may handle other boat lines, but wants you the bass fisherman to buy your bass boat from them.
Very often, the same marinas that aggressively pursue the bass fishermen provide outstanding service to anglers after the sale. While you may find a little bit better deal in another state, you may pay above and beyond that difference when it comes to service in years to come. Let’s say you have a problem with your boat during a Tuesday night jackpot tournament, and have a big money tournament coming up on Saturday. They’ll usually find a way to work you in the schedule and get your boat fixed before your Saturday event. Why? Because you’re "their customer".
NON-INDUSTRY SPONSORS
Non-Industry sponsors products and services usually have nothing to do with the sport of bass fishing. Non-Industry sponsors aren’t usually looking to target just the bass fishermen, but they actually hope to expand their business horizons and support/business in a new market perhaps. They usually sponsor an event, individual, or organization because of the potential to draw in business from a different segment of the market population. This market segment may not be in their existing customer base, but may need their products or services from time to time.
A non-industry sponsor might also sponsor an organization to further an awareness of their business in the local, regional, or national arenas. We all like to bass fish, but our everyday jobs are very diverse. Some bass fishermen are farmers, contractors, carpenters, factory workers, industrial buyers, engineers, as well as high profile business people. Many Non-Industry sponsors get a lot for their dollar, because bass fishing crosses over and appeals to such diverse segments and cross sections of the market population, and the common link is bass fishing.
COMMUNITY BUSINESS SPONSORS
The community business sponsors may not be official tournament sponsors but they have been pre-selected, and pre-solicited "exclusively" by the host tournament organization to provide you with the very best products and services at discounted rates while you're in town.
They provide these discounted rates in hopes of getting the majority of the market share during weekend of the tournament. Community business sponsors would include but not be limited to: hotels, motels, restaurants, and other businesses in a community that are offering discounts to the tournament fishermen while they're in town. They actively want the tournament angler's to shop at their business.
Community business sponsors like hotels/motels usually give a sizable discount in their rates to get you to stay with them. They actually cut their profit margins in hopes that you’ll stay with them and use their facilities exclusively, they are hoping to make up some of this margin though by filling the block of rooms all weekend. You should stay with them, because they provide many "extras" along with the discount. They accommodate the needs of the host tournament organization and to you the angler. These little added "extras" are usually very convenient, and people don't give much thought to them until they're needed.
(An example of a " added extra" would be a free meeting room for the tournament meeting. This gets anglers out of the weather if its pouring rain and windy, and allows them to hear the briefing and visit with friends. Normally, this community sponsor would get upwards of $200-$300 room rental for the evening, but they give it to the organization because they want their fishermen to stay with them.)
Sure it might cost less to pile 4 people in a room and stay at the "Roach Motel", and eat down the road at "The Greasy Spoon", but you need to remember, the community business sponsor supports you, they accommodate you, and do the extra's for you. Like beefing up security in the parking lot to eliminate theft for example. Now, think about it for a second. If theft occurs, or your boat gets vandalized, you won’t be able to fish, equipment wise or mentally. Your whole weekend has been ruined, because you wanted to save a couple bucks.
Now take a look at the sponsors and advertisers within your organization. If you’re in need of a particular product or service you should always give sponsors and advertisers the first shot at your business. Sponsor loyalty begins with you, the bass angler. Shop their shop. Buy their products and services, and while your at it, tell them "thanks".
After all, they’re supporting you, shouldn’t you support them? It’s a two way street…
Reprinted with permission of Kick'N Bass
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________BOAT BUILDERS BEWARE: Women at WorkBy Carol Boykin
 Jaunita Robinson--Robin Babb--Rhonda Pope
Have you ever tried to interview three different women with three entirely different personalities, asking them the same questions and trying to get a concensus of opinion from them?
Well, forget it! It can't be done! I thought it started off as a great idea. What it ended with was something else again. One was thoughtful, serious, and smiling. The second one was thankful, cautious, and smiling.
And, the third one was jovial, as full of ____ as a Christmas turkey, and grinning. For a minute, I thought I had a consensus - the smile .....
I love them all! And, when you know them, you will too. Over the years, they have all had the time and inclination to enjoy, to dissect, and to dream about what bass fishing COULD be. All the while hoping, wishing, and dreaming of "the big time", of turning dreams into realities and thus into memories. These three anglers are friendly, they are all good anglers, and have repeatedly enjoyed successes - and helped others to do the same. They are good role models.
If I were to choose two words that most describe all three anglers, I would first choose "integrity" - they have it and it allows others to trust them.
My second choice would be "respect" - they value and respect themselves and others - both personally and professionally.
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Before buying a vehicle, check the owner’s manual to be sure the vehicle can tow your trailer and boat. 