jedimaster

Really means alot to have everyone support. Thank you all. I will be certain to keep everyone update on the ups and downs of the season as it unfolds.

Now if only I could learn to type, lol. I re read some of what I posted. Wow. I am gonna blame it on the nerves as I still get chills sitting here staring at the flw trophy on the shelf beside my tv. Really the best part of the whole thing as far as results go is having that top 5 on the first tournament of the season and having 195 points banked in 6 event series. Huge. Last year the 5th place guys got 995 points total. That leaves me 800 points to accumulate over the last 5 events to have a shot at a top 5 that nets a good chunk of cash, an invite into the tour invitationals and invite to go pro next season. A top 100 grants me entry back in as a co angler. It's getting ahead of myself I know but just as in any sport points watching starts day 1. Top 100's average all the way should get me in contention for an invite back and a top 40 average should get me close to a top 5. One cast, One fish, one bag, one tournament at a time. For me this year my eyes are set on learning the tour lakes, picking up tricks of the trade from the pros and continuing to build on my knowledge and of course enjoy fishing.

Honestly when I started it, it was all about fishing a bucket list lake, I figured the entry is close to what I would have paid for guides for two days. I just fished as hard as I could and came away with an awesome couple days of fishing. If anyone goes down there blind feel free to drop me a line. I learn a lot while I was down there. Would be happy to help people out. Just an amazing fishery. Did you guys know that the state of Florida pays anglers 100 dollars cash for pictures and measurements of any 8 pound or larger fish as well as location and lure. They use that info and post it on a website to help boost the fishing tourism industry.

I did fish bbt yes with my cousin. He still fishes them. I had lots of fun fishing those. Maybe will try and get to some again. Thanks to everyone for the kind words. Really I can't say it enough all the kind words meant and means so much to me. if you are a torunament guy or girl. It's something you should really experience. Unlike anything I have fished up here.

Scott Wiley on day 1 and Pete Ponds day 2. Although I out fished both guys I can tell these guys can flat out fish. Cast control, knowledge, driving skill, finding fish, these guys are pros in every sense. I plan on keeping my Facebook site more up to date and keep my progress and perpetration work documented so if anyone wants to follow my page that would be great. https://www.facebook.com/Vince-Yonemitsu-Fishing-673589596113335/

To be honest I didn't really do anything different than I normally did it accept for fish with heavier braid and bigger hooks. As was in my interview on the flw website after day one I figured that my pro was smashing smaller ones but he was sure there was bigger ones, I caught a 3.5 puns female that was spawned out so so I went on the bigger ones having spawned out as well, I ran my lure deeper into the weeds. They seemed to be hiring at the end of casts so I thought maybe they are a bit spooky having spawned recently. So I started bomb casting. Really it sounds like an ad but those ardent grands damn so they cast far. I also had a new curado with me and it couldn't cast nearly as far. Long casts quick adaptations to colour and retrieve techniques to try and weed out the small ones. Varied the size and thickness of plastic but really I caught good fish on blue, black, green, purple. Dark seemed like the right colour more than the actually color. Technique wise it was a lite bite, I could feel them tail biting them, so when I was getting a bite I would drop and dead stick then wait for another pull and slam it home up on my toes and pull them in fast as I could with the drag set to max. I spent a lot of time watching the pro and adapting and varying different retrieve rates casting areas and lengths I didn't really stil to one pattern for very long til I found one that got me into big fish. After I started slamming them the pros were looking back and eye balling me a bit was a very cool experience. I will stick to the same plan, fish the water given to me with the stuff I know, try and figure what's working or not and try to dial in a better and better presentation as the day carries on.

The one thing I will say is the anglers in the tournament both Pro's and Co Anglers were amazing people. Everyone was so friendly and openly shared info. People were helping eachother with advice, what was and wasn't working, areas that were hot or not even up until blast off. It really felt like a bunch of friends going to bag some fish together. Was an amazing experience. I mean up here at any tournament man you don't even get a sniff of what people are doing and even after as we all know its mums the word. I mean I guess with the TV coverage down there and the sheer size of the field with people fishing shoulder to shoulder at times its a little harder to keep secrets anyway. Truly though I made some great friends and continues to be a great experience. Anyone considering these events I would strongly recommend it. Even as my plan was just to get out there and see how the US pros fish is well worth the price of admission in my eyes. The first day was actually pretty funny, I was meeting my pro at Walmart where the final day weigh in was to be held and I drove in and drove across the roped off area and dragged about 10 rebars 50 feet before realizing what I did. I got out and everyone was killing themselves laughing. We all had a good laugh together and not 2 minutes later a pro wheeled in and he dig the same thing ont he other end. Boy was that every a relief. I tell you this having 169 boats all shut down there motors and everyone rising to hear Leane Rhymes belt out the national anthem was bone chilling to say the least. I mean ok so I found out after it was a recording but yah I didn't know any better at the time. It was really awesome to see the big stage in person and here him hollering out Five Bass limit for 18 pounds 11 onces, your new tournament leader. Something I will never forget after watching that on TV for I don'tknow how many years. Living the dream as they say... for this OFC'r the dream is living on one bite at a time.

Hey guys. its been a crazy week so far. What a great tournament and series. Day 1 was awesome. I mean it didn't start out that way. I had a hit from a giant right at the boat and didn't get a hook into it. After that my first fish didn't come until about 2 hours later right when the camera boat came over. Once that first fish got boated it was on. I ended up taking the day 1 lead with 18pounds 11 ounces and two giants. They were fully spawned out and very skinny but man were they long and such huge heads. They would have been all of 8-10 pounds if they were pre spawn. Day 2 was a big more difficult but I landed a number of fish and ended up in 5th place as above mentioned. Couldn't have asked for a better result and experience. My pros were awesome, the new Ardent Grand reels were excellent as were the smattering of Ardent edge rods I had in the boat. I was being pretty versatile throughout the day changing techniques, colors and presentations throughout. I got so many messages between day 1 and 2 and even after that the congrats kept rolling in. I am all registered up to finish the season and am looking forward to the next event on Hartwell on March 17th and 18th. Here are a few of the pictures from the event. I was edged out of 4th by one ounce and would have had the tie breaker as I had the single day bigger bag. No complaints at all though.

I wish I could get just 4 channels, WFN, TSN, Sportsnet and wild, I would pay like say 20 bucks per month even

Yah, my goal is first and foremost to put on on the culling string. After that a limit each day. I have done a fair bit of back boat tournament fishing so I have a whole other mindset when fishing from the back and usually do pretty good fishing the already touched water and finding other pieces. Anyway the experience of the stage and lake is why I am going. Will be awesome and thanks for the info.

Should be a blast. I know some folks don't like the Scott Martin Challenge show, but It was may favorite for a long time. I can't wait to get down there. Would be crazy awesome to get paired up with him or really any of the big guys. Have been gathering tones of great info on the lake it all helps.

Well I made a snap decision to Fish the FLW Tour's opening event at Okeechobee begining of Feb. Going to be an awesome experience, starting to research the lake. How awesome would it be to get paired up with one of the big pros and get on TV. haha. Just totally phsyced to fish that lake and to fish it in that series, awesome. Anyone spent any time on the lake in Feb or late jan before?

OMG, so I totally forgot about this thread, I got some reading to do. lol

I saw Star Wars last night... Loved it.. but yah 18.50 per ticket. yeouch

I just got off the phone with the brewery in BC, they said they can't ship. Oh well, but she did tell me to start looking for Viena Red Lagers, so I guess that has me with a start to find a suitable replacement.

I can take it. A bit of a hijack but its all good. The three crafts I bought were all ok, but not close in taste to the BC one. I think I am going to go back to BC in the next month I will need to bring some back with me. A beer tasting party seems like a great idea. Down Town Brown - Was ok, a bit too bitter for my liking but nice texture Mill Street Organic - Was actually nice but nothing like what I was looking for. Mill street 100th meridian - The best of the three but too thin in texture and more smokey than the flavour I was looking for

I have no idea. I have a line on getting it sent out here through work, but if I can find one locally that's as good then even better.

Ok so there is this beer I used to drink in BC, its called Hoyne Off the Grid. I know they don't sell it here. Its so unfortunate as it truly is the best beer I have ever had. Its classed as a red pilsner. Caramel in color and has is hoppier than most pilsners a bit thick tasting and has a slightly sweet not fruity flavor. Here is a link to the place that makes it. http://hoynebrewing.ca/#beers Click on Off the grid to get its details. Does anyone have any ideas of any Ontario beers that would be similar... I bought a few at the beer store today will try them out tonight. Oh and if you ever go to BC make sure you try this beer and bring me back a case or two. haha

So here is one for you to ponder... Will they ban it from public places. As is booze? I mean if I can't walk my dog with a beer in my hand sipping away, why would someone be allowed to smoke pot while walking down the street?

headhunter. My own personal opinion on pot legalization? I think it should be legally allowed to be used with minimal bull crap for those that actually need it. Having been with someone that had MS. The actual process of using and obtaining a license for it is much more of a process than you would think should be for someone that really could have used it. It was actually just easier and less effort to stand on the corner and ask someone for a joint than go through the process. The thing that really pisses me off is the average joe pothead who uses medicinal qualities as a guise for them just wanting to get high legally. Its such a lame excuse imo as I have no doubt 90percent of the people that complain about pot and mention medicinal qualities have no such need for it. Any of the people at MS support groups I went to do there very best to hide anything to do with pot. I don't have MS nor do I smoke pot. Have I? Sure in highschool like most people though I grew out of it and enjoy a fine scotch over a bag of weed any day of the week. Do I think its a nanny state to have pot illegal? No I thin its common sense. Its a drug. It has negative side effects. It effects other people in your life whether you care to admit it or even look at it. It stinks. It sets a terrible example for children who don't yet have the capacity to reason that recreational drug use is ok under circumstance A but not ok in circumstance B. I have my reasons for thinking it should remain illegal for recreational use. I think there are some good reasons for it to be legalized. However IMO the scales are tipped in favour of keeping it illegal for recreational use. Now having said that, a lot of people I know smoke pot and I don't care. I frequently get asked if I want a drag or a toke, I just say, nah not my thing, I enjoy my cigs, cigars and scotch just fine. Smitty, in the states they pick a fairly arbitrary parts per million in the blood stream. They will likely do the same here. The problem with Pot is its really difficult, almost impossible to grow pot at an X parts per million THC level. Even within one strand of bud. How old is it, how long was it dried for, was it cured properly, stored properly etc... Its not like beer where you know you are getting 4.9% alchohol in a bottle. Imagine if beer cold range from 2% to 40 percent alcohol with no taste, visual or scent difference. Molson would be out of business with law suits. Afaik most companies that mass produce for legalized areas stick to edibles where they can more accurately measure levels and put a sticker on them. There are a lot of intricate things that would need to be done and the Colorado governor had an article published with warnings to other areas looking to legalize about inflated budgets to legalize, how to police etc... it is a big difficult winding road and for what gain? What is the possible loss? To say its only a win win is very naïve imo.

Honestly do you guys actually believe that being high is not an issue for drivers? I am not entirely against legalizing pot, I am just saying people that smoke pot generally feel that everyone should just accept it because they are the norm and its ok. There are many pot related deaths, accidents, and yes even murders. Of course the argument that, Oh its not the pot that made the person kill someone, the person was messed up to begin with. So then you must feel the same about drunk drivers, or anyone on any drug. Its one of those things like Apple people. Oh its the best because I use it. Really? Feature for feature a Galaxy is far superior. Anyway here is just one link. Not everyone is smart enough to not get high and drive. Just like not everyone is smart enough to not drink and drive. I am not saying there is going to be a massive increase but an increase in impaired drivers is certain. Every state that has legalized has the facts on this. Like I said I am not against it but to turn a blind eye is a bit... well blind. They use a blood test to determine THC levels in your body. Are you going to be ok with cops pulling you over at a ride patrol and smelling pot in the car and then hauling you into the station for a blood test? To say that it will have zero affect is both ignorant and naive. https://www.codot.gov/safety/alcohol-and-impaired-driving/druggeddriving http://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/DrugsAlcohol/Marijuana/ImpairedDrivingMarijuana.aspx

Kinda feel like a drive.

Ok so whats the furthest south for ice? I have no idea why but I kinda want to go this weekend.

Why not Cocaine or LSD or shrooms? Sure alcohol is legal. But its already legal. Why not Steroids? Why not Viagra or Cialis? Why should you need a prescription for Tylenol 3? I personally am not saying it should be illegal. Medically yes it has a place. So medically for marijuana yes with a prescription why not. For recreational use why not just allow everything to everyone without a prescription. Like Steroids, Viagra, Tylenol 3, Codeine, Oxy etc... A drug is a drug regardless of the use, benefits or side affects. I think it should be regulated. Taking away things that are already legal is a different story like say caffeine.