10-29-2003, 10:49 PM
[cool]I fished mostly western bass, back in the olden days. Most tournaments in California, with the occasional trip to Mead and Powell. That was in the days when there was no money and few sponsors. You had to be independently wealthy to afford your habit. Sometimes made back expenses.
Arizona is a surprising state. Most people picture it as nothing but sand and cactus. But, an unknown statistic is that there are more boats per capita than any other state. There are several decent reservoirs within easy driving distance of the major population centers, so everybody gets a boat to play in the water. It's either that or lay under the air conditioning for 9 months of the year.
We have moutains over 10,000 feet, and several areas with pine trees, running streams and trout lakes. We DO have smallmouth, largemouth, northern pike and walleyes...however, our only good perch pond has been dry for almost three years in the drought. Our state record walleye is over 16 pounds, and smallmouth is about 7.5, I think. There are largemouth over 18...netted in fisheries surveys, but the catch record is just under 17.
I used to work for a company out of FLorida, so I got in several good off duty trips...guided by the locals. My biggest largie was 15-13 out of a no name lake in central Florida. Caught plenty in the 10 range in Okeechobee on live shiners. Also hooked a 6 foot gator...but I didn't lip him.
As I mentioned, I lived quite a while in California and have fished most of the big bass waters from San Diego to the Oregon border. Biggest fish from California waters was an estimated 14 pounder from Otay, near San Diego. Also played with some biggies from Lake Casitas, when I lived in Santa Barbara.
I have never met Kevin, but have watched him on a lot of the televised tournaments. He does win his share.
Let me know when the bottom drops out of your thermometer and I will PM some nice warm Arizona sunshine. At least that's what I promised lonehunter last year. Then he sent me a pic of him in shorts...with his bony white legs...and that did it. We already have enough of those from the annual snowbird migration. The leaves don't change here, but the license plates do.
[signature]
Arizona is a surprising state. Most people picture it as nothing but sand and cactus. But, an unknown statistic is that there are more boats per capita than any other state. There are several decent reservoirs within easy driving distance of the major population centers, so everybody gets a boat to play in the water. It's either that or lay under the air conditioning for 9 months of the year.
We have moutains over 10,000 feet, and several areas with pine trees, running streams and trout lakes. We DO have smallmouth, largemouth, northern pike and walleyes...however, our only good perch pond has been dry for almost three years in the drought. Our state record walleye is over 16 pounds, and smallmouth is about 7.5, I think. There are largemouth over 18...netted in fisheries surveys, but the catch record is just under 17.
I used to work for a company out of FLorida, so I got in several good off duty trips...guided by the locals. My biggest largie was 15-13 out of a no name lake in central Florida. Caught plenty in the 10 range in Okeechobee on live shiners. Also hooked a 6 foot gator...but I didn't lip him.
As I mentioned, I lived quite a while in California and have fished most of the big bass waters from San Diego to the Oregon border. Biggest fish from California waters was an estimated 14 pounder from Otay, near San Diego. Also played with some biggies from Lake Casitas, when I lived in Santa Barbara.
I have never met Kevin, but have watched him on a lot of the televised tournaments. He does win his share.
Let me know when the bottom drops out of your thermometer and I will PM some nice warm Arizona sunshine. At least that's what I promised lonehunter last year. Then he sent me a pic of him in shorts...with his bony white legs...and that did it. We already have enough of those from the annual snowbird migration. The leaves don't change here, but the license plates do.
[signature]