MLF is Live on Smith Mountain

[Meadows]

MLF seems to have fixed most of the things that were holding them back the last few years especially. They really do produce a terrific fan friendly product.

100%. They certainly know and understand their fan base and have the best product out there right now.

[basshammerwannabe]

He was just throwing a chop style glide, I did find it interesting how much rod input and retrieve speed he was giving it though.

Blade bait this time of year would be interesting for sure. It's easily my favorite winter bait. It's a big fish bait in my experience.

Yeah I was like wow a blade bait now that's interesting lol

[tcesni]

What is Neal throwing? Been out catching some small fish on big bass Jordan lake and a sunburn! Got hot out there! Was nice this morning though couple buzz bait fish are always fun .. y'all said Neal throwing a blade bait?

Neal caught essentially all his fish on a simple SPRO double willow bladed spinner bait. Mid-day he did drop down from a 1/2 oz. lure to a smaller one (3/8 or 1/4?) as he said too many fish were missing it and it seemed to keep the pattern going. Once he hit 75 lbs. he went to new water and started throwing a glide bait looking for a $10,000 fish.

[n2theblue]

What is the draw of still using the "tournament provided boats"? I know they did this in the early days of the MLF stuff (I used to love seeing the guys choose the Basscats over the other brands - at least I assumed it was their choice), but now on BPT I thought it was strictly angler's boats. Also surprised they are still doing A/B, but I suppose there is a reason. With only 30 anglers though to me it doesn't make much sense. Maybe better for the "going for the win or going for the daily big fish" angle later on.

Not complaining, just curious. Maybe they still under a previous existing contract? Getting more exposure for Lowrance as a Trail Sponsor? Although I see a few PP Moves...but no Garmin FFS allowed, only AT?

@BassCatBoats can probably expand on them still using "tournament boats" for some events...

since this is a special event outside the regular season they do it in the style of the old cup events.

[Fuzzy12]

Love the lake and the steep sides and shade. Mike Neal was at home!

[BassinPaPaw]

I think when you some you all hear “blade bait” you’re thinking of like a silver buddy type bait. A lot of us call a spinnerbait a blade bait. Neal was using a spinnerbait.

[Venandii77]

Crochet is at the mouth of Lynnville Creek right now (R61). There are some good deep laydowns in front of him if he’s out the bladed hog down. Might be too deep for him though.

spinner baits up underneath trees all day. Hardly touched ffs

[borderbasser]

good tourney

[tcesni]

I’m not hearing much love for the Lowrance units this morning from the anglers.

[Bobby Gray]

What is the draw of still using the "tournament provided boats"? I know they did this in the early days of the MLF stuff (I used to love seeing the guys choose the Basscats over the other brands - at least I assumed it was their choice), but now on BPT I thought it was strictly angler's boats. Also surprised they are still doing A/B, but I suppose there is a reason. With only 30 anglers though to me it doesn't make much sense. Maybe better for the "going for the win or going for the daily big fish" angle later on.

Not complaining, just curious. Maybe they still under a previous existing contract? Getting more exposure for Lowrance as a Trail Sponsor? Although I see a few PP Moves...but no Garmin FFS allowed, only AT?

@BassCatBoats can probably expand on them still using "tournament boats" for some events...

And I know it's been said many many times this year already, but BPT's production is like a breath of fresh air after watching BASS :(. I am a fan of both, watch both, but do lean towards BASS b/c of angers I am fans of, but boy BASS has been a Sh$tshow this year. BPT seems to be maturing nicely... Head down, just get it done style - no drama this year.

I think the draw of using the MLF boats is being able to promote MLFs own sponsors completely, notice that the anglers are also wearing the MLF logo jerseys also.. since no entry fees for a very lucrative special event, they can sell this to those sponsors.

[Big-E]

I think the draw of using the MLF boats is being able to promote MLFs own sponsors completely, notice that the anglers are also wearing the MLF logo jerseys also.. since no entry fees for a very lucrative special event, they can sell this to those sponsors.

Spot on.

[vafishing]

Wish they'd hold these HH events on true big Bass factories. Could be worse though, there's always the Elite Series or the Sabine

You've obviously never been to Smith Mountain Lake. Place is loaded with big fish. They had a crap ton of rain out there this week so probably making it fish real hard.

[tcesni]

You've obviously never been to Smith Mountain Lake. Place is loaded with big fish. They had a crap ton of rain out there this week so probably making it fish real hard.

7” at my house. I hit a tree or log at 2:30 am today coming back from a club night derby. I was purposely going “slow” and was fortunate to have any visible damage. Tons of pleasure boat traffic this weekend and quite windy. I’m betting fishing improves beginning tomorrow.