The monkey strikes again

[pro reel]

And this time he has some help. I fish a tourney every year at Grand lake. It's the Falcon rods grand chalenge. They have several sponsors and one of the rules is that if a sponsor makes a certain type of bait, then to use that type bait it must be from that sponsor. Big bite baits and jewel jigs have been sponsors for several years. I'm well stocked up on baits from those companies. This year, Bandit has joined with them to sponsor the tourney. That means that we now have a restriction on crankbaits that they can only be Bandit baits. I think I might have a couple of Bandit cranks in the box, but the monkey says i have to get a full selection of any crank I might posibly want to throw there in the bandit brand. Looks like i have some shopping to do.

[Marc David]

Nothing wrong with having too many Bandit cranks, at least they're somewhat light on the wallet. Don't hold back, load up on them.

[carolina-rig-01]

You know the Grand Challenge is a fun event to fish. But I still don't like it because of the restrictions on what type of tackle you have to use. I think it's kinda unfair to tell people what baits they can and can't use. Back when it was just certain jigs and plastics that was bad enough, but guys who didn't have the money to go buy a bunch of baits that they probably won't use other than that one tournament could still get by with throwing spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Then a few years back Hildebrant spinnerbaits were the only spinnerbaits you could use on top of the other restrictions. Now Bandit crankbaits are in the mix too. I rarely throw Bandit crankbaits on Grand unless it's shallow running baits, and never throw Hildebrandt spinnerbaits or Jewel jigs (since I own a jig company). But to fish it I have to go and buy baits that I don't even like and end up fishing baits I don't even have confidence in during a tournament. I just can't believe they have the turn out they do for this tournament for this reason alone.

Anyways I wasn't trying to turn your thread into a rant or hijack it. Bandit makes a good product congrats on stocking up on them. I hope you stocked up on Firetiger or as we call it around here, Grand Lake Green *hint hint*

[pro reel]

I still have several hilde spinner baits from that year. I have caught a few fish on them, they are decent baits. I will get some fire tiger. That worked good for me there a few years ago. I also did good on a bright red bait there. I will probably get some shad color baits also, in case the water is clear. I usually fish cranks around rip rap at that time of year. I don't think the bass will be on deep points at that time, but it depends on the weather. I don't like the bait restrictions either. I see the falcon rods restriction, since it's their tourney, but I guess they need other sponsors to help pay the bills. I just wish they wouldn't change it every year. I guess they figure that if they give you a couple of baits from each sponsor, then that should do ya. Yea right! I did that the first year. Waited to see what baits we got and then drove all over down there trying to buy more in colors or sizes i liked. Now I have a suitcase full of big bite baits, dozens of Eakins jigs, and jewel shakey heads. Most of that stuff gets put up and is used only for this tourney.

[carolina-rig-01]

Originally Posted by pro reel

I still have several hilde spinner baits from that year. I have caught a few fish on them, they are decent baits. I will get some fire tiger. That worked good for me there a few years ago. I also did good on a bright red bait there. I will probably get some shad color baits also, in case the water is clear. I usually fish cranks around rip rap at that time of year. I don't think the bass will be on deep points at that time, but it depends on the weather. I don't like the bait restrictions either. I see the falcon rods restriction, since it's their tourney, but I guess they need other sponsors to help pay the bills. I just wish they wouldn't change it every year. I guess they figure that if they give you a couple of baits from each sponsor, then that should do ya. Yea right! I did that the first year. Waited to see what baits we got and then drove all over down there trying to buy more in colors or sizes i liked. Now I have a suitcase full of big bite baits, dozens of Eakins jigs, and jewel shakey heads. Most of that stuff gets put up and is used only for this tourney.

I can almost understand the rod restrictions.........almost. It's their tournament so I can see them making everyone use their rods. But what if Nichols made you use only Triton boats in their Triton series? Or Ranger boats in the Ranger series? Or better yet what if they required you to only use boats bought from them all together? It's their tourney and they can set the rules however they want, but I just think it's a little unfair to a guy who doesn't care for the brands of baits you are required to use. The most important thing any angler can have is confidence. And if you have two identical spinnerbaits but each one was made by a different company, one company you love and the other you hate you are going to catch way more fish on the spinnerbait that is made by a company you like. Anyways last year during that tournament there was a really good spinnerbait bite on the rip rap around bridges. Couldn't get a crankbait bite but slow rolling a spinnerbait was the deal. A week before that we had 22lbs on a bomber crankbait in 4 feet of water on a pea gravel bank. This winter has been a strange one so who knows where they will be by then, I guess that gives us something to figure out at the get together.

[bamabassman]

kory.....i can see waht you are saying coming in the future. really i can.

as for th bandit baits............you are gonna LOVE them pro. i promise you that.

[nofearengineer]

Hell, Kory....all of the big tournaments are like that in a way....I couldn't believe it when I read the Bassmasters rules...

The one about a wrapped boat being required to participate. That tells me that the whole thing is just one big commercial, and not about being the best fisherman. I know sponsorship money is what pays the bills, but to be that blatant is just twisted. What they're doing is ramming the system down your throat, not the products.

[walkeraviator]

Someone should fish teh Bassmaster with a Boat wrapped with teh exact paint scheme as the boat without a wrap. Im that kind of guy, when i see stupid rules i find a way to screw with teh people making the rules...

[Bender]

Originally Posted by walkeraviator

Someone should fish teh Bassmaster with a Boat wrapped with teh exact paint scheme as the boat without a wrap. Im that kind of guy, when i see stupid rules i find a way to screw with teh people making the rules...

Or just wrap it like a brown paper bag or a Christmas gift. I've never heard of a tournament requiring you to use certain baits. Most of the time I just hear about bonuses for using certain things like such-and-such net, etc. I don't think I would be interested in something like that even though I have a lot of Bandits.

I've never been to Grand but in Bandits I really love the 200 series. The 300s and 100s have worked well too, but the 200s are great. I really like the Spring Craw. The only one that I have ever heard anything bad about was the 700 and not being able to get it to run straight.

[BigBassin144]

All the stupid rules aside, Bandit are great crankbaits!

BB

[Kicksomebass]

I love bandits, definately one of the better cranks out there! I throw their 200 series above grass down here on the Potomac as well as around wood and stumps anywhere i go! Produced plenty of 3 - 4 lbers on the Firetiger.

[walkeraviator]

I like Bandits, especially for the price. I like to throw these when there is a possibility a toothy critter may try and take one from me.