5 1/2 years ago on August 8th 2003 I picked up my BRAND NEW Ranger 621 SVS. It was an awesome boat! Seven weeks later; early on the morning of Sunday September 28th I got a call from the Storage Facility Manager that my boat was on fire. Talk about a rude awakening!! To make a long story short, it was my boat that started the fire that did a bunch of damage to the building and 28 other boats (sorry CapNJoe) and RV's. (Did you know some of those RVs cost over $500,000?!?)

The litigation, depositions, questions and grilling from the investigators, attorneys, Fire Department, Insurance Companies, etc., took several years to finally get everything settled. While that all was going on, my fishing pretty much came to a total halt. Every single rod / reel / lure / I mean everything I owned for fishing was in that boat and destroyed. I have done very little fishing in the last 5 years.

Finally, almost five years to the day of the fire, I have gotten another boat, a Shearwater Z2400 Center Console (I love it!). I am planning on participating in the Texas Striper Association Tournaments but need / would like a partner(s). Most of my friends are fair weather fishermen or would rather golf on the weekends. So if there is anyone here that would like to join me in participating in the tournaments please let me know. I got a lot to learn and probably won't do real well, but will give it a try. Actually a partner for anytime, not just tournaments would be welcome.

GMB

I live in carrollton, my folks are in Midlothian. I would be willing to fish with you anytime (schedule permitting). I am fairly new to striper fishing, but am really looking to learn alot. All my experience is on Texoma, ripping slabs and running topwaters. I was lucky enough to be a guest-fisherman on a TV show last year (Honey Hole Productions), and thats when the striper bug really bit.

What sort of partnership are you looking for?

GMB...Welcome back to fishing and I have to tell you that hooking up with the Texas Striper Association is the best decision you could make.

I have not been able to fish the TSA for the last 2 years but everyone in the TSA is very helpful and my ability to catch bait and stripers was improved way faster than if I had just fished on my own. Lot of good tips to pick up, good friends and good times!!!!

Enjoy the new boat, the TSA and good luck on getting a partner. You might contact the TSA President Danny (Nauti Pilots) and see if he knows someone that needs a partner that is already in the TSA.

Welcome GM Bryant

You will enjoy the TSA and learn a bunch real fast. You may want to ask Capt Joe if he wants to fish with you some. He is real busy these days and does not get his boat out much.

When fishing the TSA ask lots of questions! All the top fishermen will help you if you ask. They may not tell you there exact fishing hole for that tournament but most will get you headed in the right direction with tactics and areas to fish.Good luck finding someone to fish with. Looking foward to meeting you at Texoma.

Ditto what the others have said. After our first full year of participation I can tell you Team Sharcbait learned tons. It's a great bunch of folks. Hope to see you at Texoma in three weeks.

To All,

I appreciate the encouragement / invites. I do plan on being at the Texoma Tournament. Been wanting to do this for many years and really am looking forward to it!


GMB

Good to have you back on the fishing scene!

Sorry to hear about the new boat burning up. I understand about the fair weather friend fishing partners too. I have been able to fish three TSA tournaments it the past and enjoyed the very much. I don't do much good but usually manage to find something to wiegh in. ( two out of three tournaments) All in all, I have to hand to those folks. I have had a bunch of fun and learned some things. I am gonna try to fish all TSA tournaments this year if my crew holds, unfortunatly I am the only one who can throw a castnet and my shoulder started giving me fits this year. Funny how buddies alway's want to fish after you've done all the work and tend to drift off when it comesto cleaning time. LOL