I think that the SAL program has benefitted a large number of big bass to date. My goal like many others has been to reach the bench mark of 13 pounds or larger. Thus large numbers of bass between 8 and 12 pounds have been released to grow larger.
Will I ever catch a 13 pounder? Not likely unless Ken Addington invites me to join him at Camelot Bell.
But it is nice to know that on any cast at the 26th best lake in the nation that I could achieve my goal.
The SAL program is funded by private sponsors and has brought a lot of publicity and a lot of $$$$ into the Texas economy, thus I will continue to support the program. IMHO

Right. An "education" doesn't make you smart. Hard to believe that some think "The Mystery of Life" is as simple as a degree,then 2+2.

I completely disagree with this statement... It does make a difference in what field/industry it is in and just so I don't take up a bunch of space here are 2 examples...
1) I would rather have a pilot that just got his license flying my plane than some guy that has been flying a simulator in his garage for 10 years...
2) I would rather have a heart surgeon that just graduated doing my surgery then some guy that has been studying hearts and how they react on animals in his barn...

I think whoever started this thread should get banned for 2 weeks....and then ban that Yankee for adding fuel to the fire....or was it liquor?

This is Texas...and us Texans are going to do it OUR way. If you don't like it, cross the red river and go fish for those trophy 6 lbers up North.

Yes, life is more complicated than a successful businessman. But an education makes someone more prepared to succeed in their field. Not saying experience does not come into play, but would you hire someone without an accounting degree with no experience or someone with an accounting degree with no experience?

Pretty sure you just proved my point. Key terms, simulation and studying. Think about it.

Last time I checked they don't have a 22 year old running the SAL program. I believe those will the SAL program have handled more than James so experience and education goes to them. But I will still contribute a bottle of liquor to him next time Im down there.

I'll contribute another if he'll let me help him drink it

I have to agree with him for the most part. I do think the share a lunker program has done good things for fishing in general in Texas due to the publicity. But I don't think its producing bigger fish. The man stated facts plain and simple to back up his views. I haven't seen one rebuttal yet of anything more than opinion. One thing I will say is I think lake 26 was so good at one point it may have given us unreal expectations if we are trying to beat those numbers from the early share a lunker days.

has this turned into a liquor thread?

Ya'll worried bout killin those basses but think nuttin about poisoning your own liver..... just sayin. Lots of big bass in TX SAL or no..

Has SL been good to the state of Texas? How could anyone disagree with that statement and yet here we are.

Is there anyone here who tournament fished in the 70's? Does anyone remember how Monticello came to prominence and how it broke the then 40 year old state record?
Anyone who tournament fished before the Florida bass was introduced to Texas remembers how much different the fish size was back then.




SL did help Texas and maybe we're not talking about from the get go but yes it made a 10 pound fish in Texas much much more common.
Even at Falcon as a child we caught lots and lots of nice fish. It has always been the best tournament lake in the state if you go by the number of hours required to catch a fish. Falcon back then did not have many if any fish over 10 pounds. If it did I never saw them. So did SL contribute to this or is it just something new? I don't know but I think short memories may try to make a case against the SL program and maybe their input today is not as much as it was back then but I think it more than likely contributes. Its just not as easy to show.

Point was he would hire someone with experience over someone without even if they had a degree. Completely different question in my mind.

You guys don't even want me to get on my soap box about education. The everybody needs a degree BS is ruining this country. A degree doesn't equal success or knowledge. I have been to college and know exactly what it takes to get that piece of paper. It doesn't replace what hard work can create!!!

I hire on talent. Lots of talented people that don't have the benefit of a degree.

i might jump in on this thread if it doesnt get locked up...