I got to meet Yusuke yesterday on Taylor's Bayou. I was fishing one of my go to areas and he came around the corner. As soon as I saw two power poles, I instantly figured it was an elite series guy. It's the first elite series angler I've seen on Taylor's so far.

He idled up pretty close and shutdown. Asked a fairly generic question,,,to the effect of how's the fishing. After I told him I live on Taylor's and fish a minimum of a couple days a week, he wanted to talk more.

Really nice guy that had a great year this year. He qualified for the classic for the first time in his career. I could sense that he was very hungry to continue his good fishing. He had spent Saturday on the Calcasieu. I also could tell he was disappointed in what he has seen and the weights he thinks will be in the hunt.

He did mention that BASS told him there were essentially no boundaries.

What do you mean by "no boundaries"?

They are going to be able to fish pretty much anywhere they want in the vacinity of Orange. It is kinda like them fishing the Louisiana Delta and around New Orleans. I think it will be won in Taylors or the Hillebrandt area. With all the storms we have had in the last several years every spot with the exception of north of the saltwater barrier in Beaumont has had saltwater submersion. Thus killing lots of fish.

Yusuke said BASS told him the boundaries were the ocean. LOL

So basically anywhere you can run, get back, and has bass. That's the way I take it.

I'm not convinced regarding Taylors or Hillebrandt. In saying that, I have absolutely no knowledge of the Sabine, Neches, or Calcasieu. However, I've paid a lot of dues on Taylors and Hillebrandt the past 2 years. Prespawan and spawn are definitely the best times to catch the bigger fish, but I'd say 10 to 12 lbs will put you in the hunt and you're gonna have to do your homework. If we have a warm winter March 15ish can be late.

You think hildebrant and Taylor have that many fish to support it? I haven't fished it since moved Away after getting out of College but man back then it sure didnt.

My family lives on hildebrandt and it cant be won there. Now there are some good days but there are other areas i would definitely rank above it. Id,be in the neches. Caught 20lbs multiple times on that system

The Neches was what I was thinking also. I've had a few 17 pound day there but no 20s like jaret

It will depend heavily on rainfall. If it floods, weights will be down. There are some untouched areas. I wish i was fishing it lol

I agree with Jaret on this one.

One thing is for certain....for those of us that grew up fishing some of these local waters, it's going to be a lot of fun to watch how things go down.

I know that I am very anxious to see how some of these guys fish the areas I feel like I know very well. There are extremely subtle things that can make the difference in getting some decent bites that I just don't feel like any non-local can figure out in a limited amount of time. However, I know there's a lot I don't know and spots that I've overlooked.

Seeing Yusuke yesterday really got me pumped about the event.

Im sure they are getting plenty of local info. I guess it comes down to who gets the best and can execute.

I had the pleasure of taking Yusuke out riding around and fishing a little Friday on the Sabine. Had tons of fun and caught a few fish. After hooking into his 3rd redfish of the day he told me he wanted to go saltwater fishing! So we went out today in the local marsh and put the beat down on some big reds. He had a blast and said he doesnt get to do that kinda thing much cause of such a busy schedule. He was so excited to see bull reds come up and crush a Stanley Ribbit!