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Big Spring Catalog - Contest

The New Catalog is Here Contest

First - I have a tackle review item to share and it is rating the Big Box - Bass Pro Shops Spring Catalog.

Lacking.

Actually - let me refresh that review because while I think it deserves more than one word for a review. If I didn't have to inform you of why I believe this catalog to be only good for recycling and an average worm-bedding, I would stick with a review of absolute lacking in good live bait tackle. Someone correct me but I think black & white newspaper makes better bedding for worms. If this is true, then it is even less desirable - it would only serve as recycling pulp.

I am going to make a contest out of this so read to the end of my review and then add your guess to win a complete set of fishing floats from Bear Tackle.

For catching fish for the average angler (( US )), this catalog is the usual set-back for the bluegill and multi-species angler, it caters to one species. For the rest of us who fish public waters where the fishing pressure is a little higher and the fishing that much tougher - this catalog will prevent you from catching.

Like playing poker, golf or bowling, wishing you had better cards, wishing the shot had gone in or that more pins had fallen doesn't get it done. While you might wear a great poker shirt, a classic bowling outfit or really tricked out golf clothing - this doesn't help you catch fish.

The feeling I used to get when that catalog was - "oh ya, time to stock up". Now the feeling I get is "Where's the Beef?" (TM Wendy's Corporation)... but where is my bluegill-catching gear?

Now the catalog is like finding a needle in a haystack field. There is no good splitshot in this catalog, the hooks aren't good, the lines are too heavy and I don't remember seeing a single float so for me to refer an angler to this catalog would be sending them to a deserted island of tackle or an out-of-business tackle shop.

I had an angler bring up a point regarding artificial lures and this catalog. My advice here is that the even for the majority of (( US )) - they treat the bluegill artificial angler like a red-headed stepchild. No offense to step parents anywhere (or my red-headed readers who might happen to be adopted). Jigs too big, too few, lines designed for much larger lures with no lighter lines - there is no effort to gear anglers like us up. For Bluegill artificials you might find the tiniest bit more that are usable, their reels, some boat rods - but really there should be so much more for us. Even for the Bluegill artificial-(only) angler I am still going to rate this 4 hooks (out of 10). Lacking, inadequate, too heavy- a cliche' selection of one species tackle. No.

For live bait anglers and general fishers - out to catch some fish, some bluegills, this publication missed the boat, got caught by the wind and is now drifting in the middle of the lake. I rate this 1 Hooks (out of 10). I would rate it worse, but they did give me a great contest to offer you.

February & March CONTEST

This contest is open through the "hard water season" and built to get us through the cold. If you guess closest - you will win one of (2) complete 7-piece float set from Bear Tackle the complete setup to catch more panfish like nothing else can. Also (1) Copy of Live Bait Fishing Techniques - Book a gift from David (everyone thank David!)

ONE GUESS per angler. Sets given away on BBG.com, from email, radio show & "other" spots...

Tips to Win: I tore out items and the item information from the 2012 Bass Pro Shops catalog. I took all these clippings and then laid them out on 8.5 x 11" pieces of paper. I made my own catalog of "good stuff" I would recommend from these clippings. I pasted them all down and now have my own catalog.

To win - GUESS the NUMBER of pages in MY Cut-out Bass Pro Shop catalog. This is gear that I thought was a good fit for fishing for bluegills from shore and what I would personally order out of all offered.

Tip #2: Read my blog posts to help get a mental picture for what I think is good.

Guess the number of pages in my altered Pro Shop catalog. When the contest is over (end of March) I will not only announce the winners, but you can download the .pdf of my personal catalog for your own fish-catching tackle shopping.

Tip #3: There IS actually artificial equipment that I found innovative.

Tip #4: There IS some cooking stuff that I found to be really cool.

Tip #5: If you want to catch more fish and bigger fish in 2012 - wait to order until you see my altered catalog!!!

Tip #6: Have Fun - enjoy.

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Comment by Johnny wilkins on February 12, 2012 at 1:27pm: Nope - need for sorry friend - I got it, just wanted to make sure you knew that I got it.

Thanks for the guess - we are underway!

Comment by Dwayne Denison on February 12, 2012 at 1:14pm: Yes Johnny, sorry for confusion

Comment by Johnny wilkins on February 12, 2012 at 12:57pm: 2.5 pages - does that sound like your entry Dwayne?

Comment by Dwayne Denison on February 12, 2012 at 12:47pm: I was not clear on that, thinking fater than typing (a First for me). My guess is 2 single sided pages and half of a third.

Comment by Dwayne Denison on February 12, 2012 at 12:42pm: Because not all the pics in catalog are the same size. I would say your catalog Johnny is more like a flyer. If they were all the same size, I would One front and back page and half another.