2017 Florida Bragging Rights Classic Location ??

[Capt. BassinLou]

Ok FLBR Crew, its that time of year again where we discuss what location to hold this year's FLBR classic.

Here's a recap for the newer Club member's:

Year 1: Lake Kissimmee (Grape Hammock)

Year 2: Lake Kissimmee (Grape Hammock)

Year 3: Lake Istopoga (Henderson's)

Year 4: Lake ?? ( ??)

Please provide your suggestion and your why's. I would like to narrow down a location sooner than later so I can begin the leg work in the accommodations. New locations are always welcome but keep them in Central FL area for logistical reasons due to the fact that several of us are spread across the state.

Looking froward to seeing all you guys again and meeting several of you for the first time. 

For those of you who have never attended a Classic, I highly recommend you attend one. It's one of the  trips I highly look forward to attending every year for the last 4 years. I have created lifelong friends, learned to fish new bodies of water, that I may not have other wise fished, and I get to compete amongst friends on a smaller scale. I love it!! Great food, fun atmosphere, great fishing locations, dang... October can't get here fast enough.   

[cport]

I know there are some great fishing areas south, but I would think any central fl lake, or st johns south, would be great. Are non boaters welcome?

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[Capt. BassinLou]

I know there are some great fishing areas south, but I would think any central fl lake, or st johns south, would be great. Are non boaters welcome?

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Yes Cport, non-boaters are very welcome. We do our best to accommodate everyone,  and so far knock on wood, each year has worked out.

[Mike Cork]

I think you all should come to Louisiana and fish Caddo Lake. I'll provide the boats Pile into a couple vehicles and Road Trip it up here

I love that you all do this, it tops off the FBR experience

[Capt. BassinLou]

I think you all should come to Louisiana and fish Caddo Lake. I'll provide the boats Pile into a couple vehicles and Road Trip it up here

I love that you all do this, it tops off the FBR experience

Mike, careful watch you ask for... lol!!

[Tressbasser]

Stick Marsh?

[Capt. BassinLou]

Stick Marsh?

Stick marsh is cool place, I don't think stick marsh has a fish camp to accommodate people for 2.5 days and their boats though.

[Tressbasser]

Nope, it's in the sticks (bad pun intended). tbh, I should have no say-so in the location whatsoever. Anywhere you guys decide is cool with me.

[SFL BassHunter]

This is a tough one Lou! Very tough.

Can I vote for the lake that Lee built and manages?
We don't need boats, just a bunch of bank fishing. Play right into my strengths!      

[SFL BassHunter]

Jokes aside, I am ok with whatever you guys decide on.

I am good with Kissimmee, or Istokpoga or even a new location like Caddo Lake!

[Lipripper]

I think you all should come to Louisiana and fish Caddo Lake. I'll provide the boats Pile into a couple vehicles and Road Trip it up here

I love that you all do this, it tops off the FBR experience

They do that and I might even fly in for that one. 

[Capt. BassinLou]

Jokes aside, I am ok with whatever you guys decide on.

I am good with Kissimmee, or Istokpoga or even a new location.

I think I may know the answer to this one, but Rick if you could only pick one location where would you choose?

[Capt. BassinLou]

@ FishinDaddy, is last year's Plan B location a good possibility?

[SFL BassHunter]

I think I may know the answer to this one, but Rick if you could only pick one location where would you choose?

Amelia Earhart Park?

[Capt. BassinLou]

Amelia Earhart Park?

smh....

[SFL BassHunter]

I'd like to go to a lake where we don't have a 15 foot chop... how about that? lol

[Capt. BassinLou]

I'd like to go to a lake where we don't have a 15 foot chop... how about that? lol

I think we all would like that. I can't control mother nature. Fishing after a hurricane did make things interesting... 

[SFL BassHunter]

I think we all would like that. I can't control mother nature. Fishing after a hurricane did make things interesting... 

I'd like to fish poga again if I had to pick one lake to fish. I have a score to settle with that bigun that got away from me when I pitched into that duckweed. As long as there aren't hurricane, or post hurricane force winds.
The fishing was absolutely miserable though for the most part.

[BarryFL]

'poga would be my preference, after canceling last year, but I'm good with what works for everyone else.

Tress can backseat with me. 






I'll treat him like a backseater on Ultimate Match Fishing, so the rest of us will have a chance. 

[Deadeye]

Ahh, I was wondering when this thread would show up. Knew it would be soon so that Accommodations could be checked on.

Grape Hammock at Kissimmee treated us good both times we stayed there. Hendersons on Poga seemed good as well, although I didn't care for the fact that the doors had no locks so anything you left while you were out was On Your Honor type of thing.

I would be good to give either of those lakes another go. They are both about the same in Travel Time for me.

This time my mind should be a lot clearer and I won't be such a dick. Still bothers me about my actions last year, poor West got the worst of it.  Last year was a b!tch for us family health wise and I wouldn't want to put that type year on anyone. Just wore me down mentally.

As I just this week "officially" start working again for a Seasonal Position that will include some travel time, I don't know if I will be able to come in Friday Afternoon or not. I'll know more as things get closer.

One thing about Kissimmee, water got real low there this year and they also did some dredging. That should change how the lake fishes somewhat. 

[SFL BassHunter]

Ahh, I was wondering when this thread would show up. Knew it would be soon so that Accommodations could be checked on.

Grape Hammock at Kissimmee treated us good both times we stayed there. Hendersons on Poga seemed good as well, although I didn't care for the fact that the doors had no locks so anything you left while you were out was On Your Honor type of thing.

I would be good to give either of those lakes another go. They are both about the same in Travel Time for me.

This time my mind should be a lot clearer and I won't be such a dick. Still bothers me about my actions last year, poor West got the worst of it.  Last year was a b!tch for us family health wise and I wouldn't want to put that type year on anyone. Just wore me down mentally.

As I just this week "officially" start working again for a Seasonal Position that will include some travel time, I don't know if I will be able to come in Friday Afternoon or not. I'll know more as things get closer.

One thing about Kissimmee, water got real low there this year and they also did some dredging. That should change how the lake fishes somewhat.

Fred, I agree with you on several things. The no locking of the doors at poga was kind of a pain. Also to add to that I didn't really like the cleanliness of the cabin. Bathroom floor was dirty, didn't care much for that. Believe it or not when I get out of the shower, I like to stay clean for a little while lol.
But I can overlook that. Knowing they went through a hurricane the day before. So I can give poga another shot.

Grape Hammock has treated us well. Last time I went was with West. The water was very low, they were dredging as you mentioned. BUT I was looking through the Florida Trophy Catches yesterday (using artificial lures) and three 8+ lbers have been caught out of there this month. A few last month. So Kissimmee is still producing biguns despite the water and dredging.
One thing we also saw out there was an airboat spraying the massive pad fields. Not sure if they sprayed some or all the pads. I would suspect just some.
Water clarity was stained to muddy. It certainly does change the way you fish. West and I hooked into a bunch of fish, we just managed to lose quite a few of them.

Wind is a huge factor for us in the smaller tin vs the big fiberglass guys, on both Poga and Kissimmee. Though I think we have more places to hide on Kissimmee than Poga. What are your thoughts on that Lou?

[FD]

@ FishinDaddy, is last year's Plan B location a good possibility?

I could set that up no problem, but that would give me an unfair advantage and I would prefer to fish somewhere else.

Istokpoga would be my personal preference but it has some challenges.

With the drought this spring it is not likely to be at max pool for October which makes it especially dangerous. And if we had a front go through it would put you tin guys at a major disadvantage.

On the other hand Toho will fill fast this summer and swfmmd will keep it down which will fill Kissimmee even faster. Grape offers the best solution to keep the playing table fair under all weather conditions.

Before I bought my place I travelled all over central Florida staying in fish camps and rv parks on mini fishing vacations so I have seen most options.

Although I would like to move it around to somewhere new every year,  I think with all things considered, Grape Hammock is hands down the best choice for the classic.


Sent from the end of the paved road.....

[Capt. BassinLou]

You guys have brought up good points in regards to the 2 locations. I enjoyed Poga last year and enjoyed Kissimmee the last 2 years before that. As far as the wind, any where I go, if its windy boat control will always be challenge. Did we forget the first classic? 25-30mph North winds? Not fun. Last year was tough as well but we managed and oh I happen to pull off a last second  win...  ... 

All ribbing aside. I'm good with either location. I will give this thread a little more time for feedback, put the options to a vote, and then leg work begins to secure whichever place is chosen for the dates we have all agreed on.

Thank you all for the feedback, keep the thoughts coming.

[LgMouthGambler]

You guys have brought up good points in regards to the 2 locations. I enjoyed Poga last year and enjoyed Kissimmee the last 2 years before that. As far as the wind, any where I go, if its windy boat control will always be challenge. Did we forget the first classic? 25-30mph North winds? Not fun. Last year was tough as well but we managed and oh I happen to pull off a last second  win...  ... 

All ribbing aside. I'm good with either location. I will give this thread a little more time for feedback, put the options to a vote, and then leg work begins to secure whichever place is chosen for the dates we have all agreed on.

Thank you all for the feedback, keep the thoughts coming.

Lou, just remember how I taught you to ride the waves. Lol

<")))>{

[Deadeye]

I'm good with either one mentioned so far Lou. I'd say put up a Poll and roll with it.