Mendo gear

I am not sure if I want to use live bait or lures for BAM.  Just in case I decide to go with lures, what works best @ mendo?  Last year I tried the storm swim bait, kastmaster, and rattle trap with not one strike.  I am 95 percent sure that I am going to use live bait, but I want to bring minimal gear instead of all my tackle. 

I'll be declaring live bait for the tourney, but I'll have one rod handy that is rigged with a Zoom fluke just in case I come across a boil. I know anything I catch with the fluke will only count as a live bait fish per the rules, but I just can't pass up topwater artificial action. 

I'll be declaring live bait for the tourney, but I'll have one rod handy that is rigged with a Zoom fluke just in case I come across a boil. I know anything I catch with the fluke will only count as a live bait fish per the rules, but I just can't pass up topwater artificial action. 

I am kind of thinking the same thing.  I want to relax with some minnows out there and have some lures just in case.  I am really not that excited about winning.  I just want to catch something, and have a good time.  Don't get me wrong, I will do my best to win, but I won't be counting on it. 

I know anything I catch with the fluke will only count as a live bait fish per the rules,

It would count in the tourny?

I'm entering as "artificials only"...  so if I use minnows too and catch fish, how would that work?

Not that I would.... But it seems to me eligible fish should be caught using the method you register under...

Sean??

It's Sean's rules but I would think if you are declaring artificial you can't even have bait on board, too hard to sort out later. However if I declared bait and caught a fish on artificial it would only count without the lure upgrade. 

But again what do I know, it's Sean's deal.

So I can't have bait, but those who declare "bait" can have artificials... and use them to catch tournament fish?

Again, I'm going artificials all the way regardless, but that seems kinda lopsided, no?

FWIW, I trust everyone here implicitly, never would cross my mind that someone would try to cheat, so it doesn't bother me if people choose to fish both ways...  but it seems to me to be fair...  tournament fish would have to come from the method you chose beforehand.

t's Sean's rules but I would think if you are declaring artificial you can't even have bait on board, too hard to sort out later. However if I declared bait and caught a fish on artificial it would only count without the lure upgrade.

But again what do I know, it's Sean's deal.

Exactly...you are wise papa bill.

Again, I'm going artificials all the way regardless, but that seems kinda lopsided, no?

No.  There is a reason artificial gets more weight...its harder.  If a guy in the ez class wants to go the hard way and get ez weight...fine.  If a guy in the hard class wants to ez and get hard weight...thats not ok. 

Artificials are money in topwater, but let me tell you that a minnow in a boil also has a REALLY short shelf life.

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

But if I may be so bold...  Why would anyone sign up under "Artificials Only", since one can sign up for "Bait" and then use whichever method you feel like?

1/2lb per fish bonus

  Just in case I decide to go with lures, what works best @ mendo?  

I did read the article about stripers at mendo, but I was just looking for any other suggestions. 

Got it...  So the two categories are "Artificials Only" with a 1/2 lbs bonus, and "Anything Goes".

Fair enough.

As to what artificials work, I have caught stripers at Mendo with bucktail jigs.

But I really think the key is to find the fish...  which are all in schools...  that's my limited experience take.

From the info thread...

TOURNEY RULES AND FORMAT:

The low water format will be back in effect for 2008. The format is as follows:

2 fish heavy limit tourney

Bait gets true weight
Artificial get 8 oz/fish
Flies get 16 oz/fish

There are three classes to consider bait (aka anything goes) artificial (no bait) flies (flies ONLY).

On the right day, any combo is a potential winner...two pounds on the table is enough to win it!

  For me, I don't care about the tournement. Going up against all you seasoned pro's, why would I bother?   I just want to catch a striper. (CPR) Don't care how big, small, fat or skinny,  as long as its a striper I'll be happy!  Will be my first one whatever it is.  I'm bringing both lures and minnows!  I'm going out to have a good time this trip, and not worry about any rules. 

    I'm going out to have a good time this trip, and not worry about any rules. 

My idea exactly.  I am going to obey the rules, just in case I catch a couple hogs, but my main goal is fun and relaxation. 

Relaxing should be an attainable goal!  BAM is super fun.