#1

Miracles Dishes it out on Saturday Night...

2012-02-14T20:46:00.003-05:00

Harper Flip here. As you know, I am the stats guy behind the team. The guy who provides the nice to know and need to know. Rarely does the team let me out of the lab but last night I was given a unique assignment. An assignment I won't forget. I was asked to report on the sweet science, the man of la mancha, the two man tango, the downtown throw down. Miracles put down his rod & reel and put on boxing gloves. For the last 7 months 3 days a week he attacked the heavy bag like he is known for attacking the bank on the Charles. He fought on a card at his boxing gym with Big Lure and the Bank Robber in attendance along with at least 15 friends cheering him on. A 3 round brawl where you can't hide from the truth. For Miracles who has traveled from Paris Island to Somalia to Baghdad, he was more than game on game day. Let's me say this - at 6 feet 4 inches and 177 lbs he looked like Tommy "The Hitman" Hearns both in the ring and out. He also fought like his hero. Miracles used head movement, efficient foot work, and a jab that he could throw in one corner that would land in the other corner to frustrate his opponent. He also landed many left hooks and a couple of straight rights. Like in any fight he took a couple of blows but came back stronger. Arturo Gatti would have been proud. Last night wasn't about winning but he clearly got the upper hand based on informal judging ring side. Miracles completed a journey that involved a lot of blood and sweat but it was worth every minute of it. His boxing fans followed him back to JP for an all night party that hasn't been seen since the 90's. There was a keg, tons of chow, guitar playing, dancing, and G N R and Sabbath cranking all night. When the clocks say 3 am you know you had fun. With this event behind us now, all eyes are on the 2012 fishing season.

New '12 Season sooner than later.

2012-01-08T20:23:00.003-05:00

"That was an awesome moment yesterday. It would have been sick if it was a keeper bass and I was sending out the spreadsheet. I knew that jerkbait would have a chance." says Bank Robber on the first catch of the year. In other news Bank Robber grabbed new gear...heres the breakdown, son...
Yao,

Hit Bass Pro with the girls today to pick out my reel for Xmas. Lynne gave me a KVD Quantum ($89.00) which was nice but I just didn't like it. It was just too big/bulky for me. I went in there to pick between a Johnny Morris Bass Pro for $99 or the Shimano Sahara 2500 FD which is listed below. It was interesting when I asked the guys at the counter which was a better reel what they said. Keep in mind I asked each of them separately and they both picked the Shimano over the Bass Pro made reel. It wasn't that they didn't like the Bass Pro they just felt the Shimano has a longer track record of durability and performance. I held both in my hands and it was sort of an easy decision. The Shimano just felt right. I didn't mind saving $20.00 bucks either.

Now what I didn't mention above is that I already have a Shimano Sahara and Johnny Morris each of which I bought about 4 years ago or so. I do think the Shimano has held up a little better but I have caught more on the Johnny Morris because that was paired with my Senko rod. The Shimano below is an upgrade over my old Shimano in terms of technology, drag, and castability.

Here is my line up for 2012:
A rod - New Shimano Sahara paired with my finesse rod i.e. 6 ft 6 in. medium light tip. Used for Senkos and other soft plastics. Great touch and casting accuracy.
B rod - Old Shimano Sahara paired with my power rod i.e. 7 ft medium heavy tip - Used for power fishing with Red Eye Shads, crankbaits, buzz baits. Very long casting, fast retrieves, hard hook sets.
C rod - Johnny Morris Bass Pro paired with all purpose rod i.e. 6 ft 6 in. medium tip. This will be used for everything else like jerkbaits, flukes, grubs etc. This rod can do it all from finesse to power.
I do still have that nice baitcasting reel which will come out from time to time when I can stand on a boat like at Willett. Basically I finally have three nice reels and rods which can provide me with 100% flexibility and versatility for any kind of pond. I might not always bring out three reels but I will the majority of times when the boat allows like on Glow's canoe or my canoe. I will still stick to just two rods on my kayak due to storage size. I am jacked....

Glowacki says, "I think Im stayin with the same gear this year, however my main upgrade is gonna be a new net, a big one...and of course , new line."

The fantasy draft will be comming soon, then its on to the classic...then, well, opening day. This off season has been mild. Will this have an effect on the Spring? Will the lack of snow open up avenues for rivers early? Will it hamper the pond outlook? All of these questions will be answerd in about 60 days if lucky. Where will the first big trip be? The ideas are floatin around...
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

2011...The Battle of Evermore

2011-12-27T21:29:00.002-05:00

Glowacki thought he had it. Then Abbott had it. Then Abbott took it. Then Glowacki tied it. Then Glowacki had it. Then Abbott won it. For the first time in Team Abbott/Glowacki history Top Hog was tied. For the first time in history they never got a team trip on the Charles. For the first time in history Big Lure caught a 4+ lber. For the first time in history Abbott won A.O.Y. For the first time in history Glowacki didnt catch a keeper from the Charles. For the first time in history the team was in the water. The list could go on and on. There are all kids of things surrounding the '11 season that were facinating...obscure, odd, and majical. I, Dick B, son, couldn't tell you what it was like on the boat on the Rez when Big Lure and Miracles crushed all time Team Bag. I couldn't tell you what it was like to see bank robber grab a late season keeper on Willett with a jerk bait. I couldn't tell you what it was like to see Miracles catch a keeper with more ice on the water than actual water. Only the guys on the team could tell you that. im just the spotter, the observer, the fan and the reporter. I see it as it happens from afar. The rod isnt in my hand...I dont scramble for a net or scale. Nobody has ever taken my picture. I choose to watch and listen. i see them do the work. I call in for updates. I follow them to remote locations at rediculous hours of the morning to ask them what theyre opening up with. Sometimes they answer me, sometimes not. Sometimes I dont ask them anything. I do however ask them at the end of every season to recap the year, and without question they do. This is what they had to say. Glowacki opens up...
"I have a lot of things to say about the year. First off, I wanna congradulate abbott on his A.O.Y. status. Its a big deal. So is Top Hog- for both of us. This season was nothing more than a grid for me personally. I felt like everytime I would get out on a decent trip i would take 2 steps forward and one step back. the Q trip early on with my dad kinda set the stage for that. I mean my only keeper was a 4.4lber largemouth from that trip...but...it was a 4.4 largemouth from the Q...on a spinner bait that I could due to an article Big Lure gave me about the Q and from listening to KVD tell me time and time again to throw at a spot 3-4 times if needed. Like that fish and most of my other notable ones, there were zero layups this year. The best trip I had was on the Rez with Big lure. Best trip ever, but then the rest of the year was tough. it was a very take the sweet with the sour. Same thing with the Cape in the spring...it was always about the extra mile. Im pretty horrified with not getting on the Charles this year. I have no problem saying it cost me A.O.Y.I should have without question kicked off a 3lber from my personal board there but I couldnt get on the God dam water body. Its not like a lost a cow on it so I cant get too pissed at myself, but God dam it. Speakin of lost fish...I had a hard time with the net on the Nick with on of Big Lures cows and I always felt like I had at least something to do with losing that fish. I feel like I reclaimed myself as a decent guide with his 4 plus on the Rez but I look at it like he should have had both on the board. Ive put the season behind me, both good and bad but the replay of that in my head was my Zaprooter film for a while. But thats fishing. I mean, I didnt expect to be knee deep in water 2 times either, but I was. My lure selection was pretty standard. My casting and boat positioning was good. My water body selection was alright, minus the Plymouth trip....and thats what I mean...as soon as I start thinking about the real good stuff the season offerd up I get clobberd with a real wasted trip or something that sets my ass back. Thats basically my season in a nut shell. Then I get hit with the fact that I had an 18lb season and everythings alright again. And back and forth it goes. I mean, I met my goal with that, but nobody hands you a trophy for it...but at the same time its respectable in the fishing community. I guess I give myself a B+ for the season. I had a very good season. But I give the season itself a B-. It was good for the most part. Variety on water bodies goes a long way for me. I just missed the 8 hour Charles bonanza on a Saturday this year and I miss it. I gotta say too that probably my best memories of the year was Big Lures spinner catch on the Rez. I mean I watched the whole thing. He also lit the fuck out of Flax with like 3 different types of fish...fuckin trout and shit. Me and Bank Robbers first trip was also one of my favs...3 ponds in a day. We did next to nothing on the water but there was something about it. The passion to get out there takes over. We're the only guys in the world fishing on days like that and I know and can see when people drive by they appreciate it. You can just feel it, and fishing if you think about it, is all about feeling. It's like being at a concert with the sound off then all of a sudden someone turns it on for about 30 seconds and you recognize the song and everyone gets up. That's it...thats all I have to say." Abbott breaks it down...
"2011 was a real good season. When I look back at what the team accomplished, I have to smile. Solid team and individual performances and a clear improvement in skill sets. There is a level of confidence that this team has now that is undeniable built upon 3 - 4 years of hard work. I am pleased that I managed to pull some decent fish out of many trips. There were some great trips that produced numbers and size. I feel good about my lure selection in 2011 with particular progress being made with the hard and soft jerkbait along with the buzzbait. My goal is 2012 is to unleash the hard jerkbait more consistently throughout the season and not just selectively. From a pond perspective, it is clear that the Rez has hogs and I discovered a couple of new gems like Jemima and Great Pond. I think my trips at Hinkley with Speck, Bakers with Mob Rules, Willett with Miracles during the no Senko Classic were some of my favorite team trips of 2011. It was fun watching Miracles pull big fish out of different ponds as usual and seeing Big Lure break into the 4 lb club. I am glad that I caught a big boy this year at Farm and put almost 2 additional pounds in the livewell from an AOY perspective. Watching Mob Rules win the B Team award was also a blast along with adding new passionate members to the B Team like Big Lure's brother i.e. Rebel Yell Welch. There were some great moments sitting in bars like Lewis's seizing the day and capturing the essence of why we go out.

There were some struggles this year for sure. We dealt with some bad weather and numerous engine and boat problems. I didn't have an epic bonanza trip with Miracles or Big Lure. Personally I didn't catch a smallie over 3 lbs for the first time in a couple of years. Lastly, I never had an amazing team trip on the Charles due to current issues all season. At the end of the day it was also a very busy year on and off the pond which we also had to manage.

However, I think the struggles keep you coming back for more and help the team develop. What will 2012 bring? Could the team break the 21.2 lbs team performance of 2009? Can an individual team member break into the 19 lbs club or even better the 20 lbs club? What about some 5 lbs largies? We haven't seen many of those come around. If you look back just over the last two seasons, we have a much better idea of how to play the seasons, what to throw, where to fish, and when to be on the water. All of which is a recipe for success. I am already ready to next year but will enjoy the banquet season to it's fullest.
Big Lure closes the show...
"Looking back on a year that was perplexing and rewarding at times. First off, I met my goal of a 12 lb 8 oz bag. Coming in 2 oz shy of 14 lbs was definitely a victory for me. Another goal was to break the 3 lb barrier after many high 2 lb keepers over the years. That goal was met with a nice 3 lber on the Charles and of course the 4 lb 3 oz cow at the Rez. Keeping that fish on the Top 5 Annual Board was icing on the cake.

Statistics aside, I feel my best aspect of the ’11 game was lure variability. Great conversions on the tube at Nickerson, white fluke on the Charles, jerkbait in Plymouth, and of course the pig at the rez was landed on a spinner. Aside from 1 great trip on the Charles, the senko had a quiet year in terms of size and numbers.

Trips: The crown jewel is the record setting Canton Rez 9/11 bonanza with 2 of those fish landing in the Team Top 5 this year, along with setting the new team trip bag record with Miracles. That was definitely a special day and we knew we were into greatness very early on. I had a nice mid-summer Sunday morning bonanza on the Charles. Viscous hits all morning on the black Senko. High 2’s, and a 3 made up the majority of what was probably a 10 keeper day. The Spring time bite was finicky. One black eye came in the form of an early morning Charles trip with Bank Robber where current and wind had our hands tied all morning. The Charles in general was a real grind all in all this year. I spent many hours on many bends and was left holding an empty bag on many occasions. In general, many spring time trips especially early on had us fighting from behind all day. Many days were salvaged with decent stats, but very few trips had the Home Run Derby feel to it. Nick was a great trip with great fish, but we really had to put in the overtime for it. I think we really need to come at Spring with a lot more respect than we had this year. The whole spawning sequence can be rewarding if we know how to play our cards. I’m definitely going to do some homework regarding the spring bite for sure.

The team in general had some monster stats. A lot of huge fish, great smallies, new water, and great lure conversions. The game this year was further pushed to a fever pitch with a dog fight AOY that had Miracles and Bank Robber trading late season blows up until the final bell with BR squeeking it out by the tiniest margin. A Top Hog tie with 4 lb 7 oz cows make the season that much more intense. Hats off to both those guys for pushing their game to another level this year."

Well folks, thats another one for the books. Im off to take in the sun somewhere off the coast of Florida or Cuba or St Martin, where ever I wake up and where ever the wind blows me. I take pride in thinking I'll be the only guy in Caracus, who in Febuary, will be watching the 30 day forcast for Walpole, Mass. For Harper Flip, I'm Dick Babcock...by birth and by choice.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

The Duds last stand and Flips numbers...fool.

2011-11-27T23:12:00.003-05:00

Glowacki says, "I hit the Dud last week. The bite- gone, the wind...pickin up.I wanted to get on the water one last time to end the year." The season looks like its over. The Year End Review will be out in a month or so. Theres a lot to talk about. He now to go H.Flip, the new guy on the scene. Hes a numbers maniac. He'll be givin you what you want from here on out when it comes to the game within the game stats wise...The Team is thrilled...

Harper Flip here deep inside the team think tank crunching numbers. Although banquet season hasn't officially started yet, the team requested an analysis of 2011 to start planning for 2012. As you will see on the attached spreadsheet, I have taken every update of 2011 and arranged it over a line graph with or without a data table. What does it show? Well that is up for interpretation. I think it shows the value of one fish at a time which has been the team's mantra all year. Through the research, I noticed the highs and lows of a season. The huge upside is everyone beat their individual goal which sets up for an interesting off-season. What will the goal be for 2012??? Is 2011 done??? That is it for now. Back to the think tank to predict the over/under on the 20 year DHS reunion attendance.

This is a breakdown of the Angler of the Year tracking...note the highlights such as hot months, flips in the lead...over all progression. A solid learning tool for years to come.
Harper Flip
Vs Sports Extra

Team cant get it (that) together.

2011-11-09T19:10:00.002-05:00

Glowacki showed up an hour early because of a botched daylight savings time display. Thats how the day started....it ended even worse. Abbott caught 2 fish, a dink and a really nice 2.9 on a jerkbait. the weather was decent and they could lose a layer. Then, almost as the season would have it...the engine died. They spent the next hour rowing back in wind while the boat took on water. Glowacki almost fell out of the boat when he tripped and knocked the cooler over...full of beverages and ice water. Its in the top 3 worst trips of the year. glowacki hopes to turn that around this weekend with a solo bid.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

breakdown...(lemme hear it now...)(cool ranch dressing)

2011-10-24T20:53:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wondered which season the team catches the biggest fish?
Have you ever wondered which month the team catches the biggest fish?

Those two questions are answered on the attached spreadsheet. How did I do it? Well I took a look at top 17 fish caught from 2009 - 2011 from out top fish spreadsheet. I then analyzed the data by season and month as you will see on the first two tabs. The monthly analysis is very simple as I just added up how many fish where caught in each month and placed it on a sheet and converted it to a chart. The season analysis is a little tricky because we have caught a lot of big fish in September for example but the date is technically still summer. I used the seasonal date changes of 2011 for this analysis i.e. 3/20 spring begins, 6/21 summer begins, 9/23 fall begins, 12/21 winter begins. So even though fish are caught in September which feels like the fall because kids are back in school and football has begun, it is still summer if that makes sense.

The clear take away from this data is that June and September are the two most productive months for big fish which really isn't surprising. These two months have always been our best months to fish and the weather is ideal. So we need to be on the water a lot on the right ponds in June & September in 2012! One last big of insight - the earlier date that one of the 17 fish was caught was 5/23 and the latest date that one of the 17 fish was caught was 10/21. I am probably to much of an analytical person but I find this data fascinating.
Harper Flip
Team Abbott/Glowacki
Chief Analytical Advisor

Abbott Carpe Diem

2011-10-24T20:43:00.003-04:00

The Bank Robber headed out on the water a few days ago for a three hour adventure on The Rez. "I was a little concerned about wind but screw it the winter will be here sooner than later" said The Bank Robber. He knew he would need to cover the most productive water before the wind really kicked in. "Fortunately the team has really mapped this pond well over the years so I felt good about my spots." The Bank Robber efforts today was rewarded with a 3.10, 2.11, and 1.14 which is great anytime of year especially in late October. "I am pumped - I caught that 3.10 on my fifth cast." The Rez accounts for 3 of the top 7 fish caught from a team perspective in 2011. "The stats support the fact that there is big fish here plus the two greatest team trips ever were both here as well Miracles/Big Lure 2011, Miracles/Bank Robber 2010." The Rez is far from an easy pond as it is huge lake and the fish tend to be scattered at times. Plus high veg. can be a challenge. "I just kept my Senko in the water the entire time and was patient." The Bank Robber only got three bites in three hours but they were the right kind of bites. Miracles adds, "dude went for it and got it. size rules and abbotts known for it. I was thinking about the overall spirt that is with the team and Co. ... I wanna be around people who go4it. I appreciate it, I really do. It makes me happy to know that when i wake up to a text message at 7am its the robber tellin me he just caught a 3.10. I laid in bed, read it with squinted eyes, laughed, put my phone down, dropped my head onto the pillow and said, "the son of a bitch did it." , smiled and fell back asleep. I like that. I really do.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Fall - Where's the fine line between Autumn and Horseshit(?)

2011-10-16T18:29:00.003-04:00

This Fall is turning out to be the mystery of the year. The Charles, bogged down with rain. The large ponds...too big. The Cape...no idea. The Team managed to get out last week and do what they could though. Things werent terrible by any streach , but not great...heres the story, fool...

The Bank Robber had the clearance for a bonanza so he headed to the Cape. For the first time, he actually had the right expectations when he crossed the bridge yesterday. He knew October was tough on the Cape so he put on his fun hat on and didn't worry about his performance. "My main goal was not to get stuffed so I started off at a very small pond called Cedar which was the call of the year" said Bank Robber. He caught two fish over 2 pounds along with 4 to 6 smaller bass and a couple of pics in the first hour. It was a relief for the Bank Robber. The bite was on until the sun came up and the fish disappeared. The Bank Robber then headed to The Hink where he got three hits but didn't land a fish. Going to that big pond might have been a mistake but I had to take a swing since Cedar was hot. He then headed to see Big Bill for a trip on his boat at Mashpee Wakeby. The Bank Robber knew that trip would be brutal so he backed an extra heavy cooler of beverages. "I have got a fish there every trip but the lake is huge, it is basically 8 Bucks put together." While they were launching the Bank Robber noticed that there wasn't a single bass boat on the water but there was a couple of other boats. He suspected that they were trout fishing so he tied on a Red Eye Shad. "For some reason that lure has caught me a trout at the Club and the Buck" said Bank Robber. That was a smart move as he got one hit all day and it was a nice Rainbow Trout. The evening concluded at a great watering hole in Mashpee with Chowder and a burger. The Bank Robber had a blast and took advantage of the great weather.
In other news around the same time...
A hundred miles west of Bank Robber's Cape Cod workings was a 3 man / 2boat dawn invasion of the Canton Rez. In what turned out to be a stingybounty of multiple dink pics and a 1 lb 8 oz keeper for the trio, BigLure, Miracles, and Mike were left holding the bag on this usuallygenerous fishery.Big Lure, who scored the only keeper of the day, had this to say. "Itwas a tough bite through and through. I did get the bass on the red eyeshad which was nice, and had multiple dink picks on a shallow crank anda perch jerk bait. A 3 crank day was nice this time of year, but a muchneeded upgrade on the 5 fish didn't happen."Newcomer Mike also didn't bring much to the dinner plate as the fishpassed on his multiple senko presentations. Miracles, who lives anddies by the spinner, also had his offerings refused by the hogs thatswim amongst the Rez. Miracles says, "I was on the water for like 9 hours. There was nothing goin on. The season is comming to a screaching halt. Its just time to get what you can in and then bite the bullet. This Fall is kinda bizarre. It'll be November soon and then shit is done. Im plannin on switchin to the fly rod soon."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

3 Man Hype...kinda.

2011-09-26T21:12:00.002-04:00

Miracles hit N.H. Big Lure hit the Charles, Bank Robber hit the Farm and The Charles. They all recorded some keepers and all had good days on the water but where was the size? Big Lure says,"I hit the Charles on Sat afternoon for a quick 2 hour recon/3 beer trip. Current was pretty decent, so I ended up going right down to Nobles. 3 other boats down there so I figure something may be happening. A few bites on the senko a few to the boat. Then I switch to the one white fluke that I brought. They DESTROYED the thing again!! Crushing it. again, tough hooksets but I did get a few in the boat, 1 lbers. So then…. I throw my one and only fluke and something BIG grabbed the thing, big hit, and broke it off. Could have been a pick, could have been a 2 lber, could have been a 5 lber. Who knows. I was in the sticks a lot down there so maybe I was a little torn and frayed, but the fluke bite on theCharles was huge, but current was a factor." Abbott says, "It was hot as shit out there on Farm. The water was active and they were all over the place. I scored some keepers and then changed gears and hit the Charles. Like Big Lure was saying the current was an issue, fishable, but an issue. I scored a nice 2.6lber on the afternoon tip, fool." miracles concludes, "I tore up N.H. with about 15-20 1.7 lbers all day long. We fished 2 ponds up there with about even results. It was a spinner type day. the satisfaction was high, but it still felt a little underwhelming. I cant get a hold on the late summer pattern vs the early fall right now. I mean, the pigs just didnt want to fly." The Team and Co. did well over the last week, keeping the gear well greased and the movin parts clean. The next question is where and when to turn up the radio. Miracles adds, "I dont know really where to go next, what to do. Im not lost. I think I just need some new water maybe, somethin to really get fired up for."
Dick Bacock
Vs Sports Extra

All the wrong moves.

2011-09-20T20:37:00.002-04:00

Real quick cuz it aint worth talkin about. Abby and Glow went to Plymouth. The wind basically shut them down. the size of the pond was too "Long". The depth killed them. They went smaller. 2giant picks and Abby scored a nice 2.2lber. They had 1 beer. They drove around looking at no name ponds and ponds that they would have been killed in if they launched on them. They went home. Miracles was grillin sausages by 1230. See ya next week.

Tribute

2011-09-13T20:39:00.003-04:00

9-11-11

Ten years to the day after 9-11. America still stands. The terrorists lost. Hussein lost. Quadaffi lost. Bin Laden lost. Who won were the Americans, in particular this day was Big Lure Welch and Do You Believe in Miracles Glowacki. Why? Real easy. Big Lure caught his first 4 lber. Glowacki caught one too. They both caught them on spinnerbaits. They both added to Team and personal bag. They caught a new record team trip bag of 15 lbs 15 Oz. That means there total weight of their top 5 fish combined weighed almost 16 lbs. Thats a lot of fish. A dam lot. If they were cavemen and came home with that much food, cavewomen would have thrown themselves at them. Glowacki had a cavewoman throw herself at him in Nairobi, Kenya back in '93 or R n' R from Somalia in a shithole bar...but thats another story. One maybe he'd like to forget, or remember actually. There was a lot of Jack Daniels that night. A 2000 dollar bar tab to be exact, in Kenyan money thats about 70 buck.
There 2 big boys brought a toatal of 8lb 10 Oz to the scale. Thats unheard of. Add Glowackis 3lber and their in the double digits. Again, unheard of. The day started early, but not too early. Sunny, no wind...cool. big lure came out of the gate hype catching a fish off some lillys. They knew the bite was on so they headed to the dope spot. Once they got there the water was on fire. Fish were jumpin all around them. Glowacki scored a 2.2lber and a 2.3. Big Lure grabbed a 1.14 and numerous one lbers. Glowacki says, "I was feelin the spinner bait. It was just one of those days. I remember casting kinda behind the boat and I reeled maybe one time after it hit the water. I was on with a cow." Official weight- 4lb 7 oz. It tied Abbott hog from a week before. For the first time Top Hog was tied. The boat couldnt believe it. They moved around the hot zone scoring here and there. The occasional Pick came to play which wasnt bad, keeping them in the game. Glowacki in lose conversation told Big Lure he might wanna try a white spinner for fun. Big Lure responded with a "Well, why not...?" They had the time and space to try anything. Big Lure cast it open water not 5 times before he cast literally into a pigs mouth. he was on and on on a long cast with a cow. He battled it back to the boat. He made and in the fight game day call telling Miracles to "Get the net out of the water." reason being, if the fish sees the net he'll go ape shit. It paid off. The lure fell off in the net once it was on board. Glowacki says, "I feel better about that fish lost down the Cape earlier in the year when I fucked up the net job. I know there were a lot of things going on with that fish, but I always felt I should have had it. This was justice." A 4.3 was on board. Big Lures first 4+. The team made anothe rloop with limited results, it was pushing noon and they were satisfied. They headed to the launch and called it a day. Glowacki had posted on facebook that today he was fishing with his friend Joe for the people of 9-11 who couldnt anymore...who couldnt do anything. Im a firm believer that those victoms heard the call and in some way were there with them. They gave them a show and in some way may have helped out. Glowacki says, "Were Americans. We fish. We talk about everything and nothing on the boat. We saw guys golfing in the distance. They lowerd the flag on the golf course at half mast right infront of us. Were Americans, and fishermen...we always will be...both.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sport Extra

Till the Cows come home...on the Farm

2011-09-06T21:02:00.003-04:00

The day started early as usual. The Team was on relativley new water. Abby had been on it before with the Yak, but this time they teamed up for a full blown tour. They came out pretty strong hittin fish on the right side. Glowacki says, "I was feelin the spinner to cut across the shallow water. I was gettin a lot of picks but some small keeper bass. Abby followed up on that. Then it kinda died off. We knew the cowswere in there and we knew we were gonna find one or two or 5. Where we found them was still a mystery. We looped around and started to come back around the second half. Abby had a dead stick worm on the bottom and got a huge weight, Son. The fight was on. Then we saw it jump. I knew right then and there it was big. The fish went under the boat and I couldnt get eyes on right away. I had the net at the ready then I got it in. When it was in the net, I could have sworn it was the first 5 lber." It ended up being a 4.7 lber and takes over as Top Hog on the year beating Miracles 4.4lber. The wind started to pick up on the pond. Glowacki managed it well back to the starting point. All in all a very good trip. Size, numbers and an over all understanding of the new water. There is no doubt there is more size in there for the team and Co. In other news, Big Lure hit the Millenoium Falcon with limited results. The good news is that the water is high but the current low after a hurricane. Get Hype, The eary fall is here and shit is gettin hot.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

No Senko Classic '11

2011-08-14T18:50:00.002-04:00

Miracles and Bank Robber set out early on the 2nd annual No senko Classic yesterday. They launched at 530 am and fished hard for 4 hours. The two came up with anew way to break up the 4 hour trip into quarters. Glowacki says, "Abbott had a decent idea to take the 4 hours and randomly pick who would Capt. them. I wrote 1,2,3, and 4 on 4 seperate pennies...we put em in a hat and picked. Abbott picked 2 and 1...I got 4 and 3." bank Robber opened the day and Miracles would take the second half. Miracles adds, "The fun thing about this is the quarters could have been split all kinds of ways, it just happend that we split the halfs." The idea with this system is opening big and closing big based on spot selection while keeping in mind what to hold off on, what to attack first or second or last. the team would also have to keep in mind time, the amount of fish caught and the amount of keeper fish needed to make bag. If they scored bag early they could potentialy cull or even slow down the hype later on. If the keepers were lacking early, the second half woulfd have to shine. what happend was a little more of the second. Abbott came out of the gate attacking the coves. They realized pretty quick the fish werent in the shallows. Moving out, they attacked some deeper water and found them, then they hit the island and landed on a school. Abbott says,"We caught like 3 fish in like 30 seconds combined. We were on them, but the size was lacking." Miracles says, "The size was getting bigger throughout the day and Abbott was hittin nice spots, but we just couldnt convert any keepers." The team threw jerkbaits, spinners, jigs and buzzbaits. all of Glowackis fish were on the spinner while Abbott gainned a muli-lure day. Miracles adds, "we were having a very good day of fishing, ya know, plenty of action and the hits were hard...we would get on and the fish would get in the weeds...every 12 oz'er felt like a 2 and a half pig." Glowacki took the engine for the second shift. things slowed down. They continued to get on sporadic fish but again the size was lacking. Abbott says, "I was gettin good hits and fish on the jerkbait then I would switch up to the buzzbait. We got to kind of the last spot and the name of the game was saturating the area. I landed a solid 1.8lber on the buzz to close out." Although bag wasnt met, there was plenty of action...sounds a little like feb fest of '90. which is always a good time. the team gained some knew spots along the way. Glowacki says, "not fishing any plastics makes you search out new water, we did get fish on some new spots...we kind of took older known spots and expanded them and it paid off, we also fished some spots longer and some shorter which paid off I think." This trip was a class in technique more than anything for the crew. If youve never been able to catch fish because you didnt know how to work a certain lure, this was the trip you needed to be on the boat for. Lure fundamentals, spot fundamentals, Capt fundamentals and time managment all excercised to the max. Glowacki says, "I wish we rocked the pig fundamentals...but the fall is comming and I expect them soon enough from all of us. we got some sick trips lined up and a few we havent been to either much or at all this year...Farm, N.H. back to The Nick,a Charles bonanza, just to name a few, Sept and Oct are gonna be as loaded as May and June. the fall is gonna make and break records and standings and right now, it really is anyones game. Big Lure is close this year which makes it exciting. I still have shit fish to cull and Abbott is holding strong. It wouldnt suprise me to see a tight ending."
Dick Babcock
Vs sport Extra

"Go East my Friend... Eastham that is..."

2011-08-05T16:04:00.002-04:00

Bank Robber was in the mood to mix it up on a recent vacation on the Cape. He was a little tired of the Orleans and Brewster scene and decided to head to Eastham. This town has not really been a focus for the Bank Robber over the years. He hit Great Pond for the first time, Jemima Pond for the first time in 20 years, and Ministers which he fished twice in recent memory. The stats were solid, the action was consistent, and the weather was perfect. "It was good to mix it up and put some eyes on some new water" said the Bank Robber. This kind of effort will expand the team's network of ponds in the Cape region. Great Pond has huge potential and is definitely worth a longer trip as it is a big pond and time was the enemy that day. Jemima is a little gem of a pond that is only about 25 acres but is loaded with 2 lb largemouths. Ministers is a solid body of water and is always in the mix for a quick trip.

Heading into the second half has Bank Robber with a comfortable lead for AOY. Continuous hammering of pond after pond beyond the bridge have yielded fruits to that labor. All eyes are on Miracles 4 and 5 slot as the fishing public is waiting for an “if and when” upgrade. Big Lure has work ahead of him not behind him but he feels he is one great trip away from contention.

When asked about the folklure of the August Dog Days, a fired up Bank Robber had this for his people:

“If you are on the Cape you fish. Waking up on the water with the sun rising is what life is all about. I don't believe in the dog days of summer. Typically my best trips occur in the spring or summer down there. It has been a great season so far and I feel fresh for the fall. Carpe diem.”

Big Lure Checks in with Mid-Year Report Card

2011-07-26T19:31:00.004-04:00

"A for Effort" will get you a gold star in third grade or a good citezenship patch in Cub Scouts. But around here, that and 20 bucks will get you half a lap dance down at the Foxy Lady on amateur night. Which is where I caught Up with Big Lure nursing a Miller High Life on Monday evening trying to take the sting out of a brutally grinding early summer.
DB: So what of it, Big Lure?
BL: I don't know, Dick. I feel I'm doing the right things, I'm on the water, I'm on time, but when I show up the fish seem to have made other plans.
DB: Is there anything at all that you can take into the second half of this year? or is it just a wash?
BL: Dick, I've made some nice conversions on some nice lures. I've converted the fluke, the jerkbait, the tube, the in-line spinner, the spinner, the worm. All decent fish, but the size just isn't there, and even the numbers have not overwhelmed.
DB: Yes, the numbers, right. Now, the numbers.. are they lying??
BL: (A long hard stare through the bottom inch of warm pilsner as the swirling neon around him shine on his sunburned scalp.) No Dick. They don't lie. They never do. And that's all this is so far is just half a year of empty promise. I have 5 upgrades coming in the second half. I have some real Fall bombs coming. I expanded the options, I expanded new water. I'll be there at the end, Babcock. You can make book on that.

So off goes Big Lure into the harsh Monday night. A weekend of a few 1 lbers down the cape at dawn on new water, a weekend of one-sided casts on a new hampshire river fed lake that gave him just one 8 oz bass. They were there, though, as BL's brother converted this nice 2 lb 13 oz cow on his 5th cast of his fishing career.

In other news of the week, Bank Robber headed out on the Charles (Rt. 27 Medfield) this past Sunday for a solo trip. After three weeks of not fishing, he wanted a quick tune up trip to get ready for a trip on the Cape next week. It was a trip of two extremes. Out of the gate he was tired, hung over, sore from the gym, had gear problems, was attacked by bugs, and was rained on all in about the first 40 minutes. The good news from there was that for the next two hours he landed 7 keepers and 2 dinks. Most of the keepers were around 1.4 lbs with a high of 1.11 lbs. The good news is the Charles is on right now. The current was slow, the veg. wasn't too thick yet, and the bite is on."

Dick Babcock reporting live under a nursing school drop-out grinding to "some Whitesnake song" wondering.....who will have the answers in the second half??..Son??

Bank Robber: Solid on the Cape,,,Son.

2011-07-10T00:42:00.002-04:00

The game plan was set: selective solid outings as often as possible. Following suit of the '11 campaign, the trips werent as numbers busy but had some solid size. Miracles adds, "I got off the horn with abby. He was doin as well as I thought he would have. I told him a less than average fisherman may not have pulled such nice size out of somewhere like Big C. Not takin anything away from Gil or Bous, but Abby is A class all around. He's the guy you want on the boat when the chips are down. Dude just finds size, period. The Bank Robber had three canoe trips this past week. He hit Bakers & Big C/Little C with Gil over two trips and Hink/Harwich Reservoir on the same trip with Bous. The bite was solid everywhere except Harwich Reservoir where they got destroyed. Bank Robber's best five combined were a 3.10 lbs largemouth (Hink), 2.14 lbs smallmouth (Big C), 2.9 lbs smallmouth (Hink), 2.9 lbs largemouth (Little C), and a 2.0 lbs largemouth (little C). Overall solid performance and stats. The 3.10 upgraded the team and individual bag. The fish are clearly starting to move into summer mode with the heat and water warming up. Although the stats look impressive, it was far from easy. At Big C, Little C, and Hink Bank Robber only got a couple of hits but they were good fish. Bakers was the only pond that the bite was on fire but they were all dinks. The majority of fish were caught on Senkos along with a couple on crankbaits and flukes. No hits on the top water unfortunately. Bank Robber is looking forward to a local trip in the coming weeks. Abby add, "I got off the Cape feelin satisfied, but thought another 3 lber would have really nailed it. The smallie game feels like its shuttin down there now...the mornings were better but there was a definite shut down time mid morning. All in all...a great outting though." The Team and Co. have been widdling away at the season. The fishing seems to be getting better with every trip if you really look at it. Whats important now are the next few trips. The dog days are right over them and water selection is crutial. Now is the time when selective oppertunity is critical. 2 hours on the right water can pay off much more than the 4 hour trip on the wrong pond. The team looks to regroup after a little time off. Glowacki says, Like anything, sometimes you just have to let things breath and come back to them fresh and hungry. The season is broken into 3's and 12's if you really wanna get hype. Theres ice out, early spring, spring, late spring, early summer, mid summer, late summer, early fall, fall, late fall, early winter and winter. It may seem like splitting hairs but tell that to the smallies on The Q or the largies in the cove of Willett. Its a hardball world and knowing the game is half the battle. We know this from being on the water. You cant read it or have someone tell you about it. You simply have to be there. Abby was there and tapped the 2nd keg just as the smallies said they had had enough. You get that from knowin the crowd and what time the packy closes. Buyin all the brew in the world aint gonna make a shit of difference if no one is playin ball. prepare to party hard, this season is just gettin goin'....son."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

June.....(period)

2011-06-26T10:35:00.003-04:00

Abbott says, "Crazy sick Willett trip. Updated tracker attached. All three of us had individual upgrades and we had a team upgrade in 24 hours!Willett stats (best five)3.0, 2.12, 2.6, 1.15, 1.2 = 11.3 lbs Best Willett trip ever. Crazy action and numbers. Two culls. Spinner, Buzz, and Senko on fire."....and he aint bullshittin'....son. It was an amazing trip. Glowacki adds, "A great 24 hours for the Team ...Big Lure captured a 1.7 to solidify his top 5, I culled a 1.9 with a 1.15 and Abby scored huge with a 3 lber to upgrade from a 2.9. along with a solid 2.12 to boot. I mean it doesnt get any better than that. Sick fights, sick action all morning." Big Lure said on the horn..." I travelled to Plymouth for 1 keeper." Miracles thought to himself, "Welcome to The '11." The hard work is payin off though...BUT this year has been anything but a lay-up. Bank Robber and Miracles did however have their first easy trip in a long time. Miracles breaks it down. "We havent had a relaxing trip since last summer, for real. Today was a gift and we ran with it. it's June. You have to push it as far as you can right now. Rain, early mornings...it doesnt matter, you have to be on the water, otherwise your doing something else....and anything else besides fishing sucks. I mean lets face it, theres fishing then theres everything else. I dont notice the rain when Im fishing. The only thing I see when Im fishing is potential for American exceptionalism. Be exceptional on the water. Be the best fisherman in the world that day. I never gave a dam about enjoying myself, thats for the fat and lazy, those people enjoy their own shit. They play in it, they need it. I have a strong notion to ignore myself and focus on the pure savagry infront of me. Bcome savage. Sometimes I wont eat before I fish so my instinctual hunger survival will kick in and make me fish harder. Any edge that I can get on nature is a bonus. Silly, fuckin' rain...laughable. An early morning....forgetable. A 4lber at dawn with nobody around....fuckin priceless. Get over yourself and be more like team Abbott Glowacki...fish hard or get the fuck out of the way...we got a boat to launch.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

The size of the Dud delivers.

2011-06-20T14:50:00.002-04:00

"When Im in Holland I eat the panakuken..." said Glowacki who was in a straight up goof ball mood walkin off the water. And yes, today he walked on water. "Lemme tell you something...I called a great day yesterday and deliverd like Namath. The real play of the day was the no play yesterday. Like I said to Bank Robber this am...this trip and like my last Q trip:the experience comin thru...not the homework, but the experience. I held ground like a squad of 10th Moutain Division grunts bogged down in the shit in Mogadishu in '93. The motherfuckers gotta show himself at some point and when he does...hes got guess-the-fuck-who to deal with.... That was my mentality goin in and comin' off the water today." Glowacki got up at 4 am, was on the water at 5 and had his first fish 3 casts in. He scoured the water body with a spinner and worm lookin for size. 3 hours in he found it. " I cast towards a downed tree. He took it and dropped like a lead balloon. I was hopin' it was a bass. Then I saw the side of it and knew it wasnt a pick. My only mission in life at that point was gettin him in the boat." Glowacki soon packed it up and headed home. All was said and done in 3 hours. A solid 3lb 10 oz was in the hole and thats his Monday morning. Dick Babcock Vs sports Extra

Mob Rules, Rules.

2011-06-15T19:24:00.002-04:00

Recently I had an opportunity to join The Bank Robber and Mob Rules on their annual pilgrimage to the Cape for the "Men's Weekend". Historically this trip had more of a saltwater feel to it but in recent years freshwater has become the star of the weekend. This year the team had a great debate on where to fish on the main day. Bank Robber recommended Baker's Pond in Orleans based on some local feedback that he received at a watering hole last summer. The Team headed out for a 3 hour trip last Thursday. "We had a great feeling when we arrived at the pond" said Mob Rules. "I have fished this pond a couple of times in recent years and have had great numbers and decent size" said Bank Robber. Well the numbers showed up early as the team quickly landed 10 fish combined. "We new the bite was on and was only going to get better" said Mob Rules. As the came around a bend they noticed that there was a perfect point ahead i.e. depth, wind, veg, and visible baitfish swimming on the top. Mob Rules quickly casted on that magical spot and his Senko got destroyed. "I knew it was big immediately and called out the net" said Mob Rules. The Bank Robber got eyes on it early and kept a close eye on the fish and the weed line to help prevent the fish from jumping off. Mob Rules demonstrated perfect technique from all of his years of salt and freshwater fishing. When it was netted the boys were treated with an absolute giant weighing 4 lb 4 ounces. "That is the biggest fish that I have ever seen Mob Rules land" said Bank Robber. "I have been hearing stories for years now about Team Abbott/Glowacki landing giants and have personally seen the Bank Robber land some big fish but this was my time to shine." The Bank Robber landed a nice 3 lb 9 ounce within 10 minutes of Mob Rules big boy. The team probably caught 40 fish combined with a trip bag of about 12 1/2 lbs. Mob Rules has put himself firmly on the top of the B List Trophy and solidified his name in the local freshwater seen. Some times the harder you work the more luck you seemed to have was what the team was thinking as they celebrated on the famous porch that evening. Of course Metallica, Guns, and Sabbath were the stars of that late night party.
In other news Big Lure caught a 1.9 to add to his personel board. Miracles had a slow trip with Dave The Natural Glowacki on the Charles. And finally, The bruins play game 7 tonight. Soooooo, Im outta here.
Dick Babcock
vs Sports Extra

Miracles goes for Gold.

2011-06-07T21:29:00.002-04:00

"I set up this trip like a big game hunt. I called Abby a week ahead of time and gave him the game plan. I'm goin' for size. I wanted something over 3lbs. I called hammerd homework on past dates. i took into account Big Lures article on the Q. I heard KVD tellin' me to fish a spot from 3 different angles. I put it all together, called my dad and set the place; The Q. Quabbin Res. The real deal. It's big boy fishing. Winnipesaukee...Moosehead...Champlain. Have no doubt Quabbin is in the conversation. This is the bigtime. I set the time. 4 am wake up after a sleepover in Upton. we'd get to the dock at 6 am and hit the water. We would head out 20 mins to our favorite spot. We would fish it hard and deliver a kicker fish for early June. We did all of it." Glowacki may have nailed down one of the most under rated trips of the year. I want to get into how big of a deal this trip really was and why. First of all, Miracles aims not big, but huge. The pay off- huge size. The downfall- unheard of misery. Huge size won this time. There is a "go big or go home" mentality with Miracles. He has absolutley no problem with long trips, long drives, solo or team related. He has no problem with the plan of execution. I asked him about this. Glowacki says, "Im a planner, a heavy planner like Bank Robber, we literally cant plan enough. I think our plans have plans most of the time. Hes more of a watch in hand minute to minute guy where Im more of a gerneralist. He'll bring the second hand to the clock if needed. Where I may bring something else. This combo on the boat is deadly. The type of planning may be a little different but we embed ourselves in it. Thats all this trip was. Heavy planning. I was with my dad. He did the engine work well this year. We attacked spots the right way. Took our time and threw a ton of shit, cranks, spinners, worms, tubes...fuckin' everything." Glowackis first fish was his biggest. A 4.Lb 4oz Largemouth bass. Miracles says, " I saw this rock in a cove and was 100% convinced there had to be a fish there. It was text book largemouth fishing. Big Lure Welchs article about the Q said to fish largemouth lookin stuff at the Q like largemouth stuff, not smallie stuff. So I did. And it paid off. My dad netted it. Spinnerbait...white, off a rock that I had already cast to. KVD taught me that. So did Bill Dance. I caughta fish the size and how they would have caught it. It was a professional fish using a high speed lure. Spinnerbaits are funny. I use them like swimming jigs, if you think about it, they look exacly like a jig except they move faster, I mean, theyre built the same more or less. Theres something about a spinnerbait that is like , its like alive, and in my hands I make it dance. It drops fast, the skirt pulsates, you can burn it, slow roll it, dive it race it to the top ect. Its the most versitle lure out there. Fish it shallow or deep. The hits are as exciting as a crank hit. Under the right conditions the right spinner always delivers. I wake up look at the sky and wind and know wether itll work or not...I know what color to throw. I also know when it wont. I knew it was going to work on the Q." Miracles caught a few more fish, some good fightin 1lber smallies to round off the day. Kenny G hit a decent perch in the shallows then they called it a day. "The Q is a 12 hour commitment between drivin and fishing...thats not counting the night before or the night after. Its just a long day, but the rewards are endless...and if you dare it."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Res Round 2.

2011-06-02T21:18:00.002-04:00

Ah, lets see...wind. Wind is horrible when fishing. The Team went out a week ago. Glowacki says, "Fuckin' wind as usual. I'm really lookin' fro a decent trip...a decent Team trip." The day actually started out wierd. Glowacki adds, " It was kinda jacked up from the word go in some ways and in some others it was fine. Infact the action out of the gate was as active as Ive ever seen it. I mean the spinner bait was on fire. The problem was it was 98% Picks. I ended up bringin' up some decent keepers but nothin' really worth talkin about...just some mid 1bers. Abby got a nice 2.8 lber towards the end of the day. He was Captaining...the engine felt weak, the wind burried us on shore. anytime you have to walk the boat around the banks you lose. Its no ones fault, its just the way the day went. I lost a ton of gear. abby had some tangled up in blues stuff goin on too. I dont know ...I mean I would say he had a better trip...anytime you add to bag you win. Im just chalkin it up as a losing day on my end...My head was out of the game after I thought I had a cow on that turned into another Pick." The day was kind of a mess. A guy gettin off the water kinda jammed the team up gettin out of the gate. Abby had seating trouble and the boat had to go back to shore for gear 50 yards out. again, nothing huge, but not ideal. They ran into some sporadic veg trouble heading back. The engine mount was suspect throughout the day with Abbotts engine. It was the second time the two ended up in the water up to their knees this year. Not good. They have been out there though. Thats all you can do sometimes. Glowacki looks to rebound this weekend on the Q, while Big Lure and Bank Robber hit the Charles for a duel kayak trip.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

"We were in it the whole way.This trip can surely stand on its own merits."

2011-05-24T20:04:00.002-04:00

Thats a Big Lure Welch quote....and it couldn't be more true. Lets break this trip down as best we can. Glowacki and Welch rolled out of town at 8 am, were on the water at about 940 am down the Cape. Miracles says, " Honest to God 15 mins into it I knew it wasnt gonna be a lay up. I didn't say anything cuz theres nothing wrong with that but I just knew it." The water - mostly calm...glass at times. The sky...overcast...the hype meter, high, yet realistic. Big Lure opened the day with a catfish. That fish more or less set the tone for the entire weekend. So lets fast forward a bit...they managed to catch some keepers both largie and smallie, a sunny a perch and some mollusks ( yes you heard that right). They got off the water and the vibe was that of pure ponder. There really is no other way to express it. The day wasn't bad, per se, but they didn't kill it. Time to head to the camp site. Glowacki says, By this time I feelin' good but Im feelin rushed too. Its like mid afternoon and I feel like I want another whole day to play...we ate and regrouped, and preped to launch. All of this right after we found out where the campsite was, NOT right on the water like I thought but off of it just a tad. At first I started to lose my mind, but then me and Big Lure found the water access. Things were back to being alright, but not perfect. I threw in a fatty and had a beer." The team launched onto flax late in the afternoon and stayed way after dark. Lets back up just a tad. Glowacki says, I have seen many a large fish, Ive caught a hand full of 4plus lbers and i cant even remember how many 3 plus lbers. Big Lure brought a smallmouth to the surface that was the biggest smallie Id ever seen. Im usually good with judging weight from sight...me and Abby actually practice it with every fish we catch...I can tell you that my guess would be between a 3lb 12 oz and a 4 lb 4 oz smallie. I saw it from head to tail." The mystery of why this fish wasnt brought into the boat is important to document for a few reasons, the most important reason is so it never happens again. Lets look at this in depth for a second...Miracles says, "I saw Big Lure tugging on his rod, then he stopped and I said, "you on?" he tugged again and said something like,"I dont think so...I think. I dont know." He then kinda set the hook and the fight was on. The fish can barreling up to the surface and when I saw it I went for the net. You know the net, the thing that should never be buried under anything except God big sky was under a tackle box with an Ore weaved through it. I pulled on the handle. It was like I was holding the handle of a saw trying to cut through oak from 4 feet away. I managed to get it out and took a swipe at the fish. At the same time, the fish splashed, throwing so much water in the air that I couldnt even see it anymore, I went back to swipe again, I saw it swim away. There was nothing anyone could do. The fish was gone. Big Lure claims the smallie never had the hook. I agree. Whether he never set it hard, or whether the fish never really took it ...well, well never know. I can tell you that both of us pulled up a branch on the first trip and I will always wonder if that feeling of a false hit had anything to do with it. I dont know. All I do know is that fish, one way or the other should have been landed. I wasn't on the other end of it, but I saw it happen. I cant decide which is worse...what I do know is that there was a giant shit sandwich on the table after that, and we both had to take a bite." The boat rebounded relatively quickly after that. After all of that, they moved on. Big Lure scored some trout, brown, rainbow. Glowacki didnt do much, as Flax started to haunt him...they fished into the night had a few night caps and called it a night. The next morning...rain, slight wind...they slept a tad later than expected. Big Lure says, "I woke up to Miracles makin hash and eggs...we had coffee...it was dawn in the woods...Good Morning America ,How are ya...?" They were good and feeling great. They set out again onto flax. Hour 1- nothin- hour 2...nothin'. glowacki sarted to get pissed, heres an brief, somewhat modified of the conversation on the boat. Glowacki says, "Fuckin'...this shit better turn on before I fuckin' never come back here. I get skunked on this shit one more fuckin' time and Im gonna lose my shit..." He took a breather, dug deep and said, "Ya know what...? Fuck that, we see the fish here, so were stayin here. were gonna hang around until the fish wanna play. All we gotta do is hang the fuck around. Miracles and big Lure both pulled the goalie, they went worm after a weekend of anything but, including Glowackis insatiable appetite for the fly rod. Within 10 mins and with about 30 left total. Miracles pulled just that. A 2Lb 11 Oz smallie. He pulled it out of his ass. Welch followed suit with a 1lb 9 oz smallie. The team saved the trip, they saved the day. big Lure was on his back in the canoe with a smallie in the net after he dumped back...sacrificing the body...Miracles played Welches smallie into the net with vigor. The rebound was there. They won a regular season game in classic style...welch says, “All in all, I’m happy with the team’s performance and my performance. Putting all final numbers aside, the trip had some elements that just didn’t add up. A catfish on an in-line spinner? A rainbow and a brown on a tube?

The bass at Hink were finicky. Mid day blue birds, post 5 day rain storm, who knows, but they weren’t partying the way we hoped.

The evening Flax trip put up good numbers and species. Lots of lure variation and Miracles was looking to convert the fly rod. When we finally got down to brass tax in the morning, we pulled out some big boys on a bare bones approach. We needed that morning trip to produce well and it did.”

Miracles
Smallie
2 lb 11 oz
Senko
Flax AM

Big Lure
Smallie
2 lb 9 oz
Senko
Flax AM

Big Lure
Smallie
2 lb 4 oz
Tube
Flax PM

Miracles
Smallie
1 lb 9 oz
Spinner
Hinkley AM

Miracles
Largie
1 lb 9 oz
Tube
Hinkley AM

Thats a decent trip. Thats all you can do. This trip was the blue print for making a challenging trip work. Through rain, travel, cold, tough bites, ect...they did it, they did as well as anyone could have. Glowacki concludes, "My second biggest smallie ever and my first in almost 2 years...I'll take it. I also got that one on the bait caster and I can tell you this much...I'm happy it was, it was a strong fish and my template for fishing worms in cow-land may be to always go with the bait caster...maybe."

Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Spec and B. Robber kick out the jams...

2011-05-16T20:06:00.003-04:00

Did somebody say get hype?...ya they did...if the hype meter has been low, hold on to your fuckin hat...its in the red zone...Lets break this down, fool, fool, fool...Shiner Boys are back… 1986 - “Hey that is my canoe” yelled a young Speck from the shore of Uncle Harvey’s Pond in East Orleans, MA. “No worries, we will get your canoe back to shore later this afternoon” said a smirking Bank Robber with his older brother Mob Rules as empty cans were piling up in the canoe that they really didn’t have permission to be on. Little did Speck and Bank Robber realize that was the start of a long term bass friendship. From 1989 – 1997 Speck & Bank Robber fished just about every pond on the lower Cape with only one rod each, only shiners, no scales, no nets, no Bassmaster Magazine, no ESPN Elite and Bassmaster Classic footage, no on-line maps etc. and crushed every pond from Eastham to Harwich. Back in the day it was shiners and Speck’s old map that determined their game plan. Especially from 1991 – 1995 they fished three to four days a week for the entire summer and probably went threw 6 – 10 dozen shiners per week. At MacReed’s bait shop they were known as “Shiner Boys.” They caught some giants in that era. From 2004 on is when they made the full conversion to all artificial. They only get to fish 1 – 3 times a season together but they still produce great results. “We rely on our old knowledge of the lower Cape to determine where to fish” said Speck. In the last couple of years they have fished at many of their old stomping grounds. But last year a new pond emerged named Hinkley. They both fished it and had great success but never together. Well yesterday was the day. What occurred from 6 am – 1 pm was nothing short of amazing. Team trip bag came in at a whopping 13.13 lbs (3.1 lbs L, 2.15 lbs S, 2.12 lbs L, 2.12 lbs S, 2.5 lbs S). They culled at least 4 times and had some of the best fights of their career. In the end they probably had over 15 keepers with at least half being keeper smallmouth. “Especially on the right point and the left herring run spot, we destroyed it” said an exhausted Bank Robber. “I have never seen some many 2. 5 lbs smallmouth in one day” said Speck as he looked at his battered hands. The Team caught bass on Senkos and Shads. It should be noted that Speck was an incredible captain maintaining optimal boat positioning all day while fighting a stiff wind at times. The Bank Robber executed a flawless fishing strategy. “They are going be off-shore and we have to be patient” said Bank Robber to Speck at Joe’s Beach Bar on Saturday night while sipping a Guinness and they were. The Team caught fish in bunches with long waits in between. They made repetitive passes at certain spots because they knew the fish were tight together in certain sections. “The stats are incredible but it was a tough grind at times” said Speck. There were two magical moments in this trip. The first occurred at around 7:30 am off the Herring run spot were they pulled in a bunch of big largemouths. The other was at 12:00 pm were they pulled in some huge smallmouth off the right side point. In a 30 minute window right before the trip ended, the Team pulled in five additional keepers that were over ten pounds and four out of the five bass were smallmouth. "That was truly a money spot" said Speck. “Two out of the three best trips I have had in the last couple of years were at Hinkley” said Bank Robber. With Speck’s 2.12 lbs he is now on top of the 2011 B Team fishing award. “I wanted to show Mob Rules, Bous, Mr. G, & The Natural that I am a contender” said Speck. Miracles and Big Lure are heading to this hallowed fishing ground on Saturday. Should be epic.
It seems the early spring has been just that, early. Now the bar is set...serious pieces are on the board? Its Big Lures move. Its Miracles move. Big Lure is lookin for a break out season starting theis weekend. The excuse are over. The rookie year - in the books. Big Lure wants the Big-time...the stage is set. Miracles, comin' off a consistant early spring needs to up the anty. After no smallies at all last year, he needs to bring the A game to the Cape or go home hurtin'. Theres no way around it. Theres no way around any of it. The good news is...no ones lookin to get around anything, theyre lookin to go through it...son, son, son...
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Scrappin' all day long

2011-05-09T21:01:00.003-04:00

Big Lure and Miracles both got out this week on the water. Abbott got some B.P. in from shore. The Team and Co is doin all they can considering the weather is just down right cool, with zero consistancy in warmth.
Big Lure breaks it down..."Trip: Charles River, Milenium Park, 2 hrs, I had 2 hooks, 2 senkos and 1 white shad, that's all.

current was moderate, not bad on the flats. found the fish in the calm corners and sides just like we always do.
the senko didn't do much. in fact, nothing at all.
switched to the white shad....to be truthful, they fucking destroyed the thing.
angry multiple hits by big mean fish.
i landed this 1 lb 11 oz solid fish on the shad. also 2 of the biggest picks i've ever landed.

So here's the point:
I had 2 times where 2+ lbers had it, jumped like a smallie and spit it. Other than that, probably 3-5 great hits on it. So while the trip was good, certainly a victory, I am left wondering what I needed to do to land at least 2 of those other obvious keepers.
I think the Hit / Catch ratio on the shad is not as high as other lures. Senko, crank seem to have better more available hooks.
In the meantime, the Charles is open for business and the white shad is the calling card.....for now."
Miracles also got out this weekend on the same spot...he says, "Bust it- got myself a 1.8 lber...wasnt a killing bu I gotta look at it like this, I got a keeper every month since March, as far as Im concerned, Im battin 1000 ball here. I mean Im doin all the weather and clime will allow, I just need it to turn and its on. I was in and out in 3 hours. The hit, solid. The fight, electric, did some travelin down river, not much goin on...playin the hype meter till Nick, then, bust this- comin out large, buickle down cuz i need to make up for last year.
Dick Babacock
Vs Sports Extra

Fox '11...not terrible, but...

2011-05-02T21:09:00.004-04:00

Abbott gets hype..."Don't know what Babcock is feeling today but I will give you my thoughts 24 hrs removed. It was a good day but certainly not great. Our goal was action which we accomplished. We also wanted to blow off some life stress which we also accomplished. Unfortunately the species that we caught were a lot of sunfish, perch, a lot of pics, and one non-keeper bass. There was a two hour window were we had a lot of fun but wondered were the bass were at. Glow had fun with his fly run and I had fun throwing a bunch of different lures. We caught fish on a zillion different types of lures - caffeine shad, fluke, spinner, fly lure etc. For some reason we just never found the bass. Overall I had fun but between a brutal early spring and brutal late fall I became frustrated during our last hour on the water. Why were the sunfish and pics so hungry and not the bass? At this point, I need to get on a pond that has size potential. I don't need a 3 lb yet but I would like some 1.8 lb and 2.3 lb type fish in the live well. I think all of our schedules are brutal right now so pond selection and finding fishing time is going to be key. I would like to see the Charles, Farm, the Dud, or the Rez next but really don't have a free date for a couple of weeks."
Miracles adds, "The day was like great but not at the same time. I had one of my best days,no...my best fly fishing day ever today. BUT I really wanted a keepr bass on it. I dont wanna split hairs here but the season needs to notch up now. Today was like being full after you eat but full of just an ok meal. It wasnt quality, I got the numbers almost on every other cast and its easily the best fly fishing pond Ive been on, but I wanna step up, the game. I think the best thing that came out of today was my fly game is gonna rock down at Nick in a few weeks, I mean, Im fired up to catch a keeper eater down there. I mean thats the dream, fresh trout by the fire at the camp site thats on the water. thats surviving, thats living off the land, proven. it also gets me fired up for fly fishing for bass. Im convinced, convinced Im gonna get a serious bass on it this year."
The Team didnt lose on this trip. This trip was what they were expecting...almost. And its that "almost" that makes it quite not right. it also add to the season that just doesnt feel right...yet. But, thats fishing. You dont jump shit cuz shits tough and you dont throw a parade when dude scratches on the break. You play the game, show up, deal with it, adapt and overcome...get better, get wiser, get fired up...your a cast away from a state record...shape up, or the other guy will."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Good Friday Good Luck

2011-04-22T21:11:00.004-04:00

Before the ’11 season really blasts out of the gate and the keepers are being hauled over the side of the boat faster than the empties are being tossed out of it, let’s reflect on a tried and true tradition that produced many great memories from years past from the far side of Sagamore Bridge. Fishing doesn’t share a true opening day or even grand finally as many other sports do from baseball to football to even Nascar. Basically, if it’s warm enough to fish, more like if you can handle the cold enough to fish and the water isn’t frozen, go ahead and hang a line. Unfortunately the bite is usually off, and the fish more than likely packed their bags and ended the season far earlier than you did.
Then early spring would grant a day off from school or work in the form of Good Friday.
I met up with Bank Robber and Big Lure at the Auld Sod last Tuesday afternoon.

Bank Robber puts it like this: “Back in the mid-nineties Big Lure and I would break from wrapping up college courses and working some hours at menial jobs, and get together for a day trip bonanza to kick off the fishing season. Subs, brew, heat, lawn chairs…you name it we had it.”

DB: “What were the techniques you were using back then. Game plan?”

Big Lure adds, “Those days were strictly shore trips. We’d schedule the day around a few ponds, Crystal, Harvey’s, a few others. We’d set up camp with chairs and coolers and fish all day. The game was evolving I will say that. We weren’t catching sunners with corn and worms, but those days were strictly Shiner fishing, no artificials. So we were going for game fish, but we knew we had a lot to learn.”

BR: “Yes, looking back now it’s easy to see the progression of the game. Some of those Good Friday trips had a lot to do with pushing the envelope forward. We actually both bought high waders and moved the game off the lawn chairs and into the shallows. That really opened up the water more than we had. Of course the next progression after that was full time use of canoes and kayaks which would come later.”

DB: “What about the catch? Numbers? Size? Kind?

Big Lure and Bank Robber both chuckle and look off around the bar.

BR: “I’ll say this, Dick. We won’t be backdating the Top Hog Trophy with any catches from those days, but I don’t think we were ever skunked either.”

BL: “Usually we each walked out of there with a decent catch. I remember BR catching a rainbow trout on at least one occasion, several small bass that were likely over a pound, and more than a few decent size picks and perch would be found on the scoresheet over the years.”

BL: “It was more than the weight of the bass that I’ll remember. It’s Abby going neck deep in freezing water to land that fish with full waders on. It’s the back to back monster pick catch that we had at sundown one year. The late April sun on your face with the crisp cool wind blowing over the lake. The easy sippin’ 6 beer buzz that took all day to build.”

BR: “Major decisions back then, were ‘Do we eat that other half sub and then pack heat? Or go another Busch can?”

BL: “Times were different back then. It was a tiny little pocket of existence after high school and before adult life where you could be lost in a nomadic existence of self indulgence. Those days went quick but I’ll never forget them and maybe, just maybe someday they will return again.”

(Abbott and Babcock look at each other with a puzzled look. The bartender shuts off Big Lure after that last comment.)

DB: “BR, care to tell us about this pic?”

BR: (Looks at it with a deep rumbling bank robber chuckle that lasts about 4 seconds) Well, Dick. The car was a late 80’s model Chevy Celebrity at the end of it’s life. The car just shut down on RT 6 on the way home. We were cold, tired buzzed. Things were really looking pretty bleak.

BL: (Lifts head from bar) I took this pic from up on the median strip. So this old couple in a beamer or something actually stop and ask us if we want to use their car phone. Not Cell Phone, CAR phone. So Abby sticks his head in the old couple’s car on the side of the highway and was trying to call his sister.

BR: “I stunk like brew, probably packin’ heat. I gotta think it’s safe to say that we horrified that old couple.”

BL: “So I think that was a bust, and the next thing I know, Abby runs down the highway about 2 miles and knocks on someone’s door, a family sitting down to Sunday dinner, and calls his sis to come and pick us up. The details are a little faded, but that’s basically how it went.”

BR nods in agreement. “You see, that day was always great. Big Lure and I rarely even fished together. We were off doing our own thing. I lived down the Cape where most of my fishing happened, then moved down to Jersey for a few years. Big Lure was wrapping up college, fishing the puddle living in Dedham, but we always made it a point together to get that trip done each year.”

BL: “Miracles was in the Army at the time, probably in Somalia during those days. Those days were great but eventually there was a lull in my fishing career while I had young babies where I didn’t even pick up a rod for 3 years. But I knew that eventually I’d be back to it. Miracles and Bank Robber jumpstarted the game again a few years ago and everybody turned it up a notch. It’s been great to feel the energy again. It’s back and better than ever.”

DB: “So there you have it. A little bit of insight to a little bit of history. Dick Babcock picking up the tab, signing off and reminding you on behalf of Team Abbott/Glowacki- You don’t fit fishing into your life, you fit your life into your fishing. Good Night and have a great 2011 Season, sons.”

Abby gets onboard...

2011-04-16T13:17:00.002-04:00

"The difference between success and failure is paper thin in the early spring." That is what the Bank Robber told me while sipping a Harpoon IPA at a local Walpole watering hole while enjoying some nachos. Luckily for the Team, Miracles has converted one fish on each of the Team's first two trips in 2011. However the Bank Robber was on those trips and hadn't even gotten a bite yet. During a pre-game discussion the Bank Robber stated "I don't think I fished bad on those trips but I needed a fish on my next trip for sure." Well he headed out last night. The Bank Robber choose a pond he fished once before about three years ago. It is a tiny pond in Walpole off Washington Street. Truth be told the Bank Robber really doesn't like this pond but it is small and he figured the water would be warmer here than other ponds. Plus he had got some numbers here in the past on his kayak. "When I launched the boat, I immediately felt that the water was dead" reported Abbott. He threw the Senko for an hour straight and didn't get a single bite. He looked in his bag and decided to throw a Strike King Caffeine Shad on a 3/0 hook. "My hope was the caffeine scent might trick a fish into biting." On his second cast he noticed his line was moving. He immediately set the hook - Bank Robber style. "With the Caffeine Shad you need to set the hook with authority because there is so much plastic on that lure." From there the battle was on and the Bank Robber delivered. A 1 lb 14 ounce to start the season was frankly a relief. "I don't think I could have called Miracles or Big Lure with an 0 for 3 performance to start 2011." Unfortunately the water is still cold and the hype is low. The season is on but the bite isn't. Once Easter has passed it is time to get on some real ponds.

Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Aaahhh, what...?

2011-04-03T18:45:00.002-04:00

Well, I just don't know what to say. Usually when I start a post up like this I tend to say something like..."The Team struggled with blah,blah,blah..." or, ""The two stayed hype in the rain and blah,blah,blah..." but when you find yourself with a cashed engine in a deadmans drift in 30mph winds with a boat full of water, there isn't much good news to talk about...That wouldn't be as bad as where the day actually went, I mean, when your up to your ankles in water walking the boat around the edges because rowing has become rerderd useless- then we can start from a mutal point of perspective. That's exactley what happend. Lemme start from the beginning though, because the day wasn't a complete loss. It could have been and if it wasn't for one fish, it would have been. The Team started off at around noon, Glowacki says, "I was legitamantly fired up for this trip, I jhad just gotten off the phone with my dad who said he was going to be burning shit in the yard and that the wind had calmed down up there...so, I was like great, we should be getting calmer weather. Abby concoured with me that the wind was suppose to die down as the day progressed. The complete opposite happend." The boat headed out. Abbott was throwing a red eyed shad and a jerk bait...Glowacki a jig and pig and a spinnerbait. Abbott says, "I manned the engine under the bridge and we worked the first alley in calmer water. The main lake was windy but we were in a decent spot. Glowacki went from the spinner to a jig and Boom. First cast on the jig a solid fight with a 1lb 9 Oz on the ond of it. Glowacki says, "I was pumped, it was my first real fight of the year and got me fired up. It was a good lookin fish. Got a few readings on the scale and 1 lb 9 Oz was the final. I was thrilled. I was really hoping we were going to have a good day after that. thoughts of making bag raced thru my mind." The Team, then headed across to the right side, something they never do, but the weather dictated the game plan. Abbott says, "We were gettin shut down and even though we were covering serious water, there was just nothing there." They made their way to the far island...then they kinda floated around aimlessly it seemed like, never really gettin a hold on the calm side of the island. Glowacki said, "We kinda got up in story tellin and before you knew it, I looked around and we were kinda nowhere. We headed back to the rough side, got caught in severe...what I call severe head winds, had to back track, then follow the calm shore back then tried to get over again, thats where we lost power...pretty much middle water with no help from the wind or the direction it was commin' from. I orr'd up but the orrs were a fuckin nightmare, we were takin water and gettin blown around." The team switched positions, Abby grabbed the orrs and paddled like a "madman" as it was later described by an on shore looking fisherman. Finally they were out of gas, beat and crashed onto land. They walked the boat around the banks up to there ankles in ice water. They got to a calmer spot, rowed another 100 yards and made it to the dock. They were soaked, tired, bleeding, pissed off, cold, hot, and done. Glowacki says, "Believe it or not my fish saved my mind. I'm not sure about Abby though, he was visibly angry. The day was pretty much a disaster. It rivals our March trip years ago at Fox and actually beats our worst trip ever at Willett in the fall a few years ago when it was snowing on us at night with a dead engine. This takes the cake. I don't get it either...the day started off actually alright and ...I dont get it, it just unravelled to shit..like quickly. Im baffled but pumped at the same time. I guess, like I told Bank Robber...if he had caught a fish within 30 mins of mine, maybe we would have called it a day with the wind, but then again, if he got one...why would we have gotten off the water. Its a no win, win/win, lose/lose, win/lose senario all the time. All I do know is we need a real trip cuz it feels like the season hasnt even started yet and there fish on the board.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Can You Jig It? Can You Jig It? Caaaaaaan Yooooou Jiiiig IiiiiiiiT?

2011-03-19T10:08:00.002-04:00

I say the future is ours....if you can count , sucka's. Miracles and Bank Robber headed out on a mid morning trip to start the season off. The weather was warm and getting warmer. The ice was there but leaving as quick as the Team could get on the water. They headed to Cob. A small local hole known for some decent size and numbers, but more importantly, known for being "ice-out" friendly. Miracles says, "The launch was a little rough for a canoe, its not terrible but not easy either. It didn't sway us at all and it's about what I expected." The two pushed off like two people who had been abandoned on an island for too long. The name of that island was called "winter." Miracles adds, "This winter has been horrible. Maybe the worst for me in at least a decade, maybe since 92-95 and that's only because back then when I was in the Army I had to sleep out in it for nights at a time. There was just something about this winter that really was terrible...pushing off land was like slamming the door of a prison behind you when you walk out for good. There's that floating feeling. Your not on land anymore. Being on the water is like being in space. Catching fish is like catching space monsters. We were back." The two traveled around looking for deep water. There wasn't much. Abbott says, "It looked a lot shallower than I remember, we had a drought of a fall , but tons of snow this winter, it got the levels just back to about normal, but it seemed low." The Team attacked all banks and a deep well. No luck. They headed out, packed it up and regrouped by hitting the local pub. Miracles says, "we need to get the most of the day and breathe...we wanted fish, but we knew it was March. We played this song slow and really stretched out the jam session. we rocked some beers and some apps: nachos and wings. Then we headed back to another local pond. This time:Turner. Turner has been good to Miracles in the past. He landed a pig here years ago, I believe a 4Lb 3 Oz on a spinner bait off a point. That point still had ice on it today. They're was ice out there, but more water than ice and the water was spreading. They launched. The wind was now becoming a problem. They headed into the calmer part of the pond. Miracles , throwing a Jig and Pig, felt a bite, set the hook and reeled in the days only fish, and the first fish of the season...a 2lb 3 Oz bass. Miracles explains, "It was down right shocking, but I knew it was a fish. I had been bumping bottom for ten minutes and knew what the bottom really felt like so when he hit it I couldn't believe it. I cast onto a rock pile I saw in the shallows. The sun was out, the rocks heat up and it was around moving water- there had to be a bass there. Jig and pig is a must in that situation. It paid off well." The fight was sluggish. Abbott grabbed the net and it went to scale. "That fish kicked the nightmare fall of last year out the door for me. Its the '11 season now. Now I feel it. I'm here. And I'm fucking ready." said Miracles. The team, now getting pounded with sustained 30mph winds did a quick loop and packed it up. They went to get eyes on the Charles and then did some shore fishing at another local pond with no luck. The day was a mixed bag full off odds and ends that at times matched up and at times didn't. Miracles had a 2 rod tie up out of the gate that defy physics of this universe. Abbott had some line problems sprinkled throughout. All in all though, it was what was expected for a seasons first trip. This will be a fine tuned machine in a month or so.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

BassMaster Classic...'11

2011-03-05T09:19:00.002-05:00

Big Lure cleaned up in the fantasy standings this year...Abbott breaks it down country style..."Big Lure might have picked the greatest line up ever assembled on the fantasy draft board. The result of his effort was a record breaking 334 lb 15 ounce bag for seven anglers over three days of fishing. Big Lure picked three out of the top five anglers in the 2011 Classic and six out of seven of his picks finished in the top sixteen out of fifty anglers in the Classic! Big Lure has now earned the number one pick in the 2012 pick. Another Classis is now over. Big Lure is now the champ. Something tells me that Miracles and The Bank Robber have taken notice on this changing of the guard."

The night was complete with grub, brew and a ton of fishing footage. Miracles also got his hands on the A.O.Y. trophy. Miracles says, "Its custom made. It looks sick. Its displayed correctly....Son. I don't have enough room on the mantle for it, so did have to relocate the A.O.Y trophy....the Top Hog Trophy is still on the mantle...it has to be, and it looks good there. Banquette season is over...finally. We all gettin excited about ramping up the season into forward. We need the ice out to come quickly. I think Abby said it best about the early spring...hype managment is crutial. We know that March is a dog. April is barely any better. BUT....we need that March trip. We need it. It's been a horrible winter. Horrible. Dealin with my dogs cancer...unemployment...the fuckin holidays....6 feet of snow, ect. Were all done with the bullshit- we want to fish and we want to fish NOW."

Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Kenny G, breaks from the pack

2011-02-01T20:25:00.003-05:00

Well, its no 3lb smallmouth out of the Q, but it is fishin'. Kenny G wasted no time gettin on a boat after recieving word he made the cut for the Team Abbott/Glowacki B-list challenge. Although saltwater doesnt count for any real prize, the effort and passion are there. These are the traits needed to be taken seriously within the outer regions of the Team. Kenny G says, "Flew to Fort Lauderdale on Friday. Got lucky and was on the only Florida plane not canceled because of the snow storm. Drove to Isalamodada from were we fished for the next 3 days. The long silver fish is a King Mackrel. The Darker large fish is a Bonito Tuna. I'm still trying to figure out the rest of them. The gray one may be a red snapper. My hand covers what would be a black spot if it were the Red." And it was as simple as that. Kenny G nails down the first all around trip of the '11 Season. The real story will be when he gets out on some freshwater trips. the real question is- With such flyrod experience can Kenny G wrangle in a Bass on the fly rod? No one has actually done it yet. Miracles has publicly said, "Catching a bass on the fly rod that goes to scale would be huge...gettin one on the board would be great." Abbott sets out next week for a FLA trip he has penciled in. The season is slowly workin its way in, but as of tonight the snow has the upper hand. Speaking of snow...we got record amounts on the ground right now- Miracles says, "This is the white gold we've been waitin for all winter. I'd say this is enough to get us to mid summer easily if we didnt get anopther once of precip- the water is gonna be high commin out of the gate which is gonna be nice for the ponds, the rivers are gonna take a little more time to slow down , but this really opens up some doors to new water we have lined up." Lets hold on people...lets just get thru Febuary.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Awards Ceremony for the Hog.

2011-01-24T22:58:00.002-05:00

The crowd, hype. The place...J.P., Glows crib, food, brew, bourbon, ect. Big Lure, Miracles and Bank Robber were all in attendence by 7 pm. The fantasy draft kicked off a little later than usual. They cranked tunes, talked stats, talked fish, ironed out some looming bylaws and looked forward to the '11 season. Miracles lifted the trophy for the second time in his career with an engraved 4lb 7oz LMB. Glowacki says, "Its nice to see the front of the trophy gettin filled up with names and size. Im lookin forward to defending it this year. I know I got my work cut out for me with these two in the game. Big Lure has full water access with the 'Yak and Bank Robber can just be ruthless with size." The season will be in effect probably by mid March. The other good news is that the B-list recognition awards are now settled. Abbott says, " Anyone who needs to be informed about their acceptance will be contacted. Most have already. These guys are the ones who get out only a few times a year but love the game enough to, well...contribute. The top fish out of them will be recognized at the end of the year. Good fuckin' luck.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Year End Review 2010....son.

2010-12-26T21:45:00.002-05:00

The '10 season...what comes to mind...? Hink...? Hink 2...? The Hype...? Big Lures 'Yak...? Lack of water? The Dud? The Rez? I don't know. I really dont. All I know is that I got memories of things I shared and things I saw and felt in the boat...maybe the guy in the boat with me saw and felt the same thing, maybe not, maybe he doesnt have to. Maybe I was solo. Maybe you were too. I dont know what it is about fishing that I love. But it seems bigger than anything I would care to try to unravel. I think Im just happy that theres something out there bigger than myself, bigger than anything I can imagine that I dont have to try and do, but want to. I mean nobody makes me fish, yet fishing makes me want to get out in the rain. I dont know of anything else that would make me do that...with a smile. What I can offer you, in short, is a brief explanation of the what's what of the Teams stats. Ya, theyre important. Theres nothing better than being able to take a picture, or getting your picture taken with a trophy over your head. But none of us would argue that the stories both before during and after even the worst trip of our lives is worth our name engraved on anything. That being said, we who win each year represent not only ourselves and our game, but those who we did it with and more importatly, those special moments that will never be talked about. Not because those moments dont have to be or because they somehow have achieved some kind of higher standing, but because we who fish, hold them, ...we just hold them. There no big mystery to it.
Here are your 2010 exerpts.
BiG Lure says:The good, the bad, and the ugly? Yeah, I got those. And If you have a rod, a hook, and any shred of desire to conquer the fishing game then you’ll have them too. I guess I’ll start with the good. No. The great. No. The thing that keeps you coming back to the game time and time again. It was Flax pond, late spring and it was a 30 minute smallie zone at dusk that was dialed in, son.

Big fish, and big hits from smallmouth bass. That’s what I got that night behind the cliffs at Nickerson Park. There’s nothing better than converted success on a prepared strategy. I stayed up the night before, painstakingly hooking these tubes and grubs to be perfectly balanced to draw attention in the clear rocky bottoms of Flax. And late spring on outer cape can be very difficult to fish in the windy open waters out there. To get these conversions in the midst of a difficult trip made the success that much sweeter. I waited all day for that small window of opportunity. No. I waited my whole life for it.

I put a kayak into the rotation. Obviously, certain abstracts of my game will improve based on that, but let me tell you about some good times on it. Abby and I raided the Charles at dawn on a mid-summer attack that landed size and numbers quickly and efficiently. The kayak also made great numbers on a backyard barebone Buckmaster Pond dawn trip which has kept me off the board for a while. I also landed my biggest fish of the year on a Charles River bend, early fall. A 2 lb 15 oz pig that was hands down the best fight of my career.

Mothers Day Massacre?? Where should I start? Would you believe me if I told you that we battled the current for every inch of that trip both ways?? It’s like walking to school uphill both ways. Well, it’s true. And yes, the press release didn’t lie. Trees were falling, the wind was howling, The coves were like rapids and the flats were basically unfishable. My gear was a complete catastrophe. That trip just had so many levels that we needed to rise to before we were going to be rewarded a fish. I was overwhelmed, under-gunned, and ill-prepared.

Natick? I won’t sit here and say the pond was too big for the kayak, or I couldn’t handle the boat the way I should have. I just couldn’t unlock the pond that day. I had spots. I had some nice spots with some nice lures. Jigs and worms all day. Working’ the pads, working the shore, working off the shore. It just didn’t work for me that day. What made this trip a loss for me was that the other boat had big numbers and big fish. It was great to finally get the whole team on one pond but I can say that my demise was in my hands, period. My game did not work on a pond that was willing to play ball that day.

Not catching a smallie off the Wachussett shore in early spring is hardly a loss. It was a great look at a great pond. Someday we’ll pull something out of there and it will be a great day.

The team had a fantastic year. Abby’s working class lunchpale approach brought staggeringly consistent numbers all year. He may break down the nuts and bolts of a pond and a trip the best I’ve ever seen. When you fish with him, you know you’ll be as prepared as you possibly can be. And Glow? What can I say. He’s a gamer. And on gameday, he can produce. Sometimes his numbers are gaudy and sometimes his size is just downright frightening. On top of AOY and Top Hog honors, I’ll remember times like MDM where he pulled in a nice 2 lber when everybody else was running for the hills. A fish that didn’t even come close to being in his top 5, but under the circumstances that we were in that day was virtually impossible to convert for the vast majority of fishermen in New England.

Where do I hope to be next year? How about on the kayak somewhere at dawn rockin’ the fundamentals. Preparing myself and my game and putting myself in a position to experience success. That’s where I hope to be.

Bank Robber says:Highlights:
Discovering new ponds - The Rez, Hink, Farm, The Dud, NH.
More lure diversity with the increased use of the hard jerk, the fluke, red eye shad, and buzzbait.
Better productivity and confidence with fishing off shore particularly around flats.
Better ability to determine a pattern quickly and capitalize on the ponds potential that day i.e. The Rez & The Dud.
I was really pleased with my consistency in 2010 as I was on the fish on the majority of trips. I made personal bag a whole bunch of times and caught at least one 2 lb on just about every trip that mattered.
My individual highlight was certainly my 3.6 smallmouth which is the biggest smallie of my career.
Best trips - The Rez w Miracles (stats), No-senko classic w Miracles (fun), Hink w Bous (smallies/stats), Charles with Big Lure (first dual kayak trip), the Dud (first and only team trip).
Overall the team is just getting stronger. Weather aside, I think next year we will see team and individual records get shattered.
Challenges:
The wind, the wind, & the wind. It was the season of wind.
A captain error in the spring and a dead engine in the fall at the Club.
Two to three times this year I broke off on good fish. One particular at Hinkley haunts me as I think it was a giant.
Strange and short fall season.
Hink I & Hink II hard to explain.
Never had the monster trip on the Charles in 2010. Had good trips there but didn't have the homerun trip that the Charles usually produces due to high spring water levels and strong current.
Miracles says:
What can I say, it was the best year Ive had to date...a fuckin' 18.10 bag and Top Hog with a 4.7 x2. I mean, we got ripped off on the fall. I think when push comes to shove the low water is going to be the curse of the '10 season. maybe we should have targeted deeper water bodies late in the game, but who knows...I mean, we did do that to an extent and it did pay off with Hink 2 and the Dud. I think I just wish we got more trips in, with more fish. Its the fall. We never got to end big, or close the game out- Its gonna kind of haunt me I think until the Spring. Maybe I thought I could have had 19lbs with one more good trip. Maybe 20lbs. I'll never know. And ...its what the game is all about. The bottom line is that tonight theres a blizzard outside and the seaons over. The new season starts in just a few days, but itll be months until we get out there. This year is crazy cuz I found something out that I never felt before. I know what its like to get the trophy back. And this year Abbott is gonna feel something that I found out last year- what it feels like to lose it. Its brutal and theres nobody else on the planet other than him who knows what that feels like and within that mess theres a bond...its not a competive thing at all, its just a mutual respect for the feelings that come with it. After all- its fishing and fishings a big deal.
1 Do You Believe In Miracles 4.7 lbs
2 Do You Believe In Miracles 4.7lb
3(tied) The Bank Robber 8/1/2010 3.12 lbs
3(tied)Do You Believe In Miracles 3.12 lbs
5 The Bank Robber 3.6 lbs (S)
TOTAL 19.12 TEAM BAG

And of course there was other great news...Pete Bousy got a new nickname...you can call him "So-Sick" from now on. Big Lure scored a bag of 11.3lbs....Abby got his 16.11 lb bag. We all fished in 2010...no one can take it away. It was a year of fishing. Im Dick Babcock and Im headed off to go where I go every year at this time...down south- its a winter of saltwater fishin' and happy hours on the beach. What can I say...the ladies love me.
Dick Babcock
VS Sport EXTRA

Abby hits FLA....FLA hits back.

2010-12-18T19:54:00.002-05:00

Although the trip was far away, the word came over the wire in a telegrah, Abby says..." "So sick" Bous and I went out on the water yesterday in Florida. I am at the airport now waiting to fly home. We had a rough trip which wasn't surprising. This week has been one of the coldest weeks in the history of Orlando. Fortunately yesterday the weather was decent but windy. We went out on Lake Underhill. Between two of us fishing for 4 1/2 hours we had only one hit. Luckily I caught a beautiful 2.3 lbs bass on a red eye shad. The bass absolutely crushed my lure. It was sick. We threw everything - fluke, senkos, jigs, buzzbaits etc. They were just in locked down mode from the cold weather. When I landed in Florida on Monday it was actually colder than Boston. Florida fish are known to shut down in cold weather. We fished the middle, the flats, and the bank and couldn't convince anything to bite. With that being said, we had a great time fishing and then out partying last night. I will give you guys a more comprehensive review at Conrads. Looking forward to a chow fest on Tuesday night. Conrads food is awesome. Should be a blast. By the way, check out my seat on the canoe. Bous bought these portable chairs that you click on the seat. It is very comfortable and your back never gets sore. We should strongly consider this upgrade for our canoes in 2011. Have a great weekend!" The season is over. Ice has formed on the local water ways and the deep freeze has set in. The year in review will be out soon. Some solid stories, some solid fish. We'll get it online as soon as the Team regroups at a bar next week. The Team will be going over the year in a quasi semi private atmosphere. A several hunderd fans are expected to show up to show there support. The Team looks forward to a relaxing night after a long, long year.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Team Salvages Time;Crushed by wind.

2010-11-08T21:38:00.002-05:00

Oh man, here it is. The kinda enda year stuff that makes you relize the season is almost over...Cold air, colder wind, low clouds, leaves in water. The Team headed out in the early afternoon. Abby got hot early. Glowacki says, "Abby really had the hot hand early and I kinda knew it was gonna be one of those days where he was on fire." Opening the outting with a few decent picks, the Team felt hype about the day. The rain had settled down and they actually rocked the t-shirts for a while. Not bad this time of year if you can do it. Abby mostly rockin the jerk bait, headed over to the island. Miracles says, "We got into this kinda zone mentally that translates to the air around us- I dont know how to explain it, but theres a unique vibe in the air, litterally when were on fish. Sometimes we actually say it out loud, somethimes we dont but we both always know its going on. Its almost like we can hear something that doesnt make a noise in real life. I could hear it." Then The Bank Robber did just that, He robbed the bank of the island in 6 inches of water with a solid 2lb 7 oz large-boy, son, son, son. Glowacki then got his first and only keeper of the day , a 1lber. He says, "I wanted to throw something different today. I went with the rattle trap perch colored. I wasnt gettin anything on the spinner or worm." Glowacki brought the team bag up and between the 3 keepers they got they had a 4.7lb bag. The 4th fish was what they needed. What they got was wind, and a lot of it-Bank Robber says, "the second half of the trip was brutal, manning the engine in 25 wind gusts is horrible. The waves were kickin up, the boat was movin way to fast and it was tough to keep decent boat position. Slow presentation was almost useless." The team unable to get the #4 fish headed to calmer water. By then the engine was cashed and the team paddled a few feet to the dock. All in all , not a terrible day, but not the way they want to end the season. The question now is, does the team get out again, or is that it? If they do get out, where do they go? Right now, nobody knows. But what is known is that the Year in review will be comming out within about 50 days.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Cape Trip hits...Team kinda misses.

2010-10-23T13:57:00.003-04:00

"I wouldnt give the trip disaster status. But it wasnt what we were lookin for." said Glowacki about Team Abbott/Glowackis recent outing down the Cape. The team opened up the day on glass waters...with fish hittin the surface. Abbott says, "As soon as we got on the water- the fish stopped all action and the wind picked up...I knew we were in trouble right after we got nothing on the first streach." The team got their first sign of life on Glowackis first and only catch of the first pond. A solid 3.4 largemouth on a spinnerbait. Glowacki says, "He destroyed it and it was the second best fight I had all year- and one of the best ones that Ive ever had, period. I saw it in the next and thought 4lber!, but the scale dont lie...3.4 was fantastic- and it really was the upgrade I was lookin for all fall." The team continued around the pond. Abbott got 2 more large mouth on the other side on the worm. Although they werent pigs, they were signs of life, and not bad fish...and by this time, the team was only lookin for the fish. With 3 fish and a pond bag of 7.1 the felt like maybe the pond weas just off. They headed to another pond that connects with another one. They set out. Nothing was going on there. The pond was the pond where a year ago Abbott had slayed a 6.4 largemouth. Glowacki says, "We got skunked...I mean there was absolutley no sign of life. We packed up and got outta there and headed to another pond." The weather was startin to get worse- the wind...pickin up. The team decided to lose the engine and row on a small but well known haven for one lbers. They set out again- the results were slow at best, but as the rain came down the action picked up just enough. "Nothing was worth going to scale but we got some action- the rain was pourin out and we were havin a good time, until the lightning came. Then we had no choice...the trip was over." says Miracles. Out of all the ponds the team managed 7 fish on a "turned off" Cape in late fall. The name of the game with this trip is- the team had to go down there to do another fall trip- they probably will never do it again in the fall. Glowacki says, "It was a day of trying to figure out wether it was us, the ponds or the reigion. We figured out it was the area. The Cape just shuts down early. We did 4 ponds and looking back on it- our first pond for the size it was was probably our best pond- I wonder if we should have stayed there, but the wind was such a huge factor that I dont think we could have. I mean, by the end of the whole day we were baffled, beat up, tired and just shocked. THe fish we fought for were the hardest fish weve ever battled for just to salvage a trip...a big trip. I mean the Q a few years ago was tough but it eventually came on for Abbott. This trip I felt like we were gainin' ground then would have to start over and then repeat with limited results. I mean we were nettin' 10 ouncers and fightin them like 2.5's." The team is tired and the season has been long. But the winter is gonna be longer. The team hopes to get in 2 more easy trips before years end. Glowacki says, "I dont wanna see the rods for a week."
Dick Babcock
VS Sport extra

Team travels North

2010-09-22T22:27:00.002-04:00

The game was elevated the other day. Not as much as hoped for but elevated none the less, son. The Team launched in the early a.m. at a private pond in New Hampshire. Glowacki says, I knew we were gonna get good numbers but I wasnt sure what the size was going to bring. I'd had some luck with size here before but it was a month or two ago and shit changes." After a few early foul ups with lure problems the team got on the boat and headed out. The rain was on and off. Glowacki came outta the gate with a solid 1.12. Abby soon followed with a keeper. Abby says, "The numbers were commin around...we were gettin solid hits just about all day." Abby scored the days big boy...a nice 2.7 lber on a fluke just off shore. Glowacki cleaned up with the buzzbait. Abby hammerd keepers with the fluke and red eye shad...Glowacki would get some on the tube. Glowacki says, "We knew the bite was on...we were lookin for the size , especially late...Abby really cleaned up in the last 15 mins or so. I mean, we had a great trip, but I think we were both hopin for the rough 4 lber to play." The Team all in all, had an outstanding outing...2 dozen or so keepers, their best day with lure variations ever and some quasi new water. Not too shabby.....fool.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

The Dud delivers...fool.

2010-09-07T12:27:00.002-04:00

It was already all over the news by the time the crew got off the water...
Recap:
First group trip!
Crushed new water, team bag 3.12, 1.10, 1.8, 1.7, 1.5 = 9.10 lbs.
Over 10 keepers caught for the team with multiple culls.
Miracles nails another big boy at 3.12 moving the team to 19.12 just 4 ounces from 20.0 and moved YTD individual bag to 17.13 lbs just 3 ounces from 18.
Bank Robber catches at least 5 keepers in one trip again to record another individual trip bag.
Big Lure gets some action and lands some fish while getting more comfortable in his new sweet ride.
Bass were caught on at least four different lures - spinnerbait, senko, fluke, caffeine shad.
Abbott says..."I don't think we have ever figured out a pond so quickly. We had almost a 10 lbs bag in about 1:30 minutes." Abby came outta the gate strong...Miracles says, "First cast Abby had a nice keepr on. He reeled in 4 in like the first 20 mins or so. The crowd at the dock was cheerin' pretty loud. Miracles says, "They showed up early. I think cuz it was new water , plenty of parking and it was the first time all 3 of us were out there at the same time. We signed some t- shirts...threw some soft plastics out to the crowd, you know , the usuall. Glowacki continues, "I always enjoy when the crowd shows up. They have been kinda thin this year, but now that the word is out that the game is tight , theyre pickin it up. We love our die hard fans. Some of them have been with us from the very beginning- and they show up every single time." I asked Glowacki to elaborate on the fans, to tell me what the craziest thing he ever saw a fan do...? He says, "A few years ago someone hung a sign up over Rt 9, on the bridge for Abby. It was pretty crazy. We had a guy once try to knock us over in his boat once. I guess he didnt like that we were so fucking awesome." The Team is awesome. Thats just the way it is. Some serious stats are on the board and anything is anyones right now. Abby is tryin for 17 lbs while Glowacki is ounces from 18lbs. Big Lure sets himself up nicely with optimal water access in the Yak and looks to put up more size this fall. Abby says, "We got about 4 really great trips comming up for the season. Its crunch time. But back to yesterdays bonanza...Glowacki threw the spinner and alternative worm early while Abby threw a go-to worm. Glowacki says, "Abby was doin just fine and while he was crushin shit I wanted to throw something a lil' different to really feel the water out. Abby found out early that the bite was off-shore, so we went with it and it paid off huge." Glowacki labeled his 3rd biggest bass of the year- a heafty 3.12 largeboy in the open water. "I was thrilled." he says. "Ive been workin my ass off all year for THAT fish. My 3lber was elluding me, but I held my ground, played my game, played my shit right- kept my senses open and positive and it paid off. I only caught 2 keepers yesterday and that was one of them." Welch had a rougher day than expected. One dink on the Yak. He says, "That was a great day for the team. I’m humbled and perplexed at my lack of a keeper. But on the whole I just need to put some good fish up in the fall and make some progress on personal bag." The season now moves into Fall. This is the big time.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Glows N.H. solo run, son.

2010-08-29T23:08:00.002-04:00

"I had a good day. Not the day I really wanted per se, but it was far from bad, believe me." Glowacki was goin hog huntin'. The ellusive 3lber has evaded him all year. The 4 lber has made multiple showings, but that 3 lber is another story. He went to the spot that he caught one of them in. He says, "The big boys wernt playin'." Be that as it may, Glowacki managed to score about 20 keepers, without really tryin'. "I cast from shore first cast and nailed a nice 1 lber...got out on the water and next cast scored another one. I thought, well, the bite is on, but I knew what I wanted to avoid- numbers. I needed to target bigger fish and for a while I couldnt find them." Glowacki couldnt find them for about 2 hours. He was bringin in quality fish off the spinner and powerworm but need a new stratagy. He says, "The water was low and I knew I needed to go deep. I did some sight surveying and moved around a lot looki for deep wells. The water is so clear here and so low that I was actually abole to map in out for future use. I would find these deep dark pockets and then went to my original girl. The jig and pig. I hopped it off the bottom and proceded to hammer solid 1.10lbers, maybe 4 of them, all solid fights. Another guy came out on his boat and asked how I was doin. I said pretty good and he told me he hadnt gotten anything all day. so I knew I was doin it right." Miracles was doing it more than right- if this was a single man tourney, he would have cleaned up. The problem was, well, there really wasnt one. It was a great day of fishing. 4 hours under blue bird skies solo in NH is hard to beat, even if there were no pigs. Glowacki says, "I was there in like 45 mins on a sat morn, no traffic, no hastle, no shoes, no shirt."
Dick Babcock
VS Sports Extra

'yak Attack!

2010-08-23T08:20:00.003-04:00

“I made it home at 9:18 for a 9:20 curfew.”
That’s how tight and aggressive the time management schedule was. And that’s how the game had to be if Bank Robber Abbott and Big Lure Welch were going to systematically break down and conquer a stingy but bountiful Charles River on Sunday morning. In a first ever, “Dual Kayak” approach to a mid-summer trip, the duo left behind the canoe and motor to attack the river in giant floating chunks of colored plastic. But surely they had the last laugh when as Abbott puts it, “In less than three hours the team caught 11 fish of which 10 were keepers.”
Big Lure opened the day by pulling a 2 lb 13 oz monster out of the sticks and muck while it was still dark.
Bank Robber turned on not long after consistently pulling in enough keepers to make trip bag before half the Dedham Townies even woke up and started their walk of shame over Cedar Street Bridge. The duo traded culls for a few rounds, enough to bring the “weigh to play” up to 1 lb 7oz and a total team bag up to a whopping 10 lbs 2 oz for the half morning trip. Pockets of rain, shallow water, and some deep vedge were hardly enough to stump the duo this morning.
Abbott says, “The team stats look great, the individual stats look impressive, and it is only August! Can this year get better???”
Abbott nailed down another trip where he single handedly would have met the team bag standards, a credit to consistency and dedication. Big Lure Welch had a break out weekend utilizing the new Kayak that he brought to the table. Friday night on the lower Charles, he dragged a 2 lb 14 oz slab over the side for his biggest fish brought to scale to date.
“What can I say. I can’t meet the caliber of success that this team brings unless I’m in the action working the shore from the water, not the water from the shore. Blowing up individual bag this weekend was nothing short of invigorating. I needed that professionally, and I needed it personally.” Big Lure’s 11 lbs 2 oz bag will make things a little more interesting as we head down the stretch of one of the best recorded seasons in recent history.
Miracles Glowacki had his horses in the stables this week. He’s thinking 2 or 3 moves ahead of the pack as always. The team looks to reap the fruit of the fall very soon. The lazy dogs of August are howling this year, new water is being conquered. We’re staring down the barrel of a fall season that is sure to deliver some size and fight. Everybody seems to know that the 2010 story has a lot left to be written. Where? Who? and How? are three questions that we’ll all know the answers to soon enough. The only answer we know now, is as Bank Robber puts it… “Crackin’ open a fresh cold can o’ bud at 6 am on the Charles River while making bag….You’re king of the world.”

The Willett Dog Days Classic

2010-08-15T21:03:00.002-04:00

Team Abbott/Glowacki are good. Yeah, we know. So the Team decided recently to up the game. They set the bar hard. How hard...? The picked the toughest pond, in the toughest season to fish, under blue bird skies. Not too bad you say right...? How about they made a rule to NOT throw their best lure. That was the game...mid summer, no worm, tough pond. The Team thought they would have a good chance at makin bag- 5 keepers all at least a pound. The hard part was what to throw. Time managment and lure selection was at an all time high. Boat managment and where to go first was also huge. The pre-game was legendary. A full 4 days of back and forth calls that tropics ranging from what to wear to how many rods to bring, what to throw out of the gate and why. Abbott selected the fluke as his go to lure...Miracles, the spinner. Both have had success with them, especially Glowacki. He says, "The spinner is my bread and butter. I work it in a finesse way unlike most spinnerbait fisherman. I make that shit dance. When Abbott said he was goin fluke, I thought it was a great call. hes got a knack with alternative lures like the buzzbait which he also threw." The Team came outta the gate hype. Glowacki nailed his first keeper about 40 mins into the trip. He says, "We got onto some spinner bait country and I felt it in the air. I went spinner off the rocks and brought it in. A decent 1.2 lber." The Team continued in the more than shallow pond avoiding rocks and high weeds. Abbott manned the boat into a spot he's known to clean up on. He nailed the days next keeper and proceeded to wrestle smaller ones all around the pond. Glowacki says, "Abby got hot with the fluke, which was great cuz I cooled off pretty quick, he got the teams next 4 bagged fish, givin the boat its goal.I had a good run around the island but nothing of size." Around the bend, the team, losing some drive and momentum hit a spot known for givin up a decent keeper or two. Glowacki was eye ballin the spot and like the first spot his area came into view. he cast the spinner and took in the days biggest 1.15 lber. As he was bringin it in, the fish fell off and Abbott netted it." Glowacki says, "People think nettin a fish is just, put down the sandwich and pick up the net, lally-gag to the side of the boat and stick an arm out- its anything but that.If Abbott wasnt on his game we would have lost that fish. We needed it to cull and we did." The Team culled the 1.1 from earlier and gainned 14 Oz on that one fish. The team both landed another one just as the trip was ending. Abbott says, "It was a fantastic day...I mean, I cant get over how much game we brought to the table. There was a lot of hype goin into this, a bad trip would have sent us packin for a few weeks. I think we more than proved ourselves 10 fold on this trip for as far as what we can do under tough conditions." The two ended with a 1.15, 1.5, 1.4, 1.2, 1.1. 8 keepers all caught on fluke or spinnerbait. The Team will take a break from a team trip for a little bit. The steaks are high once they get back. The fall is commin up- the Team is lookin to blow the doors off of the season with some big trips lined up. Big trips = big fish. Lets cap the last few month of the season off the way this season is suppose to be capped off. Hell Ya.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Endless Summer

2010-08-06T19:48:00.002-04:00

Where should I start? well, Abby scored his biggest fish this year...a solid 3.12 lber down the Cape. He also had one of his best trips ever. Along with his 3.12, came a 2.13 smallmouth a 2.7 smallmouth and a 1.12 large boy. He did have some trouble down the streach of the week...Abbott says, "Me and Jeff went out and it was rough, I knew in like the first ten mins it wasnt going to be a great day, but me and Boosie had a good trip right before that. Then I went back to the hiney hole, solo later in the week and the wind absolutley killed me. I mean when your in a 5 speed tryin to gain ground , your in trouble. Im glad I got the trips in that I did." He should be too. With the 3.12 Abbott regained A.O.Y leader and a 16 lb bag. But not so fast. Glowacki and welch also headed out the same day. Glowacki says, I knew that adding to team bag was gonna be hard so I didnt set my sights too high. I just wanted to add to personal bag, really. i just knew I had a better shot at that. I scored a 2.7 about 40 mins into our trip on the Charles. I culled a 2.1 and gained 6 Oz." Not to shabby, especially for this time of year. Forget about pounds. Ounces are at a premium right now...or so you would think. Glowacki adds, "Abby added about a lb to personal bag on his trip." Abby chimes in, "We all made significant progress individually and we also made a nice gain on Team Bag. We need to catch one more big fish this year to break the 20 lbs mark. It won't be easy but we will get it done." Welch on the other hand, is having a trying year. He did make some progress with 2 keepers on a solo shore trip after being shut down on the duo trip with Glowacki. Welch says, "I just gotta keep gettin out there as much as I can. Im plannin on a big fall run." He has good reason to be hopefull too. Although A.O.Y for him is next to impossible, Top Hog isnt. A 4.7 is beatable and everyone knows it. The fall is notorious for givin up a cow. A.O.Y on the other end is in a dead heat. Abbott brings a 16.11 to the scale as of today while Miracles is bringing a 16.3. Miracles says, "My goal right now is to play the game right unlike last year. No hog hunting, just play my game the way I know how to do it. It paid off the other day and thats what I continue to do...selective trips, throwin the right stuff at the right time, good hook sets and fights. Thats it." Abbotts game plan seems to be just about the same. and as for Welch, getting on the water is key. The odds dramatically are in your favor on the water, not from shore. The Team looks to also break the 20 lb barrier for Team Bag this year. Abbott says, We have a 19.4 right now we need 12 Oz, Glowacki can do it with a 2.14." A 2.14 would also cull one of Glowackis low ball fish, primarily his 2.2 but would leave him shy by 1 Oz for 17lb personal bag. The majic number for Miracles is a 2.15...basically a 3 lber does the job with change. Abbott needs a 3.6 for 17 lbs...a little tougher to do, but still doable and right around his average this year for his top 5. Welch needs a new Massachusettes state record...and lets put it this way...if welch wins A.O.Y this year...nobodys gonna complain about it. Glowacki and Abbott both say, "If he catches that, the only complaint you'll get out of us is from the guy who isnt on the boat to see it."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

...and a hard rain fell.

2010-07-25T19:52:00.002-04:00

"The rain was on and off for a while, then it just came down. I thought it got kinda bad whn we were getting off the water. Im just glad we got off when we did. It rainned 2 times as hard on the way home. But when your catchin fish...quality fish, it doesnt matter one single drop." said Glowacki via cell phone after the trip. The Team hit the Charles for the first time in a while. The time off paid off it seems. Glowacki came outta the gate with a solid 1.3...a dense bass to open up the day, Abby soon followed. The Team broke the ice and headed up river. Things started to heat up once Glowacki scored the days first 2 lber. Glowacki says, "The fish were fighting harder than ever on this trip...2's were fighting like 3's...it was crazy. There was a wierd vibe in the air that translated to the fish...they were ready to battle." Abbott says, "Its unlike anything weve ever had, this day...it was like , the largemouth were fighting like smallmouth- I mean the fights were hands down the best fighting fish on the Charles weve ever had andits the best day on the Charles weve had in a few years." The Team had a 2.9, 2- 2.2's, and a few in the high 1's with numerous low 1's all day long. The bites were a constant which made for a solid outting. The fellas steamed back to the drop zone and loaded up, just in time too. A game time decition was made to leave early on this trip. That move made all the difference. Glowacki says, "Abbott hit me on the cell early and voted to go earlier than planned. We did. Ya know, sometimes its just the small things that make all the difference." A key small aspect of the game was highlighted when Abbott cast to a favorite wood stucture on the bank. He landed the fish, but during the fight his line got caught up in some exposed branches" Glowacki says, "The water was low, the structure, very visable. Abbott got a decent one on and it got twisted. I hammerd the engine in reverse, instinctivly, and it was just that foot or two that we moved that was needed to land the fish. i think we were both kind of shocked at the team effort that went into that move. Abby managed the fish, while I managed position. It was a classic move than we learned from. We took evasive action when the shit hit the fan and scored. The bottom line- we stayed in control of the situation at hand. Its the bread and butter of tourney fishing."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Bank Robber Abbott, gets LARGE with smallies, son.

2010-07-12T23:42:00.004-04:00

Abbys news came over the wire fast! He says, "I had three trips - One pond we caught about ten bass combined and I caught two that were a little over two pounds.The next was filled with action as I caught about twenty bass but mostly dinks. I did catch two that were right at 2 pounds. Bous and I had the greatest smallmouth bass trip of my life. I caught the biggest smallmouth of my life at 3.6 lbs and the third biggest smallie of my life at 3.1 lbs. Our best five was 14.3 lbs - 3.6 (smallmouth), 3.1 (smallmouth), 2.12 (smallmouth), 2.9 (largemouth), and 2.7 (smallmouth). I individually caught five smallmouth that were all over two pounds - 3.6, 3.1, 2.5, 2.0, 2.0 with an individual bag total of 12.12 lbs. I can't describe how sick this trip was. The fights were epic, the action was consistent, and the fish were just big. We easily caught over twenty smallmouth. We need 1 lb 4 ounces to reach 20 lbs for the season!"
Those are some solid stats. Abbott has landed 2 smallmouth that are at least 3.5 in the last 2 years. Although the smallie bite has been one of Team Abbott/Glowackis backburner targets, Abbott seems to reel em in yearly. So hows he do it? Lets break it down. The first aspect of Bank Robbers philosophy is to get on the water, period. Being there is 90% of it. Being on the right spot is also important. And of course throwing the right gear is huge. Glowacki says, "Abbott manages his time and trips well. He punts when he has to and launches when he should. Maybe years ago we'd be out there at the wrong time, or skip over times when we should have been, but no more." Another key to Abbotts success is homework. Glowacki says, "I never met anyone so dedicated to the game, but more importantly to the prep work. He puts huge hours in with research, on line and thru the magazines. Some people like to skip this step, or slack. Abbott has no slack in his game. Im not sayin hes gaurenteed bag or even keepers everytime, but when he does get em, its not by accident. Abbott never catches an accidental fish. Thats the best part of fishing with him. Usually, I see him make adjustments on the fly...he'll throw on a fluke or something, maybe a buzzbait and wham, a keeper. This trip doesnt suprise me at all. When he called me to tell me the first 2 trips were kinda slower than what he expected I knew he had one trip left. I knew it would produce. Hes got a lot of size now with room and time to grow. This trip was huge for the team and for him personally. He's reaping the fruits right now....and the fruit is tasty."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Elite.

2010-06-26T10:01:00.002-04:00

Well, Glowacki did it again. He did the impossible, again. Again. Glowacki says, "It took a while but when I was on I knew it was big. It was a great fight. I gotta admit, I was a little rattled during the battle. Not because I thought I was gonna lose it, but more so because I needed to catch it. Its kinda hard to explain, but after seein this fish jump 2 times I became connected to it in a way that was bizarre. I felt like I was fighting a Grizzly bear with a knife in the wild. I had to get close to it. Thats really all I remember." Glowacki brought it in alright. Another 4.7 lber. Glowacki has managed to catch two 4.7 in the last two trips. Its back to back top hog contenders. Unheard of. Abbott says, "Freshwater or saltwater, including Marlin, that was the best fight of any fish I'd ever seen." Abbys day was also far, far, far from shabby. Opening the day with a 2.9 is one solid way to start any trip. Glowacki says, "Abby found the lure of the day early. It was nice to see some size outta the gate. Abby had the hot hand all day. He was culling pigs, catching fish in the 2's and 3's all day long. It was crazy for a while. I mean for like an hour and a half he was the hottest I'd ever seen anyone ever, and with real fish, not bullshit 1.3's and shit. It was tourney level game face." Here are some solid A+ facts about this trip...
-Greatest Team trip ever with a team trip bag of 14.9 lbs. Best five - 4.7, 3.4, 2.9, 2.3, 2.2.
-Glow catches another giant which ties his previous best for the third time in two years - 4.7 lbs. He has also caught a 4.7 on back to back trips!
-Abbott has one of his best individual trip bags in recent memory with 11.7 lbs. -Best five - 3.4, 2.9, 2.3, 1.12, 1.11.
-The team caught 11 keepers.
-Glow had a 6.9 bag with two fish.
-Abbott had 9 keepers in one trip.
-Glow now has the honor of being Captain on the best team trip ever. We should call that the "Captain Quint" award in honor of Jaws which he will hold until this record is broken.
-YTD Team bag went from 15.1 to 18.2 in one trip.
-Glow YTD individual bag went from 13.1 to 15.13 in one trip.
-Abbott YTD individual bag went from 12.6 to 14.4 in one trip.
-The Team chowed the greatest sandwich ever eaten on a trip - Roast Beef sub from North End Deli, Norwood. This was the day the team has dreamed about. Today they were suppose to be on the water when they were there. It was like majic, really. I just cant put into words what this trip was like, you were either there or you werent. But I'll try- so it was like this...imagine for 4 hours everything working. Imagine for 4 hours everything you want you get. Imagine for 4 hours, you're untouchable. This was a front row ticket to your favorite band in their prime with your hand passing them a set list that you wrote, who knows...they may even call you on stage and sing you for he's a jolly good fellow...?
Dick Babcock
Vs sports Extra

Single greatest day of all time.

2010-06-13T21:07:00.002-04:00

Glowacki did the impossible today. Its something that may never be beat, or comprehended. Glowacki says, "Im just glad I had a witness." Im gonna make this short and sweet tonight...I'm exhauseted. I, Dick Babcock have never seen a spectacle like the one Miracle put on today. I wonder if I ever will again...? My guess is no. And if so...I dont care. I saw it once...today. Today was the greatest day of fishing anyone has ever had...maybe forever. Today was nothing short of Miraculous. Here are the hard lined facts...Are you ready? Let me answer that for you. Your NOT. You- are- not. So let me tell you this, Crack worked the engine. Crack saw all of this happen. When Crack was asked if he wanted to take a few casts, passed. He said, "I just wanna sit here in amazment and just watch you do this." That was halfway through the trip. Glowacki came out of the gate with a spinnerbait. Remember that word- spinnerbait. are you ready- No, no your not, but I wanna start drinkin to celebrate this majic day...this day nothing short of perfect. So here it is.
Glowacki caught 50 pounds of bass. Thats a 5...then a Zero and then a word spelled p.o.u.n.d.s after it.
35, ...again, 35, thats a 3 then a 5 after it were keepers. He caught 35 keepers.
35.
His biggest 5 were a ready...4.7 a 2.12 a 1.15 and 2 1.14's. Every other cast for 4 hours was a fish. Every keeper but 5 of them were on the spinnerbait.
He caught in total 41 Lbs of keepers.
He grabbed Top Hog with the 4.7 lber.
I'm goin to get fuckin hammerd. Good night, son.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

DJ Glowacki...Spins it. Abby- Captain Fantastic

2010-06-01T19:52:00.002-04:00

Bank Robber Abbott got his captains award this week. The boat made bag, then culled...then culled again. It wasn't that easy, but thats what they did, fool. The Team set sail at 6:15 a.m. Glowacki came outta the gate early with a worm catch. It wasnt a keeper but a good sign. The Team was feelin a little nonchalaunt outta the gate. Abby says, "We were in kinda a chill mode, which wasnt bad, but we needed to step it up a notch. The Team decided to bring the noise. They switched gears and Glowacki went to the spinner bait. Glowacki says, "I was feelin the deep spinner, I think it was my first cast...I didnt really call it but almost said something like, "this should work"...I was on right away." Glowacki scored a nice fish , long, spinner, deep. Abby followed suit and started to tag fish. Abby says, "I got the hot hand about a third of the way through it and held it steady for most of the trip. I landed a nice 1lb 15 Oz. on the honey hole we found later in the game. Tghe team gotr a bonus, and rare time upgrade. It wllowed then hours more on the pond. They headed into a cove where they started to land numbers. Glowacki says, "I was pepperin the weed line with the spinner and catching keepers we needed to cull. We were cullin fish by an Oz. If we needed a 1lb 1oz we got it. If we needed a 1lb 2Oz...we got it. we just kept upgrading, barely, but we did it. The two decided with satisfaction at a season high boat wise to head in early and get some apps and beers at the local table and tap. They were headed in, gear put away, blue bird skies, the engine up, Abbott had a had on the dock and then lets say...Abbott had his hand on the side of the boat. The final stats were 1.15, 1.2, 1.2, 1.2, 1.1 = 6.7. Not a huge bag, but great for this pond. just what the Dr. orderd.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Dialed in.

2010-05-24T23:43:00.002-04:00

"Overall I caught four fish three of which kept - 3.4, 1.6, 1.2. Such a great river. Glow also made a big upgrade to his individual bag adding about two pounds to his total. Season is looking good boys." said Abby about the weekend. The weekend was taken care of starting on friday. Glowacki says, "New Hampshire was dope, new water, a ton of fish, good fights, good fish. i had some nice upgrades with another 1.12 and Co. Lots of action. Got the 1.12 on a spinnerbait. the spinner has been great this spring." Abbott headed out on the solo Charles tour- grabbin a 3.4lber a good 2 1/2 hours into the trip. Its this years first 3 pounder. Glowacki followed suit on the Charles on sunday....a solo trip- netting a 2.1 lber. Glowacki says, "I needed that fish. I had a nice top water grab pickeral on the hula popper, but I needed that bass. It got me into the 2 lb range." Glowacki and Abbott have been gainning size as of late....a good sign of things to come. The satisfaction level is high as they head into memorial day weekend. I think the team may be lookin for a fun trip. Maybe they get it sooner than later. lets hope so, fools.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Big Lure Welch shows his teeth.

2010-05-19T21:57:00.002-04:00

Its the Cape Invitational. A yearly overnight trip to Nickerson State Park down the Cape. This year Miracles Glowacki and Big Lure Welch headed down with the trusty tent outta '77. They headed out on to Big C. Glowacki says, "I got a bad feelin about this." Well, he didnt exactly say it, but he felt it- The wind, straight kickin 30 mph sustained in the face. the waves were crashing over the rim onto joes feet. Glowacki manned the engine to calmer waters. He says, "We were getting killed. Killed. I tried to get us to the calm shit but it was tough. The bite was tough. It was just a tough day. With no luck the two headed to little C. Joe took the engine work. he says, "Little c's light are on, but nobodys home...again." Big Lure and Miracles regrouped, got more beer, made some food and miracles took a nap. Miracles says, "When I woke up, Joe was over looking the water like an Indian. he was talking to the water with no words. I knew he was in the zone. I saw him in the fishing zone, finally. the fishing zone is the zone one gets in when nothing can touch you, not rain, wind, fire, nothing. Its the zone where you are it. We've been fishing before, but Joe was somewhere else. This moment in time, I awoke to joe reborn." They headed out onto Flax. Joe got on and off again quick with a solid keeper that got off. he didnt panic- instead he focused like a hawk. Bouncing the tube...he became the tube- the fish rewarded him with hard work and he caught the days first keeper, and joes first of the year. Miracles continued toi struggle. miracles says, "Joe caught another keeper scatterd in a few others that spit out the lure. he was in the pocket. It wasn't my day. but i'll tell you this- theres always something about watchin the other guy slay it that is satisfying just the same." Big lure collected a 2lb 4 oz and a 1lb 12 oz both smallies with some fantastic fights. Miracles adds, "I can say that one of joes fights was hands down the best smallie fight Ive ever seen. That fish battled and did the smallie "last throws before the boat maylay shuffle, but joe held on and it was in the net." he had a tough bite, hard work satisfying trip. Those trips are where you make your money and the ones that you never forget." Abbott was also down the cape with an early morning bite. Abbott scored 2 keepers and both Big Lure and Bank Robber added to team and personal bag. With everyone on the board now- the standings are looking good well into May. big Lures rod stayed hot a few days after this trip with 2 decent picks out of the Charles. ...Did someone say, "Did someone say keep on rockin'"???!! Ya,...they did.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Miacles/Big Lure battle the wind.

2010-05-10T21:37:00.003-04:00

Big lure and Miracles got out on the Charles this past Sunday. They got out there at 6 a.m. The wind- dreadfull. Glowacki says, "Its the worst wind I ever had on a trip. My and Bank robber had a bad trip with wind at Lil Cliff last year, this was twice as worse. The branches on the trees were breakin off around us and landing in the water." Glowacki manned the engine as Welch held the point. They headed up river against current and against wind on the longest Charles river trip to date. Welch says, "I grabbed the orr to get us under the bridges, the boat got pushed sideways at one point but we managed." The duo took up a calm pool about halfway up. Glowacki says, "Inspite of all the chaotic weather i was scanning the shoreline, i saw a simple rise and cast to it." Glowacki missed the first set, but cast a second time and scored the days first keeper. It was a jolly 1 lber. The two ket going. they got into a creek where Miracles had scored a pig last year. Glowacki says, "I switched up tactics a little. I went with a large worm that sank slow. I used the current and kept my spool open to let line out. I knew that the worm would slowly sink so any tention on the line would inform me that a fish was on. It was. I set the hook." Glowacki scored the days second keeper, a solid 1lb 12 oz bass that fought hard. Glowacki says, "It was a great fish and a nice battle. Joe manned the net well and brought it on home. I was screamin' "commin to you!" for like 30 seconds until it was in the boat." they kept goin. Glowacki found another pool, cast, and scored. This time a 1lb 2 oz bass. Welch had some other issues on this trip. Gear problems and bad luck plauged Big Lure. welch says, "My line was all fucked up...birds nests for a lot of the trip so I could never really get in the groove, especially in the hot zone." The two headed back with just enough juice in the battery to get them back to the landing. they were out there until about 1:30. It was a long day. They learned a lot about the streach of water they were on. Glowacki says, "Ive never seen so much lumber in the water before on any part of the Charles. When the wind and current die down, this streach is going to be hot, son." These two will head to the Cape this weekend to get on the Big stage. Bank Robber will be down there too. I expect some serious weight to be added to the Team and Personal boards come next week. Stay hype, fools.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

99 Problems...but a fish ain't one.

2010-05-07T20:52:00.002-04:00

The team started off at 5 a.m. They , like all team Abbott/Glowacki fans are, we hype. They got lost on the way to the spot. Glowacki says, "I didnt bring the gps...I botched the roads...it almost got ugly." Well, it did get ugly. The first 2 hours of the trip were dead. The team coverd a mile of water with nothing. No dink bite, no nothing. The team was in dire straights. Abbott says, "I felt like we were listening to Dire Straights all morning." The team had a group meeting in the boat. Glowacki got goofy as Abbott got quiet. Both bad on the boat...both dark. Then a squirrel swam across the river. A squirrel swimming across a river brought the sun, the sun brought new life to the boat. Glowacki says, "We got real focused , real fast. We came out of the first part of the trip and into the second like a fighter who had been getting killed for 7 rounds who reached down , way down and grabbed onto some intestinal fortitude. There was no way we were going down, no way at all. we were beat up. we were losing. we got on some good water at a good time and all of a sudden I felt something in my soul, it was in the air. I knew the fish were around us. I threw a spinnerbait and said to Abbott that we were about to get hot. Within a cast or two we got a double hook up. Abbott got a 15 oz and mine got off, but we were on. I rebounded fast and scored a 1lb 12 Oz. Baitcaster, spinnerbait. I was jacked." The two headed down a little more. Abbott cast a senko to the bank. He wrangled a 2lb 9 Oz to the net. The team was back. They upgraded team bag and personal bag quite well. They turned around what would have been a disaster into a respectable outting. Today, they earned their nicknames...again. Miracles and Big Lure will be crushing shit this weekend. Hopefully they can parlay the good time vibe and get more fish on the board before the Cape Classic next weekend. A solid outting today, boys. These are the days, like today, that separate the weak from the strong, the fair weather fisherman from the die hards. Today team Abbott/Glowacki shined on you crazy diamonds.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Urban outfitter

2010-04-28T22:59:00.002-04:00

A few days ago Glowacki hit a solo shore trip...bare bone facts- J.P.Pond...4 dinks, biggest 15 Oz, ...baitcaster, jig and pig, solid hooksets and fights. I'd break it down hardcore, but I just got back from drinks at the Pacific Rim Bar and lounge...fuckin Hawiian night get me everytime.
Dick Babcock
Vs sports Extra

Wachu...sets no hooks, son.

2010-04-24T10:35:00.002-04:00

Big Lure and Miracles travelled to Wachusette Res yesterday. Thjey were met with a stiff 20 mph wind to the face. They bombed the shore line with cranks, jigs, worms, swimbaits and all kinds of other bullshit. Glowacki says, "Fuckin here we go again...Another April thats sucked...slow, no real action. I was gonna try goin out today, but lets face it...April is a cold fucking month. Im not gonna kill myself gettin out there. " The 2 walked probably a mile in each direction. They saw some other asshole's out there who were also gettin skunked. Big Lure says, " The old man fishin for trout said it best, "nothings runnin' right now", in other words, the shad arent swimmin yet, therefor theres no natural bait, or reason to come out of the deeper water...its not warm out. The water is getting warmer, but the bottom line is, its just not fuckin warm out." Several shitty hours later, the team headed back to the car. They took another few casts at another local shit hole. They were met with the same horseshit. Glowacki says, "Fuck this shit."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Bank Robber...hangin' steady.

2010-04-18T21:59:00.003-04:00

The bank robber Abbott got out on the rainy Saturday and landed a nice variety of fish in type and size to the game this weekend. The jerk bait was also made the early season cut, it seems. Someone say, Yao. Abbott says, "3 bass, 2 keepers, a 1lb 4oz,then a 1 lb 15oz bass and sunny(on the jerk) and a pick, not a bad day for only a few hours on a local hole." Not a bad day indeed. the Teams mentality this year has been, "Get it while you can." It seems to be starting to pay off. These fish they're getting now will continue to come with the size. Glowacki adds, "Me and Big Lure are goin out there this week...target- smallmouth. Its gonna be an all day affair. This is going to be a hunt. We're lookin to crack the nut on the season and really let the size and numbers start up. We're ramping up for at least a solid effort all around. I don't mind this early spring experimental fishing Im doing right now- I think its going to focus me in come May 1. Big Lure is gnawin' at the bit for some new year action. Abbotts off to a pretty good start, no doubt. But I feel like im still waiting for the season to really start."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

New Water...Same Game.

2010-04-07T22:43:00.002-04:00

"I got up at 430. I was on the road at 5. I was fishin by 630 down the Cape. For the next 4 hours I through everything I had at 'em. I got nothin'." Glowacki set sail on the solo tip today for the first time this season at Santuit in Mashpee. The wind, calm to breezy, the temp...mid 80's. The scene...hype. The problem- the bite just wasnt there. Glowacki says, "I dont wanna be the guy who says I woulda killed it if the bite was on...but I would have. The bite was just off. I saw plenty of signs of life, but nothing was going after anything I threw out there. I used all kinds of combos...drifts, cranks, craws, trolling, spinner even a jerk bait and rattle trap. The God dam worm bite was absent. Shut down. It was disoppointing, but i got a lot of know how outta it. I found the place and got eyes on the conditions. I just think it was too early for this pond today." Glowacki stayed until noon, then headed home. It was a decent half day early morning trip that falls under the "experience" catagory. He says, "I just gotta chalk up what I learned today to make myself a better fisherman for trips later on. The water was cold but you can tell its tryin to get warm. Id go again...maybe in a month or so. Im just tryin to make the most of the Spring while its here. A month ago I was dreamin about days like this weather wise, I just cant sit around and watch...I gotta get on the water. There was nothin else I could do. If i was catchin dinks, then I woulda thought my game was off, but the fish just werent playin..." Glowacki and Welch have a plan in the mix soon. He also has one with Abbott soon. Glowacki end with, "give it another 10 days or so and shit should be turnin for the better- I just gotta be there when it happens."

Dick babcock
Vs Sports Extra

A Good Friday...no, really.

2010-04-02T22:18:00.003-04:00

Today Jesus was killed by the non-believers. Team Abbott/Glowacki believe in Miracles and officially...in jerk baits. The day started out , in a word, frantic. I'm not going to get into the deatils of how fucked up the morning was. Let me just say its a good thing the team had the entire morning to work out any complications. But the madness of the early season didnt stop there. the 2 set out at 1:30 in the afternoon. The battery died...again. Glowacki says, "I was having, hands down one of the most disturbing and problematic mornings of my life. I tore the house apart trying to find some flys I had stashed away. I never found them. I went through the house like a bull throwing remotes and slamming doors. I broke some shit. I couldnt calm down. Then when we got to the boat we launched and the engine died again. Its fuckin dead. I left it in the closet over the winter with no heat and it cashed out. I cant recharge it. We got like 100 yards and abby had to drive home and get his engine. I sat in the boat tied to shore drinkin a beer, pulling my teeth out." After about 20 mins from front to back the team was back on track. They headed to the point then to the Church cove. Glowacki got nifty on the fly rod. He pulled in the days first fish a non keeper sunfish. He says, "I was pumped to get somethin on the fly rod right off the bat. I nneded a change of pace. It shook me outta my bad mood. The team looped around with not much happening. Then they headed out to deep open water and let their eyes do some work. They saw top water churning...chaos. the headed over to it. Abby throught the jerk bait towards it, Miracles through the fly. glowacki says, "I kinda saw outta the corner of my eye Bank Robber, set the hook and then heard him say it could be a 4 lber. I saw the line move and knew he was on. I went for the net, and as I did felt that I was on. I grabbed the net and saw the fish Abby had. It was huge. It was a huge Pike. I thought it was THE Pike...the infamous 15lber that lurkes in these very waters. I said, "Its the pike!" Abby worked him in. An impressive 4lb 6 oz 26 inch Pike- a monster. I reeled in my sunfish for a double hook up. Abby says, "This was the biggest fight I ever had and this is easliy the strangest double hook up weve ever had." Glowacki adds, "Abbys voice was trembling as he was bringin this in...Ive heard and seen him bring in some cows, but this was an all around experience. I gotta say though, personally, that when I saw the fight and relized how big it was, I was a tad disoppointed that it wasn't a bass. I mean, not to take anything away from a huge pike, but a 4' 6' bass on April 2nd would have taken a sick insane fight and fish to a legandary bass for all kinds of reasons." Abbott caught a 1 lb bass and a 1.5 bass as they wrapped up the day. Abbott says, "we finally get something on the board to track and send out on the spread sheet...thats a good feeling...winter is lingering, but its over. Its over. The sun was out. Both of us left satisfied." Miracles concludes, "I got 3 sunny's on the fly rod...its Arpil 2nd, Ill take it. I would have loved a bass today but thats part of the game." The team has had a , well...interseting opening to the season this year...pike, trout, bass, sunny's, jerkbaits, fly rods...it seems that when things do heat up for real these guys will be bringin the noise like P.E. in '89. I forsee a revamping of years past. I see something new and vibrant. theyve been tried this year with engine and battery problems, but when everything settles down- look out. Get on the boat or get the fuck outta the way. This is Dylan going electric. This is gonna be a sick year.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

And they're off...

2010-03-20T23:07:00.002-04:00

Team Abbott/Glowacki set sail today on what looks like to be a highly explosive season...eventually. The sun was out. The temps in the low 70's with blue bird skies. This was the day theyve longed for since early winter. Today, they went fishing. Glowacki says, "I think its safe to say, we both had the new season jitters right off the bat, it took us a little while to get settled down. I think we were both just so excited about being on the water." The wind was a big factor today, and it seemed to overshadow the fact that the water was still very cold. Abbott says, "It was probably in the mid to high 40's at best- not the greatest bass fishing conditions." The team bombarded the water with a d-day invasion like attack- jigs, pigs, worms, lipless cranks, jerk baits and deep diving cranks were all on the menu. Unfortunatley, no bass were to be seen. The day was full of trying new gear like reels and new lures. Glowacki ran into problems with the engine, he says, "Ya, I kinda fucked up- I let the engine sit all winter and didnt really charge it cuz my indicator light on the charger said it was ully charged, but it wasnt, we ran outta juice and had to paddle, I was not happy about it, but these are the early year trips where that stuff is going to happen and these are the trips where you reallyu learn about whats what. its better that it happens now on a pond then in June on a river. We paddled because we were prepared. Years ago, we might not have brought the orrs, but we always do now, this is why. The orrs have bailed us out many times, and you can never know when its comming. The orrs are the lifejacket of the boat. We overcame and then Abby got a bite." Abby got a bite alright- and a solid fight. he brought in the seasons first fish. A beautiful 14 inch brown trout on a lipless crank bait.' Abbott says, "I picked up this crank after watching the bassmaster classic. I was watching the retrieve they were using and did the same thing...it paid off big time. I remember itting on my couche watching the retrieve and practicing as I sat there, counting time and reel turns...homework does wonders." The team did a few laps around the pond then called it a day. 3 hours was plenty of time. It seems that the water is still to cold for any bass. Some guys on shore who theyd seen in a boat earlier had the same problem- the fisherman were awake, the fish were not. As Glowacki said on the boat, "If you go fishing for bass and land trout, chances are its March." the team Marches on. Glad to see ya back, fellas.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

The '10 Season ...cometh, son.

2010-03-11T22:18:00.002-05:00

Abbott and Glowacki stare down the Bassmaster Classic at Abbotts recently. these are the faces of anticipation...So, here we are. I got a question for you...You got this...this...thing called fishing, right. You got this passion...this need to rock the house. This isn't a hobby. This isnt a game. This isnt something you do to pass the time. This is called bass fishing. So, there really is only one thing I have to ask here...here at the beginning of the new season, the new decade...What are you gonna do with it? What are you gonna do off that secondary point...rocky bottom...late afternoon...youre short bag by 1.7 lbs...? What are you gonna do...deep well, crank is off, its gettin hotter out...? What are you gonna do ...Mid April...current...cold? Glowacki says, "Look, I aint worried about the basics this year...my main move is to rock the baitcaster effectivley at 15 feet. I was thinkin about what Im not good at. Mid casting baitcasting must improve. Im gonna work off my strengths throught the early 1/3 of the game...saturating the field, stayin focused, just bein there..." Abbott says, "I just got my feet with with a FLA trip this week. I rocked a dinks, but they were in tough low water conditions. I did good considering. Im ready for the real deal now. We got a trip penciled in in a few weeks...Ill be hype." Welch says, "Im lookin at gettin on the water more this year, I wanna rock the smallmouth scene hard, been doin homework and my gear will be correct. Me and Miracles have a Nickerson II commin up. Its called "Nickerson II: Game Face". The team and company look to do some real damage this year early. New water might come into play sooner than later which could lead the way for an explosive Spring. Glowacki adds, "New gear will be on the table, especially new lures. Im gonna expand on the fly rod option also." Welch follows, "Mid April sould be lit up with me and miracles 9 hour bonanza...we'd like to get a 9 lber out of the mysterious hole we hit each year." Abbott ends with, " I can feel the season brewin up...warm water, drafts, to the scale, bag...early morning coffee, the launch...castin into the mist on the water...full sleeved t shirts...the first 3 lber of the year...the Charles, the Charles, The Charles."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Flyin High Again...(featuring Dave Abbott)

2010-02-28T00:42:00.003-05:00

C'mon everybody...clap your hands. Abbott, The Bank Robber clinched the Bassmaster classic pool this year with a comanding victory. The stats are of little importance. I, Dick B., am hammerd, and right off my vaca, son, don't plan on borring you with the whats what of the numbers game. The real deal right now is that the Team is fuckin Hype. Ya thats right, I spelled Hype 2x with a capital H....son. This year is descibed best by the orgininal madman Ozzy ..."The game has been amped up- I enjoy these crazy mother fuckers and they can party with me, or bark at the moon with me any time they like...everybody howl!!!!" Ozzy has told me on the off season that I havent been crazy enough. I will soon post an expose on what Ive been up to this off season...stay hype...im still workin it off...I did ask ozzy what he thought about what to expect out of the season- He says, " Nobody ever told me I found out for myself, you gotta believe in in foolish miracles, its not how ya play the game its if u win or lose, you can chose, its, up to you, its up to you, its up to you...go-go-go-!!!!"
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Best numbers in Fishing...fool.

2010-01-15T22:40:00.002-05:00

Dick B here, sucka. I wanted to go over some of the most over looked numbers in the fishermans off season. These are more like dates. Lets see if you can follow along and guess whats what...

Up North, fisherman have an off season. This off season, when bad, can last from Novermber to April. A good off season will last from January to Febuary. There have been seasons in Team Abbott Glowacki history when they have had both and have had trips in January!

Here are some somewhat over looked dates that only the off season fisherman know all too well....

#1 Daylights savings, (Fall) This is your first real taste that winter is comming. Rated the worst of the worst. Dont have that 7lb...? Well, you better buckle down and get busy...the ice is comming.

#2 New Years Day, Its a new season. Its a new year of everything. One of the most rewarding non-fishing days there is.

#3 Ground hogs day, Febuary 2nd... Your about to find out if spring is as close as it seems.

Right now, we're right in the middle of it. The new season is here and the Team has started the chatter about gettin some new gear. Shopping begins soon for things like line and crankbaits...

Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Team Welcomes the '10...fool.

2010-01-09T11:38:00.003-05:00

And like that...the '09 season was over...and the '10 season was ushered in. Team Abbott/Glowacki and Co. ate a ton of food, washed it down with some Bud bottles, Abbott recieved the Top Hog Award and they talked shop. Abbott says, "Its a type of perfect night. We had the Bassmaster Classic draft for the upcomming Classic which I'll host in about a month." Glowacki says, "We're breakin down the winter much like a season itself, but without the fishing, we'll be hittin the bait shops and watchin footage and stuff like that." Welch concludes, "We want to make the most of the Spring this year...me and Glow have a big trip planned for the Cape and we'll be on the Fox by April...it's really right around the corner if ya think about it." So here we are folks, a new year, a new decade, new spot to fish will be on the front burner, new records will be set. Its gonna be sick.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

The Year That was...The '09...

2009-12-20T12:19:00.002-05:00

Glowacki says, "I really believe we rocked it as well as we could have. I think historically we'll look back on this year as being golden. I think as the years go by, the '09 season will be looked at as the season we learned the most from, the season we did a lot of serious damage and the season we turned the corner...to what, -I don't really know, but I can feel it." Those were Miracles words as he put his gear away today. He seemed pleasantly satisfied...calm...secure and gratefull. Glowacki did something that after the smoke clears is the real story behind his '09 year- he got better. He scored his largest largemouth to date- a 4.7lber from the mighty Charles River. Glowacki says, "I had some killer fish this year on some nice gear but that 4.7 was really the fish changed the game for me. It was the fish that brought me outta my summer slump and my biggest ever. It's in my top 5 fish ever. All in all I just wanna say that I had a great year. I would have liked to make Team bag more, but size wise- I give the year an A+. Plenty of bass in the 3lb range is nothing to shrug off and another in the 4's, back to back years. I wont be bringin' the trophy back this year. This year it goes to Bank Robber. he made up for the size this year that he missed last year. That's the way to step it up. Good for him. Abbott says, "The 2009 fishing season was nothing short of amazing. We took the lessons that were learned in previous years to take our game to the next level. It was a season of high activity and clear focus that resulted in many highs and an occasional struggle. The biggest upgrade to me in 2009 was the new vibe that we created on the water. There were times in 2008 were our competitive juices and unrealistic expectations set us up for occasional failure. This year we truly had the right perspective focusing on the joy of fishing and frequently packed a cooler of beverages to make the most of the journey. We also spent more time bonding after fishing trips to seize the day even when we struggled on the water. I enjoyed this new mindset the most in 2009.

My top highlights of the past season were certainly my big largemouth catch of 6.4 lbs at School House Pond in Eastham and the 3.5 lbs smallmouth at Big Cliff. I actually think I was more impressed with our team bag than either of the individual stats that I referenced above. We set out this year with a new concept of Team Bag to compliment the Top Hog Award that had been set in the previous season. This statistic was all about team accomplishment and we certainly delivered on bringing a large bag to the scale. I thought we had the potential to deliver 18-20 lbs and we ended up delivering 21.2 lbs. Glow’s late season catch at the Charles was a personal highlight for me as that fish cemented a great season.

Big Lure chimes in on the season..."“A good solid handful.” That’s how Big Lure Welch describes the number of decent fish he caught this year as well as what he likes to find under a Haynes Her Way pink cotton T-shirt.
“I had a good year. I really fine-tuned some go-to lures like the worm and the crank. I opened up the versatility of both those lures. The worm’s not just for bank beatin’ any more. I converted a lot of fish in the water column and had some great crank strikes throughout the season.The size escaped me this year, but the numbers were consistent, I felt the game was consistent, and it paid off with boating my first 2 smallies ever.”
Glowacki adds, "Yeah, this was the year of the baitcaster. That aspect of the game can't be overlooked. Me and Abbott had our reservations about it early on but we fine tined it. Another aspect of the game that I wanna fine tune personally is water selection within the season- this is something I have to do next year...maybe less is more- I didnt have any big catches on "pushed" trips. I gotta let the season dictate sometimes, seasons are like weather- you just gotta respect it and read it right."
Abbott adds, "The baitcaster was the new fun tool of 2009 as we began to integrate this new weapon into our trips. We caught fish on a number of different lures presented on this new reel and began to feel more confident with each and every trip. There is still a lot of upside with this new reel as we continue to gain confidence with our casting ability over time. The new “hot” lures of 2009 for me were the Fluke, the Coffee Tube, and the re-introduction of the Buzzbait. I caught a couple of fish in Foxboro and at the Buck on the baitcaster with the Buzzbait in the spring. There is nothing better than a top water catch. These new lures will provide more opportunity for big and fun fish moving forward.

It was also the year of new ponds and re-visiting forgotten old ponds which paid off huge. We have a much better idea of what ponds to hit based on the time of year which will only make us more successful in upcoming seasons.
Big Lure welch closes it off with" Next year the focus will come back to the smallie game on more than a few occasions. Opening up the season at Nickerson with fresh gear, some good knowledge gained in ’09, and a plan will really set the tone for the season. Hopefully the whole team can make it and we can really set the bar high for size, species, and numbers.”Look for Big Lure to upgrade the game with a possible Kayak to take full advantage of Sunday afternoon sniper missions in some local holes and Charles. "If I’m going to make a serious run at AOY or Top Hog I really need to get off the shore. There are a ton of places I plan on exploiting.”
Abbott breaks it down..."This year certainly had some disappointments for me individually. I struggled as a Captain on the Charles on a trip this spring, had to deal with a broken engine on Willett late in the season, and was stuffed on the last trip of the season. However, these trips only reinforced our commitment to the game and our passion for the sport.

I can’t wait for the 2010 season as we now have more knowledge and skill sets to be successful moving forward and truly know what it will take to deliver on Top Hog and Team Bag. The new Angler of the Year Award is going to be insane and I envision the standings will frequently change throughout the season. Personally I am hoping for a 16 lb bag next year regardless of how that ranks me in the Angler of the Year standings. This season was all about taking what we have learned to be successful in the past and incorporating that into our every day activities. I look forward to the 2009 awards dinne."
Glowacki wraps it up, "Look, the numbers and pics do the real talkin' ...we crushed it. We'll be steppin it up next year for real...we got some new spots to hit up and theres a brand new slate waiting to be litterd with laughs, numbers, stories and pictures. Somewhere out there right now are the pigs, theyre restin up, dreamin about us. Well be there...and we'll be ready, son. Congrats to Bank Robber on top hog. It'll be an honor to pass it along to him. Enjoy it, it yours...................(for now).
Dick Babcock
VS Sports Extra

Team wraps it up.

2009-12-09T21:34:00.002-05:00

Team Abbott/Glowacki and Co. had what looks like their last trip a few days ago. They got out on Dec 4th for an all day /new water trip to end the fantasic '09 campaign. Glowacki came outta the gate early labeling a solid 1.4lb followed by a 1.3lb largemouth. The day was a sunny one with highs almost around 50 degrees. The day looked promising but that was about as far as it got. Glowacki says, "Ya, the day looked like it had legs but then it kinda just fell out the bottom. I scored another very tiny perch on the fly rod which was fun but we didn't kill it." Abbott in a rare event got shut down without a nibble. Abbott says, "Nobody wants to end the season like that, but its just one trip...we've all had an insane season so I cant really get too hung up on it, but I cant lie- it stung a little." The team got back to shore and looked at the new water having a new local spot for next spring. Glowacki says, "We got this trip in and ya...it was kinda a gamble, but we got eyes and the boat on the water now, thats gonna be huge goin into next season which is, well...weeks away now." Of course the real season probably wont kick off till March, and wont really come around till late April, but these guys have laid more than enough ground work down to really fine tune next year. The Year in review will be out next week or so. Closing out this year will be sad yet sweet. History has been made. And the history made is an ever expanding story within the big picture.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Wrappin' it up, correctly.

2009-11-30T23:04:00.002-05:00

Miracles had a chance yesterday to break out one of the new weapons this year included in the Team Abbott/Glowacki aresonal- the fly rod. With waders, vest, rod and a cool late November evening, Miracles went waist deep, took a blue winged olive and cast. He proceded to bring in 5 blue gill townies. Nothin' huge...no bass, but some solid fights that set the satisfaction level way up there. Glowacki says, "Kinda the fun part about it is, when you're on on the fly, you really dont know what it is, until you see it, could be a trout, perch, sunny, p[ick, bass...anythings game...they all go after the fly. Tonight I was throwin the light stuff and it paid off." Glowackis ultimate goal with this weapon is to catch large bass with it when the conditions say- go for it. Glowacki says, 'I have these spots in my head that I know that at screamin for a muddler minnow fly for smallies, or a top water early morning fly on the Charles. When all is said and done , I want one of my keepers to be on the fly next year. I('d love to pull that out, we'll see." Speakin of next season...the '10 season starts in one month...can you believe it...? The awards ceremony will be soon after the new year.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Rockin the game...late.

2009-11-22T23:08:00.002-05:00

3 keepers
2.10 lbs
1.7 lbs
1.3 lbs
Total = 5.4 lbs team bag today
Glowacki scored a decent pic on his first cast...thats how the day started. Not bad. The idea of a liquid lunch soon vanished. Abbott scored soon after with a dink bass. The skunk monkey was off the boat. But the wind, the wind was kickin'. Glowacki manned the engine for, if not the first time, the first time in a while. Glowacki says, "I was feelin good about it. I was excited about workin the engine. Even though its always a team effort, the captain is the shot caller on the spots, today I simply went with my gut, and where the wind wasn't...we cleaned up." The Team worked the calm side of the pond down "the run". The team started to flip flop fish. Glowacki says, "I forget how it played out but I'd get one, then Abby. I was workin the baitcaster with the jig. Abbott was wokin the worm. Abbott scored his biggest fish at the pond ever(?) a solid 2lb 10 hog and Glowacki scored a decent 1 lb 3oz keeper. The team was on the books with over 3lbs for bag and a nice sprinkling of fights. The battled across the wind to the island then into the coves. Glowacki says, "Normally we would skip the coves being so late in the season, but we needed to play the wind. We knew it was calm in there. Abbott scored another nice fish, a sick 1 lb 7oz to kick us up over 5 lbs for bag. Granted they didnt get 5 keepers, but they did have about 8 fish combined. A straight up solid outing for late November. Abbott says, "This really changes the game as far as late season goes. Last year we got robbed in the fall with time, this year has made up for it." The team looks to get one more trip in if they can to close off the year. Glowacki says, "This year has been insane. This trip just adds to the solid ending as we wrap it up." The other news with the trip was, if Glowacki needed a captains award, he would have gotten it today. He says, "Wasnt lookin for it cuz I got it early, but it just goes to show ya, that if your out on the water, anything can happen. Today it did." The Team has a lot to talk about. Trip for next year are already being booked. Expectations of top hog, team bag and individual bag were shatterd. Subscriptions for the "Year in Review" this year have met an all time high. Season bleacher tickets around the dock are now on sale for next year too. Stay hype...stay hype, fool.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Quick Fix.

2009-10-27T21:46:00.002-04:00

Miracles embarked on a solo type run today for a few hours on a local hole. He headed out with 1 spinning rod and 1 fly rod. Glowacki says, "I was just lookin for a few hours out of the house, some fish, minimum driving...a quick grab. I got what I was lookin for. " He did indeed. A decent dink bass on the spin and a solid sun fish on the fly. He adds, " The highlight of the day was checkin the options, grabbin the fly rod and hittin the dope spot. I got to play with different retrieves and depths on a whole different level. I knew the water was gonna be on the cool side so I slowed the fly way down and let it sink. I got a nice hit, hookset, fight and fish. Granted, no real size and no real bass, but thats the fun of the fly rod." Glowacki stays active and probably more importantly fine tunes the skill with versitility. The fly rod adds a demention to fishing that a fly rod only can. Glowacki says, "its really another type of lure. Its a cross between a crank and a worm. You work it slow like the worm but can have the depth of a shallow running crank in those tough places. I really plan on taking this as far as possible. There are some good size bass to be caught with the fly rod. This year I got on for the first time with a few brown trout. I was hooked." The Team looks to get back on the water as soon as they can. A few little trips to close down the game might be just what the doctor orderd. Stay hype.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Adapt...and overcome. Team stands ground.

2009-10-25T21:37:00.002-04:00

Every now and then somethings gonna happen that sets the day back a step. Team Abbott/Glowacki have been lucky through the years. Today though, luck kinda ran out. Glowacki says, "We were like 15 mins into the trip and Abbott had a fish on...he was workin' the engine and all of a sudden he had some major malfunctions. The fish got away and then Abbott said, "Oh no, dude."" But lets back up for a second. The Team had been plannin a trip for a few days. Lookin to nail down that friday noon to 4 trip. They did. So they were hype. Abbott says, "The day was a little more brisk then we thought. We were hopin for something a little warmer but had to resort to straight up winter gear for this one." Sure, the weather wasn't perfect, but the game was on. They headed out at noon. Then trouble. Abbott says, "The bolt to the prop fell off, The engine was workin but it wasnt conected to anything. I should have lost the prop itself, but luckily I didn't." The Team had to resort to some old fasioned know how. The quickly assessed the situation and headed back to the dock. Glowacki says, "Luckily were were 50 feet from the dock, so paddling wasnt a big deal. We decided to take a club canoo." The Team quickly loaded the gear and headed back out. The game plan had changed. Instead of trying to make bag, the team was just trying to get a fish each. Now that more than half of the pond was cut off, the spots changed. Glowacki says, "We had to play the wind drift and the wind in general. We both took turns rowing." The Team got shut down until late in the game. Abbott scored the boats first fish- a respectable 13 oz. Glowacki soon adjusted the lure and distance and scored a solid 1.8lber. They set out to do what they had to do under hectic conditions. The Team, cold, but aware, pulled the plug a little early and headed to the local watering hole. They got a late of nachos and wings...a few black and tans and watched some highlights. They talked shop and about the season in general. The moral was high. The day, well, just down right fun. These guys have a good time and at the end of the day, its always good to know that you got that goin for ya...which is nice. The Teams last 2 trips have been without ease, but probably the most knoledge gainning. Glowacki says, "Shit, we got to work without the worm 2 trips ago and then work under adverse conditions this trip...I don't mind it. Somethimes you gotta get that stuff done. Hell, Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have trips like Charles bonanzas all the time. But thats not realistic. We're in the game for real." The Team would like to get one more real decent trip in jus to wrap up the season nice and hype. The Year in Review will be out in a few months. Theres a lot to talk about. Lets get a little more in to talk about while the weather holds up. Glowacki adds, "This was our first cold weather trip...I think thats safe to say. Its amazing how much it can take out of you. I was beat. That an element of fishing that you aquire a skin for. I kinda forgot how much work it can be, but I love it. We beat the day and ceased it too." The moral of the story is sometimes you gotta look at those little set backs as reminders. If the Team had lost a bolt on Big C with wind,there might have been a little more lost than just a few casts.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

The Fall Classic

2009-10-11T22:40:00.002-04:00

Team Abbott Glowacki just did something that most fisherman wouldn't dream of doing...they left all the worms at home on a crisp fall morning and headed out to their home turf pond. Why? Today was a day of pushing the limits, callin' yourself a townie, stayin' hype, and callin' a keeper, "son", son. They just about did it. They didn't make bag, but they did something almost as important- they power fished and broke new ground in the meantime. Here's how the show unfolded...The left dock at 730 a.m. and fished relativley hard for the first half of it. Abbott scored the days first fish pretty fast. Glowacki says, Abby actually scored 2 early and one of them kept which was on the tube. He caught his first one within ten min's of gettin out there so we were feelin' good about what was up." Glowacki ran into gear trouble early with some beat up line, but he recoverd fast. He says, "Abbotts first fish was on the fluke, then on the tube. I recognized the bite was slow so I switched up to the jig and pig to slow it down a little. It paid off." Glowackis first fish came much later. A jig and pig shore bite. The Team was rockin' steady. Abbott says, "We were on track with what we wanted to do. we were fishing hard, but I did run into some gear problems myself which eventually ate up some time on a strip where Miracles started to heat up." Glowacki scored, then lost another fish. He says, "I didnt really set the hook the way I wanted, the fish was under the boat and it was just off enough to get away, I made a few mistakes on that fish that I'll never make again. I let him jump when I shouldnt have. I fought it all wrong and I knew it when it swam away. I should have adjusted my drag and played it. But those are the things you have to learn with the baitcaster. Ive gotten good with it but I need to get great with it." The Team had their fair share of line problems. They both had lures that flew off the line and one cost Abbott a possible keeper. Abbott says, "New line is in order, I was breakin this stuff with my hand and I knew it wasnt gonna make it but I fished it anyway and it broke." Although the Team didnt make bag, they did get a few solid things done...Abbotts fluke and tube catch...Glowackis adjustment for conditions all plaid a huge role in execution of the fundamentals that ensure good trips. What they need to do is keep up on gear. This means new line when you hear the line fairy calling. Its the difference between a 2.3 total and a 3.3 bag. May not seem like much , but makin bag can, in a lot of cases, be a game of Oz's, not lbs. Especially on this pond. All in all, the trip was a success. They both proved something to the boat in gereral. They don't need the worm to catch fish. Nobody ever said they did, but now nobody can say it at all. next time your out on the water, don't be afraid to throw that bait you think might work, and dont give up on it either. Sometimes youll suprise yourself, and sometimes those are the best catches, even if theyre not pigs.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Take it Ezei-kiel, son.

2009-10-04T00:06:00.002-04:00

Big Lure says, "We went there to get the job done and we did." They did. The Duo made bag, and then some and Big Lure secured his Captains award. The day started out at noon, when Miracles downed a sub on Joes back porch. The vibe was correct. Miracles says, "I was controling my energy, I wanted to bring it all to the water." The two headed down to Plymouth and were fishing by 2:30, on a real bass boat, with electronics, not bad for a friday, fool. Miracles adds, "The wind happered our game for a while, we hit the shallows and the pads, son, but nothing was around. Then we made a game day decition and headed to calmer water, Joe hit the engine and we headed to the complete other side. The moved paid off. Glowacki scored the days first and biggest keeper of the day. A solid 2.5 largemouth on a shad imitating rat-l-trap on the baitcaster. Miracles says, "I was pumped...a solid fish on the best gear possible. I needed a little size and I got it." Big Lure followed with a nice 1 lb smallmouth. Then the team drifted in the calm 12 feet depths. The electronics were going berzerk and Big Lure adjusted the game. Throwing a wacky rigged worm Big Lure labeled about 4-5 more largemouth from 1.4 lbs to 2.4 lbs. Big lure says, "I just read the water and let it rip from the front of the boat." Glowacki says, "While Joe was rockin the house, I was tryin to work a grub, I got a cast out and a hit, it jumped and spit it out, I didnt have the right hooks and I paid for it. I wasted a lot of time tryin to make it work and ended up ditching it." It's too bad too. Glowacki may have been able to add to bag but it was not to be. He walked off the boat with only one fish. He adds, " I learned a lot about new gear and pre game set up. I dont feel like I missed out , but my game should have been a little tighter. I got a little lazy on the pregame and paid for it. Its ok though, no harm, no real foul, so next time it wont happen again, that much I know, but dam...I houlda had that fish, and probably a few more, but by then the game was wrapping up." The two walked off the boat with some size, some numbers, some laughs and an afternoon and evening full of good time. These days, what else do you really need? Not much. The night ended up around a table eatin some of Book'em Rob-o's pasta and a beer, talkin shop. That's how they do it...son. The fall is looking promising with plenty of time to do some real damage. Stay tuned for the story of how the season will eventually wrap up. Lets bring it on home for the big win. Lets hammer the fall with some solid trips, size and numbers, fellas.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Quality of Life.

2009-09-25T19:11:00.002-04:00

"I wanna dedicate this fish to any and every fisherman whos stuggled, fought and eventually won the game." That was the only thing Miracles had to say when he got off the water today after a pristine outing by The Bank Robber and himself. Abbott says, "This was the best trip of the year, hands down." The Team headed out about 7:30 am into a shallow Charles River. They were hype, the weather, a crisp fall morning complete with blue bird skies. Breakfast had been eaten, coffe was fresh out the box- the day was only set up for success. The Team got on the board early. Glowacki came outta the gate large with his biggest fish to date , a solid 4lb 7oz cow. Glowacki says, "The thing fought like a bull, it was one of the best fights Ive ever had and I think it was one of the best Abbotts ever seen. We were both in shock and awe through the whole thing. The sun was beatin down on the water and we could clearly see the fishs' size, then it ran and I fought it back again to have abby net the pig. I swear I thought it was the 5 lber Ive been dreamin of, but a 4lb 7oz satisfies just as well." Glowacki joins the 4 lb club for the second year in a row and beating his all time size. Abbott who also had a phenominal outting also had size later in the day, a choice random ledge drop he saw produced a solid 2.5 lber. Abbott says, "I could see the drop and pepperd it, it paid off in a spot that might normally be over looked." Glowacki adds, "This is why Abbott is the best at what he does, he uses all the info given to him and he reaps rewards, everytime." The Team broke all kinds of new ground today- they up'd Team bag to well over 20lbs on the year for the top 5 fish combined. That, folks , by itself, is completely unimaginable, yet very real stat now. The day was litterd with fish just an oz. shy of a keeper. Abbott says, "We had 3 bass at 15 oz, not huge but, good fish, that brought the satisfaction level way up, we had numbers, we had size all day and for the both of us. It was non stop action for begining to end." Glowacki got his captains award also, something that up to today hadnt happend this year. Glowacki says, "It just goes to show ya that the fall is a season too. I mean we all know that but you cant let those bad days set you into a panic." The real story of the day is this- slow and steady wins the race. The day Miracles stopped looking for size he got it. The fishing Gods rewarded him for playin his game right and the Charles rewarded the Team for not giving up on the river. If I had to strech to find a down side of the trip, it was the wind, which picked up as the day went on, but the Team was done fishing at its peak due to time restraints anyway, so there was no loss. Another huge game aspect was how fast the team figured out the pattern. Glowacki called "shadows"- he scored, Abbott called "bends" - he scored. Abbott alsohad a very impressive attack on any and all structure today. Finally, wood, came into full effect. Abbott almost went 100% off any wood on the river today. Glowacki says, "He would call the spot and deliver, seriously, the day couldnt have been better, he was catching keepers off trees and branches like Ive never personally seen before." The Team is right back in the game as a duo. Its days like this that remind you that getting out there is half the battle and if the today is any indication of what the fall is going to be like, than bring it on. There is a Quality of life aspect holding this all together. Life is good. A few hours on the water makes it that much better. I highly adivise you to get outside.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Glow on Miracles; All up in ya...

2009-09-22T22:59:00.002-04:00

Dick B here. I had a chance to have a candid one one one with Mike Glowacki at his place in Boston, Ma. this week. Here is an in depth look at the one they call "Miracles".
DB: How ya get the nickname?
MG: I named myself. When your born someone else names you. I wanted something that sounded like a prophecy or a prediction, ya know like the inner workings of a black hole or a wish- the clouds of Neptune. It originaly came from the Miracles on ice game in the 80 Olympics, the one you were at. Did you really ride in the bus with the team after the win or what...?
DB: I sure did. Hey what is your passion, besides fishing.
MG: I suppose my only real goal in life is to live to be 100. Once I figured that out everything became a lot easier. Ya know...most things I can take or leave. I like to get worked up about little things that matter, ya know, like hittin a dock post with a cast or vacuming the stairs...I love a clean rug when I walk in the house. It sets the stage for exceptionalism.
DB: What kind of guy are you?
MG: Im a generalist. I enjoy the essence of things framed in the poetic obserdity of fine punctuation. Ya know, like a well poured beer in the forground of a ballgame. I see everything and generaly dont like much. Some people see that as misery. I see it as problem solving. They see it as poor conversation. Ive never really cared to talk much, but you know what they say, ...buy the ticket, take the ride. Sometimes I am the ride just lookin around. I dont know...gimme something complicated and Im happy.
DB: What comes to mind as far as things that are complicated that you enjoy?
MG: I dont know...difficulty in gereral is tougher these days than it use to be. What I mean is most things are not difficult, therefor I have to resort to scuba diving or invading countries or picking up a bait caster. But difficulty is easy. All anything is, is a system of combinations that needs to be figured out, like picking a lock. Do it once and you can do it a thousand times.
DB: Whats next?
MG ...Maybe the piano. I like the idea of such a big sound in random places, select places...you dont see them everywhere, but when you do they sould be played. I saw one in a mall the other day and it was locked. i could have picked the lock but the scary part was not being abole to play it after the fact. I dont like scary things, but after youve slept with lions, not much is.
DB:What do you do at night?
MG: I usually wash my hallway floor and vacum. Theres something about a nice floor, nice rugs and wood that really get me fired up. Where I walk is my stage.
DB: Is that it?
MG: No. I like a fine Scotch and a hockey game if I can get it in, ideally.
DB: Gimme you best fantasy catch?
MG: Baitcaster with a spinner bait, long cast, smallmouth, standing up in the boat in June down the Cape at dawn with a log of dip in after a morning beer in shorts and a long sleeve t on right after a hungry man breakfast complete with fresh cantalope.
DB: How big?
MG: I'd like that state record beat...gimme that 8lb 3 oz.
DB: Lets get serious now...what about the tunes...gimme your set list for Zeppelin playin in your back yard...a 3 tune set with one song encore, go.
MG: In order, open up with "In my time of dyin" parlay into, "Bring it on Home" medley into, "How many more times", close off with, "In the evening".
DB:Whats the future hold for Miracles the fisherman.
MG: well ya know, its all about bein on the water, as soon as you push off your there, your nowhere else and you cant even think about anything else. Just put me on the water, and throw a lil in my scotch.
DB: Best catch ever?
MG: My 2:13 smallie comes to mind on a tube. My first jig and pig too. I dont know, anything big on a spinnerbait is nice.
DB: How you wanna wrap this up?
MG: How bout nice and tight?
Dick Babcock
VS Sports extra

Kenny G and Miracles take it to the streets, get crushed, son.

2009-09-20T19:18:00.002-04:00

"I was up at 4:30 a.m. Got to my dads at 6...we were fishin by 6:30. I caught a dink the size of my lure, then...got shut down. It was another brutal outing." The day was beautiful. The water calm. And on the mind...smallies. There were none to be had. Glowackis struggles continue, Miracles says, "I just have to keep poundin' the system, sooner or later the shits gonna break and I gotta be there for it, thats all I can do, thats it...I can just show up and fish the best I can." Glowackis gotta keep a good outlook for the fall, he says, "The fall is the fall, its my bread and butter, I'll be out there, I got some trips, some of them big , lined up, I got the know-how, I'll be ready. Right now Im gettin killed...the worst ever. My main goal is to up the team bag total to 20.0 lbs...I at least wanna be on the boat when it happens." The second half of the season has turned into a straight up battle for Miracles. "I really think this is a test of will. The fishing Gods may be setting me up for great rewards as long as I can keep my head together, we'll see. I'm being tried...Im weary but im still in the fight. I got about 7 weeks left to really do some serious damage. Plenty of time, but Im tired. Im friggin tired. This misery is what I signed up for, its part of the game. Ive had it good, Ive had it very good. Now is the bad...the very bad, but everyday I think about the next spot, the next lure selection and cast. The next catch." says Miracles. The Team looks to get out there together soon. Miracles and Big Lure look to crush a well known gem soon too. Lets get it together until this whole peace crazy blows over, people.
Dick Babcock
Vs sport extra

Welch Heats up, Robber stands ground, Miracles get burried

2009-09-08T21:32:00.002-04:00

Big Lure Welch caught a 2lb 3 oz pig last week. Abbott held steady over the weekend. Miracles Glowacki got off the water sprayed with a skunk. Even Dave The Natural Glowacki caught a fish this week. Lets look at what happend...Welch rocked the bank. Abby capitalized on easy boat access and held steady for 2 1/2 hours. Glowacki went hog hunting, son. The Natural worked a worm on the banks and scored a solid keeper. Miracles Last 4 or 5 trips have been the worst of his fishing life. Hes got 1 bass total on all of them combined. Not good. I met up with Glowacki at his pad for an interview, he was incoherent as I knocked on the door and saw him brushing his teeth and jumping up and down in place. He never let me in. A spokesman did yell down from his balcony and said, he needed rest and was unavailable for comment. In better news, Welch seems to be heating up, son. Abbott has been solid throughout the year. The Team seems to be skipping a beat collectivley with Glowackis drought. Abbott says, "He's gotta take it easy...I think he might be burning the candle at both ends. he either needs to get out there again or take a few weeks off." The delema is the fall season air wise is in full effect. The water temp is a different story...its warm. The Team and company need to end solid with some better than average trips to close out the last quarter season. The team would love to add to team bag and get the 20.00 lb mark...they need a fish in the mid 3's to play. It'll be tough...but Miracles can still happen.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

The Needham Trip.

2009-08-31T21:29:00.004-04:00

Whispering "Needham" to Glowacki is like whispering "Buckner" to a pre-04 season Red Sox fan. This trip broke down like this...After "research" and "homework" had been "completed". Big Lure Welch and Miracles took to the "water" in Needham. Fucking Needham. Glowacki says, "After my 5th cast I was done. I caught a nice alewife after I saw a feeding frenzy in the middle of the water, and blah blah blah...I don't even give a shit enough to talk anymore..." Miracles soon walked out of the room after taking his mic off. I continued the interview with Big Lure who says, "We went to the Charles about an hour after the Needham trip...went down to the water falls on some new water. I caught 3 keepers...a 1.8, 1.7 and a 1 lber..." Big Lure almost made bag by himself, pulling in just shy of 4 lbs. Not a bad day. Glowacki scored a pick early on the spinner but was soon shut down for the day. Welch adds, "He pretty much threw the biggest spinner he could all day down the middle of the river...it didn't really work but his mind was somewhere else." Miracles summer slump is in full bloom, his last 3 trips has yielded a total of 1 bass combined. Hopefully the fall with bring better days for Miracles. History shows it will, but it's hard to convince him of that right now. Smart game plans are a must for the last half of the season, Solid pre-games, lure selection, execution, casts...the basics starting with body of water. There is no doubt the passion and commitment are there. As Glowacki walked out of the sudio my sound man said he mutterd, "The days of pleasure boat cruises are over...Im not goin out there to get out of the house...deal with it."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Bank Robbers biggest day, yet.

2009-08-27T21:56:00.002-04:00

Glowacki says, "I got the call at about 7:20 am...I knew it was Abby...I knew it was big...I could hear in his voice before he told me it was big...I had no idea it was this big..." Abbott says, "six pounds four ounces." That's all he really had to say, but there was a mic in Abbys face as soon as he got off the boat today, cameras ...the works. Not only did Abby rewrite the idea of big, he now holds a solid pole position in the world of top hog, he also has caught his biggest weighed largemouth in Mass, ever. Abbys 6'4' brings the Team Bag to a total of 19lbs 15 Oz. bank Robbers day went like this...Spec and The Robber were on the water down the Cape early, Abby had just lost a giant before he caught this one...Abby says, "I lost a big one and I was headed towards hermit land...I wasn't happy cuz I knew it was at least 4 lbs." 20 mins later Abby had the hook up, fool. He yelled to Spec that Spec was gonna have to get this one in the boat, Abby didnt see the fish in its entirety until spec pulled it in...the pics tell the story. Bank Robber says, "I could get skunked for the rest of the year and it wouldnt matter." The Team looks to really turn up the radio with the late summer and fall. Glowacki says, "This is when things get crazy, especially in about a month or so...this is the majic commin' up. abby turned the game around...the dog days might just be over...we might be headed into some better days for fishin."
Dick Babcock
Vs sports Extra

This is Bullshit.

2009-08-24T21:01:00.002-04:00

"This summer has sucked, period." says Glowacki. Actually it hasn't sucked as much as it's been the summer they really hadn't booked on...or was it...? Last years stats around this time were the same way. Mid Summer along with ice out can prove to be some of the hardest fishing out there. The Team set out on the water around 6 am the other day. Abby caught a nice 1.6 and a dink. Miracles got skunked. The Team left the water early and headed down to the local pub for app's and dark draught beer. Glowacki says, "We never do this, we really should more often, ya know kill the trip when it has to be, then go get lunch." Abby says, "The water was dead. We did see some huge carp, but the bite wasn't there. We threw everything at them. We rocked any and all patterns...nothing goin on." The Team looks to rebound soon. It seems new water hasn't been as productive as the Team would hope for...Glowacki says, "We need to get our pond managment down, some ponds will be reshuffled for ice out only...summer bite and close out. We have to keep hittin these water holes to break them in and see whats what when it comes to gettin there and gettin on the water, ramps, ect. this will really reap its rewards in the years to come."
Dick Babcock
Vs sport extra

New water, nothin' new, Summer heats up.

2009-08-06T19:49:00.002-04:00

Glowacki and Bob McD got out on some new water this week. Glowacki says, "Look , I'll break this down like this, we got out there at like noon, hung around till like 4 or so. Basically, middle of summer, middle of the day isn't gonna get you much, but we did get out there and the boat didn't get skunked, close, but not quite. I did catch one off the baitcaster and a rattle trap craw type in the middle shallows, I was standing up so I got the full pleasure out of it. Other than that, it was good just to see something new I guess. Its not like we were sitting in the rain in weather."
In other news Bank Robber Abbott caught about 20 fish combined with a lucky fan who got to go out with him for the day. Abbot says, "It was just one of those days when everything was hitting. There probably wasn't 10 mins that went by where a fish wasnt caught, fool."
The Team looks to rebound hard here in the near future. The mid summer heat is on, the team might have to go deep or rock the banks early for the hype play. What you need to do is stay tuned, sucka.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sport Extra

Myths, Mysteries and more...

2009-07-27T22:02:00.003-04:00

O.K. Lets talk about, lets say, the top 5 things fishing-wise that straight up baffle me. Here's a handfull of things Ive never seen happen but constantly hear work.
1. deep top water...c'mon, theres nothin there, you can't tell me a 4lb smallie is crusin at 3 feet in 60 feet of water. I dont buy it...and if I did buy it Im sure as hell not throwin a jerk bait at it.
2. Speaking of the jerk bait- Im lucky if i can cast it further than the piss I throw out the side of the boat after a beer at 6 a.m.- not happn'n.
3. Swim Senko...? Has anyone ever had a hit on this...anyone....i'd like to trade in my swim senko for a kick in the crotch, please....anyone...?
4. Bouncin' a crank off, ready for this,...wood. lemme tell ya somethin', the only wood I see in the a.m. is my own.
5. speakin of the crank, anyone ever rip it through the grass. the only grass i ever see gettin ripped is when my neighbor sparks up when he takes the trash out.

Miracles Glowacki

Hogzilla headlines Monsters of Rock

2009-07-26T20:27:00.003-04:00

MC Hammer has a million followers on twitter. Team Abbott/Glowacki has 160 hits on Babcocks prifile. The Team made bag today, and then some. Hammer didn't. Please Hammer, don't hurt us, but we'll be takin' the main stage tonight. Every once in a while a story comes around that makes you feel good. Today I got one for ya, and here's the best part about it. It's a fishing story. It's a story about two guys on a boat in the rain in the early morning in the middle of the summer slump. This is about perseverance, and perseverance is what it's all about. This is the story, fool. Miracles Glowacki and Bankrobber Abbott set out to hit their home turf pond. A quick drive mixed with the ease of use boat dock. When they got there the saw a half dozen bass boats setting up for a fish tourney. They were, heartbroken and horrified. The morning looked shot. Glowacki said, "Maybe we should just call it a day...?" Abbott said he knew of a pond down the street that he hadn't been to in 4 years that might produce. The day was still on but the Team was not happy. It was a dink pond not known for producing numbers or size. The only good think that they knew was ice fisherman fishied it. Ice fisherman fish for size, but not necessarily bass. The situation was grim, not to mention it started to rain. The pond looked weeded out but the show had to go on. The launched and headed into the veg. They did see an early sign of life when Abbott got a poke on a dink that hit it and quit it, son. Abbott said, 'Maybe we should hit the other pond down the road, it didn't look so weeded out." Glowacki said, "Lets try the other side, it looks at least, fishable." The Team had fine tuned the day, then the spot. They were in for more than they expected. The water looked good. They cast and nailed the days first double hook up. A 1.7lber and a 1.5. The fish were bitin'. Glowacki switched gears and grabbed his spinner bait. glowacki says, "I was sittin on the floor last night looking at my gear, my biggest white spinnerbait was callin' me. I remember looking at it saying to myself...this has to produce tommorow, so I tied it on. in my heart I knew I was going to catch something big with it today. I can't usually call it, but today I knew I was going to get a solid fish." He did. A house of 3lb 12 Oz bass off the weed growth. Glowacki adds, "When it was in the net I felt the weight and knew it was dense. I was hopin' for 4lb but believe me 3.12 was just what the dr. orderd. i was shakin' I was so jacked up. Abby took a great photo." The Team continued to attack. Abby scored two more solid keepers in a weed bed. Abby says, "We went into this spot that looked a little suspect at first but we got in deep. I got two in a row workin the worm. The Team solidified bag soon after. A whopping 9lb total for the day. Abbott got his Captains award, the Team made bag, the boat had a 3 lure day, with a spinner, worm, and a jig and pig. Top Hog was upgraded and Team bag was upgraded almost a full pound. Pure insanity. The leader board now looks like this... 3.12, 3.6, 3.5, 3.4 and a 3.3. Thats solid. Abbott says, "Today was our best trip all year, we really needed it. The summer slump was broken. This satisfaction is going to last a while. This will free us up to work in a big trip down the road." The Team did today what most guys weren't doing- fishing...early, in the rain, after being shut down. They ceased the day. They ceased it. What we're you doing?
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

(C)Lunker...?

2009-07-21T20:21:00.002-04:00

This last week has been kinda rough. Miracles Glowacki got on Lackey pond, a fresh new body of water with Kenny G, but the wind really took its toll on them. Glowacki says, "I had to run this wierd pattern, which got us a fish each, to try to use the wind for our atvantage, it worked well enough for a few dinks." The pond was written up for holding hogs. There were none to be seen. They did however, get on some new water, not a bad way to spend a Thursday evening. Team Abbott/Glowacki the hit the Charles for an early morning trip this weekend. a last minute change of plans got them on the Charles, they were schedualed to rock a new body of water, but changed it at the last second in hopes to gain more time on the water. It didn't work. They did get a few dinks, but the trip was far from satisfying. Far...from it. The current was kickin' the river was crowded, the bite for the most part was off and the Team frustrated. Abbott says, "This might be my last trip on here this year...it just might be...at least for the next 2 months, this fuckin sucks." Glowackis says, "The Charles has been crazy this year, very bizarre...we cant seem to get a real handle on it...at the same time some decent fish have come out of it. It's like wicked random size, but the big trips of size and numbers just havent been there. This rain is really messin shit up I think. The current or the wind is our biggest enemy this year, hands down." Big Lure Welch had his hooks in a solid 2 lber this week too, but not too deep, it got off- a lack luster hookset will do that. What we seem to have here is a kind of summer slump, but not due to heat, it seems to be due to too much weather. The team and Co. look to change things around sooner than later.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports EXTRA

The week that was...

2009-07-12T21:21:00.002-04:00

Big Lure Welch says, "We caught 9 keepers...grilled that shit up right and washed it down with a cold bud bottle. Think about it." Joe spent a "day off" takin in the sights and sounds of some saltwater action this past week. Joe adds, "It was nice to mix up the pot, streach the senses, see and catch some stripped bass." In other news Miracles Glowacki set out at 5 am on Saturday for another Charles river trip. Glowacki says, "I got 3 dinks a solid 2.6 bass and a 1.8 bass on a top water hula popper. I gotta say, the 2.6 was nice, but that top water grab was my fav of the day. I just felt the top water was gonna be on, and it was. the worm was on too, I got the rest on that. The current was a big facor too, all this rain has really opend up the flood gates, luckily the motor and engine saved us on the way back." The Team members and Co continue to catch into the summer. So far, so good, now pass me another cold one, son.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Fan- STATS -tic!

2009-07-05T22:49:00.002-04:00

Abby says, "Cape Highlights:
I got the biggest smallmouth of my life at Big C weighing 3.5 lbs. I also got two more smallies while fishing that amazing body of water.
I caught a nice 3.3 lbs largemouth in Brewster.
I caught a 2.8 lbs and a 2.6 lbs largemouths at Little C within a five minute period using a 10 inch Berkley power worm fishing about 10 yards off vegetation in about 12 feet of water.
Between Big C, Little C, Cedar, and Pilgrim I caught a ton of fish and culled a 2.0, 2.3, 2.7, and 2.7 pound fish. I probably fished for about 9 hours combined. I hit each pond first thing in the morning and fished for about 2:15 minutes per trip.

I still think there is room for improvement with our top fish report. We still need that 4 pound + kicker fish for 2009 and I think we will eventually cull anything under 3 pounds before year end."
The stats for this trip are outstanding. Bankrobber Abbott improved the game to a new level. Glowacki followed suit tonight and labeled a 3lb 4Oz on the Charles at about 8 pm. Glowacki says, "It was my best Charles river catch ever...not the biggest but the hookset, fight and retrieve were in my top 3 of all time." It was the only bass he caught all night. The Team look to hook up soon to get some tandem fish on the board. The fellas are in the zone, right along with Big lure welch who scored a nice 2lber in Plymouth on a quick hit it and quit it 30 min trip to wet the whistle. Not bad all around, not bad at all, son.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Rainy Day #297.

2009-06-20T21:37:00.002-04:00

The rain. Some people like it, most people hate it. Team Abbott/Glowacki doesn't give a shit. They fish it. They fish it hard and often. They fish it long. Six hours to be exact. 6 solid hours of fishing, of doing something you love is worth the press in itself. The fact that they brought in 20 fish combined solidified the day as a success, fool. The Team headed out a t 9 am and for the next 2 hours fought through sheets of wind driven water that fell from the grey ass sky. Glowacki got on the board early to break the ice, then Abbott and they continued to flip flop throughout the quest for the sow...the ever elusive sows of the Fox Boggs. They never found em, but what they did find was a rejuvinated aspect of fishing- the experimental fishing game, that up to now had been somewhat over looked for , well, a long time. Glowacki changed up colors on his worm and threw a weight on it. It paid off. He hadnt thrown orange since the fall of '07. The spinnerbait was also in full effect- always fun fast action- a Glowacki staple. Abbott also cleaned up with about 6 different lures, including a fluke and probably the days highlight- prestine casting of the buzzbait to pull in some nice 1 lbers. Abbott excelled at figuring out this bait and how the fish reacted to it on the drop. The real story of the day though is that both of them caught most of their fish on the baitcaster...finally. The Fox is a tricky, tricky water body...and it proved it again on this trip. Glowacki says, "It went exactly like it did all the other times, a lot of dinks, tough fights, and nice fun fish. Im really excited about the baitcaster and my casts...I feel like I got to keep the momentum going from the last trip with it." Abbott adds, "I caught more fish on the buzzbait today then I did for the last 5 years combined...it was a really good time, and very bizarre...the baitcaster was a blast and we really got to use them all day." The Team, however didnt make bag of 5 keepers. This is the mystery of the water body...you will catch 20 fish without really tryin and be lucky if you catch one over a lb. The multiple reports of 9 lb hogs has yet to be seen. This shallow 300 acre quiz seems to be giving the team a run for its money size wise...numbers wise, they got its number- the big boys, however, still lurk like monsters underneith them...somewhere.
Dick Babcock
Vs sports extra

Turn this mother... out.

2009-06-11T21:49:00.002-04:00

It breaks down like this...Joe and glow headed to a remote part of the Cape to tear up some Bass...largemouth and smallmouth. Sat morn they headed to hit Lil Cliff, the weather,...less than desirable, cool, cloudy, but not bad fishin weather. Miracles Glowacki picked uop the boats first fish with a dink perch, the Joe"Big lure' hit the days first bass with a 1 lb 13 Oz nice boy with a worm. The two exchanged bass from there on out on the pond...most bass were between 1 lb 10Oz and 1 lb 13 Oz...the size and numbers werent huge but not bad for a saturday between 11-3, or so. They headed back to the camp site to carb up...the campsite consisted of a 1972 special tent that the two got together after 1 hour, a stove, whiskey, grub, a lantern and firewood. That was all they needed for the weekend. They then headed to flax to reap some smallmouth- Glowacki scored a nice 1 lb 12 oz smallie on a crankbait off the rocks, then Big lure, and back and forth they went till dark. They headed back to the campsite to start the fire, drink whiskey and relive a few nice takes. They had gotten some fish with some good fights and not bad size up to this point. They had hit 2 ponds and had a place to kick it, so thats what they did. relaxing with a steak and some rye they chilled by the fire. With Glow on the grill and Joe on the fire the two were full and warm soon enough. The next morning they got up and were on the water of Big cliff at around 900 am, after glow slung some harsh, bacon and eggs the 2 were fueled up and ready for the Big C'...the weather, hype- all sun, all day. the breeze- stiff, but managable. Glowacki scored 3 smallies with one being on the baitcaster. Glowacki says, "This was a long hard fight to find the fish and to convert them. I had a total of 5 lost fish on the weekend but I converted some nice ones. My baitcaster smallie is one I'll never forget, ever. Its such a different fight in the arms and hands, so much fun." The canoo drifted amongst the breeze and they attacked the shore on deep for a few hours. Big lure says, "I laid down in the canoo and caught some sun and took a quick nap, it was beyond relaxing...i was floating on water, difting with the sun on me, there was no sound except of Glows lure hittin the water. " Glowacki scored an insane smallie on a crankbait this time, another one around 1 lb 13 oz. "I was jacked up"says Miracles, "It was like...take a pull, catch a fish...it was nuts...wicked good times." Then they carried the canoo over the road and dumped it back into Lil' C- then things got professional- Glowacki standing up in the canoo put on a weighted head with a worm on the baitcaster, he flipped it into the lillies, BAM! a solid largemouth around the 1 lb 12 Oz mark. "I set the hook and fought it like when the Karate Kid was standin on the boat with Mr Miagi...thats what it felt like." says. Miracles. All in all they did what they had to do with where they were and what they brought. Bank Robber and Mob Rules Abbott ere also fresh on the scene on the Cape, scoring a handfull of largemouth including one at 2lbs 7oz, by the Bank Robber. The season is shaping up to be something a lil different right now- the Team and Co. have been gettin the trips and the numbers will really start to follow along with the size. Some trips are gonna be tough, some are gonna be easy...the easy pull. The name of the game is being ready, you never know when that big boy is going to take a pull and your buddy is gonna yell "get the net". Somewhere out there's the beast...and hes hungry. Are you gonna be there with prestine casting after professional lure selection setting the hook to max advantage with leverage and trust in your gear...? Its spring time baby...you better be.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Glowacki hits the solo tour

2009-05-31T18:01:00.003-04:00

"I was ridin around out there saying out loud, Dam its a nice day out, over and over again." And it was...the Fox proved its spring time worthiness saturday when Miracles loaded up the new engine and embarked on a 4 hour solo trip to explore the wast unknown, known only as -the other side, of Fox bogs. There he found real deal fisherman on boats who couldnt believe he hadnt pulled out a 6lber yet. Thats right...more than one of them told him about the giants that lurk underneith. "One guy told me his buddy who lives on the point has caught 12 bass over 7 lbs in here. Another guy said, he had a handfull in the 6 lb range that he was able to weigh and one was so big he couldnt get it in the kaiyak." Glowacki didnt find any size but he did find about 11 or 12 one lbers who wanted to play. the fights were solid with multiple jumpers on the spinner and worm. Glowacki adds, "I felt like the wanted something a little on the fast side , so i worked a texas rigged worm like a jig almost. it worked out well. the spinner was a nice treat, I love the fast action and got many takers on that as well...all in all a very solid day, and with the engine I was movin around no problem." Glowacki gets a nice primer for the Cape thats comming up this weekend. "I consider it a kind of bonus to get some practice in this weekend. My casting seems solid and the battery works great. Im fired up...big time.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Bare Bones with Sir Charles

2009-05-22T21:30:00.003-04:00

Aahhh...where should I begin...? This trip was a strange one, son. Abby and Glow started out on the Charles at 5 a.m. on a new streach of real estate, in the spring, on the river that historically has and will produce the big boys. That being said today was far from a disaster, but very easily could have been. On the other hand, this trip was 2 keepers away from being a spectacular trip. So how does this happen? How can something so close be so far away, on both ends? To look at this trip the right way is to look at it with no emotion, if possible. Lets look at the facts- the Team made weight bag, but didnt make 5 keepers. The Team got size, but no numbers. The Team coverd a ton of water, but at least half of it was unfishable. The scenery was presitine but the travel was rough. A guy on shore said something interesting, he says, "I was out there yesterday and caught one perch." That eased the pain...just a little. And there was pain to be had on this trip, no doubt. But before we get into that lets talk about the wierd highlights. Abby scored the days first bass with a real nice 1lb 8 Oz...a solid fish about an hour in on a choice point...moments earlier Miracles got a dink Pick so the bite was on...there was plenty of action on the surface, but the water was shallow, and a bit weedy. At this point the Team was feelin good and headed into the narrows. Glowacki scored a 3 lb 6 Oz sow next. Glowacki says, "I had no idea that is was that big, he jumped and I still didnt register it as a pig until he was in the net, then I knew it was at least 3 lbs. Then I saw pumped." As Miracles should be. This is his first fish this year over 1 lb. Kind of bizarre. Abby scored one more pick and that was it. now lets get into the ugly...the current and weeds, not to mention the depth at points was managable at best and catastrophic at worst. needless to say the engine fell off at one point. Abby who manned the engine for 90 percent of the day, had his hands full, all day. Abby says, "This was the hardest trip to captain ever." Glowacki says, "Agreed, it was rough...hes worked majic in wind, but current, weeds on the engine and hittin the bottom left abby maintaining boat position more than fishing the spots. He did as well as anyone could have- a solo trip today would have been a nightmare. We ended up switchin postions late in the day, but it didnt matter the bite was off." When all was said and done, the Team had a good trip, they were 2 lbers away from a classic, but if they havent converted the 3 the boat got it would have been dreadfull. So, under the circumstances, the trip was a success, but it was in a word, hard. Glowacki did celebrate his 3/6 with some steak tips and a gingerale and a nice salad for lunch, pondering the day...pondering the day, like someone who just crashed but lived.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra, hard, fool.

Big Lure orders takeout.

2009-05-22T19:02:00.002-04:00

Last week Big Lure Welch set out on a solo trip to get hype. Rockin the Charles on the solo shore cast fool, he brought in a solid 1 lb 13 Oz large boy. Joe says, 'I just wanted to get him to shore and on the scale as fast as I could. I knew when he was on , he had some size...I was gettin pokes all day- Im glad I converted this take." With this fish Joe adds to the top 5 Team bag. The top 5 fish are being recorded for future records and path's of progress. Joe concluded,"Its nice to get out on days like this and to contribute to the Spring take...there will be may more to come, Im sure."
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Action Jack...son.

2009-05-17T21:50:00.002-04:00

The Team was a lil bit concerned with todays outing before it kicked off. Although Abby was commin off a 2hype4u type trip(s), the weather today was a lil cool, cloudy and rainny...the pond- a real unknown, even though the team has fished it before, they knew they didnt really know it the way they do other water bodies. They know there are some hogs here, but would they be bitin', fool...? Nobody was for sure. The Team headed out with Glowacki at the motor. After a quick open water opening they decided to hit what looked like some decent bank. Glowacki opened with a dink, a good sign , with a senko bank beat. Abbott soon followed and the Team continued to take in numbers at a solid pace. They scored about 7 fish in the first 40 mins, not bad. They headed even shallower and parked the boat in some growth out of the wind. Abby switched gears to a top water buzz bait. The boat was in the zone and you could feel in the air that the top water hit was commin'...then boom, Abby nailed a top water buzzbait catch. Glowacki says, "I watched the cast hit and fight back, I knew he was gonna get somethin' on that cast, I could just feel it. It was sick." The crew continued to nail bass right around the 1 lb mark in the shallows. Then they headed to a deep hole down the streach. Glowacki feelin the deeper bite was on threw a Texas rigged worm through the hole, he says, "I felt a bite, but it felt different, it didnt feel like a bass, I wasnt really sure if I was on or not then i started to feel the fight. When I saw it in the water i was like, that aint no bass and almost immediatley knew it was a trout since i had seen the same brown trout a few weeks ago. It was a solid 15 Oz brownie...not huge but a real solid fish...it was a nice suprise." Although the Team didnt hammer any real size, they did have a great day...Abbys buzzbait and Glowackis trout were the highlights that'll get em motivated for a while. Abbott says, "We did what about we thought we were gonna do and about what was expected ...the satisfaction level was totally met." It seems the spring is here and the fish should really start commin'...along with the size. A couple nice takes...
Dick Babcock
Vs sports Extra

Bank Robber Robs again

2009-05-11T22:12:00.002-04:00

...at a lil outlet of the Mighty Charles, no doubt. Abby ventured on a solotrip tip, fool this past weekend and added some weight to his solid spring showing this year. Here we see another bass over 2lbs...2.7 to be exact. abby, who has maximized his solo outings with correct time management and water body selection has scored the teams only keepers so far this year. Glowacki says, "Its nice to see the spring is startin to produce and to see Abby at the forefront of it all." Abby adds, "The bank beat was on, but not right away...it took a lil while to score this fish, but I knew my time on the water needed to be timed right, it was and I had a great day." The team looks to meet up this sunday on a pond that brought a 4.4 to the record books last year. They'll be gettin out there in the afternoon for what looks to be an exciting time.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Glowacki gains 5 Species/Lure

2009-05-03T01:01:00.000-04:00

A brown trout out of the Deerfield River. Story below...

Abby Rocks The House

2009-05-03T00:31:00.002-04:00

Friday was a solid day for both Abby and Glowacki of Team Abbott/Glowacki. In one of the most unexpected and expected trips the team landed both a top hog, with Abby and a trout(s) with Glowacki. Lets start with Abby who started at dawn...Abby says, "I had a morning trip, a quick 2 hour job on a local pond right around the corner from my house...I saw a pig wrestling some bait fish and cast from the kayak...I missed it at first but relocated for prime positioning, there was lull in the wind and I set one of the best hook sets of my life, the hog was on and I pulled in a 2lb 14 oz." Abby also had another bass over 2 lbs setting the stage for the season, for real. Top Hog as of right now stands. Glowacki says, "Im pumped for Abby and for the season in general. Again, Abby didnt have to go on this trip, but determination and the will to fish brought his game to the forefront. I know he needed a good day and he got it, big time." Abbys bass, just shy of 3 lbs is nothin to sneeze at. The spring season may just be here right now. A small window is nothing to be over looked and in this case, it wasnt. The reward was sweet. Later in the day Glowacki and Kenny G headed to the Deerfield river in western Mass to go fly fishing. The fishing started at 1:30...Miracles landed his first brown trout at 6:30...Kenny G immediatly followed. Glowacki says, "It was a great day, it was a lot of work...i never worked so hard for a fish in my life. We could see the trout in the water...we were walkin right up on em, standing over them and they wouldnt take the fly...finally right when the sun went behind a mountain top, almost to the second I got a hit and I was on. I couldnt believe it. I had a 2.7 lb test test line on so it felt huge, a solid 10 inch brown trout." Kenny G then landed a footlong brown and Miracles responded with about a 15 inch brown." Miracles explains, "The second fish was the best one cuz it was a long cast and a long fight in waders up to my waist in semi rapids. I only got 2 trout but they were in the top 5 best fish Ive ever caught." Glowacki staples his 5 lure and 5 species awards with the trout on the fly rod and along with Abbys 2.14 the days was a total success. The Team looks to capture the majic together in a boat soon, stay tuned...the action is just heatin' up.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

Rejected...again.

2009-04-26T21:29:00.003-04:00

Whats the story(morning glory?) The Spring so far....ah, well, lemme get back to you on that, son. Saturday Team Abbott/Glowacki set out on the best day of the year...sunny, temps in the 80's, a solid 4 1/2 hour trip...heres how that went...The first 2 1/2 hours were a no-show. Besides a few rouge sunny's in the shallows there was nothin' around...Glowacki storted to troll. Now lemme tell you whats goin on when Miracles starts to troll, he's really singin' Livin on a Prayer, by Jovi, and unless your a 36 year old housewife with your fat pants on, you dont want that song in your head for any reason, what-so-ever. Abbott, reletless with the bank beat pulled up on a spot and finally scored the bays first few bass. Glowacki says, "he stuck with it and it paid off...he went in with a game plan and stuck with it- it was a veteran move, he just stuck with what he knows works there and what he's good at." This was the mentality that scored both Bank Robber and Miracles some fish. Glowacki sensing his bank beat wasnt on stuck, mostly, with the spinner bait. The boat brought in 6 fish all together, a few picks and 2 bass each. None of the bass were over a pound. Abbott says, "Its just frusterating right now...it was kinda a let down, ya know, its late April and things should be better. Were not doing anything wrong but ots like we get out there and the temp drops, the wind picks up, boat positioning is a job in itself...we were really hoping for a better outting." The Team did get done what they needed to do though, considering the conditions this was a successfull trip. No, they didnt make bag and no they didnt nail the numbers but they pulled what could have been a catastrophy, and believe me, it was heading that way, into a respectable save. Glowacki adds, "We were literally, like an hour and a half away from being skunked, forget about bag...we were just lucky we got something and 2 bass each is fine." What wasn't too fine was Glowackis solo trip Sunday on the Charles. The current and wind beat his ass, straight up and down the river. Glowacki was crashing in to to the shore in coves, casting with one hand and workin the orr with the other with maybe a handfull of decent spots to hit, he says, "Id see a good spot and would have to cast quickly to it before the current or wind or both sent me by it, Im lucky I got the boat back to shore." He did however pull in one decent size pick on a bank beat worm, eliminating any skunk. he says, "the worst part obout it my casts were presitine. I mean I was bringing my A game cast wise, so I was glad for that, it was my highlight of the trip." Again, Glowacki didnt do anything wrong, the problem was the conditions, the other problem was body of water choice. that being said, he was out there. Sometimes that is all you can do. This weekend, it was.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra

The Easy Pull, Son.

2009-04-18T20:59:00.002-04:00

Well, it seemed like forever, but Team Abbott/Glowacki and company set the stage this weekend with a 9 and 1/2 hour trip on the Fox that will set the stage for the 09 season. Big Lure Welch and Miracles Glowacki headed out on the canoo on a prestine 70 degree friday at 10:30 am- they were out there till 8:oo pm. The duo scored a combined total of about, give or take a fish or two, 40 fish for the boat. Miracles opened the season on a nice bank beat bass on his new bait caster...probably the best way to start the new season. Big Lure opend up the trip, though. Big lure switched that shit up to the crank, and in big country open water, set the stage for the day. Glowacki followed suit and the crank game was on. The two proceded to hit hot spot after hot spot, catching bass, pick's, perch and sunny's. At no time did they experience a lull of more than 15 mins without a bite- big open water, coves, banks with the crank, worm, jig and pig- it didnt matter, they bit it. The big story for this trip was Big Lures patience and feel for the water. Glowacki says, "Joe really had a free mentality going into this, he wasn't obsessed with the hogs, just fish in general, it really opend up the game where anything goes ruled and paid off...when he went to the crank it produced, when he went to the worm, it produced. we figured out the pattern about 45 mins into it and just kept killin it." Glowacki was also happy with his own game, he says, "Yeah, I was thrilled with my baitcaster opening bass...I knew there was more to the pond than just baitcastin the shore but it was a nice early highlight, personally, and with a jig and pig to boot. I was more impressed with Joes game, he really brought it up a level from last year...I mean way up. he is a true contender for Top Hog this year, no doubt." The name of the game on this trip was settlin down and figuring out the game, as they did, and then stickin with it. At times the game seemed so unconventional, it almost seemed unrealistic, but it worked...cranking in 3 feet of water...or 5 feet of moving wind driven water seems insane, but that was the game. The biggest under-rated highlight of the trip was the amount of lond distance casts that produced fish...Welch says, "I'd say 80% of our fish came from long casts- we had double didget max distance reel in's." Glowacki adds, "The long cast hook up is one of the most exciting aspects of fishing...I lost track after abvout 5 of them." The only down fall of the trip was there was no real size with bass...none of the bass were over 13 Oz, but it didnt matter with 40 fish on the books. Glowacki says, "I had a nice one on well over a lb, that I lost cuz I didnt net it- i forgot my net and as soon as I was on the boat without it I knew somehow, someway, i was gonna pay for that mistake, and I did. I like to think i made up with it with a 14 Oz perch, my best to date...it's those early trips that remind you to really fine tune your game, a forgotten net in July is unforgivable, but today...i forgive myself, and so did the fishin Gods. Bank Robber Abbott also got out 24 hours later, and scored his first catch for the books on a solo kayak trip at an obscure small local pond...no size there but again, it doesnt matter, just feelin a fish on is alright this time of season. Everyone is on, everything is good...welcome to '09!
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra, long casts

(Lets see whats going on)...move along, move along

2009-04-01T21:06:00.002-04:00

Last week Team Abbott/Glowacki headed out again to explore the weekend on a small, local pond. The weather was sunny and relativley warm. There were no fish to be found. The team through everything at 'em that they had,...platics, plastics with weights, jigs, pigs, spinners, cranks, what-have-you. The water was cold, the air warm and the depression deepening. The good news is the day is comming sooner than later when the feeling and sounds of "dude, Im on" will flow like tunes out of a car in a summer evening drivin to the packy...before a bash. Get hype.

Spring My Ass

2009-03-22T21:57:00.002-04:00

So far, March, over the last few years has been brutal for team Abbott/Glowacki. They've caught a total of 1 fish combined in the last two years. That isn't to be unexpected, considering it was a miserable 34 degrees out when they woke up to cloudy skies and a dick stiff wind at 20 mph. (Prick!)The weather guys all week were talkin' about high 50's with blue bird skies. That didn't happen. The team got a break in the clouds and enjoyed some sun but the wind straight up kicked their ass all up and down the pond. One of the teams chief spots was scrapped due to it. In other and better news, the team was far from disoppointed. sure, no fish were caught , but they did get to break out the baitcasters and work out their new gear, line, reels, battery and rods. Consider this batting practice after a long winter. Abbott says, "A day like this is alright, cuz we get to work the gear out, break off the rust, get our groove back up and running and see where we stand equitment wise before the season really begins. We didn't catch anything , but it's not like this is June on better than ideal conditions...they'll be plenty of time for that- today was all about just gettin out on the water." Glowacki adds, "I got home and took a nap and got up and was whiped out. Im tired, son. Fishin' takes a lot outta ya, both mentally and physically, but it feels good, its a good tired, its a work out and a skill that needs to be masterd...controlling energy, controlling your own pace, clear decision making, working as a team, stuff like that is worth being exhusted for. Today was one of those days. No doubt that the wind was in our face for 4 hours, Abbott did a great job managing the motor and we did all we could. I have no regrets on selection or spots. We fished hard and were out there. Not bad for a sunday afternoon." The team will regroup soon, but not too soon to plan another trip. The winter is a bitch and not letting up. Hints of sunshine and rouge mid 50 days are little nuggets of hope in a season of hell. Little at best.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

On your lure, get robbed, glow!

2009-03-17T22:06:00.002-04:00

Is there anybody out there...? This is Apollo Team A/G...we are in the final stages of season black out, of season wither and season cast in your living room...we have survived...we will now thrive. We accept the mission and the challenge of seak and destroy. Before God we swear this creed, our rods and are tactics are the defenders of our trophy, we are the masters of our casts, we are the savoirs of our day, until there are no more days, son. Now, just days before the saeson starts- let us break down whats on the table...First off, Team Abbott/Glowacki and Co. are about to embark on a brand new world of gear, experience, choice spots and drive. The name of the game this year is motivation. Team Abbott/Glowacki have never been short of it, but this year I see the the team bringin' it like no other time since. This is the teams first year with combined bait caster fire power... "Cheif Black Foot, this is, what we like to call... gunpowder" Next up on the list is homework. The off season has been taken advantage of ten fold- expect results. Next up, son, and a common over looked aspect, history. Both good and bad history, the team enters the new season, not dwelling on past lost fish or celebrating fish caught, or records broken, but they simpley aren't forgetting anything. I'm not talkin about the orrs...im talkin about the history of spots, the lure used at those spots, the time of year they were used, and how to improve it universally. This hands on ground work is really going to open up avenues of thought and creativity, fool. Glowacki says, "I'm really gonna listen to the fish this year, find out what they want and what they don't want. Abbotts mentioned the fluke a few times this winter, he might be lookin to break new ground. Big Lure just picked up a 7 footer, he's relizin his limitations on land and lookin to hit those far off lillies or rock pile. It's all about gettin better, the hogs are a bi-product. That's our mentality goin' into it. No outrageous expectations, but executing solid, realisic game plans, fool. Now, lets get it ON!

Glowacki Interview rocks downtown...

2009-02-25T21:19:00.003-05:00

Dick B here. Miracles Glowacki had the Top Hog award on display downtown this afternoon. The crowd was jacked and fought for position to get a glimpse of the cherished trophy. I had a chance to interview Miracles on stage, but not before The Bank Robber took the stage to wave to the 100,000 fan mob who cheered him on his Bassmaster Classic fantasy draft win. Glowacki says, "He beat me and Big lure by like 40 lbs... it just goes to show you what homework can do in the off season." As Miracles and bank Robber signed autographes and had their pictures taken with fans, and then... Big Lure walked on to the stage shirtless with a 1/5 of Jack and 2 hooters girls under each arm. The crowd went wild. Big lure yelled into the mic, "Fuck the hot wings...its free breasts and thighs tonight!" The crowd went sick and then the USC marching band kicked into "Metal Health" by Quiet Riot. The team and Company head back to the Northeast latenight. Abbott heads to FLA this weekend for the years first real out of state trip...stay tuned, fool.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra, son.

Props for the '09...

2009-02-12T23:22:00.002-05:00

The odds are out that team/Abbott Glowacki will have a plus/minus year of .795.
That means that just under 80% of the trips the Team and company take they will meet bag just under 80% of the time. This is an upgrade of last years .675 BMP (bag made pecentage) Top hog bass is projected to be between 4.10 and 5.4 this year and to be taken out of The Charles River in the a.m. between May 5th and June 30th with a rubber worm.

Dick Babcock
Vs Sport extra

Get "Reel" Hype, fool...

2009-01-26T21:34:00.002-05:00

The time is soon, son...son...son...New gear is a must for the '09 season. Glowacki displays his arsenal of tactics on his wall. These are the weapons of choice- the wepons that will make or break him this year. Attention to detail is a crutial aspect of the game, or is it? Team Abbott/Glowacki look to break new ground this year. Could this experimental album be their ground breaking "Sgt Pepper" or could it cast them into a hard days night. Glowacki says, "Here, from to to bottom, I have the 7 ft rod with Quantum reel- this is my work horse, my go-to a-la-go-go. It can cast far and it can handle the sows. I love this combo. next i got the 6 1/2 rod and new vintage Abu Garcia 752 cardinal reel. I just got off the horn with the company...they told me they made these between 1892 and 1987. Its mint and light. Im usin it as my finesse worm rod reel combo this year. Its a done deal. Last is my Diawa rod reel combo 6 1/2 foot- this is going to be my alternate spinning/crank rod. Good back up in tough conditions. All will be laced with Berkleys Vanish 6lb test. i guess you could say, Im good to go." Abbott may also be getting hype with a new bait caster this year. Abbott says, "I was outside in the snow and cold castin', pitchin and flippin in my driveway last week, my chops are good and gettin better, I may need to upgrade to some serious bait castin power and accuracy." Big Lure also splurged on a new Shimmano reel this week. "Its got all the fixin's of serious gear potential." says Joe. "I got the new scale and a few new lures and such. I'm makin my moves now so the season doesnt creep up on me. you never know when your gonna get the call. I gotta be ready for the day." The Team and Company seem to have a nice leg up on the season. The '09 is going to be interesting...
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports Extra

Dick on Things

2009-01-17T22:10:00.004-05:00

I heard something once when I was a young buck that made me think..."when something happens, its usually because something happend before it". I'd like to take it a step further, but not until I step out of it. To understand anything you have to do just that- stand under it, then observe, process the info then react in anyway that you see fit and sometimes ways that are unfit. This all depend on what your goal is. I've worked with people who have no goal. Many of them just want to maintain. Maintanance with a goal of maintanace per se is a life, but far from living. Living isn't death. Infact its the furthest thing from it. Death is your ultimate enemy. Lewis and Clark didnt treck across the country because they wanted to die. Columbus didnt cross the ocean blue because he was on some death trip. Team Abbott/Glowacki dont break through ice to fish becasue they want to sink the boat. The moron sees infinite wilderness infront of him and doesnt walk into it. The moron sees an ocean and turns away. The moron sees ice and is swayed. In other words dont be a moron. Theres always a smart way to wade across the Amazon. Find it. Envision your goal. Be your goal. Be on the other side. Enjoyment, real enjoyment, comes on the other side...not on the edge of the woods, not on the shore of the ocean, not in the warm car with a pulled plug on the trip. So how does this translat to fishing.? A million ways. Find one of them and you'll be happy. Truly happy. Is there anything better than being happy. No. But don't cheat yourself. Get it all. Go for it all. Be all. Always. You wont always succed. But when you do you'll know it. You will know it. "It" with fishing can last a day or a week, or sometimes just a few seconds. When homework, prep, pregame, selection, cast, set, reel in, and weigh in, are yours in your hands, remember you did it. You made things happen.
The morons didn't.
Dick Babcock
Vs Sports extra