Here's to MS!

Ya know, I have had the opportunity to travel across the nation in each career I've had from the time I was out of school. Lived all across the south too. Now, as a proud Mississippian, I spent much time defending our state to people from elsewhere in the country. We seem to be last in every poll and statistic they can come up with. Every media story to cover the state seems to go on about our backwoods, racist, fat, uneducated and pregnant citizens. It is a sentiment that seems to encompass the entire south really.

Then several years ago when I moved back home to change careers, I picked up crappie fishing as my game fish quarry of choice. Since that day, every time I go into a tackle shop or sporting goods store, every time I pull up to a boat launch out of state, when people see the jig poles and the Mississippi registration on the boat, I get bombarded with ohhhhhs and ahhhhs it seems. "You lucky dog!" "Why would you fish anywhere else?!" "Man, those lakes are on my bucket list!" "I wish I lived there!".

So, to every fisherman who gives back to his or her lake, every man that stops at or short of a limit, those who build habitat, pick up their trash, practice responsible fishing and conservation habits, to each state fisheries officer and biologist. THANK YOU! We sure have something here to be proud of!

AMEN

Thanks for posting Mid, glad you took time to put thoughts to paper!

Nicely said!!!!!

:ThumbsUp:ThumbsUp:ThumbsUp

Right On!

theysaid

Yep!

You got that right!

Very true thanks.

:ThumbsUp Best group of guys I have run across in a long time !

Yep, now if we could just get rid of the gewbers.

Wannabe...

where would YOU go

:cheers2:highfive:crazy::ThumbsUp:HandsClappingthe ysaid

Well said!!! Thx for this post.

I moved across the TN line 4 years ago, but still go to Mississippi all the time. I love my state of 64 years!

And that's why you don't mess with BillBob.

Wannabe...

Almost poetic. My Dad was born and raised in Miss. My mother who recently went to be with the Lord was from west Ala and I live in Alabama.
Many people have a terrible perception of we southerners. Don't tell them any differently too many yankees moving here now

To be honest, I have had more problems from locals and from certain states when fishing my home lake of Kentucky Lake.
Now, I have been coming to MS the last 3 years and I have had zero problems with anyone. The gentlemen on this board have always provided information when asked. And even had the pleasure of meeting some at the lakes.
I truly believe that the dedicated crappie fishermen of today hold a high respect for others, and try to pass on the passion that we all share to the one's that have the ability, attitude and care to help grow and nurture our sport. MS folks sit at the top of this list and I tip my rod to you gentlemen!

We have the same problem in Louisiana, with people thinking bad about us. And we get our share of bottom 5's in polls. But Louisiana is a great place for outdoorsmen. Mississippi has always been a favorite state of mine. Great camping. And now that I am on C.c I have met some fine Mississippi gentlemen and "G" the gewber. lol.

Shoot, my go to defense was " hey, at least we're not Louisiana!" Just kidding, I love Louisiana, some of the best fishing trips of my life was done there. Grew up fishing the marsh around Cocodrie. Back when I was running offshore charter trips, I used to run my clients from my home port in Destin to the rigs off Louisiana to slay some yellowfin, wahoo, mahi, and the occasional blue marlin. Kept the boat in Venice over the winter a couple of times to fish the midnight lump. Haven't fished your state for crappie yet but maybe I can change that soon.