Things You Can’t Buy on eBay

As I recently wrote, the annual Bass Fishing Hall of Fame induction ceremony and silent auction are fast approaching. Thanks to the generosity of dozens of donators – both individuals and companies like GSM – this auction annually produces thousands of dollars for fisheries scholarships and conservation efforts.

And it’s absolutely loaded with great fishing stuff – rods, reels, lures, clothing and so on.

You might be able to get a great deal on some of it.

But the items that really get me excited are the ones that you can’t buy from a tackle dealer, the ones that you might not be able to buy anywhere – in particular the experiences.

I’m thrilled that Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge and Skeet Reese once again donated a hosted trip to pop for tuna in Panama and happy that I played a small role in making that pairing. I won’t be bidding on that trip because I already plan to be there. But I will be looking for some more things to win.

The auction catalog is still being completed, but as of now these are the ones where I plan to put down my credit card.

• Brandon Palaniuk North Idaho Bass Trip (Lot #215) – I’ve fished with BP at a media event on Hartwell. I’ve been to Idaho. But I’ve never mixed the two. He’s one of the most exceptional people in the sport and I’d like to pick his brain on his home waters.
• White River Trout Experience (Lot #229) – Now that I’ve been to Alaska several times, I know that trout aren’t “trash fish.” Far from it. I’m increasingly enamored of them. And while I’ve caught big rainbows, the only browns I’ve caught have been through the ice in Wisconsin. Why not grow where they get to record-class proportions?
• 2-Day Redear Sunfish Trip with Dean Rojas (Lot #244) – I’ve never fished with Rojas, but I’ve worked with him a ton. Meanwhile, a giant Havasu sunfish has been on my bucket list for quite a while. Do you think they’ll eat a frog?
• California Dreamin' on Clear Lake (Lot #298) – Clear Lake is one of the few great US bass tournament fisheries I’ve yet to fish – and along with Champlain it’s at the top of my list. I’ve tried to cajole Bryant Smith into taking me already, so now he’ll have no choice.

Your mileage may vary on what you want. Be sure to check out the catalog on the Hall’s website.

And I guess I can’t be mad if you outbid me on any or all of them – after all, it’s for a good cause.