Part I went up on the web today.  It was a great experience.  Part II in a couple of days.

Way to go Rev!!!  I've been out of town and missed this whole thread until today.  I would have had you say hi to Paul.  He has been a big supporter of CAST for Kids for years.  In fact about 7 years ago he and some other Pros did a fundrasier for me on Lake El Salto.  Heck of a guy!  Well except when I backseated him.

Well, it happened!  I spent just over an hour with Paul Elias Friday night.  Pretty cool!  He's been a hero of mine since way back when.  He is truly a "good ol'boy" from down south.  He did seem tired, so in as much as would have liked to pick his brain all night, I was thankful for the hour he gave me. 

The topic was helping a beginner to gain confidence deep water structure fishing with crankbaits.  He starts at the tackle store, equips the novice with rod, reel, line and deep diving crankbaits, then takes the beginner out and instructs them with the basics on using them.  Should be fun article to write.  Hope to have it ready for Wednesday.

If you never did see the three part ESPN video of him catching the record 132.8 lbs - check this out... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQaDcqt2weM

And if you ever wanted to spend one or two days in private lessons with him - check out this out: http://indepthfishinglessons.com/  Now you know what to ask for at Christmas!   

I just got off the phone with Paul Elias!  ...and I didn't stumble or stutter too badly - I think.  The interview is set up for tomorrow evening.  He'd like to just talk crankbaits in general.  And I'm thinking "Anything you want to do, we'll do."  (I am so damn demanding at times!  )

Well, I still haven't gotten a date and time from him yet, so I better not count my chickens until their hatched.  

I'm checking my email constantly but Paul doesn't strike me as a high-tech kind of guy - so I'll bet he only checks his emails occasionally and between tournaments, so I'll just have to bite my lip and be patient.  I'll let you know if he follows through on his email.

What I want to know is when you will be setting them up to talk at the next club meetings

Thats totally great!!!   Soon you'll be interviewing all the greats, like Bill Dance, Hank Parker, Jimmy Houston ..........

Ditto to Kirk's reasoning. 
Also be very careful or else go purchase some Depends prior to calling him on the phone.

Smitty

AKA Dune Hopper

Big Paul E.  -  How can anyone resist talking to someone who wieghed 132llb in a tourney! 

Besides, I like hearing from the older guys.

Definitely the Paul Elias interview.  Nothing like hearing from a crafty veteran of the sport who has stayed true to what got him to where he is at.

Mark

Of the names you mentioned, Paul Elias and Luke Clausen come to mind with crankbaits before the others, at least for me.  I think of drop-shotting/finesse when I think of Aaron Martens and flipping/pitching with Randy Blaukat....

Awesome, Chuck! Really cool. I would love to know if Paul Elias still likes to kneel and reel. Or, how often does he use the technique?

Very cool Rev !!!!  This is a great opportunity.  make it count.  Ask Elias what is was like to win the Falcon lake Tournament with 132# which I believe is the biggest total ever in a B.A.S.S. sanctioned event.

Jeff Iacchei

I just about peed my pants today when I opened my emails.  I had written to Manns Baits asking if they'd be willing to suggest someone to interview about crankbaits for my website.  Usually my requests gets me a knowledgeable guide or lure designer or semi-prostaffer, which I am  thankful for.  But imagine my surprise when Paul Elias himself wrote back and said he would love to do an interview with me and gave me his home phone number!  I had to change my pants!

Then Megabass emails back and tells me to contact Randy Blaukat, Luke Clausen, or Aaron Martens and gives me their email addresses.  Someone pinch me!  Help me out - who would you try first?

I gotta go do laundry... I wet myself again.