I believe Ron makes a good point. Why would any circuit limit the number to 50 when they can have over 100 boats. They want to make money to. No one does this for free that I know of.
Russ

A prediction on weight......5 fish limit and you better have a min. of 28 lbs. 6 fish limit 30 lbs.  I was there last weekend and I know of a person that put together 2 days of fish with best 10 well over 26 lbs. on the way conservitive side.  I would guess more like 31 or 32. Big fish could be rather large for banks possibly over 4.  Don't let the weather stop you the fishing it hot enough to keep your mind off of the cold.

Me and my father have fished this event the last 7 years. EVERY year it takes 24-26lbs to win. Most of the years, big fish will be between 3.5-4lbs, but I believe someone caught a 5+ last year. 20lbs for the two days allways gets you in the money, and usually most everyone will at least limit. The last few years there was around 40 teams.
C&r chad

Why is it that weight predictions for Banks ever top 20-24lbs?  I am not saying that it can't happen, but I too have been fishing this lake for a ton of years and have been fairly successful.  If Lyle and I can top 10 lbs per day, we should be in the money.

Ok.  Did some research on the topic of past tourney weights, some WBC, NW Bass, Scholarship, Frost bites:
1.  June 2003, 20lbs 2ozs -  WBC
2.  June 2004, 22-3 - WBC
3.  Aug 2004, 18-8 - WBC
4.  Sept 2004, 19.04 - Northend
5.  Oct 2004, 22-9 - Scholarship
6.  Nov 2004 - 23-9 - Frostbite
7.  May 2005 - 31-3 (Three Days) - Jamboree
8.  April 2005 - 12.88 (one day) - NW Bass
9.  July 2005 - 24.10 - WBC
10.  Sept 2005 - 26.91 - NW Bass Champisonship
11.  Oct. 2005 - 24.69 - Scholarship
In my research (remember, I am an engineer), the 80% of the winning teams also had the big fish, with an average weight of just under four pounds.  In the NW Bass Champ., the winning team had BF for both days, hence the heavy weight.  My point is that historically, the huge weights in our discussion set up unrealistic expectations for most anglers, especially new tournament anglers.  I am just trying to "keep it real".  As tournament anglers, or with any competition, setting your sights too high can be your downfall.  What I like to say to my hoop teams, "Over-analysis, leads to paralysis".  I think the same holds true for bass fishing.

Rob,

You just need to get to know the lake better. Yes one guy who fishes without 50 boats around can make a difference, but if the lake fishes anywhere like it did last week for me and a few other guys figure it out, 28lbs is realistic. My best two bags on thursday and friday were 16lb & 18Lbs and that was with 5 fish. Yes things can change in a hurry if guys are on your spots, but heck when you find them like that in many areas, who knows.
Russ

Rob,

No you can buy me a beer dude.  I don't do movies unless they are fishing videos.
Russ

Thanks Andrea for the safe prayers. We will all need it since we could possibly all encounter some snow on the way. Lets get all who are fishing from WBC to finish in the top ten.
Russ