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If I followed the rules, this post should rightfully be listed in the Road Trip forum, but I wanted our general membership to know what a quality member we have among us. Pete-K committed to serve Bar-B-Que for our group of thirty early in the planning of the trip. Well, circumstances changed, and Pete was unable to attend the trip and fish with us. Undeterred, he stood by his promise. On Friday night, Pete and his wife Marilyn drove an hour and a half to the resort, served an absolutely delicious meal to thirty people, and then drove home again. Not counting the hours and hours of food preparation, Pete and Marilyn took at least twelve hours out of their lives just to serve a meal to a bunch of hungry fishermen/women. On behalf of all the lucky folks who were fortunate enough to eat that meal, you have our heart-felt thanks for "conduct above and beyond the call of duty." Thank you Pete and Marilyn!

Customers and the guys at the road trip asked me about offering a made up kits. Its been one of my to do things and its now available. I'll be expanding the kit lines in the future but I wanted to get the most popular one up first. Eventually I'll have kits that will include Ragetail. These kits will help slim down the choices to my best sellers and my personal favorites for beginners or a quick pick. http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Dredge-Jig-Pack-100.htm?productId=78 The kit colors include: Black Blue, Black Blue flake head Blue Craw, Dark Green Pumpkin head June Bug, Purple head PBJ, brown head Sweet Craw Dark Green Pumpkin head.

Hope you like it... Testing it for quite some time has been a BLAST 10 colors to be shipped to shelves this month and hopefully Siebert Outdoors will have them soon as well!

The key to a happier life is to concentrate on the things that you have control over, and not to worry about things which you don't! In the 35+ years that I was doing tax returns for a living, I saw abuse of the system from single parents to corporate CEO's. Too many to count on my fingers and toes, plus the digits of everyone who has posted on this topic so far. So you tell me who is the worst. 1. The welfare mom who lives with her boyfriend that makes enough money that she doesn't need the support she is getting, or the business owner who walks in my door to discuss an amnesty program run by the IRS because he hasn't filed a tax return for 35 years! 2. Or take these two pregnant girls. One is the child of a single mother who has lived on welfare since this new mother was born, or the girl whose parents make well north of $100k per/year. The first baby daddy is terminally unemployed and always will be, while the second one is a year shy of a full college degree where he will be making as much or more than his future in-laws make. But neither girl is getting married until after that baby pops out into the world, and both qualify for gov't assistance and MEDICAID is picking up the tab for the medical costs for both. 3. The guy on unemployment working a side job for cash when he gets caught and has to pay that money back, or the store owner who gets audited for a three year period and ends up owing an extra $95k in sales taxes only. That's $1.5 million in unreported income! 4. Finally one that hits close to home. How about the guy that buys his fishing tackle over the internet and doesn't pay any sales/use tax to the state they reside in. Not like that excuse hasn't been crowed about by some members on this very site! One thing I have heard from everyone I know that has gamed the system, they all use the same excuse. "The Other Guy Does IT!"

Texas Rigged Plastics hands down! Casting, flipping, pitching or punching Winter, spring, summer, or fall Bank shallow out to ???

Firstly, as I've posted before, I think the Ragetail Toad is one of the greatest topwater bass lures of all time. It has outfished almost every other lure for largemouth bass that I've ever used. I've noticed when I've read a lot of reviews and comments on the Ragetail Toad that people say things like, "One of my only complaints is that it sinks, so you have to start cranking right away to get it up on plane." Well, I learned something when I was first using it, which is also the same time I was learning to use a baitcasting reel. I threw a long cast under a dock that was in about a foot deep of water and immediately got a big backlash. So I let the Ragetail sink as I undid the birdsnest. After about 30 seconds of dealing with that I started reeling the line in assuming it was just going to be a burn back to the boat and cast again type situation. Well, as I reeled up the slack I realized there was a bass on the lure the entire time. He had eaten it on the sink or when it was sitting on the bottom. This was an epiphany for me! I think it's a lot like swim jigs, guys used to only cast it and let it sink and if they didn't get a bite on the initial drop they'd burn it back to the boat and recast. Now people are letting it sink and slowly fishing it back to the boat and catching fish both ways. After that I started letting it sink and about 1/8th of the time you will have a fish on it. Like the pro's say, "Let the fish tell you what they like that day." When I first start using the Ragetail Toad for that day I'll let it sink and sit for about 5 seconds about 20 times and if fish aren't eating it on the sink or at the bottom then I'll just cast regular and reel it back in the rest of the day. If fish are eating it on the sink or at the bottom then I will let it sink a lot the rest of the day and will most likely get more fish that way. And when it's sitting on the bottom, I'm not moving it or twitching it, just letting it sit and then I just start reeling it in quickly to get it on plane and fish it back to the boat normally. I just let how the fish are initially taking it dictate how I fish the bait the rest of the day. So, let that Ragetail Toad sink and sit on the bottom a few times, you might be surprised what you were missing out on.

Hey Mikey...... I think he likes it!!!!! aint a whole lots else to say about that, except: siebertoutdoors.com

So today I stoped to fill up the wife's truck after I filled it up I moved the truck out of the pumping lanes and went in the store to buy something to drink. I got stuck behind a lady who was playing the lotto....well after a few minutes I noticed she was using her welfare card to take cash out to buy said lottery tickets. I almost lost it I was so glad to see my tax dollars going to some one who really needed it. She finished after spending $600 on scratch off and her "numbers" and then bought a package of Philly blunts. Her son I'm assuming came in probably 4 times during all this to give her numbers to play. He had more chains then I've ever seen hanging off his neck and a mouth full of gold and diamonds. They were driving a minivan a Mercedes with big ole rims on it. Did I mention they were on welfare!!!!!!! Here I am busting my azz workin all the hours I can just to make ends meet and then I got these low life's . I'm sure it would be more common in the city to see this thing but I live and was out in the sticks only gas station for miles and miles. We normally don't have the "thug" type in the area other then turkey thugs considering it is spring turkey season. I wanted to say something so bad but I bit my tongue and just thought to my self that I make "to much money" for any help when I tried getting help to at least cover day care for three kids but I make to much money according the the state and then there's these yahoos that probably haven't worked a day and are bottom feeders on society. Ugh rant over I guess I could keep going but I have fat thumbs and am getting sick of going back to fix errors on my phone.

If your ever around Pickwick dam let me know. And we will sure try to get out and fish. Hate our plans did not work out but still glad we were able to make it. It was worth the trip to meet and visit with everyone we could. And if I can at all the next one I will sure be there. And even cook again if anyone wants to eat our cooking again. We have plans the week before this one each year. As long as it does not fall on the same weekend. I sure hope to be there for the next one. And thanks for the warm welcome both Marilyn and I got. Its always good to feel like you belong when around new people. But we have been doing this for years with a group that crappie fishes and catfishing. And all make you feel the same. We have make some of the best friends at deals like this over the last 14 years. Enjoyed getting to hear Big O talk and learned from it. That is what makes it so nice to be able to take away from something like this. But also give whatever I can. Sad part is the truck sure drank some Diesel on the way home. Something about 75 to 80 kicked back make it thursty... Looking forward to the next one.

That is no joke there. They went way above and beyond. Awesome BBQ!!!

I cheated and took an extra day off. Like all of you....I'm ready for the next road trip already. A very Big Shout out for Pete-K and Marilyn!..........Thank you for some extremely great BBQ, smoked chicken, baked beans, slaw, cake.......and more. You both went way above and beyond, driving up to feed us even after you realized you were not going to be able to fish with us. To say Thank you is such an understatement after your display of generosity and dedication.......but unfortunately, saying thank you is all I can do..... Thank you both and hope you can make the next road trip!

This has been a stressful year, lost my job (right in the process of having our new house built), fortunate to have another one lined up, death in the family, tight finances during my job transition, school workload, and a few other difficult areas. My faith was vital in all of this, and I also attribute my calming to fishing. Things are set now. Thank God! Moved in new house, school is better, job going well. The times that were super tough, I just went on the water for hours, literally sometimes I just bounced a worm or a jig and it seemed like all was tranquil. Medical studies showed that fishing is a good way to relax. It taught me not only to be a better angler, it also made me more patient, and how to appreciate true down time. It was a rough year, but the uphill battle is over and now we look ahead to a better future. Joe

Check out this one. http://www.amazon.com/Montegrappa-Chaos-Limited-Edition-Fountain/dp/B006ZYY0XS/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1399496407&sr=1-1 Now, back to reality. I got several from my Grandad. The only one I could get even barely acceptable results from was a Parker. I gave up on it, figuring there were better things I could do with my time. But, go for it, if it interests you. Script written with a fountain pen, in the hands of somebody who knows what they're doing, looks really cool.

Who would have thought that Raider would be the one with all the knowledge on fountain pens. Raider continues to amaze. Good stuff.

Congrats Gary!!!

The X75 Flat was killing them south of the border and so far this year, it's been my top producer for both size & numbers. A-Jay

I had an amazing time! This was my first RoadTrip, and it won't be my last..... I roomed with Bassnchris and friends Thanks guys for the great hospitality. And life lessons about bacon and being a future father lol. A big thanks goes out to Long Mike, Glenn, Gene, 00Mod, Roadwarrior and the rest of the Bass Resource crew, for putting together a great trip! The food and accommodations were superb to say the least !! I would highly encourage any member who's been unsure about going on the road trip. To just do it you wont regret it..... It's a great opportunity to learn from people that know a lot about fishing. And a special thanks goes out to the people that took the opportunity to teach me something this weekend - MemphisFF, 00mod, .ghoti, Mike L, Bassin is addicting, papa joke, and siebert outdoors. I also would like to thank the guest speakers, chefs, and sponsors! For providing great giveaways, amazing food!!, fishing advice and free baits throughout the road trip. A big thanks to rage tail, Seaguar, and mega strike! I'm loving that new rage bug btw....Big O! Again if your new or just haven't been to a road trip yet.......... GO You'll have a great time with these people and will make some life long friends! Now I'm off to buy some Siebert jigs.... Thanks Everyone!

Wow, no kidding! These look impeccable ... Wonder where best e-tailer price is?

People who think there scales are "way off" are people who think 4lbers are 9lbers.... If you're offended by this.... I don't care.

Sure, like keeping money in offshore accounts and building plants in other countries, then rejecting an increase in minimum wage. Corporations complaining taxes are too high when in reality many of them pay very little or none at all. I'm all for eliminating loop holes, except for the ones that raise MY taxes................lol. These welfare moms could use a lesson how to really scam the system by big corporations, they are the best at it.

Absolutely! Well said Mike. It was an OUTSTANDING BBQ to say the least! I want more. But more important than that, is the amazing dedication and commitment displayed by Pete and his wife!

It's easy to blame "welfare" people for society's woes because IMO that is the "cheating"of the system your average person is most likely to encounter. Don't forget corporate welfare, no bid govt contracts, people cheating on taxes, Medicare fraud and people collecting unemployment and working to name a few. Welfare fraud is a drop in the bucket compared to some of the above. I try and be honest and put forth 100% in anything I do and not worry about the rest. Life's much simpler that way.

sorry, I thought "putting out of misery" meant killing it.

They did away with the cash advance on food stamps in Oklahoma. In fact, it only covers certain things. On a similar note....I was waiting in line to buy my beer the other day and this lady was getting pops, chips, candy, ice cream, and cigs. Her total was like $20 and the food stamp total was like $9. I guess her cigs were about $11. Anyway, she runs the card three times and it is declined every time. She tells the girl that it is her Moms card and she knows it has money on it. This girl is about 20 and I guess Mom is sitting in the truck. She hollars out the door at "Momma" and ask if it had money on it. "Sure does" Momma yells back. So, after 3 more attempts she says hold on a min. The lady says I will void this and we can try again after I help these people. I throw my beer up there and while the girl is still fiddle farting around, I say "I promise my card will work, I have a job and this is real money that I work hard for." The little skaliwag just gave me a GTH look and stormed out. I know people fall on hard times. If she had been buying bread, lunch meat, milk, cheese, etc...I would have paid for her food and offered to buy her more if she needed. But this junk food crap on welfare really hacks me off. Okay, I joined the rant. Now I'm done

Strike King and change the hooks out to mustad short shank triple grip hooks a size bigger

Home safe and sound, and very tired. I had a great time, and as with all Road Trips, met new friends. It doesn't get any better than that. We had a total of thirty attendees. For one third of them it was their first Road Trip. Speaking for for Glen, Keri and the rest of the Mods, it was great to see so many new faces. We're glad you enjoyed yourselves and hope to see you all back next year. Now, this old man is going to bed.

My friend caught this granny at our neighbors pond. It was 24 inches and weighed 8.25 lb.

I was going to say something, but I held off. I hate to be the internet game warden, but I had the same thoughts.

I prefer straight fluorocarbon for my jig fishing.

Go to the fishing tackle forum where this thread will be moved and look at the top pinned thread, Jig fishing questions, should keep you busy for awhile. Tom

Picked up two kayaks this friday. ( One for me and one for the wife ) Our first kayaks!!!! Started rigging them with Conseal silent tread system I picked up from HOOK1. Hope I uploaded these correctly?

When people get to close I find if I drop my pants to my ankles and sing a nursery rhyme I get all the space I need.

What are those things? J

I used to watch guys run those things at an industrial pond in Springfield. Insanely fast and quick in the corners!!

I'd like to add more but I can't Mike

many saltwater lures work fine for largemouth bass, some actually are some of my best lures

Oh good... I been waiting... This month, that is Awesome! Thank you Sir!

Unlike fluorocarbon these baits are truly invisible

for me its the reel. a crappy reel can completely ruin your day of fishing. where as a rod, unless you break it, wont near as much ruin your day of fishing. which is why my money goes towards the reel and i will slap any reel on an ugly stik. most you rod guys talking about feeling the bottom and bottom contact, who cares when most of you are probably fishing from a boat with electronics that you can use to see whats on the bottom and show you if there are fish there. and to be honest with you, i can feel the bottom just fine with a cheap old ugly stik, feeling is in your hands more so than anything, it is one of your senses like seeing and hearing. certain materials may conduct that feeling better, but its so slight that it isnt worth paying $200-$300 more for. and youve also probably been fishing that same spot for years as part of your milk run, you should know whats there. i would definately say the reel is more important

Wow! What a day! Just awesome, and even more impressed busting out the lc pointer during the spawn. Very smart and often overlooked, I know Quanjig has them tied on 24/7 and sleeps with them, but good to see your success with them.

In bottom contact I'll spend more on a rod than a reel. For all other areas I spend more on the reel.

Although I think both are really important, if I had to choose, I'd rate the rod a little better especially if you're only buying one. If the reel works, you can get by with using it on a higher end rod.

Punching and heavy stuff - 766 Jigs/trigs/frogs - 735 Cranking - 765 cb glass Spinning - 702sf Flukes, weightless plastics, senkos - 703 Moving baits w/one hook and everything else -734

For bottom contact......the rod, for reaction baits the reel...just IMHO.

Home in the arms of my better half at last. I already talked her into going next year. Glad to hear everyone made it home safe and sound (haven't heard from Long Mike yet), Thank the Lord and thank you all for a great time. I, too didn't know what to expect and the trip far exceeded my expectations. You all did a great job of planning and everyone's hospitality helped keep my belief that most people are good, you just need to give them a chance to show it. Thanks again and good night, this old trucker is tired.

15# P-Line CXX for spinnerbaits and 50# braid for chatterbaits. I never fish a chatterbait unless it's in or over heavy grass.

Grace Jay (princess superfluke?) was born friday at 7 lbs 9 oz! Mrs. Superfluke and baby are doing just fine. You probably won't see much from me for awhile but I'll be lurking and reading about all the hawgs that you're catching to get my fix.

Do people think fish are having a pow pow deciding that a 50 year old lure is all of a sudden unappealing to them? If a lure worked decades ago it's going to be just as productive today. I'll be happy to take all of those old lures off your hands.

Random muttering. Incessant mosquito spray in all general directions. Asking to borrow random items. Ask them if they have a daughter, and if so how old.