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Yeah sure, I'll be flipping a snake over to determine if it's venomous or not

Saturday marked ten years with the company and when I got to work today there was a nice breakfast spread and lots of kudos from everyone, and then I look outside and one of the guys is towing a boat right up in front of the windows. Speechless! It's used but solid, 16 more feet of boat than I was ever going to own anytime soon, outboard, trolling motor, GPS, depth finder, rod locker, live well, plus everything I need to legally have on there; she's totally water-ready! I even got the rest of the day off to go with one of our guys who knows boats so I could start learning my way around it. Not a bad day at work. If you have to have a boss, you'd be darn lucky to have mine.

1. Wake - To arouse someone from slumber. 2. Wake - A vigil held for someone who has died. 3. Wake - The wave produced at the stern of a boat as it passes. If you are on the water and see a sign that says "No Wake Zone," it could mean one or more of the following: 1. You are to be very quiet, so as not to awaken anyone. 2. No funerals are to be held in the area. 3. You must keep your boat to a speed that will generate no waves which could damage boats moored in the area. This is generally considered to be idle speed. I'll let you be the judge.

Nightcrawler on steroids

After a long day on the golf course, I stopped in at ‘Hooter's’ to see some friends and have some hot Wings and drinks. After being there for a while, one of my friends asked me which waitress I would like to be stuck in an elevator with. I told them "The one who knows how to fix elevators." I'm old, tired, and pee a lot.

Well, I'm not sure I understand the question, but I'll take a shot: The "skill" is knowing where bass tend to stage. As Rick Clunn once said, " Catching bass is easy, finding them is the challenge".

I fished an afternoon tournament yesterday from 4-8 pm. The fishing was great. We went to our first spot and immediately started catching fish. After 30 minutes or so we had our limit but nothing big. We were fishing around weeds beds and the adjacent flats out from the weed beds casting jigs, worms, and frogs. We stayed in the same cove all evening. My partner caught one over 4 lbs. I caught 3 over 3 lbs. My partner finished off our limit with our 5th decent fish. There were some culling issues and the scale he had wasn't accurate at all but we weighed in 16.66 lbs for 5 fish and finished in 1st place. First tournament win of the year for me. Heck yeah.

Ask our local game commission people and they can give you the correct answer. Once again, I remind everyone what my uncle told me when growing up in south Louisiana: A snake and a leaky rubber have one thing in common. You don't ******** with either. A word to the wise.

The maid asked for a raise, and the wife was upset. She asked, "Now, Helen, why do you think you deserve a pay increase?" Helen: "There are three reasons. The first is that I iron better than you." Wife: "Who said that?" Helen: "Your husband." Wife: "Oh." Helen: "The second reason is that I am a better cook than you." Wife: "Who said that?" Helen: "Your husband." Wife: "Oh." Helen: "The third reason is that I am better at sex than you." Wife: "Did my husband say that as well?" Helen: "No, the gardener did." Wife: "So, how much do you want?"

So a blind man walks into a bar. The blind man sits down, thinking he'd break the ice with the bartender by asking "Wanna hear a blond joke?" In a hushed voice, a man beside him says "Before you tell that joke, you should know our bartender IS blonde, or bouncer is blond, I'm a 6'4" black belt, the man sitting on the other side of me is 6'2, 250lbs, and a rugby player. The guy sitting next to you is pushing 300, 6'6, and he's a wrestler. We're ALL blond. So you think about it mister, do you really wanna tell that joke?" The blind man sat for a second, thinking over the odds and then replied "No, not if I have to explain it five times."

Copperheads, and most venomous snakes for that matter, have very triangular shaped heads, which that snake does not.

It's an anaconda. No doubt. See them all the time up here in Indiana.

One of the biggest reasons guys don't think big baits equal big bass is because......THE BAITS ARE NOT BIG. A long worm is not a big bait to the fish. Most baits that guys think are big, are not big to the fish. Small bass will eat anything they can chase down and fit in their mouths. Big bass preffer to eat big easy meals, but will still eat a small meal if it doesn't take a lot of energy to catch it. The size of the bait is not always what makes it attractive to big bass. Some baits consistently catch big bass and some don't. A Jig is not a really big bait but its not tiny either. It looks slow moving and easy to eat. If you want to target bigger bass, use baits that are know for consistently catching bigger bass. It means nothing when you hear somebody say "I caught this big bass on this little bait". Its the law of averages. There are millions of bass fisherman. There are millions of guys throwing small worms, and other small baits. There are going to be a few big bass caught on them. For ever big bass caught on a tiny bait there are thousands of dinks caught on them. I would say that probably close to half the fish caught on swimbaits (real swimbaits) are big or at least over 4lbs. Probably at least 1 out of every 10 fish caught on a jig are good quality fish. If you look at the guys who are consistantly catching big bass, they aren't using small baits. They are using swimbaits, jigs, live bait etc.

Not quite, but I'm getting there. Being way past middle aged and rapidly approaching "old", I had been thinking a lot about retirement lately. After 17 years of being a contractor and saving a few nickels every week, I finally pulled the trigger on a retirement home. A not to fancy but fairly new place in a +55 community, and this is the best part, ON THE WATER. We still have a about a decade of paying for college educations, but I can at least start to look forward to something other than 70+ hours a week running a business. Anyone who wants to come and hang out on the weekends and fish a nearly private 1000 acre big fish factory, give me a shout. In a few years we can hang during the week. Here is the view from the front porch.

It's hard to get an idea of size from this image...but here are the players mentioned so far (except the Abu Morrum 3600!). Left to right: Ambassadeur 5000, Calais 200DC, 2012 Antares, 2014 Conquest 100, last-gen Conquest 100, Calcutta CTE-100GT, Calcutta CTE-200GT. Using the Ambassadeur 5000 as the reference point: The CTE-200GT is nearly as big in diameter but "palms" quite a bit smaller due to the recessed reel foot found on the Calcutta/Conquest reels. The CTE-100GT and older-gen Conquest 100 are next smaller in size. The 2014 Conquest 100 palms very small compared to an Ambassadeur, and is smaller than the old Conquest 100 and CTE-100GT. If you went with a 2014 Conquest, you would probably want the 200 (both for size and line capacity). The Calais 200DC and 2012 Antares are approximately the same size, and are considered to be "large" (and heavy) by todays low-profile standards. They palm much smaller than an Abu 5000. I don't have a Curado 300E so I can't compare them to that reel...but I have a feeling they are smaller than the CU300. There are other reels that might be candidates for you as well - larger low-profile reels, and round reels, intended for larger freshwater and inshore saltwater species. Good luck in your decision!

That could be original!

Shimano CTE200GT or the "wrong hand" version, CTE201GT

I'm just speculating, but it sounds like you are at a point in your knowledge and comfort level of equipment where you're not going to be 100% comfortable with anything you buy. I know it's tough when you are investing money. You want to get it right; but one of the realities is, we all learn our personal preferences over time. Some people like shorter rods, some longer, and so on. None of us can tell you what you will like. I do know the Premier is a good rod. It's more traditional in style than a lot of the others out there. Maybe not as light as some others in its price point, but very durable and solid in construction. Certainly a rod that will hold value well enough that you could resell it (at a reasonable used price) if you decide to upgrade or try something different.

Three women, a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead, have just broken out of prison. They are being hotly pursued by a posse and they hide in a barn and, in desperation, inside three large burlap sacks where they crouch quietly. The possee comes in and one of the guards notices one of the sacks has moved. He kicks it and the brunette inside, thinking quickly, begins bleating like a goat. The guard thinks to himself, Jjust a goat ready for market". Seeing another sack move, he kicks it. Inside, the redhead begans squealing like a pig. The guard thinks to himself, "just a pig going to market." He spies the last sack and kicks it. The blonde inside doesn't quite know what to do and remains silent. The guard kicks it again, and again. At last, the blonde cries out "Potatoes!"

5 to 1 odds say he'll fish it, not catch anything, and give up.

#1 keep throwing it and don't give up. #2, fish it around bluegill beds, slow fish it(wake it) and every now and then kill it, then rip it and slow crank....gives the panic look. #3, Watch for followers and see what excites them. If you have gotten their attention you just have to figure out how to make them bite. And if they gave their position away, give them a little break and go back...10-15min and try again varying the presentation slightly from what you did. And early morning/evening may work best, but just think of it as a big wakebait. #4, keep throwing it and gain confidence in it that it will produce.

It's all i've ever used and always will

Well we are going to this lake for sure this weekend. I approached the guy and he said he would back off. I am not worried about him catching the bass, because I am doing something way different than most. I just don't want him getting that close and finding out the strategy also. I am going to use it as motivation and not let it get me down. My partner and I have confidence and that is the best bait in the boat.

Bubba went to Alabama on a football scholarship. He was a good running back, but a poor student. At graduation day, Bubba didn't have enough credits. But he was a great football star and the students held a rally and demanded the dean give him a diploma anyway. They were so insistent that the dean agreed if Bubba could answer one question correctly he would give him a diploma. The one question test was held in the auditorium and the students packed the place. It was standing room only. The dean was on the stage and told Bubba to come up. The dean had the diploma in his hand and said, "Bubba, if you can answer this question correctly I'll give you your diploma." Bubba said he was ready and the dean asked him the question. "Bubba," he said, "How much is three times seven?" Bubba looked up at the ceiling and then down at his shoes, just pondering the question. The students began chanting, "Graduate him anyway! Graduate him anyway!" Then Bubba held up his hand and the auditorium became silent. Bubba said, "I think I know the answer. Three times seven is twenty-one." A hush fell over the auditorium...and then the Alabama students began another chant. "Give him another chance! Give him another chance!" Just a few good ones.

Ah, the famous "Pit Boss Rig"

Hey guys, I've had no luck from shore near the seacoast but have more spots to try. Been going down to Nashua to meet up with a buddy that has a 10' crawdad. Recently we went to Flint Pond in tyngsboro but it was impossible to get within 100 yards of a majority of the shoreline. Caught a couple bass under one of the three docks on the pond with senkos. I was throwing a frog out too and kept getting hits but it was my first time and setting the hook has a learning curve. My buddy wanted to fish some deeper lures and the milfoil/pads were out of control so we headed to mill pond in Nashua. Few small bass, couple perch, a pickerel and a sunnie so it was a good 3 hours. Circled the whole pond then ended right in the middle throwing jigs through the channel running from the launch straight to the river entrance. This was about 6 o'clock and they were jumping in pods, 3-5 at a time in the same spot. Threw a bladed jig in with a rage craw and a second after it hits the water BOOM, almost took the pole outa my hands. It was a ML medium action pole and the thing was bent in half. Perspective isn't great but it was 5lb 1oz. Biggest one this season.

The chances of me catching a 10# plus is GREATLY increased by simply choosing the right lake not the lure!

Baseball is finally over!!! Headed up to the big pond Thursday-Sunday, not sure who is more pumped....me or my little man!!!!

You saw them they saw you, more than enough reason for them to keep their mouth shut.

I say nope. IMO, for a fish like that to come out of any lake, that lake needs to be putting out consistent 9# and 10# fish. That's just not happening. Lets look at the current smallmouth records in states bordering the Great lakes. NY - 8#4oz PA - 8#8oz OH - 9#8oz MI - 9#4oz IN - 7#4oz IL - 6#7oz WI - 9#1oz MN - 8#0oz Only NY and OH have been caught out of the great lakes. That's a nice fish, but it's no 11# and I have my doubts it's even 10#.

Is he on the way in, or the way out?

From time to time I fish with my buddy on a pretty busy lake and he loves to hit the docks. Well, we went by this one dock and an elderly gal comes out and stomps down to the end of the dock and stomps back to the house. My buddy says she does it every time and the only thing he can figure is she's trying to scatter the fish so we don't catch any. I guess she never says anything to him and she doesn't have any signs or chicken wire installed. Next time I see her, I'm going to tell her about the motion activated sprinkler idea. Like a lot of others here, I just try and be respectful of other peoples stuff. If you don't want me to fish your dock, I won't. I can find em somewhere else. I fish to relax and I've never had a confrontation that left me feeling relaxed.

Well, it is a nice fish, but that's a BIG number! Do you think it looks like 150% of the fish in your avatar or mine?

Most of my larger jig fish come from 15-30' deep. I fish open clear water where flipping and pitching don't really work for me. When I am targeting large fish, I set the boat deep (sometimes 50 fow) and use large jigs with large craws as trailers fishing deep cover or bluff ends.

Join a club and fish as a co-angler. You'll learn a lot about different boats and if you're lucky running a TM. There's a learning curve there for sure.

couple pics. very happy with the purchase!

Claudio Sanchez - Coheed and Cambria

There is an attitude that too many people have these days, and that is if I am allowed by law to do something, I'm going to do it no matter how annoying or inconsiderate it is. Kind of like the guy walking around the streets in CO with a shotgun simply because he can. It is freaking everyone out but it's "legal" so he's going to do it. Correct, the water around the dock is public, and by law anyone is allowed to fish there. Just like the parking lot where you park your new Porsche is public property. It still wouldn't make you feel very nice to see kids playing baseball in that parking lot. Do unto others...etc. seems to be lost these days.

I remember fishing Santee Cooper (the bigger of the 2 lakes) and a guy had one of those pulsating water sprinklers hooked up to a motion sensor. If someone was too close to the dock the motion sensor would energize a water pump and the sprinkler would drench the offending boat that got too close.

Roger

Hello Daniel and Welcome to BR ~ A-Jay

Just you

St Croix makes it in a casting rod. Are you looking for a spinning rod?

Glad to have you aboard

Your point?

Sorry for the delay responding guys. The original intention was to post pics along the way documenting the process, but I got a rush of work in and some issues with the house to address (the dreaded "Honey-do List") and as we know, Happy Wife = Happy Life, right? Anyway, here is how the process works: RW contacted me with some questions about a custom build after one of my posts in a thread. We talked about what he was looking for including details on what/how the rod will be used. Based on the conversation I emailed a quote and list of suggested components. We talked again so I could answer questions and discuss options. Here's is what we decided on and why: Blank: MHX HM SJ843 7' 8-15# line 3/8-5/8oz Med/Fast Blank Wt 2.15oz .538" butt dia. size 5 tip This is a high performing blank that is my personal go-to for spinning tackle for bass. It loads and casts well with a 4" senko yet has plenty of power for big fish and you don't have to be afraid to fish in some cover. A very light and sensitive blank. Guides: Fuji Titanium Torzite KR Guides 16, 8,5.5,4,4,4,4,4,4 tip-top Titanium alloys are among the lightest and strongest guide frames. Torzite is their newest ring material. It's super hard and thinner than usual which saves weight and allows use of smaller guides to pass the same connections as larger guides. Guides where placed using Fuji's KR (Rapid Choke) concept. This results in the use of an extra running guide and one less reduction guide resulting in an extremely crisp, balanced and sensitive layout. Seat: Aero Comfort Grip The Aero seat has a small hump that fills the palm comfortably and has a coating that is slip resistant and less temperature sensitive should you fish in cold weather. Grips: Split grip cork Customers choice I'll post later outlining the steps in the build process as well as pics of the finished rod as soon as I get them off the new camera. In the meantime, there are pics of the process on my personal Facebook page. Thanks guys.

Can also use clear Bait Tape, but like one of the other posts above, I'm not addicted to Senkos, and the few I do use, Mend-it back together as long as I can recover it. I do think I'm addicted to Mend-it though. That bottle has paid for itself quite a few times.

This is a common courtesy issue, to me. If I wanna fish a dock, I'm gonna fish it, but I know my casting accuracy ain't that great so I'm not gonna fish all that close to someone's nice shiny boat. On the flip side, if my boat is in the dock, feel free to fish under it. I just ask the same level of courtesy - if you suck at casting as bad as I do, don't throw so close. When it comes to 'no fishing' signs and anti-fishing devices, I might give a little extra space around them, but not much. However, the one thing I won't do is engage in a confrontation over it. If the boat owner is there and wants to raise a stink about it, I'm just gonna cruise on by. I go fishing to relax and having an argument over a few lousy square feet of water doesn't fit into that program for me, regardless of who's right or wrong. As for shore fishermen, I give them a wide berth. I fish from shore on occasion, and it was my only option before I had a boat. When I'm boating I have access to many acres of water that they don't, so I see no reason to crowd them whatsoever.

I don't know if y'all are aware of this site or not but for anyone interesting in fishing Rayburn or Toledo Bend I would suggest y'all read every page. This site list hundreds of tournaments fished from 2001-2006 on both lakes including areas fished and techniques used by the top 5 anglers or teams. http://www.toledo-bend.com/lconline/index.asp

Well then I'll with Lowe's Creek which is when it all began some 36 years ago Looking at your map find the mouth of Lowe's Creek, next look to the south and you will find Millionaire Point. You should also see a hump marked 22' a little to the east of the point with the creek passing to the north side of both the point and the hump. Next look south from Millionaire Point and you will see a 22' ridge running down across the boat lane and stopping at Cypress Slash; it short distance from there still heading south is another hump. Notice Lowe's creek and the Sabine River channel in relation to the point, hump, ridge, and island? You want to position the boat on the side of the point, hump, ridge, and 2nd hump closest to the channels. Next look at the words Oilwell Cove; look under the letters ve in the word cove and what do we see? That's right an underwater point in 22' foot of water that is near a creek and river channel intersection.