FD.

I just got Cabela's Monster Bass video game for PS2 and one of the first fish I landed was this impossible size fish. I'm not much of a gamer but I thought these things were supposed to be fairly realistic.

I have the next 10 days or so off and I plan to fish most of those days in the Winter Haven chain or Kissimmee Chain. The back seat is open if you want to go.

We did dad's side of the family on Sunday and just finished at mom's. Open the presents with the kids in the morning and then 11 strait days of fishing.

I like his show and watch it all the time. My point was that becoming a pro is more than being the best local fisherman in your area. He has the combination of skills that have made him one of the best pro's of all times. I believe all of the greats have more than raw talent. If I can throw a 98 mph fast ball for strikes, I will play in the majors, regardless of almost anything else. Bad attitudes and a prison record are ok as long as you can throw. Professional fishing, I believe, is different. Your conduct, appearance, attitude and marketing skills affect your ability to attract sponsors. Without sponsors it really does not matter how much skill you have.

An old man in his early 70's, David, who I have worked with, go to church with and fish with quite regularly, related these stories to me. You see, it seems, he was actually here fishing against the likes of Bill Dance, Roland Martin and Jimmy Houston in the 70's and 80's. So unless you guys fished in those tournaments or have any first hand information to dispute his stories, I'm going to choose to believe him.

That's what I was told, "average". On local waters in local tournaments in Polk county he did not dominate anything. It was his other skills that got him on the pro tour. What he did once he got there is a different story. I think that would be true of most pros. We all know someone that is just as good at catching fish as the pro's. But for some reason they are not pro.

X2 I respool often but I retie very seldom unless I'm in a tournament. With the big game I will go days without retying. I'm guessing you had either old line or bad knots. If you are fishing with mono I would suggest and improved cinch knot and lubricate (spit) before you pull it tight. If you are pulling your knot tight with the mono dry then it is being damaged by the heat generated by the friction of the knot as you are pulling it.

Keep your head WAY down for these next two weeks brother.

I watch his show all the time. I think the pits he is fishing is in GA or maybe north Florida. He used to spend a lot of time around here. I know several of the old timers around have fished against him "back in the day". The scoop is he is only an average fisherman with great personality and the best marketing skills around. This is something you young guys with hopes of being a pro should take notice of. Marketing skills are iimportant. Regardless of his fishing skills, I like his show and watch it all the time.

For the same reason people like to solve puzzles or play chess. It's the mental challenge plus being outside in the Florida sunshine, wind in your hair, smell of 2 cycle smoke, ect, ect, ect.

X3 SOOOOOO Much easier to see. I use a sharpie to darken the line for the last 2-3 ft and a scent to cover the sharpie smell, if there is one.

I am always knocking the ceramic out of mine. I use my rod tip as a red neck depth finders in water under 3 ft. I was nervous about replacing the first one so I took it to the local tackle shop that has rod repair. It took him about 30 seconds and cost me only 3 bucks. After seeing how easy it was I have replaced them myself ever since.

I fish with 65#, 30# and 15# power pro. I personally have not found any better braid than the power pro. I flip with the 65, frog fish with the 30 and have the 15 on a med spinning rig. To keep the cost down I either use a backer line or I will respool from one reel to another reel. This puts the used, possibly frayed line on the bottom and the unused braid on the top.

Zara Super Spook and a chatter bait with a large trailer accounted for 9 over 5 lbs and 2 over 8 lbs this year. I agree that location is very important but I still think you need to throw a big bait.

it was 75 today but it's goning to be 40 in the morning.

I don't fish it much anymore mostly because it is so difficult and you have to fish it every week to keep up with the fish.

I have alltel and like it so much better than nextel. I am curious to see what changes take place when verizon takes over.

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard, ED!

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard!

Welcome Aboard! I had the same situation 2 years ago. These guys have been great.