Lund Explorer

Wow, what a critter. The first question that pops into my mind is... How old does a gator have to be to get to that size? The next is... How many boots would that thing make?

Yup, I'm gonna be hard at it today and all weekend. Of course it's only 32 degrees out with a windchill of about 22, so who cares. BTW, sorry if any of you guys down south had to google up the term "windchill".

Height? I'm assuming that you mean length. Start with a 5 Weight fly rod sort of like this one..... http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10200176____SearchResults The second choice is a 7'6" model that should be fairly easy to learn the ropes with. For line, you'll need some 15lb Dacron backing, a weight-forward floating line (5 weight), and a small spool of 4lb leader. As you are new to this kind of fishing, you want to spool up the first time in reverse. That means you put the flyline on first, and following that with the Dacron backing until the spool is close to full. Once you've done that, take all of the line off the reel onto two spools, and put onto the reel correctly. Going in reverse order will allow you to calculate how much backing your reel will hold. There are a number of choices as to how to attached the leader to the end of the fly line. What I use is a small eyelet with a barbed shank that is sunk into the end of the fly line. Depending on how finicky the bluegills are, you'll want a leader of between 3' - 5' in length. Whatever length you use, you want to make sure that you can lay the line (fly line and leader) out straight as it touches down on the forward cast. Baits can be any number of things, but I would start out with a selection of spiders, poppers, and terrestrials. Your local bait shop should give you a good idea of what colors you need. Lastly, before you hit the water, take the time to practice casting in the backyard. I was taught using a length of yarn and an Uncle standing at my shoulder. I'm sure that you'll find any number of tutorials on you tube that will help you out.

NICE smallie A-Jay! There's been a few days this month where I wish I hadn't already done the Kevorkian thing to the boat already. Spring sure feels like it's a long ways away. :'(

Years ago I went to a Bass Techniques seminar and saw Jimmy Houston. One of his comments was that "All fisherman are born tournament fisherman, once they catch something worth showing off". He was talking about how people will hang around a landing just waiting for the next guy to show up. I have to completely agree with that. Its probably why there's so many posts in the "My Tournament or Outing Page", while I can't even find the part of this forum called "My Livewell's Farting Dust". ;D

I don't really pay much attention to the stars. At a certain point, a person should learn that it is the content of the post and not the numbers that count.

Amen to that Glenn! As bad as things are in Michigan, it is even more important than ever. And don't forget our four legged friends either. The economy has really stretched the resources for shelters/rescues as well.

After the first dozen, I can handle almost any of it. When I have to limit myself, I'll take almost microbrew.

Hey, great update!!! Dog Toys? Those plush toys don't last very long do they? The cheapest soft chew toy we ever used was just a pair of socks. Roll up the first and stuff it into the toe of the other, then just tie a knot to keep it together. If you want something that lasts, you'll have to part with a few bucks. Try these things..... http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html If that puppy gets to where he can can destroy these things, you only option is to buy him an old Ford pickup to chew on! ;D Anyhow, I'm happy to see you two are enjoying yourselves. Best of luck. By the way, the best thing to stuff a Kong with is plain peanut butter. Save the bucks by ignoring the store bought treats.

All of the "pre-rigged worms". Up here, they're named K&E Worms, but another maker has Kelly's Plow Jockey's. Some are weedless, but most use the open hook variety. They come with a built in bend, and work great when slowly reeled in. Also work when deadsticked without weight, or a simple split shot. Probably because they work best with a snap swivel to reduce line twist, a lot of tournament fisherman I know avoid them like the plague. But if you walk through the parking lot after a day when the bite was really hard to come by, the guy that has lots of little pieces of weeds all over his carpet is the guy taking home the paycheck.

Exactly. This comes up about twice every year. The sight of a man, causes most wild animals to lose their appetite Roger Wow, only twice a year? I thought it came up twice just this week. People just need to learn to keep a low profile, wear subdued color clothing, and walk very very quielty. That or take up stalking a few trout creeks for practice. And while we're at it, what's this sexist comment about "seeing a man" thing? Whose wife told you that one? ;D

This Yankee has a couple of drift socks.... three actually. I have two shorty's that I use when trolling. One on each side amidships helps slow down trolling speed while allowing for a straighter track. I have a slightly larger version for when I want to drift fish in heavier winds. I will switch it between all three spots (bow, stern, or side) depending on how I want to move over an area, what I'm fishing, or how many of us are in the boat. One last idea you may want to dry is a drift anchor. The river rats up here use a length of chain to help slow or stop movement on the river they're fishing. This method can also work on a windy day on the lake. A second type of drift anchor that I enjoy using is one of the old fashioned window weights. Placed off the stern of the boat, it has enough weight to slow the boat right to a crawl. If you want to move, you simply stomp on the trolling motor. The weight's design slips through most vegetation without hanging up.

Morning Sam..... Well, I got a call just an hour or so ago from my local marina. My boat's winterization is complete, and I'll be picking it up later on today. This was done at the same place I purchased the boat. They put sta-bil in the fuel tank, fogged the motor, and changed the lower unit lube. They also ran the diagnostics on their computer system to check for any other issues. The cost for all of this was $98. In the spring, I'll take it back out and run it for a day or two before I take it back for a full spring tune up, and to have the trailer bearings checked out. Last spring, that cost was $126. Total cost for the year was $224 to service my best source of fun that cost over $10,000. Seems like really cheap insurance to me, but that is your profession right?

My long time fishing buddy named his Ranger bassboat "Dire Straits" as this was his absolute favorite band. A 5 foot jon boat? I'd suggest the exact same name, but for a completely different reason!

Break out the C/Card.... the bait monkey is calling! ;D

Has he got any footballs from 1958 when he got traded to the Steelers? That God awful 50 year curse he put on the Lions shows no signs of letting up....... Oops, that was Bobby Layne. Never Mind.

Jack, That was a great vent. From my experience though, you could have put Fill-in-the-Blank Lake in the title. Those folks are everywhere. Up here, we call them seagulls. Whether on water or ice, there are a certain number of folks that just can't get over the urge to move in on you. I like to think they are just slightly clueless and don't intentionally try to be rude. What's even worse are the tournament anglers that should know better. All I can suggest is a calm statement about you being in a tournament, and that you would appreciate a little space. Hope you rounded out a winning limit though.

I'm not sure if anyone here has ever had the opportunity (or the need) to visit one of the many Shriner's hospitals. Here is a link to a webpage that shows all of the various hospitals that the Shriner's operate. http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals_by_Specialty.aspx It is well worth a little of your time to click on a hospital location near you. If you may need their help, or know of a family that has a child that could use their help, pass along this information. Many local Shriner's groups hold special clinics locally to help qualify children in need of help. And the hospitals? They are almost beyond description. The staff of doctors, nurses, and all of the other specialists are some of the most dedicated and caring people you could ever meet. ALL children are treated 100% FREE OF CHARGE. Hospital wards are segregated by age groups, with rooms dedicated for either boys or girls. When the patients are able to, the staff has a variety of programs to help these children keep busy. They don't just lay around, but are given the chance to stay as active as possible. They even provide for a parent to stay right in the child's room, or next door if a Dad wants to visit their daughter. So how do I know about all of this? Because I am a Shriner's Dad. My daughter spent time off and on at the Chicago hospital for a number of years. I won't go into the details, but suffice it to say, the Shriner's hospital was her only option. They came through when so many other doctors couldn't. These folks will always hold a speical place in my heart, and they get all of the financial support I can give them.

There are only two times when using live bait could be considered cheating. Either when your state's fishing regulation prohibit it, or when you are entered into a tournament that does not allow it. Rhino says he'll do a little instigating? I'll push it a little further. Instead of anyone worrying about be labeled a cheater, a worse title would be "Elitist". When any angler looks down from their supposedly exalted throne upon another person, who is legally enjoying the sport, the word fits. When they think that their style of fishing, the price/speed of their boat, the price or type of their fishing rods, their selection of tackle or bait, or even whether they ever (gasp!) keep a few bass for the grill...... The word is Elitist. As fisherman, we are better off accepting all of the various ways people enjoy our sport. For if we try to mold everyone to be exactly like us, we will only kill off this mutual obsession. You need only to look at Michigan's trout regulations to see what happens when a bunch of special interest groups all try to get "their way". Now let's all talk about pushing for no wake times on all lakes!

Calling Irene!

It's not FIFTY. It's Fity or Fiddy ;D Hey! I'm too darn old to start talking Hip-Hop, Rap, or any of that other **** (rhymes with Rap but starts with a "C"). But when I see the first drive by shooting at a CW concert, I'll change my name to Lund Expizzle! ;D

Howdy Cowgirl, Gosh I'll bet that trip through your Dad's tacklebox did bring back a flood of memories. Another priceless gift that parents give us huh? On the first picture you posted, there were a couple of other lures that I can (or at least think I can) name for you. The first I know for certain is the small in-line spinner. It's called a "Shyster". They made them in a bunch of different colors, yellow, white, orange (all with the black dots) to name a few I've owned over the years. The second is the spoon on the lower left. Really has the outline of a Luhr Jensen Krocodile. The third is the fish shaped spoon on the lower right. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of it, but back when I was a youngster in the 1960's you could buy a spoon like that as part of a kit. As soon as this old mind kicks into gear, I'll get to you. BTW, thanks for kicking me down memory lane too.

I think the headlines this morning says everything you need to know about the state of country music.... Brad Paisley takes two, but T. Sizzle takes home top award. What? T. Sizzle? How long before she's on 8 Mile with Fifty Cent? Sorry, rant over for the day.

But I'll bet the doctor didn't have to "Lip Her"! Congrats to you and your wife. May you be blessed by many more.

Right back at you David, and to all of the other veterans in the Bass Resource family. And to all current members of our armed services... I'm proud to see you are carrying on the traditions set by our forefathers. SSGT Steven Jensen USAF 1974-1978 321st SPG/MSS3 Grand Forks AFB Michigan ANG 1978-1884 110th CSS Battle Creek ANGB