tholmes

I use Excel on my spinning reels also. I just bought a bulk spool of 14 lb. Excel (clear blue fluorescent) and have been using it on my baitcasting reels for worm and jig fishing and, so far, it's working well. Tom

Bass fishing is a slow sport? Ever been on a lake when there's a tournament going on? A lot of those glitter barge jockeys are far worse than a kid on a jet ski Tom

As a former French Horn player, I can tell you that it isn't simple! I've been playing guitar for almost 60 years. Mostly acoustic for the last 25 yrs. or so. The herd includes a Gibson Hummingbird, Taylor 355 12-string, Martin 000-1, Rainsong A-WS1000 (all carbon fiber), Larrivee Parlor, and a couple of plywood cheapies for the grandkids to mess with. I still have a couple of electrics, but I never play them anymore. Tom

Simple economics. By not printing the lure weight on the package, they can use the same package for every size of lure. It's cheaper to buy 100,000 packages that are all the same than it is to but 25,000 each of 4 different packages. Tom

Big Game 15# - $10/900 yds. Stren MagnaThin 16# $10/330 yds.? Tom

I can relate. Jus' sayin' Tom

Waterfowl (bottom-feeding ducks in particular), and other wildlife can ingest small pieces of lead. They can get lead into their system through their digestive tract. It's the same reason that lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting. Tom

Lead is not water soluble. Tom

A big ol' black Jitterbug is a favorite of mine also. Along with a black 9" Culprit Fat Max, a black 1 oz. spinnerbait with a single #6 copper Colorado blade. Tom

When I was working, I kept a couple of baitcasting rigs and a tackle box in the cab of my Dakota essentially all of the time for lunch break fishing. This is in Kansas, where it's not uncommon for the summer temps to surpass 100 degrees. I kept the windows open an inch or so, and the tackle box out of the sun, and never had any problems. Tom

I'm pretty close to 50/50. I enjoy both equally. Tom

I've been using a 6'6" BPS MicroLite for several years and been very happy with it. They're a little above your price point, though. Tom

This sounds just like me. I don't really upgrade, just add to the collection. I'm fishing a fleet of Sweden-made Ambassadeurs and haven't found a compelling reason to change. They are serviced and repaired as needed and as long as parts are available, I'll keep them going. Rods are replaced when I break one or new ones added when I need something that I don't have. Tom

Today is my last day on the job! At age 66, and showing up for work virtually everyday for over 50 years, I've decided to retire. It's time to spend more time fishing, playing guitar, gardening and generally driving my wife crazy. Tom

Wait...I'm supposed to organize them? Who knew? Tom

Kansas - 11 lbs. 12.8 oz. caught in a private strip pit in Cherokee County on a jig'n'pig. The young man was 14 years old at the time (May 3, 2008). Tom

This^ I buy the Abus used and overhaul/hot rod them. They just fit my hands better than a low-profile reel. I've been using Shimano spinning reels for years, but a few Pfluegers are starting to creep in. Tom

Take a look at http://hookless.com/. Jerry has a lot of parts for customizing those older Ambassadeurs. The 2BB worm gear and idler/cog wheel are some of my favorites. He also has an assortment of handles. Tom

That would be close to 4/64". Tom

Bass Pro Shops Tourney Special Rattle Bait in Golden Tiger. Tom

Get a drill gauge: https://www.amazon.com/Metal-Drill-Gauge-Diameter-Metric/dp/B009I1KLY2 You should be able to find one at Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. Tips are sized in 64ths of an inch, inside diameter, so simple math can get you the right size. Tom

I fish ribbon-tail worms a LOT. 7" (or 7.5"), 3/0 or 4/0 round bend offset hook and a 3/16 bullet weight ( weight varies depending on conditions). Cast it to a target, let it sink, wait, hop or twitch it once, wait, etc. WATCH YOUR LINE! I catch many fish without ever feeling the bite, I just see the line twitch or start to move. Tom

Doc & Merle Watson, Norman Blake, Tony Rice, Dan Crary are some of the artists that come to mind right now. Search for some of their recordings and give 'em a listen! Some of the recordings are several years (or decades) old, but bluegrass is kinda timeless. Tom

10 lb. Big Game. Tom

7" (or thereabouts) ribbon-tail worm, tequila sunrise, 3/0 round bend worm hook, 3/16 bullet weight. For faster moving lures, a 1/2 oz. Strike King Red-Eye Shad in Sexy Shad. Tom