RAMBLER

I think a HP restriction is a good idea because it is hard to water ski behind a 9.9. I don't know for sure but I would think that "jet skis" have larger motors, too. You can argue that everyone has a right to use the water for their chosen recreation, but, we all know that fishing and speed boats of any kind don't mix, very well. Are we going to get to the point that certain lakes will be restricted to the type of use? Water skiers probably don't like to have to slow down for or dodge fishermen anchored in their normal line of travel. I've fished on lakes that have a no wake zone within a certain number of feet of an anchored boat. You could actually anchor a few boats, strategically across some small lakes and make the entire lake a no wake zone. As already stated, you can have all the HP and speed restrictions and no wake zones you want, but they mean absolutely nothing without enforcement.

I've caught more than one bass on a worm. But, if I catch a mudfish (bowfin) I NEVER get a bass to hit that worm. There has to be something to the scent or taste of fish snot.

I have one that is closer to being a fire tiger than bluegill, but, I throw it in highly stained water when a white or white/chartreuse won't work.

Skipping a weightless t-rig worm under overhanging brush where I don't even know for sure if I've hit water. Or, buzz tail shad over weeds.

Use the rubber bobber stoppers, one above the weight and one below. Slide them up and down the line as you want. With the two of them, go from T-rig to C-rig and back again in just an instant.

I've had water moccasins try to get in the boat. I have a paddle or push pole with me and usually make gator snacks out of them. A friend and I were fishing a pond in NW Florida and a moc about 3 feet long came swimming at us. One of us picked it up on an oar and the other "struck it violently". There was a gator in that pond. It came out of the weeds and ate the snake and then followed us around waiting for us to get it another snake. We left.

I don't have enough patience to be a good teacher. I learned a long time ago to tell people 3 times what is it you are going to tell them; Then tell them 3 times what you have to tell them; Then tell them 3 times what you told them. If they don't get it after that, well, stupid is for life.

A pike, bass, walleye, or musky will fight even in the cold. You don't see, on TV, the entire "catching" of the fish. It takes a lot of patience and skill to catch a fish on those small rods. They use the small rods because under the circumstances it is pretty darn hard to use a seven foot rod while you're fishing through an 8" hole. Also, a lot of the ice fishing is done in a "shanty" that might only be 6-10 feet in width. I fished through ice simply because the ice was there, not because I liked the cold. Some people live for ice fishing and have just as much equipment as the average warm water bass fisherman. If you decide to try it, just remember you don't have to cut a hole, in the ice, big enough to put your boat in. Leave it home.

I have no intention of putting down our sponsors by suggesting something to buy. That being said, you can get Shakespeare Ugly Sticks rods, at some of the box stores, for $29.95, both spinning and bait casting. None of them are as light or sensitive as the more expensive tackle, but they will do a good job. The reels will be in plastic containers hanging on the racks. The reels will usually be the lower priced models of the brands used by those that can afford $150.00-$250.00 for a reel. They will also do a good job for you. You will find one our sponsors reels there (Pinnacle). You are going to have to match the line to how you want to fish. The lures that you need (not what you may want) can usually be found, there, too. Hope this helps. Tight Lines

Snow is a four letter word that starts with an s. One of the reasons I am in Florida is snow. I lived in a snow belt in Michigan. Normal for us was 15' of snow a winter. It was not unusual for the first snow (that stayed on the ground) to come in September and one year the drifts didn't melt until the 15th of May. Two springs in a row, I was hunting morel mushrooms on Mother's day and got caught in a blizzard. And, of course along with the snow was the temperature drop. 40 below zero at night and warming up to a high 20 below for the day. Sounds unreal but it was true. These forecasts of a foot of snow and zero weather are not real impressive. That was a normal spring day. I had a snow shovel and a snow blower and I normally used the snow blower on the 1/8th mile driveway at least twice a week. I don't have a snow shovel, anymore, and I have never yet had to shovel the first shovel full of sunshine and I like it that way.

Go fishing.

We traded in a well used Grand Caravan and got a Dodge Journey. It's a crossover that is a lot like a mini-van but doesn't look so much like a cereal box. Take her to a dealer and look at that. By they way, it does not have those sliding mini-van doors. But, you can seat seven or drop the seats down and pack a lot of tackle in it.

A sweatshirt over my t-shirt. I can usually take the sweatshirt off as the day warms up. I grew up in Wisconsin so I know what it's like to be outside in 40 below weather. Never did like it.

Rhino, I just saw that I am 11 days older than you. That was a good year. I use to say that when I grew up and got old I wanted to be just like "Uncle Si" and then I found out I'm older than he is.

Remember the ones passed on, but, celebrate the living. You have a family and a responsibility to give them your best. Merry Christmas

The only red hooks I've used were a cheaper brand that I bought at a convenient store. They bent easily, the points rolled over and the paint chipped off. Never did believe they helped get bit. Not to change the subject much, but the only hooks that I've used that were other than black was some gold colored ones. They were about a size 10 or 12 and yellow perch would bite on just the hook. That was about 60 years in Wisconsin.

Have you seen the article, on the news, that says Phil Robertson was kicked off the show because of his beliefs? I know we can not post anything religious or political, but, what happened to him really sucks.

Who took the pictures?

Their is one other thing that I forgot to mention. Sorry, that would number 4. It's all of you fishers of bass that tell all about all the fish you caught on a lure I don't have. You're all in cahoots with the bait monkey!

1. Expect to catch one every time you're on the water. 2. Fish where big fish are caught 3. Slow down

As said previously, hate is a strong work/emotion. But, I HATE the punks that just have to destroy a launch site. Such as, tipping over the porta potties, spin doughnuts in the parking lot and launch area, shoot out the lights. Somebody actually carried large pieces of granite/rip-rap from a dike, at least 10 miles away and put them in the water, at a launch site, just under the water so we could run our boats up on them. At another launch site, with very good and well taken care of bathrooms, they do their filthy business in the middle of the ramp. I don't like, but am getting use to tournament fishers that think they have only two speeds, stop or wide open, no matter how close they come to me. I've learned to just turn my boat nose into the wake and then when I am moving I don't slow down for them. The other fishers that used manners get the same respect from me. Trash is just disgusting. We used to teach the scouts, if you carried it out, you can carry it back. An awful lot of people just flat don't care about the mess they make. I don't like fishing in an area with the bottom littered with beer cans. All that being said, I will still put up with it all so that I can get out on the water, catch a few fish and have a conversation with my maker about the wonderful creation that I enjoy.

Prayer coming to you and yours.

I have one and like it. It holds my spinnerbaits well and they are easy to see (versus the hanging type of box). I don't have cavitrons so can't answer that for you.

If you want something unusual, get an Arbogast Sputterbuzz. I've only tried it a couple of times and put it back in the tackle box. It is difficult to cast into the wind.

They just now have another rod to send.