Darren.

PQ for sure. I almost bit, but went Daiwa Lexa 100 instead.

That's a great point. I wasn't thinking line, but yeah, it's gear of course. Definitely changed the game.

Following off of this post: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/112593-your-worst-gear-purchase/ I thought I'd ask the opposite question. My best, thus far: Shimano Stradic 1000FI + Shimano Compre 5'9" spinning rod (My Daiwa Lexa 100 is too new, but so far it's flat out awesome).

Welcome, jonjon.

Saw it (the update) on the news. Really feel for the boy and his parents. Praying he's released safe-n-sound ASAP.

Well, as a dad who has 4 competitive boys, all of whom play sports, this is an issue. I also coach soccer, and dadgum if there's not a sissification of government (county)-controlled sports. So I endeavor to teach my kids to love the game, and that winning IS a great thing, but to be an excellent sport when they lose. Kind of subversive in a way. Finding a way to keep competitiveness alive, but not driving them to "slaughter" the other team just because. It's ok for the Patriots to do so because these guys are pros. If you can't stop Tom and company well, sorry. It's the game. So I've tried to instill this in every team I've coached. Even within these leagues you will NEVER stop some kids who have kill-or-be-killed mentality. It is tough. I have to step back every so many seasons and stop just to regain sanity. And then I have to absolutely muzzle my mouth when I'm on the sidelines and my kids are on a crap team with a parent who's never coached the game and wants everyone to cheer when either team scores. I do teach my sons to be agressive *on the ball* and to play to win. Fortunately one of our boys is on a travel league now where competition is praised, but so is sportsmanship. We do encounter jerks on other teams, parents can be especially nasty.

Down Yorktown way, on the peninsula. I got up a little later this AM, I think it was supposed to be in the teens overnight, may have been.

Welcome then! This isn't AA for fishermen, tho. Your fishing addiction will only get worse here.

Great idea, kite flying, line spooling. Like it.

Here in VA it's only around 25. That's cold for us.

Bummer there's no Cabela's down here in VA. I've perused their site quite a few times, liked the looks of the Mag Touch rods, but... Prefer to be able to touch/feel a rod before I buy. Curious as to what it compares to. Croix Triumph, Premier? BPS Carbonlite?

If she doesn't leak and gets you from point A to B, then she's a keeper. That she's a classic is frosting on the cake.

BPS Tourney baitcaster combo.... Glad BPS has a good return policy for their gear.

No. Believe that most "modern" rods can handle the current crop of line out there.

When I used our 16' Grumman aluminum canoe, I car topped myself using the gunwale foam blocks. Was a major pain, and the older I got, the harder and heavier the canoe felt. I built my own roof rack and that helped. Now I have a 55+/- lb yak and life is MUCH better. But do a web search and perhaps you'll find stuff for kayaks that you can rejigger for your canoe.

S'pose there's truth to that. As I was typing the first reply I thought about being submerged in a swimming pool, looking up, seeing whatever toy floating on top. I see the sides to a certain degree. Granted, human eyes aren't bass eyes, but it stands to reason I was off on my original reply. Still curious, tho...

All this talk about bluegill...fly or not, they're fun to catch and put up quite a fight for their size.

Sounds like a good read!

When I "discovered" the football jig, it was all over for the other styles.

Deviation on the theme of GP and watermelon, perhaps add a chartreuse tail to it. I've had some great success when traditional colors didn't work, adding chartreuse did the trick.

Curious on this, that you focused on the bottom. Seems to me the top paint job is for the fisherman since the bass is looking UP. Am I off here?

That's awesome!

Pretty sweet paint job there.

Have had great luck with Shimano Compres. If you can get to a Bass Pro or other store that has a range of $100 rods, take your spinning reel in with you and try it out on each rod.

Welcome!