K_Mac

Senile1, that is funny. ;D ;D

Welcome to the forum.

Matthewj, I"m with you-I've been stung more by the little ones than the bigger ones. My local powerplant lake has a lot of catish in it. It is not too uncommon to catch the little ones on plastics, jigs, crankbaits, etc., while bass fishing. I hate those little guys. It's kind of like taking a bee off your hook-you have to be VERY careful. BTW your story made my hands hurt just reading it

Jim, you once again get right to the heart of the matter. I almost always use 1 oz. of weight. I've tried lighter but find I feel and hook more fish with a little heavier weight. I think your explanation explains why. Thanks.

People leave for many reasons I believe. Some get their feelings hurt; some get angry or offended; a very few do something boneheaded and get banned; others just quit. This forum is like any other activity people get involved in; some stay, some go. Just my opinion...I could be wrong.

I started listing names and quickly came to the conclusion that there are way too many to list. I don't know who I would pick if I had to choose just one. I wish I could fish with all y'all.

As has been said sometimes it is the most subtle differences I believe, esp. with a jig. I've been on both sides of the fence-catching fish when my partner was not, and getting my rear kicked. The difference between two short hops and a pause may be only an inch or two, or a second or less when performed by two different fishermen but can make all the difference to the fish.

When I feel the fish, I reel down to remove the slack and use a long sweeping hookset cranking as I go. A longer rod would allow you to move more line. I use a 7' heavy rod and would use a longer one if I had one. A wide gap hook seems to increase my hook-up percentage. Welcome to the forum.

"Drag and pause" is the method I normally use. The speed I move it varies along with the length of the pause. Sometimes the pause is only the time it takes to reel down for the next drag; I always use the rod to move the rig-not the reel. Sometimes just "strolling" the bait along as you drift with the wind will work-a very lazy method that will catch fish.

These are some of the reasons I am not interested in tournament fishing. Maybe I'm too dumb to know better, but I get a kick out of helping others catch fish. More than once I've had anglers see me catching fish and ask me what I'm doing. I always tell them. A couple of times this has happened I was fishing small grubs on light jig heads and line. One of those times I gave the young guys a few grubs; I always offer. Another time I gave away some Roadrunners. It is not a big deal because I have been on the recieving end too. I watched two guys catching fish, one after the other, on a local lake many years ago. I had just fished the same bank they were fishing without a fish, and could not help but ask-light line, light jigs, small grubs. They gave me a couple of jigs, a half a bag of grubs, and showed me how to use them. I caught fish the rest of the day, and hundreds since because of their willingness to help. For me that is part of what fishing is about. When Madhouse gives away a rod or LBH takes a youngster fishing it promotes that spirit. It is one of the reasons I love fishing. BTW I rarely fish small ponds that are not private, but agree with Marty and Valascus that there may be specific places where you have to keep quiet for the good of the lake.

The answer to your question about C-rigging is yes. I have caught many nice fish using one. As far as double digit bass, I wish I could say....

Valen I think you make some great points. I believe the idea that nudity and sexuality are two different things is valid. I disagree with the idea that nudity for the the purpose of selling products is acceptable. Your idea that music is just entertaiment makes sense also, but my questions are: Can you listen to music that is graphically sexual, violent, misogynistic, and profane without it effecting you? Does the use of nudity and sexuality in advertising and entertainment have an impact on the mores of our society? I could not agree more with your statement that it is parents who are responsible for teaching their kids right from wrong. It is not society's job, or entertainers, or sports heros, or government, or even the preacher. It certainly isn't advertisers job to teach our children anything. It is my job, as a parent and grandparent, to protect my children from offensive material in advertising, entertainment, education, or anywhere else, until they are old enough to make up their own minds; on that I think we can agree.

Avid I think everyone who is serious about anything goes thruogh "dry" times. I believe having real passion about fishing (or most any worthwhile thing) is a blessing. Some people just wander around and never completely "engage" in anything. When my brother (and fishing partner) was killed a few years ago, I didn't pick up a rod for a couple of years. It has taken a while, but fishing is one of the things I love to do. Right now, for health reasons I can't get out on the water, but I can read, talk about fishing, and I can buy just enough to quiet the monkey. I have so much enthusiasm for fishing now I can barely stand it! I have read enough of your posts to know you are a passionate fisherman (and dancer), and think it is only a matter of time till you are back in the saddle (or canoe) with fire in your eyes. I just re-read the previous posts and agree with them all. I think George said a mouthful in his post. He may have a future in the fishing bidness. Good luck.

I've been completely grounded recently and don't know when I'll be able to get back to work or fishing. This forum has helped in keeping me sane. Thanks all.

For the sake of full disclosuer, here is the e-mail I just recieved from Berkley. I still find the ad offensive, but their response certainly is not. Thank you for contacting us regarding our recent Berkley Gulp! advertising. Please be aware that we respect your opinions and that we are sorry the ad offended you. Certainly that was not our intent. Rather, we were trying to explain to anglers, in a lighthearted way, that our new Gulp! product is made of all-natural material, unlike all the other plastic soft baits on the market today. Sincerely, Your friends at Berkley Berkley Customer Service 1900 18th St Spirit Lake, IA 51360 1-800-237-5539

SFC_AL I only have one daughter who is grown with 3 kids of her own now, but can relate to the "over-protecting" thing. When she started dating I always told any young man who came to pick her up that when she was with him I held him responsible for everything that happened to her. It was fun to see how they reacted and it made the point. With your military background you'll be even more intimidating than I was. Maybe you can wear a side arm when they show up... ;)Good luck with that. BTW I'm as clueless as you were about the "BOB" thing. I guess I must be getting old. Now as far as the ad is concerned, whether or not it is about sex really isn't the point as far as I'm concerned. I just think it is completely inappropriate. I agree that we are exposed to things all the time that are offensive. Some of those things we have control of, others we don't. I once confronted a table full of teenage boys MFing at the table next to me and my family. I was completely out-gunned but they shut up. My point is, sometimes we can make a difference if we are willing to take a stand. As to being "close minded," I'm not sure what that means. If that means that after thinking something through, I have to come to same conclusion as someone else then I am guilty as charged. I mean no disrespect to you or anyone else, just my opinion. Kirby

Easy there young fella. I voted offensive, and e-mailed the companies with my thoughts on the matter. I agree that the future of advertising and entertainment is a serious concern, but saying someone has serious problems because they have a different view is not the way to make a difference. I like your passion, but we need show respect for others if they are to hear what we have to say.

Same here.

I'm in the other camp-not funny. Thanks for starting the poll LBH. It will be interesting...

clipper I sent both companies e-mails to let them know I find this type of advertising inappropriate. I agree with you that if enough complain it can make a difference. LBH I think you're right that a handful of complaints will be viewed by some as a victory. A few right wing conservatives complaining could be seen as a sign that this commercial tactic worked. On the other hand, it doesn't take too many complaints for the corporate world to take notice. Public opinion can and does make a difference. Look at the changes that have been made since the Janet Jackson/Super Bowl incident. Morallity does matter, and even if the knot heads who came up with this advertising campaign don't know it, many Americans and the corporate bean counters do. Just my .02.

I enjoy all the information available on this site, butt....... ;D ;D ;D

Nice post Roger. It clearly makes the case for not becoming too comfortable with one lure or technique. I like the point you make about the fun of learning something new. I like catching bass as much as the next guy, but it is only part of the fishing experience.

;D ;D ;D Maybe you can get LBH to edit it. He and KU are very creative. He may be able to get you looking like your old self again. It's the strip club segment that worries me....

jasone Welcome to the forum. For a little encouragement to slow down, read today's (6/28) post by Roadwarrior in the "My fishing Trip" section.

I am with you.