K_Mac

Raider when you get to my age you understand that there will be victories and losses along the way. Striving to be be the best and pushing past barriers has enabled me to do things I didn't think I could do, yet some of my most important life lessons have been learned in defeat. As others have said here, success is not measured in wins and losses, or dollars in the bank. Living and playing with heart, integrity, and honor are the real measure of a man IMO.

Raider I admire your passion, and I respect your right to believe and say what you want. I could not disagree more with the "Victory or Death" world view. Winning is good, but a life well lived is of infinitely more value.

Shootermcbob sums it it up exactly. Doping makes it impossible for any athlete to compete, regardless of ability, without using.

Anyone who cares about sports should care about the use of PEDs. When they have to be used to level the playing field everyone loses, esp those who will not cheat to compete. They may have trained their entire life to play a children's game and have world class ability, only to find out that in order to play they must take performance enhancing drugs. As long as we allow it to go on, turning a blind eye while caring only about results, we all become part of the problem. Armstrong was worshiped like a god and had money by the truck load thrown at him while most everyone who had any knowledge of cycling knew that PEDs were being widely used. The real tragedy is that we care more about performance than integrity IMO.

I agree Fishing Rhino. He may have far less cash left as well when the folks that he defrauded come after him looking for restitution and damages.

Armstrong is a classic example of our dual nature in my opinion. His arrogance, dishonesty, destructive behavior is hard to understand, yet he was able to some good along the way. He is not the first, and won't be the last to get caught up in 'the end justifies the means' rationalizations. I feel sorry for him and all those he hurt. I also think the sport has some answering to do, and changes to make. Like baseball, they knew this was going on for years and did nothing of substance to stop it.

You're lucky you didn't get a complimentary cavity search...

Same here, Raider.

We had very hard water in our last place, and lines and filters would clog quickly. Make sure the valve is physically opening and water passes through it, then check for flow down stream.

I have two live wells in my old tin boat. I usually keep a plug in the rear one, and use it for storage. If I know for sure I won't keep anything on a given day I will also plug the front. You can never have too much storage...

Sounds good FFI. Thanks. I am always willing to try different teas and and coffees, but always come back to my standard Lipton black and Folgers premium dark roast. When my mother was alive she was always making other teas and trying to convince me they were better...if I find anything interesting I will let you know.

I drink a lot of hot tea. I have tried some of the more exotic stuff, and find regular black Lipton is fine for me most of the time. I use a 12 oz mug and two regular tea bags. I like my tea like my coffee-hot and black.

RW gives one method of "slow fishing" and references threads to many others. As the Nike commercial says, "Just do it!" I won't add any more specifics, but will tell you once you begin to catch fish-esp the larger ones often caught with this style, you will understand that forcing yourself to slow down is sometimes all the difference and worth the effort. Good luck.

If you are only going to take one, some kind of T-rigged plastic (like you are using) is probably about as good as anything. If I could only take one bait it would be a Senko, wacky rigged, with the option to use weight to vary the rate of fall. As mentioned jig would also work. The problem is nothing works best all the time. One of your combos and a couple of lures would give far more options. Add a top water, a crankbait or two, a hard jerkbait, a spinnerbait/chatterbait to a small fanny pack and you are ready for most situations. Just my opinion-worth what you paid for it!

RW I hope you have a good supply of essential items stored up. With those conditions you could be immobilized for a long time!

Bass Junkie and the others are right, generally speaking. My crankbait fishing has improved since going to a glass rod with a little more forgiveness. I had used a MH fast action rod with a softer tip for years, but the slower action of the crankbait rod is better, esp right at the boat where most fish are lost. One more thought, and the reason I say "generally speaking". A friend gave me a very nice 7' 2" micro guide, moderate action E21 Carrot Stix cranking rod rated 3/8-1 oz, which puts it it in the MH to H range depending on the manufacturer. He bought it to throw DD22s and other deep divers. It is just too stiff for this purpose in his and my opinion, in spite of the slower action. This rod makes a very good flipping/pitching stick for heavier cover and it works great for frogs as well. I am sure there are others who feel it is perfect for the purpose it was designed. My point is, rods vary greatly across manufacturers and finding the best for you can take a little trial and error. Good luck.

I also wish all the BR family a joyous Christmas and a healthy, safe, and prosperous new year.

After years of heart related issues, about 9 months ago my cardiologist told me he was doing all that could be done medically, and either lose weight or not to make any long term plans! I hope you're right about blood pressure not being a serious issue; it has been for me even after losing weight with diet and exercise. I am finally making real steps toward getting things under control. My point is it took a scare for me to do what needed to be done. I'm glad it was nothing serious, and hope you can use this as an opportunity...good luck.

Way to go BB! Investing in your wife will give a much better return on investment than a couple of NRXs. FWIW you have to change that avatar man. It is really creepy...

Preach4bass is right. The only one you can control in this situation is yourself, and you will have to live with how you do that from now on. Forgiving your father doesn't give approval to his past, it allows you to turn loose of the pain and anger that lives in you. My parents made some really bad choices. It took me many years to come to terms with the fact that they did the best they could. When they passed I was at peace with them and myself. I wish you well and will keep you and your family in my prayers.

That is really twisted! I like the way you think. Maybe Big O can expand the Rage franchise to include snacks...

LMG my preferred line is not listed: P-Line CXX (copoly).

Your questions are not simply answered. Crankbaits cover a wide range of styles and techniques. Colors span the entire spectrum. What kind of bait to throw, and where to throw them is just too broad for a simple answer. There are many articles on this site that can help. I recommend starting there. Whitish, green/chartreuse and red based cranks are generally my go-to colors. Knowing the bait in whatever lake you're fishing will give you a start. Add water clarity and you have another bit of info; clearer water will generally require more natural colors, and often a faster speed; stained/muddy water brighter or darker and more noise... Not having a depth finder simply means you have to pay attention to details when you find fish, and then find other spots with the same conditions. Nothing to it... Bass fishing can be as simple or complex as you decide to make it. Good luck and enjoy the journey. Welcome to the site.

I agree with the answer that one rod is not the best option. Can you get by with a Medium or Medium/Heavy power fast or extra fast rod for both single and treble hook baits? Absolutely. The problem is what is best for a jig or plastic, and what is best for most crankbaits is quite different. If I could only use one, it would be a Med power/Extra Fast action rod rated about 1/4-5/8 oz. Just my opinion based on my preferred baits. It really comes down to what works best for you. That will take a little experience to determine. Good luck.

Traveler a man who will eat scrapple should not turn up his nose at grits. A little butter, and a couple fried eggs and you are good to go. I am watching my figure of late so a little good EV olive oil makes a good butter substitute IMO. I would guess a man with your refined tastes in "meat" would like some good fried hog jowls...and some fried okra ain't too bad either. Now pickled pigs feet are an abomination any way you spin it. I'm going to have to get a snack...