K_Mac

My prayers are with his family. He will be missed. Another reminder that life is fleeting...

Some great advice here. Learning to save money from each check is one of the most important things a young man can do to insure his success in the future. It takes discipline, but regular saving and investing will give you opportunities that most people will never get. Showing up on time and being there when scheduled is fundamental, but it is amazing how many folks don't get it. You can be the sharpest, hardest worker when there, but if you are not there you are a liability. Working hard and staying busy are vital. Asking "what's next" will make you more valuable. It has been mentioned several times, but bears repeating; attitude is often the only thing you can control. An employee with a good attitude is far more rare than it should be. Whining and complaining are sure to get you noticed, and not in good way. Grimlin is right about cockiness. While young folks are maybe the worst offenders I've worked with many "adults" who thought they knew it all, yet had no idea of what they did not know. Do not be that guy. Good luck and work hard. The Government is going to need yor tax dollars to pay my Social Security. :-[

My favorite is on a shakyhead. 1/8 oz and 6# line.

Dodgeguy when I saw that BPS had quit making the higher end Johnny Morris rods I thought of you. I like the PQ rods , but they have lowered the price and I haven't looked to see if they did the same with quality. I can't see any good coming of you hanging out with J Franco...it's just a matter of time before he has you using Daiwa and Shimano reels, and copolymer line. ;D I'm glad you guys had a good time.

Like most, I use several weights. I would probably go with 1/8 if I had to choose one. It forces me to slow down. Deeper water or a little wind will make a little heavier jig easier to fish, and will allow a faster presentation-sometimes that is a good thing. Buy a bag or two and give them a try; pretty soon you'll have a variety of styles and weights like the rest of us. 8-)

An intelligent answer explaining the science of how we see color. This is not an existential question like why am here, or what is the meaning of life, or at what age is a youngster able to understand and contribute to adult conversation. See what I'm saying? ;D

It is one of my two fall-back baits. A wackey rigged Stick-o (BPS knock-off), on an unweighted or weighted hook (1/16 to ~3/16 oz) depending on conditions, or a shakeyhead/Trickworm or Finese worm combo. It is a rare day I can't find something to bite one of these. This idea that Senkos are like training wheels for anglers who haven't quite learned the more skilled techniques is just silly as far as I'm concerned. I have caught many nice fish on Senko styled baits, as a result of knowing where to throw them, how much weight (if any), how deep, what speed, and what color. There are many ways to fish a Senko, and not all of them are for entry level fishermen. I don't use spinnerbaits or cranks too much but I would not imply that those who do simply don't understand the nuances of Senko fishing. A good fisherman will usually find fish on the baits he trusts and that fits his style. That is my story and I'm sticking to it. :

Yes, Senkos and all other Senko type baits are evil. There is no known cure for this destructive addiction. The green/orange/junebug ones are the worst. I recommend PMing me for a shipping address so that I can "dispose" of the baits in an approved fashion.

You all know that Seattle was refined in the white hot furnace of competition that is the NFC West. Either that or their victory is a sign of the Apocalypse...

Preach4bass I have read that someone in the crowd fired at the moron. I have seen no reports of him being hit. It is a sad day. I pray for all those involved in this senseless tragedy.

An interesting thread. I would have a tough time saying what my favorite part of bass fishing is. Like others it is the whole deal. Sometimes the anticipation of a trip may be best part. I love the quiet and solitude at first light. I often enjoy the quiet and solitude of fishing alone. Fishing with my wife and sharing a day together doing something we both love is about as good as it gets. Fishing with a good friend is much the same. Figuring out what works, and then refining it to find bigger fish is a powerful rush; teaching someone else to do it may be as good. That feeling of anticipation when you feel the little tap that could be the biggest fish in the lake. On a private lake in the middle of an urban development or in the middle of nowhere, it's all good. At one time a successful fishing trip was determined by how many and how big, as I get older I enjoy the process more. I still want to catch many big fish, but I can have a great trip whether I do or not.

Well said. It's good to have you back.

Most of my rods have foregrips. The last two have not. Everything I buy for bass in the future will not have foregrips. Like Alpster I palm my reels most of the time and it serves no useful purpose to me. For larger species where greater leverage is needed I can see the advantage.

A valid point. I also accept that higher prices are an inevitable result of inflation over time. What is hard to accept is the notion that higher prices in the long run are better for everyone long term, and the sooner we get there the better. A couple of dollars a gallon is no big deal to upper income folk. They can afford it and and more economical vehicles as well. Tell the blue collar guy driving an older truck(because that is what he can afford) that an extra couple of hundred dollars or more a month is no big deal. The bottom line is gas prices have far more to do with politics policy other things :-X than supply and demand IMHO.

Between 2.98 and 3.19 over the last week.

BPS has some cheap nylon socks that work well.

I choose to deny any changes in my mental acuity. I do this by blaming all lost or misplaced items, or otherwise unexplained happenings around my house on my grandchildren. I use this method even when the kids have not been around. Now where did those kids put my keys...

Alpster my friend you would be maybe the last person on this forum I would think meant anything negative. Your always positive and friendly spirit is above reproach. 8-) BTW Omori did say he thinks LH is the right way...I'm just saying... ;D

Alpster you will get no argument from me that RH is wrong or that it is less effective. I would not tell one of the pros (or anyone else) using RH reels they were doing it wrong. It just doesn't work for me. I am not crusading for LH, just saying it is my choice. 8-)

I think this sums it up well. Roletide I also much prefer a slower presentation. A jig or plastic of some kind is always my preferred choice. I caught some really nice fish this year on chatterbaits, and a few decent fish on cranks at various depths when the standard stuff wasn't getting it done. This year I am going to try swimbaits to see what all the fuss is about. ;D Shane also has a good point. Using what you're good at is often the right thing to do. Look at KVD; he almost always manages to find fish willing to bite a deep crank, by finding the right location. Location is the real difference maker IMO.

Here is a link to Omiro's explanation of what is going on with his hand: http://takahiroomori.com/2011/01/the-doctor-says/

I am right handed and use only left handed reels. Like .RM. (and many others) I like having the rod in my power hand. If I could use both I would to reduce fatigue, but do not have the ability and/or patience to learn to use RH reels. Use what you like. That is the only "right" answer IMO.

I take reasonably good care of mine. They are tools to catch fish. I don't throw them around, but they ain't fine china either. I keep them mechanically in good shape and they do the job every time I need them. I have fished with guys who were so worried about their boat or gear they could not enjoy the fishing. Life is too short to worry about the little things IMO. I keep them in rod socks when they are in the rod locker or my office at home. I loosen the drags a bit and lean them up against the wall. I have heard for years that rods would take a "set" from being leaned against a wall. I have never read or seen where that actually has happened. Works for me.

BA what line is best or worth is a subjective choice. For $10 or less you can give CXX a try. YoZuri is cheap as well. You can always try one of the higher end lines if the cheaper ones don't work for you. Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

It is a Law Enforcement version. In a gun fight with bad guys 15 rnds is a good thing. I think it would make a fine brush gun for rabbits and birds, and if zombies attack...you're ready for that too. I could use it in Illinois as long as it was plugged to take only 2+1. :-?