plumworm

That, young man, is the most astute post I have ever read on BR. Good for you.

I have used P-line cxx for all my crank baits for years. There stated weight is usually 30% less than actual breaking weight. 300 yard spool for $7.99? Good line for cheap.

I've used that same light/magnifier over my fly tying bench for 20+ years. Had to replace it a few times because the lens is plastic but it is cheap and super functional.

What box is that?

Your wife has BLACK finger nail polish? Lucky you.

Any Shimano you can afford that will work.

I was down on Rayburn in the late 90's. We were in a cabin next to a couple of ladies fishing a Bassin Gals tourney. Cocktails on the deck led us to discuss fishing. I remarked that most of our fish had come on a "sourgrape" zoom lizard. One of the ladies jumped up and said, " you do know that now, we have to disqualify ourselves because of what you just told us" The other one told her to " shut up", and have another drink. No outside information? BS.

I caught a 20" northern pike with 3 baby mink and a 12" perch in his mouth. The mink had been swallowed but the tail of the last one was still sticking out and the perch was sideways in his mouth and it still hit a 4" red and white spoon. In Canada.

Don't brag to your boss, best friend, lover, on how great the fishing is on your honey hole. You can take it from there

Roadwarrior, you are the ultimate tackle salesman. You keep trying to get those of us who have decided that we have more tackle than we need (because of our age) to " keep on keeping on" Good for you. Just to let you know, I haven't quit buying, I have had 2 orders this spring from Siebert Outdoors and a little tackle shop in Michigan that had the Xcaliber Xr50 that I needed. I still have 1 more order from TW that I have to send for my trip to Guntersville in three weeks. But, I still have soooo much more tackle than I will ever use. Bear with us "old farts" We ain't done yet, were just slowing down a little.

Senkosam, No tourneys, no challenge, even with myself. I just enjoy the act of fishing. I enjoy making a good cast to a specific spot, I enjoy being able to be in complete control of the boat so I can cast where I want to. I enjoy fishing with my 10-15 year old equipment that still works today like it did when I bought it. I enjoy using 15-20+ year old lures. My favorite way to fish is T-rigged plastics. Waiting for the thump or the tick or watching for my line swimming away is why I fish. You may have a whole lot more tackle than I have but I'm sure I have way more than I will ever use. The old " guy who dies with the most toys wins" concept just (in the last 2-3 years) passed me by. At 69 I have slowly began to accept my age. The pathetic thing is, My boys don't bass fish. Oh, they fish, My oldest fished the MWC (walleye) for years before his kids were born and my youngest is a big time primitive area/backpack fly fisherman. I have no place to unload $1000's of dollars of bass fishing "junk" I sure ain't quitting yet. 2 weeks on Guntersville coming up in March. As I said, I enjoy the act of fishing.

Put them all in a blue "Crown Royal" bag and yank on them until you pull one out. That will be the "chosen one".

I have 2, a pre Rapala wiggle wart in a weird brown/green/red color and a 90's #200 bandit in almost the same color (little less red) I only fish them when I know I won't snag, but they are my all time "catcher cranks"

I fished Ky. Lake for three years 11-12 -13 where the shakey head is king. I have at least 100+ shakey head jigs from 7-8 companies. I never found one I really liked or one I hated. My favorite as far as style was the screw type, but I am such a clutz that I had a hard time putting it on straight. However, we caught a bunch of fish on all of them. Favorite worm? Netbait shakeyhead worm and we threw a bunch of different brands. Only my opinion.

Love those old Sea nymphs. My first boat was a '93 with a 25 Mariner and upgraded to a 16.5 with a Merc 40. That was a great boat company back then. I really believe the boat won't fail you, but, agreeing with other posters, get the motors checked out. If you spend a few bucks to have a marine tech check out the motor now, it will save you a whole lot of money if they find out there is a major problem. Good Luck with your purchase.

This is fun. I use Wally World batteries and they last 2-3 years and then I go spend another $75 for each. Never, ever ran out of juice while I was fishing on the 24 volt TM system or my crank battery which is powering my graphs. I don't need the best, just what works for me. I do make it a point to make sure all of my batteries are fully recharged after every outing.

Did any one posting about PP on Hartwell ever think that maybe the fisherman who fish that lake also fish a whole lot of lakes where their PP's would be an advantage?

Tipptruck1, your mind has been frozen by too many Wisconsin winters. Who really cares about 2 old guys trying to kick the crap out of each other. Think spring and all the good things like wood ticks and mosquitos and suckers running and the ice being gone by late May. Peace my brother of the angle/dangle from Wisconsin.

Mainebasser , I would suggest that you quit your day job and any pesky rules and head straight to the FLW or the Elites. Any fisherman that can catch "56" over 5 lbs., 1400 LM, 150+ smallies (by accident) and have a 5/30 as a non boater in the lakes that far north has a remarkable talent. I am not questioning your voracity, I am over whelmed by your skills as a bass fisherman. Best of luck. Signed: KVD

Why won't everyone give up the "50 brushpile" baloney. He won, he did it within the (mega, multi, ultra small print rules) of BASS. So many people want to put an ( * ) on his win. Live with it, He won. BASS said so and all the BS is just that: BS.

I have a scale in my boat for one reason and used it only once in '14. To qualify a PB. I'm glad I had it when my best fishing buddy of 35 years caught his PB on Guntersville last spring. May never use it again. Or?

This is a pretty common experience on the upper Mississippi in the fall. The bass ( and other species) will chase the shad balls against banks and weed lines. Sometimes it is so easy to catch them that after a while it isn't fun anymore.

"Take heart you in the north, your spring is coming" Pray tell when Soothsayer? It's only going to be around -10 tonite with snow coming. I wish we could have 2 versions of BR, one for those of us north of the Mason/ Dixon (where we could comfort each other) and another for you braggarts from the south and west. May your reels backlash, your knots fail, and somehow/ someday your guides be choked with ice. Just kidding . Sounds like you had one of those days we all dream about. Congrats.

You don't "spend much time here" but have 3000+ posts? I've got lures that I purchased back in the 90's with a lot of the finish worn off that still catch fish. I guess I never will understand $18-$400 lures, but that's what makes America great. I just remembered, I did purchase a $18 purple, hand painted jerk bait, from a local shop on Table Rock 15+ years ago. I don't remember if I ever caught a fish on it and it stayed in my jerk bait box until the purple paint wore off. I guess, I have never set a limit by bucks on my lure purchases but over $10 seems like overkill. HERE COMES THE HATE, HERE COMES THE HATE. I just funning, $400 for a "swimbait" really?

SENKO, ON A SHIMANO, IN THE LAKE, caught that BASS. " Elementarily my dear Watson".