Alpster

The most comfortable (to me) is the fanny pac style of c/o2 inflatable that you wear around your waist like a belt. However these are not good for riding in fast powerfull boats, as they require you to put them on after you hit the water. You pull a cord to inflate it them put it over your head to float. If you were knocked out by a boat wreck it would be useless. I live in a electric motor only area so this works best for me. Ronnie

Amen!!

Your son's expression says it all! Congratulations! Now get out there and catch a BIGGER one. Ronnie

I remember Richard Prior doing a standup routine years ago and he said "Cocaine is not addictive, I've been using it for 17 years and I'm not addicted yet" ;D And so it goes with the bait monkey. I can say for my self, that I have been buying fishing gear for 40 years and I've got the bait monkey under control. Well, I have to go pick up some guides for a rod, but don't worry, I don't have to have them, they are just really nice, you know, I can quit anytime I want to. Ronnie

Well the 100D only holds 12/85 14/70 and they sure don't measure capacity with XT... I personally like more than 50 yds of line in my reel... if I have to cut and retie once, I'll have to respool. So the DSV is an option for those who like the size and weight of that reel but don't fish light line or braid. Another big plus for braid in my book, more line capacity on small spooled reels. JMHO Ronnie

BAIT!

Git Er Dunnn! Ronnie

Very nice work and a very interesting material. Lovely to look at. Thanks for the pics. Ronnie

I'm guessing the weight of that lure at about 3/8 oz. Beautiful sunset pic. I hope it makes the newscast. Ronnie

Those are amazing fish Randall, thanks for sharing the pictures with us. Oh and by the way, I WANT ONE!!!!!!!!!! Ronnie

When I was 15, I worked for a wonderfull old man in Clarkston, GA (suburb of Atlanta). He had a bicycle & lawn mower repair shop on one side of the building, with a bait & tackle shop on the other side (Clarkston Bike & Mower). John taught me how to twist a wrench and raise golden grub worms in a plywood box. I build rods now, and I think of him some times, as I watched him fix reels and wrap rods many times. LBH, thanks for the video, I can certainly identify with it. I think the only hope for this part of Americana to survive, is if we pass it along. So, take a kid fishing and tell him the stories about how it used to be. He just might care enough to make some of it come back. JMHO Ronnie

God bless you and congratulations. I was a 4 & 5 pack a day smoker for 22 years. I used to get on my knees and tell God how much I loved them and begged Him to help me quit. Well, He finally answered my prayer. In 1990 I got the chicken pox and got them in my lungs (it's called vericilla pneumonia), almost died, but three weeks on a respirator and 6 weeks in the hospital did the trick. I am 16 years quit and proud as a peacock. My 14 year old has never seen me smoke. My 22 year old remembers I always had one in my mouth. Keep on keeping on! ;D Ronnie

Braid was made for jigs, set the hook when you see the line move. JMHO Ronnie

It's all a matter of what you are used to. I am hopelessly right handed, but since I have done it all my life, cranking a spinner with the left hand is just as natural as cranking the BC with the right hand. Switching hands with a BC is so second nature and instantaneous, that it just doesn't really matter. JMHO Ronnie

My late wife was a real fisherperson. She had no trouble fishing from dawn till dark and needed no help from me (she would ask for help sometimes just to make me feel good). If you have a girl who will fish with you, don't let her get away. (ooohhh, that was bad). Ronnie

Good for you, Bill's a home grown, good old boy and I have always been a fan of his. That will make a good memory. Ronnie

Thorough said, "All that is neccessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing." VOTE! Ronnie

I am on the verge of selling all my high end G-loomis BC rods in favor of spiral wrapped rods. I spiral wrapped myself a G-Loomis 7' 6" 'flippin stick' and a Lamiglas 5' 6" heavy stick and I am so impressed with their performance I will transition all my rods to spirals soon. You have to fish with it to appreciate it. JMHO Ronnie

I wonder how many will not be able to stop with 2. Here's mine, and I'm blessed to actually have my dream rigs. Rig 1- G-Loomis MBR843C GLX rod with Shimano Calcutta TE200DC Reel Rig 2- Custom wrapped Lamiglas XC66MH 5'6" pitchin stick with Shimano Calais CL200 both spooled with Power Pro 50lb Bait 1- Culprit black shad worm Bait 2- Arkie Jig w Uncle Josh black widow eel trailer Bait 3- 5" Yamasenko june bug Bait 4- Terminator Titanium Buzzbait Bait 5- Rapala FS9 original floater I kept to the rules and only listed what I was allowed. I am always dissapointed when some one starts a thread with 'you can only choose 1' and half of the replys are everything they own or a dozen different options. My challenge is for everyone to stick to Roadwarrior's original topic. See if you can, I think it will be fun. Ronnie

If you are interested in Fly Fishing shows this one is great and it happens all over the country. I never miss it in NJ. http://www.flyfishingshow.com/ Ronnie

Hey Raul, I still have a Shimano Bantam Mag 10XSG that is nearly 30 years old and I paid about $75 in 1977 or 1978 and it still fishes great. 75/30 = 2.5 dollars PER YEAR of use. You said it, if you fish with them year in and year out, you will always get your $ worth. JMHO Ronnie

Fly rods are not classified the same as conventional rods in terms of pound test. Fly rods will be classed as 1 weight, 2 weight, 3 weight, and so on up to 14 & 16 weight for heavy saltwater fly rods. A 6 weight rod should work best with 6 weight line and so on and you must use fly line for casting. Fly line will last indefinetly if you keep it clean, dry and dressed. You will use a light leader for the sake of presentation (which is what makes a fly rod deadly). Don't be fooled by the 2 to 4 lb leaders. A fly rod is a super shock absorber and even heavy fish will have a hard time breaking the leader if you play them right. There is a lot to learn about fly fishing and you have plenty of time. Go to the library and check out a book, there are lots of them, just pick one. Unlike high tech reels with computer controlled brakes, 60 ball bearings and flipping switches, fly fishing is pretty much the same as it was 50 years ago (except maybe for rod materials). Have fun learning and PM if you have a question. I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I will do what I can. Ronnie

Hey Matt, I love fly fishing and am just as crazy about the related equipment. You will get a lot of suggestions, so here's mine. A 6 wt rod will be enough for most bass, panfish & trout in your area. I have no idea about fly fishing for carp, never done it. Unless you are fighting fish more than 3 or 4 pounds, a fly reel is just a line holder and most any will do. Get the best rod you can afford and the best line. The Temple Fork outfit will certainly work fine for you. Cortland 555 in a rocket taper floating is the line I use (line size will match rod size). The Cortland 555 is about $60 but I have found it on ebay for half that several times. The white river tapered leaders or tippits (in your link) in the 4 lb class will do the job. I like accardo bugs for panfish, poppers & wooly buggers for bass and the list of nymphs and dry flies for trout is endless. (I tie my own). You & I are pretty close neighbors and when you get your rig together, I will hook you up with some bugs and flies. I hope this helps. Ronnie

Ice suuuuxxxxxxxxxxxxxssssssssss! Ronnie

You are in the right place. WELCOME! Ronnie