Gundog

Almost all of my baitcasters are 7 to 1 ratio. Overall its a good ratio for everything including pitching jigs. I throw crankbaits on it as well. Just got to reel a bit slower. Congrats on the new (to you) reel.

The extra thickness is why I use XT. My first fishing trips in the spring are going to be along a rocky river throwing spinnerbaits, crankbaits and other lures that will get hung up. Using thick mono did two things. First it was abrasion resistant, and the second was it did allow me to break it off when I did get hung up. I have had it stretched out and after 4 days its still not straight. Worse part is the twist. Stretched out it feels like the line is nicked up but when you loosen it you can see the twist. Tried to get the twist out before stretching it but couldn't. Even unspooled it into a bucket of water and pinched the line between my pointer finger and thumb while reeling it slowly in. No luck.

So fishing season is about to kick off here in Northeaster PA and I was getting my gear ready as I always do. Started with spooling up my new Pflueger President XT reel with Trilene XT 12# mono like I always do. Only problem is this year its far worse than its ever been. I'll always struggled with fresh mono off the spool because of line memory. But its never been this terrible. Not only is there a ton of memory but also serious line twist. Normally I'm use to some memory but after a little prodding I can straighten it out and get it useable. How I do it is string the line out for about a day till the memory disappears but now I'm on day 4 and this line shows no sign of straightening out. Also the twist in the line has a mind all its own. I'm thinking its time for braid but I hate the idea of putting another knot between me and the lure. Also I'll have to learn to ty a Alberto knot or Crazy Alberto or whatever. And I'm gonna have to carry line with me so if I break off I can replace the leader. This complicates something that use to be very simple.

I'm starting to get antsy. Last Friday we had temps in the 70's and looking at the upcoming forecast we have a few days in the week where it won't get below freezing so I'm thinking the lakes that still have ice on them (every lake still has ice on them) will be opening up. Spring is about to spring. Gear up now.

Just don't kiss them.

My preference is the inflatable thin pad. The cot and inflatable mattress are too soft for me. Gives me a sore back. Tried a cot and the next morning I felt like Frankenstein. Could barely bend at all. If I was younger it wouldn't matter but as I get older so does my back.

Am I the only one who's points haven't updated since the end of day 1? I got 2 emails telling me my points from the Lake Lanier event but none from the current event.

I agree @Sam that the parents "believe" that their kids will be more successful at a prestigious University but its also about status. If their kids get into USC the parents believe it reflects better on them and if they don't the parents are shamed by it. Look who is doing this. Its the rich, powerful, influential, and recognizable. They know these kids probably couldn't compete with more educated, dedicated and deserving kids so they cheated. They bribed people to get them in. Ultimately, its about the ego of the parents.

Wish I was there. Maybe next year.

Parents teaching their kids bad lessons. Nothing new.

Just stopped by another Ollie's in my area and found the had Rapala Shadow Raps and Shadow Rap Shads along with more Scatter Raps and tons of Zoom plastics. The bait monkey almost didn't let me get out of there alive.

I have a problem with "assuming" the kids knew he was coming back or even that he had been fishing in that location. I didn't see the video in question but just by reading the OP post it sounds like there is some doubt about those allegations. I'll give the benefit of the doubt to the kids. As I hope anybody would to me if I was fishing in a spot they believed belonged to them.

Congrats. Don't sell yourself short. They say luck is the product of preparation and skill.

If you have an Ollie's in your area and are a fan of Scatter Rap baits check the stores. I was shocked to find one there.

Question 1 and 2 could be one answer. Lawsuits. I'm sure Wade has a contract that demands he gets paid. If they fired him without a thorough investigation that could lead to legal retribution. The same with Smart. That is a bad can of worms they would be opening up.

Glenn knows how to give information in a easy to remember form. I've used all kinds of ways to learn and improve in my bass fishing but still Glenn finds something new to put into his videos.

My prayers go out to the victims and their families and friends. So sad to hear about things like this.

Probably all gone by now with a deal like that.

Don't mean to laugh but I have to. Rapala's new slogan should be.. "If that was a Rapala you would have only lost $7."

What I hate about the coverage of this is the twist ESPN and its spawn have put on it. The argument is if you would just pay the players a salary this wouldn't happen. It doesn't matter how much you pay college athletes there will always be a coach/booster/alum who is willing to break the rules and pay that special (unproven) kid money or give him a car or "help" his parents. If you want to stop it don't let LSU hold the investigation. They are just stalling in hopes that they can make it through the tourney without getting kicked out of the tourney.

That explains a lot of what happens at Walmart.

Great idea. Bigger size means more options of where and when to use it.

So there is something else I need/want....

Yea it was a shock to me when I traveled to upstate NY and saw that they sold beer in supermarkets. If you grew up in PA its just what it is. I remember on the day I got my driver learner permit driving up to the beer distributer and getting a case of beer for my dad. Ah the good old days.

@clayton86 glad to know you are on the mend. A friend told me the best part about recovery is taking it easy till you don't have to anymore.