Kirtley Howe

Maybe it is just me.....but although I had no problem with Roland being "creative" (which was not against the rules at the time) and Scott maybe (probably) cheating, I really don't care much. Having met Roland Martin, I can attest to the fact that he is a pretty self-centered blowhard who does not care at all about other people. He was (when I met him) rude, condescending and arrogant. I met Scott about 10 years ago, and he was pretty much just like his father. So, I just don't care what happens to him as far as BASS is concerned. I have however found this whole thread pretty amusing.

I also remember when he showed up with a jet boat so he could go up-river where others could not go. No rule against it at the time, but that changed right after he did it. I have no problem with him doing that. It just showed initiative. It isn't cheating if there is no rule against it. If there is a rule, and you break it (even if by "accident") then it is cheating.

My "secret" is: Don't fish like others are and try to fish where others won't/can't.

Finally got to go fishing. Weather today was 70F, and very windy. I had about 2 hours this afternoon to get a line wet. After driving to the river, I had about 1 1/2 hour to actually fish. I caught one 18" Tiger Muskey, and one 11" Bass. I saw a large Bass....prob. about 4 lbs swimming along the shore...I am pretty sure she was getting ready to make a spawning bed, so I didn't target her. It was nice to get out there, even if I didn't exactually set the world on fire with my catch rate. It will be a while before I can go again. Tomorrow is supposed to have a high of 38F, with rain and snow, and the next few days after that are going to be pretty cool and windy also. Maybe I can hit the water again next week.

When I was a kid, I had two lures that were my favorites. One was the Rocky Jr., and the other was the Fred Arbogast Hiwaiian Wiggler. I know the Hiwaiian Wiggler is no longer made. Not sure if the Rocky Jr. is still in production. I caught a ton of fish with these lures, and I am sure they would still work great.

Katie for me at my age, the way you fish would be the most difficult due to physical limitations. However, a few years ago that would have been my favorite way though I doubt I would have ever reached your success level. From a technical standpoint, A-Jays way would be the most challenging for me. His ability to find and catch the "big 'uns" is truly amazing.

Come on up to New York and hit Cayuga Lake. The state record smallmouth was caught in this lake last year. If you have your own boat, there are plenty of places to launch. Unfortunately, if you don't have a boat, there is not a whole lot of bank fishing spots available. There are a few places that rent boats....but they are only motorized row boats, not bass boats. Many places rent kayaks if that is of interest to you. On Cayuga, you don't really need a guide. Got to the north end for largemouth, and the mid and lower part of the lake for smallies, though you can catch either in any location. Fish weeds, docks and rocky shoreline as you would anywhere else. Summer is a great time for bass on Cayuga. The Thousand Island region of New York is also a great summer fishery for bass, but if you go there, you almost definitely need a guide the first time out....the area can be very tough to navigate, and finding the really great spots can be difficult, though you can catch decent bass from the docks at any of the state parks. Maybe not trophy bass, but a lot of 2 1/2 to 4 lb bass are common. Come on up and have fun. It is a beautiful area with many other things to do besides fish if that interests you.

I hit a max of 6' 2". After my car accident in 1980 my spine was compressed, and I became 6' 1". Now that I am older, I am just under 6'. At the rate I am going, by the time I am 80 I expect to be around 5" 10". I am mostly mutt.....Scottish, English, Native American, and maybe a bit of French.

I am currently 75 years old and will be 76 in May. I have told my wife (68 years old) my stepson (44 years old) and my sister (51 years old) that if the notice any appreciable decline in my driving skills they are to tell me IMMEDIATELY. My father drove for several years longer than he should have and would not listen to anyone about it. I WILL NOT be that person. I also have regular checkups and have told my doctor to be honest with me if he thinks I should stop driving. I also take a senior "safe driving" course every year. For what is worth, I still ride a motorcycle (Trike actually) which I think helps make me a better driver. You have to be much more aware of what is going on and pay much more attention when on a motorcycle....and that awareness carries over to driving a car. Having to tell someone you love that they shouldn't/drive anymore is a horrible situation to be put in. Please don't do that to your children or other loved ones. Take the responsibility yourself and LISTEN if one of tells you your driving skills have deteriorated. Sorry for hijacking the thread. I will get off my soapbox now.

NAH.....you would have to text it.

My first memory of a fishing show on Saturday mornings was Gadabout Gaddis, the flying fisherman. My favorites were Jimmy Huston and Bill Dance. As I got older, I liked In-Fisherman TV.

My rods and reels are stored in an unheated, non-climate controlled shed all winter. I live in the northeast (southern tier of New York state to be exact). I have never had a problem with my reels rusting internally. I did once leave a rod and reel in the bed of my truck (which has a soft bed cover) all winter one year.....that reel did rust.

His current net worth is estimated to be about $8 million. He is certainly not hurting for money, but some how I would have expected him to be worth more.

bubble gum pink.....especially for spawning bass. and on drop shots in stained water. No idea why it works. I am not even sure what color the bass think it is. I started using the color because it was easy for ME to see.

Miracles can happen. We are praying for you.

I use the original Rapala lures a lot. You can work them on the surface, crank them in like a crankbait, or add a bit of weight (suspend dots, lead wire on the hooks, or a split shot on the line) and use them as a jerkbait. But, a Rapala Husky Jerk works better for any underwater use.

I use White, Chartreuse, or Black/Blue for my spinnerbaits.

Don't forget that our new president has stated that he wants to put a 30% tariff on anything coming from China. Most Lithium batteries and/battery cells are currently coming from China. I read that as a 30% increase in price on any Lithium battery that is not 100% made in the USA.

My father was bald except for a fringe around his head. His barber said he was going to charge him extra because he had to spend so much time finding the hair to cut.

1980 is the model. Vexes did not even exist in 1980.

I would say that 80% of my fish come on crankbaits of one kind or another. Not because they are the "best" bait to use, but because they are what I use the most. I enjoy throwing a crank bait more than just about anything else.

Doug Hannon "The Snake" lure. I have a lot of respect for the man, but that lure was more "snake oil" than anything else.

I don't have a fish finder. I have a depth finder that may occasionally show what may or may not be a fish. It still works fine and is at least 15 years old. For the way I fish, it is all I need. I WANT a much newer and fancier one, but I don't NEED one, nor can I justify the cost.

IN the late 60s, early 70s when I lived in Florida and would take a 14f motorized rowboat out in the bay near the St. Pete-Tampa causeway to catch Tarpon I lost several things overboard. I was fishing with what was basically bass fishing gear except heavier line. Anyway, hooking into a Tarpon that weighted 40 plus pounds was exciting to say the least. It often led to being dragged around the bay while trying to control the fish (an exercise in futility for the most part) while trying not to swamp the boat. While doing that, I lost...hat, sunglasses, shoes, 2 different rods and reels, sunscreen, bottles of water, one anchor, a large and expensive landing net, and several marker buoys. I am sure there are several other things I don't remember. Surprisingly, I have never lost anything over the side while freshwater fishing, but I am sure it is just a matter of time.

I would not accept that in a $50.00 rod, much less a $500.00 rod. I'd contact them and have them make it right. They have a good reputation, and I am pretty sure they would not want to have this out there as an example of their quality.