BrianinMD

I buy what feels good to me for the purpose I am buying it for, no single brand will over that. Currently have Dobyns, Falcon, Abu, Shimano, St. Croix. Reels are the same way. It is a matter of finding what best works for you, for what you want it to do. I do get a kick out of the "Brand x makes the best rods for whatever technique", while its great they work for you that doesn't mean it will be good for anyone else.

Personally I am a straight flouro guy, 8lb Invizx. Which would be perfect for the first few techniques you list. But my concern with any line is the size of the lipless cranks and t-rigs. Line you could go with 20lb braid and leader but make sure the rod can handle these, larger lipless or t-rigs could leave you wanted more power in the rod making it less than ideal for the other techniques.

A few members of my club are looking to escape the cold in March and head down to Lake Hartwell. Anyone got any thoughts on places to stay, probably be 4-5 boats going down.

Tridelphia is closed for at least 2 years, they are lowering it about 20 feet to complete work on the dam. The worrisome part is there have been discussions before that WSSC wanted to close it to boats. Wondering if the 2 years will turn into this permanent closure.

Everywhere I have fished tournaments snagging is not legal, but its for sight fishing where it can be done on purpose which is not sporting. If you are not sight fishing a foul-hooked fish is a legal catch. Snagging and foul-hooked are two completely different things.

Personally i like a longer rod with jigs, for ones above 3/8oz a heavy power. Below that a Medium Heavy. With a fast or x-fast tip. My current jig rod is a Dobyns Champion Extreme 745 paired with a Chronarch 200e7. Its spooled with 20lb Abrazx.

if its clear with hydrilla they should be growing pretty deep, with the water temps the shallower weeks are probably brown. But those deeper areas should still have green grass. If there is green grass find the outside edge of them. Points and areas that have structure which leads up to shallower areas.

There are a few 5-7 teams in bowls this year

30lb is way to high, if you are set on braid 10-15 would be better. Or straight 8lb flouro.

After reading the title if this...a good laugh otherwise a trip New Orleans next week for New Years Eve. A hotel on Bourbon St. with a balcony.

Did another round of practice at the indoor range last night, this time rented a Sig P226. It felt great, shot grouping was a lot better, still have a ways to go to get "good". But I am pretty much settled on the P226 once I get past my handgun qualification class on Jan 10th.

Fish don't know the seasons, fish the conditions the same as you would at any other time of year based off water temp, clarity.....

Lake Gaston is awesome, most of my like has been skipping docks. Use whatever bait you are comfortable with while skipping. A lot of information here...http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/156963-lake-gaston/

Always find it hilarious how quickly after an update someone starts posting the "oh my gawd this is so horrible...". Happens every time.

Another thing that seems to be very appreciated, learn to run a trolling motor. Whether its wind, current, or both there may be times where it helps to have a co be able to control the boat for a couple minutes if the boater needs to retie or do anything.

The one problem you may run into with braid on those rods, especially with the crankbaits is losing fish. Most use a more moderate action rod and/or the stretch of mono to get some help fighting fish. Spinnerbaits all should be good with 30lb braid.

None, when joined one i had never been in bass boat before.

FOBA is a local bass club based in Montgomery County, MD that is open to all. We hold 13 tournaments per year and the schedule is very diverse, you will get to see a lot of quality water in FOBA! Boaters and Co-Anglers are encouraged to join, especially Co-Anglers. We have separate divisions so the boaters and co-anglers don't compete against each other. The club has a big emphasis on sharing information so it's a great learning atmosphere...Just as an example, during weigh-in results every angler explains how they caught their fish and other details about their day. Members can fish as many or as few events as they wish and in addition to tournaments we also hold and annual family picnic and a year-end awards banquet. We also hold annual US Coast Guard boat safety inspections to ensure boats are properly equipped and also to provide the USCG sticker that helps to avoid being stopped for future checks. First meeting of 2016 will be on January 6th at 7pm and is held at the Seneca Vally High School in Germantown. All are welcome to stop by. Attached is the tourney schedule for 2016. If anyone has any questions about the club feel free to PM me.

The most challenging, not finding fish where you gameplan was set for. Trying to find them after that is difficult. The most exciting, anticipation of getting out again.

Thanks for all the input!!! I am scheduled to take my Handgun Qualification License class the beginning of January, the HQL is one of many hurdles in Maryland. After that I will be able to buy so have some time. Went to a local indoor range and shot a Glock 17. Not bad but a little small for my hands. Will go back there and try some different things to see what I like. Have some time to figure things out.

Thanks Logan FOBA is the club I fish with, and it is great. Boaters against boaters and co's versus co's make for a fair playing field. You learn a LOT because guys are willing to share and talk about things. As Logan mentioned the weigh-in results have each person provide info on baits and locations so everyone can learn. Schedule is a good mix of locations, some smallie areas mixed in. Been a coangler with this club for 5 seasons.

To me...the SI is better to have for a tournament or weekend angler. Unless you dropshot or vertical jigging and such all the time you are not fishing right below you, you are casting to the side so knowing what is there is key.

I have been away from shooting for a little over 10 years, I wanted to get back into it. Trying to decide on what to get, want to stick with either a 9mm or .45 ACP. I have suggestions from friends for Sig P226 or something in the HK line. This will be for target and during the warmer months some competitions. Looking for something reliable, and accurate. Living in the MD I will not be able to carry it so that is not a concern. Any thoughts?

Here is a picture of my brother in law Don driving the sheriff car chasing the General Lee, Roscoe is in the passenger seat. Don built both of the replica cars, and has also built a replica of Daisy's car. The chase was at a minor league baseball game where Roscoe was making an appearance.

He died back in April