Olebiker

I see that Muddy has contributed his trolling motor expertise to this class.

I use a credit card that pays a 1% cash rebate on all purchases. I use it to buy everything. From now through the end of the year all department store and supermarket purchases pay 2%. I use the checks that I get from the card to buy most of my tackle. Here's the key to not getting in trouble with the credit card. Each weekend I go on the card Web site and pay the whole balance on the bill.

I find that even the scary-sharp hollow ground spey blade on my stockman's knife leaves a frayed end on Power Pro.

I use a little pair of Fiskar scissors that I got in the craft section at WalMart. They have rounded edges so I can run with them and my wife doesn't scold me.

I have 2 Daiwa Procaster 6+1 reels that I love. Shimano Carbomax rods have been referred to by some on BR as "cheap" rods, but I think they are the best thing out there for $50-60.

I have often heard my home in Tallahassee, Florida referred to as Baja Georgia.

California regulation 2.40 Chumming: Chumming is permitted only in: (a) The Colorado River District, but only the approved bait fishes for this District may be used as chum except in the Salton Sea where corn may be used. ( Carquinez Strait and Suisun Bay and their tributaries and saltwater tributaries. © Sacramento River and tidewater of tributaries downstream from Interstate 80 bridge. (d) San Joaquin River and tidewater of tributaries downstream from Interstate 5 bridge.

Sounds like Home Depot around here. I have tried to explain to them that they could pay for the extra cashier from the sales they lose from people like me who won't wait in line. Lowe's always seems to have enough cashiers and they are about a mile away.

I say we give it until about February 15 and we will be reading about Russ' arthroscopic surgery to repair his ACL. Way back when I was living in a less temperate region I suffered greatly from seasonal affective disorder. January through March was just awful. I took up skiing in the mid 1990s at, of all places, Paoli Peaks, Indiana. Skiing gave me something to look forward to and get me through the worst of the dark months. I live in Florida now and gave up skiing years ago, but I still look forward to the new Warren Miller movie each year.

Not yet, but I will be riding my bicycle tomorrow morning. I'll have to remember to pack an extra spare tube.

I only use spinning tackle for very light lures that I can't cast well with a baitcasting outfit. That and the fact that, down here in the Deep South, you are liable to get your manhood questioned if you only use spinning tackle. (LBH is going to start sending me ugly PMs again.) If I were to be stuck using only spinning tackle the rest of my life, I wouldn't feel mistreated. Most of my largest bass have been caught on a Lightning Rod spinning rod that I have had for 20 years. My only problem with spinning tackle is the inevitable line twist.

It was 28 degrees here in Tallahassee this morning. Where's that global warming I was promised?

Oohh! That would match the stem and fork on my road bike.

I only got to see bits and pieces of the show and I'm not a huge country music fan, but that was some fantastic show. I fantasize about doing a duet with Reba.

Oops! Jennifer just stole the show with "Why Don't You Stay". Man, I can't watch that video without blubbering.

If you get a chance, check out this article about my cousin, Thomas Davis, who runs cross country at Vanderbilt: http://vucommodores.cstv.com/sports/m-xc/spec-rel/102407aaa.html (It's hard for me to imagine that, at 56 years old, I have a cousin who is a sophomore in college.) If you ever want a role model, Thomas is one to follow. Not only is he a gifted athlete, he is an excellent student who volunteers a lot of hours at a local hospital. I want to be just like him when I grow up.

I spent about 20 years working in retail and catching shoplifters was the only time the job was fun.

I have been really impressed at the quality of bass some of you Yankees have been catching. Who'da thunk it?

Tin boats rule, Dude! I'll buy another one when this one dies.

Did he know you were racing?

In the bicycling world we call the guys who own expensive bikes but can't keep up on the rides "poseurs." It's French for poser. Reminds me of the guy back in Knoxville with the Allison bass boat and the 225 Mariner. He was always bragging about how fast it would run but I don't think I ever saw him weigh a fish at a tournament. He was a poseur. To me, anything over $5 is an expensive bait. I will admit to buying a few SPRO lures at $7-8, but that is as high as I have gone so far.

I have tried that, but I don't like the additional wear it places on the bearings and the additional power I have to put into cranking. Thanks to everyone for your help. You've given me a lot of options.

I thought about that one but, from reading the reviews, it sounds like you have to remove a side plate to adjust it.

Dude! My first car didn't cost that much.

Most of the newer reels I see today are at least 6.3:1 or higher. When I am fishing a deep diving crankbait or a large-bladed spinnerbait, I want a reel with a slower retrieve. There don't seem to be many of them out there. I'm still using an old Ambassadeur 5000 reel for that. Since I hate to spend more than about $100 on a reel, I might try the Bass Pro Shops Extreme reel which comes in a 5.4:1. Well, actually I don't mind spending more than $100 but SWMBO looks askance at me doing it.