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...so bass fishermen would have something to catch when the water is 41 degrees. One of the lakes I fish dropped from 54 degrees to 41 degrees in 10 days. I didn't get any bass, but did get my personal best Bowfin - 7 lbs - along with about a half dozen blue catfish, the biggest estimated at about 12 lbs (had to release him in the water.) Caught this bowfin on a Dave's Tournament Tackle 1/2 oz football head jig in blue/black with a Paca Chunk in Okeechobee.

I'll be there. We ought to get together.

Roboworm Sourpuss or Pitchn' Kraw http://www.roboworm.com/roboworm.htm

I've used a few of my Revos in salty water, but not true saltwater. I fish a lot of brackish creeks that are fresh in the spring and summer, but get pretty salty in the fall. They've done well. But you need to break them down and clean them well after using them in saltwater. The Revo Inshore is intended for saltwater. Is that wahat you have, or are looking to get?

However it swims, it catches fish. They just need to turn out more in holo-greenie color.

I'm not sure I'm ready to pull the trigger on a Pluton yet. But man, it's sweet. I went out this morning and checked out the Daiwa Fuego. That reel has been calling my name for a year. I have 20 Abu Garcia reels. I think my next reel will be a Daiwa. I'm not defecting. I just want to try something new.

Sounds like a pawl problem to me. From... http://www.amb01.com/01trouble.html This applies to Revo, to. Bunching of line to one side of the spool can be caused by a few things. First check that the left hand side plate hasn't come loose. If it has tighten it into place and try the reel again. If this doesn't solve the problem a new levelwind pawl is probably required. Move levelwind to one side of the frame. Remove the cap from underneath the line guide. Shake or prize out the old pawl and drop in a fresh one. The pawl will need to be lined up with the worm gear in order to drop fully into place. Refit cap

I see they are now for sale at BPS... http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_103417____SearchResults

I went fishing today. And I'll be off fishing Monday through Wednesday of next week. Come one down to Virginy! We'll wet a line

Thanks for the research, Kent. Obviously, you seem to be bothered immensely when someone disagrees with you. Don't take it so personally. Whether or not my guesses about the cost of oil and gasoline were right or wrong does nothing to blunt the point that your tactic of trying to time the market, trying to guess where things are going to bottom out is, and has always been, an effort in futility (sort of like guessing where gas will go). You may get it right, but it's just dumb luck. You ought to know that the term "bargain" is relative. You seem to suggest it's at a point, and I feel it's in a window. Good luck guessing the "point." And if you ever do get that sort of guessing down, you are going to be in great demand. (I think it would be cool if you did. Then we'd have the greatest financial mind in the history of history right here as a moderator on BR.) Leverage is an issue. That's nothing new. And it will never go away. To suggest that leverage is the economy's ultimate problem is overly simplistic. Because it ignores the fact that there is an appropriate level of leverage for any company, and that many companies exist that are appropriately leveraged. Leverage grows capital. Capital allows for expansion. Expansion allows for a greater return on equity. Sure, too much leverage can start to eat away return on equity. But most companies can scarcely grow without acquiring debt. Investing in a leveraged company has its risks. Over leveraged companies have a greater risk of going bankrupt. But risk is "the risk" one must accept for a good long term return. Stocks in general are down. Stocks in appropriately leveraged companies represent extraordinary bargains right now. And avoiding debt financed companies in favor of equity financed companies has its own set of risks. New companies most commonly employ equity financing, and most new companies fail. Most never act in the best interest of their investors. New business owners often don't realize they are no longer enjoying a hobby. Sure, some do. And investing in small or new businesses can be very rewarding. But you had d**n well better do your homework. Equity financed companies, companies that avoid debt financing, are hardly immune to economic downturns. In short, leverage is necessary. Some companies that are over leveraged are going to go out of business. But some companies that are over leveraged are going to survive, emerging with new business models, and their stocks, as well as stocks for companies that are appropriately leveraged, represent tremendous bargains. You said... I feel for any long term investor that decided not to ride it out, and pulled out when the floor gave way. Most likely, they will realize a loss that will never be recouped. Holding those shares, and increasing acquisitions of shares while the market is in a slump would have been wiser. 7,000, hmmm? We'll see. I'll be there with you buying, since I started increasing my rate of acquisition at 7,600 back in October. And we may get there. I'm optimistic about more pessimism. Best time to buy is when people are pessimistic.

That's why FDIC coverage was recently increased from $100,000 to $250,000. And smart people spread their cash out among multiple accounts, and didn't leave it in single accounts. The FDIC didn't exist during the Depression. And the government didn't have the expertise to take quick action to stave off the effects of panic. That exists today. Panic and irrationality will damage our economy more than anything else. Thought about it overnight, Muddy, and I agree. I'm backing off, too. But entirely from these cut-n-paste current event threads. Multiple threads on oil, stocks, DJIA, etc. You can speculate all day long on what it all means and where its all going and the truth is no one really knows. "Experts" predicting $7/gallon gas, people predicting "depression." It's all gotten very silly and the accuracy rate of the "experts" predictions leaves a lot to be desired.

Suggesting that there may be a depression is, in my opinion, nonsense. Our economic situation scarcely resembles the economic realities of 1929. Unlike during the Great Depression, our GDP is up. Industrial production is down only a tiny fraction of what it was in the early '30s. It might be worth mentioning that our economy is far more diverse than it was in 1929. Then industrial production was the principal portion of our economy, now it represents about 10% of our economy. And even though production is down a little, exports are way up. During the depression, exports were down 70%. Unemployment rates are a fraction of what they were during the depression, and no one is suggesting they will approach that level again. And don't forget today that we have FDIC, trading triggers, a far greater money supply, and free-trade agreements with everyone and their brothers to ensure our exports will not be choked off as they were in the early '30s. In short, we are not heading towards depression. Recession, yes. Depression, phhhhpppt. With respect to equities investments: neither you nor anyone else knows where we are in this recession, how deep we will go, or when the economy will turn around. But it will turn around. And it will be well on its way to a recovery before 99.999% of people recognize it. As Warren Buffet says, "if you wait for the robins, spring will be over." Your advice is tantamount to "waiting for the robins." It is certain that stocks are a bargain now. They may be a bigger bargain tomorrow. And even bigger next week. But right now stocks are cheap. And investing for the long term is a process, not a one-time event. Prices for certain sound funds are lower than they have been in a decade or more. Not availing yourself of obvious bargains is simply unsound. History has shown that trying to "time the market" is a recipe for missed opportunities and poor returns. Buying and holding will, without question, yield higher returns. Buying now, and buying until it's clear the bargains have passed, and holding those acquisitions is the proven strategy for long term results. But I understand most people won't see it that way. That's the reason those people (most people) won't build the type of wealth of those that do. Correction: GDP is down 1/10%. (During the Depression is was down 50%)

A good solid S&P fund is a good, solid long term investment. But if you have the stomach for a little more volatility, a good diversified fund will likely outperform the S&P over the next 10 years. Most diversified funds will have a portion in an S&P fund, and some in small cap fund, and some possibily in international funds.

It won't happen if you make lousy decisions and move your money from stock funds (if thats what you have) into cash investments out of fear. You have a long time to go before retirmenent and you fall precisely into the category of people who have the opportunity to take advantage of the current market and position yourself for huge gains when the make turns around, as it surely will. If you are in stocks, stay in stocks. Buy more while they are cheap (by increasing your contributions to your plan). The relative value of your portfolio may be down, but now is the time to increase your share holdings.

The upside to all this is that if you are 5, 10, 15 or 20 years from retirement, you are doing yourself a absolute, unequivocal injustice buy not buying stock. Stocks and funds are cheaper than they have been in many years. It is inevitable that stocks will be going back up, as inevitable as it was that gas prices would not stay at $4.00+ per gallon. Stocks are still going to substantially outperform cash over the long haul. Recessions like this don't last. They never do. If you haven't invested in stock before public opinion says the recession is over, you will have missed the boat. Economies improve long before people think they do, and the window for the biggest, fastest gains are before the vast majority of people even recognize it.

"Accidental" breakage means you slammed your car door on it, not that it snapped fighting a fish. Big difference. Why should Fenwick warranty against someone's carelessness? Fenwick's is the only rod warranty I've every had to utilize. I broke an HMG -fighting a fish- and the Lifetime Warranty was administered in the store. In fact, the stores I've been to administer the Fenwick warranty for the first year, then you have to send it in to Fenwick. It's as easy as walking in with a broken rod and walking out with a new replacement. BTW, according to the vast majority of posts I've seen, and people I've talked to, the Techa AV is more equivalent to the Loomis IMX than the Avid (people I know with them say its better, but not as sensitive as the GLX). The Fenwick HMG is comparable to the Avid. The HMX is comparable to the Premier (though most I know say its better). The HMG represents a fantastic value compared to the Avid. The HMG has hardloy guides verus the Avid's alconite, but in terms of sensitivity they are in the same class. When I've handed off my HMG to my friend and he's handed off his Avid to me they felt virtually identical. The HMG is about $50 less than the Avid - $130 vs $180 (though my local tackle store sells them for $119). BTW, there is Tackle Tour's review of the Fenwick HMG GT66M (6'6" M), the same rod I use for light cranks. New HMGs have Fuji Hardloy guides. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewfenwickhmg.html

Compare its size to the Shimano Curado 300 reel... http://www.tackletour.net/TTForums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=34200

I have several Fenwick rods, HMGs and HMXs. They are extraordinarily good rods. As far as one rod for cranking and carolina rigs goes, IMO, a rod that is preferable for crankbaits isn't the best choice for carolina rigs, and vice versa. A medium power graphite rod with a medium, medium/fast, or fast action should do fine with cranks. I use a Fenwick HMG 6'6" and a 7' (GT66M and GT70M models, respectively) for lighter crankbaits. They are great for that. (I have a Fenwick Elite Tech Crankshaft rod for heavier, deeper diving crankbaits.) IMO, a carolina rig rod needs to be a heavier duty - a medium heavy or a heavy power, with a fast action. For carolina rigs I would look at the Fenwick HMG 7' MH (GT70MH) model. It would be suitable. But it's not my first choice. For me, it's a wee bit too limber. I use an Allstar American Classic 7' MH/F for carolina rigs. In the Fenwick HMG I don't think there is a really good carolina rig rod. In the Fenwick HMX lineup there is a 7' Heavy (HMXT70H) which would excel as a carolina rig rod. I don't have this rod but I've seen it and it seems to be a very stout rod. So, Fenwick makes very good rods. But I've yet to see one that would make a good crankbait rod and a good carolina rig rod. IMO, their respective requirements prevent one rod being good for both.

I don't know, but that's probably its weak point. It's got a deep spool and takes a lot of line. I suspect a light bait would have a hard time getting all that mass to move. I've only used it with heavier baits. I have a Revo STX 6.4:1 on a 6'6" Fenwick I use for small and light crankbaits.

:-?

I'm catching fish on silver husky jerks. Today and yesterday I bank fished a quiet shallow cove and saw quite a bity of surface action around some floating weed mats. I caught some decent bass and some hefty pickerel on silve husky jerks with black backs.

What do you want to use it for? The only size that I see as practical for bass fishing is the 50. And then I see it as a heavy bait (ie swimbait reel). I don't own one, but I've handled them and seen the insides. Very well built.

Revo Winch can be had, new, on Ebay for $155. I recommend it highly. It will flat-out fling a crank bait.

That beats the specs. Probably would have to turn down some graphics, but it should run. IMO, it's the best CoD yet. The tank battles are incredible. The battle for the Reichstag is very intense. The "Zombie Nazis" at the end is a sort of arcade bonus. Very fun, and a wee bit eerie.

My PC: HP Pavillion d5000t Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q9044 2.66 GHz 6 gig RAM Nvidia 9800GT 1.0 gig Vista Premium 64 bit It runs it great on highest settings at 1440x900 resolution.