FD.

A chord book is a good start. One way to practice more is to find songs you like and look up the chords or tabs (you will find out what these are) and play along with it. tabrobot.com , ultimateguitar.com and roughstock.com are my favorites. BTW I have been playing for 30 years and have a Martin Accoustic that is probably older than you. Now my son, 14, has been playing for only 2 years and is better than me. It's all about practice.

The fish in FL are in about 6" of water. The water temp is 3-4* higher in the very shallow water.

Surfer - that test was not hard, it was just tedious. Sitting still for 9 hours a day is hard no matter what you are doing. I took mine in the Manatee Civic Center in August with the temp outside around 95, and temp inside somewhere around 50. I froze solid.

Buy a decent baitcaster. The more bearings the better. BPS has bc's with 6 bearings for about 50 bucks. There is a small silver/gold knob under your star drag. Tighten that until your bait barely moves when you press the spool release. Next, set the magnetic brake, to the max, usually 10. Practice with a compact, relatively heavy bait. And don't cast into the wind.

I have one going with 6 guys already in it if you guys want to join.

No, no and no.... State record of the state in which the fish was actually caught. and if you have to clarify that you are better looking that Avid, well.....

Thank you Roger for those kind words and for your participation. And thanks to Avid for you "unsolicited advice". As for fourbizz, well, you're just a trouble maker As to all the other advice, thank you for your input. I have taken all of it into consideration and modified the format. As long as Master Yoda (Glenn) approves, this is the way it shall be. RULES 1. This is for FUN... 2. There are 2 divisions. Largemouth and Smallmouth. You must declare that you are fishing one or both before March 1, on this thread. 3. This contest runs from daybreak on March 1, 2008 to sunset on April 15, 2008. 4. Artificial bait ONLY. If you are sight fishing, the fish must be hooked inside the mouth. 5. Scoring of the fish shall be completed as follows: Example fish weight = 10.5 lbs (my pb) state record Fl = 17.27 lbs FW / SR x 100 = your score 10.5/17.27x100 = 60.80 rounded to 2 decimals In order for your fish to count, you must submit a picture, your state record weight, and an accurate weight of the fish. Your fish must be submitted within one week of being caught. (No sandbagging) You may submit as many fish as you want as long as subsequently caught fish are larger. All fish must be submitted before 7 am on April 16, 2008. 6. You can be disqualified for unsportsmanlike behavior. The definition of "unsportsmanlike" is completely at the discretion of myself and the moderators. 7. Entry Fee - You must post your best Avid look-a-like photo prior to March 1. You may play without a look-a-like photo, but you will be penalized 5 points. Avid is awarded 1 bonus point, just because he is Avid. 8. I will start a new thread on March 1 with the official list of competitors. Directors Note-----Have fun, catch fish, and post your results......

I'm a GC in Tampa and if you are any good, then you will have plenty of work. It's true work has slowed down for some people, but I am as busy as I have ever been. You will need to be registered with the counties and sometimes cities that you plan to work in, but that is more of a fee collection procedure than anything else. To my knowledge a state license is not required to be a painting subcontractor. You can check on flbiz.com.

LBH - I have no doubt that there are many guys here who can get 75% of their states record, but can you expect to do that in March? I had it set so that the gulf coast states were going against each other trying to give the northern guys, who have not seen liquid water for some time, a chance. Any way, the formula should be something like the following example: fish weight = 10.5 lbs (my pb) state record Fl = 17.27 lbs FW / SR x 100 = your score 10.5/17.27x100 = 60.80 rounded to 2 decimals What do you think of that? and btw, you have not posted your complete entry fee.

Actually I gave this quite a lot of forethought. But if you guys want to go head to head with Fl, fine. FYI the Fl state record is only 17.27 lbs and the farm is producing 10 -12 lbers every day with Kissimmee, Toho and Harris about to start doing the same thing. So if you think yall can get within 75% of your respective state records, then it's on. Only 2 Divisions - Artificial Bait only Largemouth Division - % of state record Smallmouth Division - % of state record May the best state win

She's finished and on the drying motor! The only problem is I can't wait to start #2

ok, at the suggestion of "he who shall remain nameless" there will also be a smallmouth catagory in all four divisions. As for the percentage of state records. No, absolutely not, way to much math involved. This is not a calculus class. It is a friendly fishing contest where wining states will gloat and become generally intolerable to everyone else on this site. Gloating will only be allowed until the end of April...... keep the suggestions coming, final rules will be consolidated and posted with the list of entrants on or about Mar 1.

In an effort not to be exclusionary, the State vs State rules are hereby modified. Division 4 - Who ever is left that wants to play (not in the 50 states.) Special exemption to our Canadian flappy headed brothern. Any species you can drag through a hole in the ice no greater than nine inches with a rod no longer than 3 ft. ************Tournament Directors Note************* No Avid picture, No entry, Period. Artificial bait only. ****Special rules for D-1***** Avid cannot use Stevep's fish Stevep cannot use fish caught on Mondays George can ONLY use fish caught while fishing with his son Fourbizz cannot enter until his blood pressure drops below 150/110

thats is too funny!

I'm in. D-2

Ok, here is how we do this...There are 3 divisions.. Division 1 - California VS StickMarsh Farm 13 Division 2 - Florida (minus the Farm) Vs Al, GA, SC, MS, LA, TX Division 3 - Everyone Else VS Everyone Else These Divisions were made in an attempt to make the playing field as even as possible (you poor frozen saps up north don't have to compete with the Farm, ect..) March 1st to April 15th - Largest documented fish (photos and weighed) in each division wins. Any questionable photos to be verified by a moderator. Entry fee - you have to declare your intention to compete on or before Feb 28 on this topic including the division you intend to compete in, and post your best Avid look a like photo..(Ray Charles glasses or shadowy self portrait or just plain fuzzy pic) I will post the "official list of competitiors on March 1st or whenever I can get around to it. Prizes - 1st place in each Division will receive a bag of handpoured soft plastics by Family Secret Bait Co. (josh and taylors) These baits are still in R@D so there is no telling what you might get. But wait, there's more - You will also receive the admiration of the entire BR family (not really) But wait, Yes there is more. Ok, we will come up with something else by then, maybe even something of real value.

Welcome to the forum!

caught 6 on Saturday.

1. learn to pitch and cast left handed so I can make those tough angle shots. 2. qualify for the ABA regional.... 3. become a better offshore fisherman 4. finish in the top 25% in all the tournaments I fish

I believe it. We saw several fish in the 8 to 10 lbs range landed around the heavier concentration of stumps SW of the end of the center canal. One guy weighed an 8.5 #er about 50' away from us. Thanks for the info Steve, we had a great time. Josh was not a fan of the spinnerbait until yesterday, but he caught 7 out of 8 fish on one and the monster that broke off 50 braid still has his nija spin in his mouth.

Congrats and welcome to the club! Now go get another one and a pic.

Bassn: It was my second trip to the Farm. I hit one at idle working my way across the Marsh to the rim canal. When we were on the south end of the farm and it is calm you can see the stumps (for the most part) but when the wind kicked up I could not stay off of them with the trolling motor so we moved back north. Sam: I talked to Steve P friday night for some info and George PM'd me sat morning at 3 am. He was out and I thought I saw his boat up close to the shore, but I am not familiar enough with those stumps(there are THOUSANDS of them) to make it close enough to say high.

We left the house at 4 am, arrived at the StickMarsh ramp at 7. Ran to the south end of the Farm where Josh proceeded to kill us with a spinner bait. The wind picked up and we headed to the middle levy to hide in some calmer water. About an hour later we headed back to the stumps in the south end and caught a few more. Again the wind picked up so back we go to hide and for 3 hours we tried to leave. The only problem was about every 15 min we would catch a fish..... Totals Josh - 8 mostly in the 2 lbs range and lost several big ones. Taylor - 2 small guys and a lot of camera work Dad - 6 mostly small with a DD that got off at the boat Taylor took this one, I thought it was cool, she got the photo talent from Nicole. Great day - The kids and I spent 15 hours together while Mom got to spend some time by herself...Can't wait to do it again..

Pack your reels in your suitcase and get at piece of 1.5" pvc and 2 caps at your home depot. Cut it an inch longer than your longest rod and glue one cap on. Pack your rods in with some styrofoam peanuts and then tape your other cap on. You may have to pay extra or give up a suitcase. If I am prefishing Toho at that time you would be welcome to fish with me . I will let you know.

They will be at Lakefront in Kissimmee.