RobbyZ5001

I use spinning gear. I have no idea of what gear to use or tackle. Any help would be great. I will be going the third week in October. We will be fishing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We will be fishing around the Pulaski area.

Not even the bums on college ave. would steal that stuff.

Does anyone use gunbroker.com? Any thoughts on that place?

First thanks for all the great advice. Second are their any of brands worth checking out in my price range for what I want? Also how many of you guys carry on a day to day basis? What are some good ways to carry where you won't freak people out?

I don't really know what your trying to say by the punching paper statement. Don't police officers use 9mm? Also whats the story with the NRA course? Easy tiger.....Punching paper = target shooting for fun 500 is definitely a range where you can find a good pistol. Is it something you are looking at right now, or are you not in a hurry to get it? Ha.. I didn't mean anything bad by questioning the punching paper statement. I had no clue what it meant. I am still getting used to the gun lingo. I am not going to get it in the next couple days, but the next month or so could be realistic.

for concealed carry or home protection or both? That can make a huge difference in recommendations. There are lots of trade-offs in size, weight, etc. punching paper means shooting at the range. Don't completely discount a revolver either... especially if you are new to guns. They are simple, reliable and some can shoot multiple calibers. .38/.357 .44spl/44mag (think light recoil/cheap for range use and premium, full power for home defense) I would like it for both concealed carry and home if possible, but of course I want to better my shot at the range. I don't think I like revolvers, but I have only shot my buddies 357 magnum. I shot .357 and .38 out of it. I can't really grasp what a bullet does to someone. I would think the 9mm would do almost as much damage as say a .357. I have no idea if I am answering these questions correctly.

I don't really know what your trying to say by the punching paper statement. Don't police officers use 9mm? Also whats the story with the NRA course?

Honestly... no clue. I will say I don't like buying junk, but I don't want to be spending $700 and up. If feasible up to $500.

I am new to guns, I have only shot a few times. The only guns I shot were a Ruger 357 magnum and a Remmington 30-6. I don't hunt, but I enjoy shooting the pistol. I know a lot of you are very knowledgeable with guns and I just want to see what a good starter pistol would be. I want a personal protection gun. I have not shot a large variety of guns, but I think I want a 9mm possibly a Glock. I don't know too much so my opinion can be swayed. I don't want to spend a small fortune.

What lake do you live on?

If you want some kind of idea on the rough water ride merely look under the hull at the amount of dead rise in the V. Rangers are very flat boats, there isn't much there to soften the impact when hitting waves. Skeeters are similar. Champions and Basscats are the opposite. Tritons are somewhere inbetween. The only way to know if a boat is suited for you is to ride and drive it. The owners of each brand will come on here and tell you theirs is the best. Ride and decide for yourself. BTW, Ranger, like other manufacturers delegates previous top end models to the value part of their lineup when a new hull is introduced. They usually come with limited options but the hull is identical when it was their top end model. Cart you may be right about the shape or form of the bottom of the boats. Ranger is a VERY good boat in rough water. The nice thing about fishing bigger tournaments as a co angler is being able to fish out of many differn't boats. I fished out of Skeeters, Bass Cat, Ranger, Triton, Stratus, and Nitro. Out of those I fished Rangers and Bass Cats were the best rough water rides. Triton was the worst. Just my opinion from my own experience. One big factor is how the boat is driven as well.

I think that is a 6 year program. I hopefully will only go 5, Fisheries Science with a minor in BA (Beer Appreciation)

Sounds like a great trip. Some advice... USE these guys on the board to help you out. SML is a well known lake and I know for a fact its the home lake to a few guys on the forum. 5basslimit is a good stick on that lake. I would start with him, I am sure he would be more then glad to help. When I was down there it was cold and sleeting and I still had a blast. If I remember correctly that lake has two main rivers Roanoke and the Blackwater. If I remember correct the Roanoke section is clear and the Blackwater has color. Both sections I hear are great. When I was there we stuck to the Roanoke, because we didn't want to run too far in the cold/sleet and deal with cold/colored water. We were there 4 days and fished only one creek (Indian Creek I think). That lake is chock full of brush piles too. When I was there we were using sonar/cameras and some good brush piles around docks.

Anytime you want to come up to Penn State I have a place for you to stay. Maybe you can go to chumly's while I go to the straight bars.

not really sure where I was heading with this. You were drinking away your depression. I would want to get hammered if I only weighed-in 6 pounds of smallies on Champlain too. low blow :-[

not really sure where I was heading with this.

(RW) I have had way yyyy to many. Good to be back at school

If you want to fast track learning you can really load up on tournaments you fish as a non boater. Last year I fished with a club as a rider, the BFL, and college tournaments. You can also be a rider with the BASS wkd series, and ABA. I also just noticed your from Texas so you may have different circuits. Talk to some guys on the forum who are from Texas. I have only done serious fishing for 2 years. I did it as a rider for all but one tournament.

Canada (Ontario) PA MD NJ NY IN IL CT VA

You can be more accurate with baitcasters, take more casts in the same amount of time then a spinning combo, better drag system, and can handle the slop better then a spinning combo. IMO

Your wife is cruel

It was a good time and an adventure to say the least. I am glad he forgot to post pictures of those two pig hybrids. That storm flat out kicked our butts. I think it was a reminder why I keep my butt out of jersey! I think Bill payed us a visit...

Slack tide is a tough tide, but you can still catch fish. The bite will SLOW, but there are ways to still catch fish. You must fish the right spots and the right way. Yes of course when the current is pulling in or out that is the best time, but to be successful you better be able to get bit throughout the day. Sometimes due to wind you won't get the good current. Never depend on the tide... I see it all the time where the tide will be much later then scheduled.

Wow thats not the tide swing I am used to!

During slack tide I slow down. I fish on the bottom trying to hit them on the head. I use t-rigged beavers, baby paca craws, baby brush hogs. Last tournament I caught all my fish on slack tide using a Shaky head with a junebug trick worm.