J Francho

A Carolina Rig, for beds? Please, do tell. Be specific. Here's a thoughtful article with an overlooked technique: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html

I bought a trolling motor from Bass Pro Shops three years ago. Shipping was free, since I picked it up in store.

My old OK PBG was around 85 lbs. That about my limit for car topping.

A Popmax is always a great gift, regardless of skill level. I've got five in the box, and the one I opened has accounted for more fish than any other lure the past two years. My 8 yo caught his first fish of the 2016 on it. Poor thing's finish is rubbed raw, but it still catches.

There's some "fishy" ones I like too. Gotta be a certain kind of "fishy" though. Smoke eel is one. Love it in sushi.

And I'm not talking $20 baits. Say you gotta guy that hasn't really gotten into spinnerbaits. Get him a bunch of Stanley Weedless Wedge, Seibert Cosmicsw, or Strike King Premium, not wally world discount bin.

My general rule of thumb is to give someone a gift that they would not buy for themselves. So, I'd go with high end lures.

I think "fishy" compares to "gamey." More like some like a steak, but don't like venison because it's gamey. Some like Haddock, but not catfish because it's "fishy." I personally prefer lighter, lightly flavored fish, like pike, walleye, perch.

I'm sure there is a big difference in manufacture, and consistency, but really the original is a proven producer. So proven, others have attempted to improve upon it.

Totally false. If you are comparing like vehicles with like option packages, they are the same. Occasionally, some things are available that are not in the other. For instance, there was no option for a 6.2 L with a towing package, Z71 suspension, "work truck" for Chevy the year I bought my GMC. It wasn't 15k more. It was the same as an optioned out 5.3 Silverado with leather heated seats, steering wheel, mirrors, etc. luxury model.

Bird eating spiders....I used to import them for the pet industry. Things gave me the creeps. They jump, too.

The toilet? Burn the whole house down!

I'd run one.

Here's a similar story from San Antonio newspaper: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Man-killed-while-fishing-on-border-lake-10781308.php

2016 is a merciless beast.

Actually, I see something I like here: the metal reinforcement on the pinion yolk. I can also appreciate the small, flanged brass bushing in the frame where the main spring for the pinion engagement clutch goes into the reel frame. There's a couple well thought out details here.I imagine that is a necessary add due to the composite frame material.

A little background. The company was started by a few SU graduates. They're betting CS as a strong point.

But he's not re-seating the line. Here's a youtube video showing it all in one action, first few seconds.

You can contact Shimano - it's under warranty. I generally flip the bail manually and set the line in the roller, all at once, so I would never notice this issue.

Go to the Shimano website, click Support > Reel Schematics. Choose your reel. Pick the exact model number from the links listed. Here's the link to the Curado page: http://fish.shimano.com/content/sac-fish/en/home/products/fishing-reels/baitcast/curado.html Here's the link to the 200I pdf: http://fish.shimano.com/media/fishing/shimano/sac/images/schematics/Low_Profile_Baitcasting/Current_Models/Curado_I/14CU200I_v1_m56577569831025907.pdf

The document linked to above shows exactly that. But it was the lead that got 'em. There weren't enough deaths before the ban to draw any meaningful conclusions, but show a bunch of gross pictures to officials, present well prepared speeches about the dangers of lead, and talk about action to save the loons, and everyone's crying and passing laws.

Playing both sides of the coin.... My opinion: the ban is stupid. It doesn't stop anyone from using lead in NY. It doesn't save any extra loons from dying. I would look elsewhere than fisherman to affect some kind of improvement. The only reason we're "it" is because we're an easy target. Try going after some huge corporation. Oh yeah, they have lawyers and money....

Is that the same NYDEC that still insists on a closed bass season for Region 5, whose director doesn't believe there's a significant population of smallmouth bass in Lake Ontario? Yeah, I'll pass. They're highly intertwined in politics (which is no bueno on this site) and while there are many good people working hard for citizens, there some enacting policies that are not based on science.

Is it lead, or is it the mercury? Where is the data that says loons are doing better now that sales of lead in NY has been stopped?

Looks great. Those are really cool little boats.