J Francho

That's the REAL DEAL, lol.

Happy Birthday, Wayne!!!

I like real NY style - Lombardo's has some of the best slices I've had. There's also a small place here run by a couple from Brooklyn and they have the genuine article. Chicago style to me is something totally different than "pizza" - it's really it's own thing. We also have a place here run by a Chicago transplant that makes real Chicago style pizza. A third favorite of mine, and I'm not sure this available in many places is Sicilian style. It's a VERY thick, bready crust with chunky, home style toppings. Get pepperoni on it, and you'll enjoy 1" thick, diagonally sliced pieces of pepperoni, charred to perfection.

Catching is the best practice. Look at this way....you're hooking them. Side pressure, leading their heads, burying the tip in the water - these are all ways to keep a fish from jumping. Some fish will just jump no matter what. Often, smallmouth from deep water will rocket straight up to the boat. A high speed reel helps, but often, I'm just catching up to the fish when it launches. I've taken to "leading them" into the reentry, loading the rod up, and almost swatting them into the water. This way, I've turned their head in the air, not the water, where there is more resistance. From there, it's usually a few figure-8s next to the boat, and into the net. But not all make it to the net....

Falcon would be cool, but a day of "dink dropping" fivers, with a shot at an 8+ would be just as cool.

I'd get down to North Carolina, and meet up with flukey to check on his "pets."

Arkey and brush heads are the most versitile. In the thickest of cover, I prefer the brush head.

No instant AR.

LOL.....

Why not a gatling sling shot gun?

I do a little pinning for chrome....

If a deep-V was a must, I'd be looking long and hard at one of these: http://www.tuffyboats.com/boats.asp?class=9

It's on the international site, but absent from the US site: http://international.sufix.com/products/gravity2 Looks like they added a second strand of Gore to get it to sink.

I hope you don't think you'll be casting the lead core line....

Use whatever you want. It will always be a compromise if you stick with one line, though. That's point of having multiple rigs - not just for technique specific, but to match line for to cover or water conditions. Some guys use nothing but braid, others all copoly. I use several brands and types. Experience has shown me which work work best for what for me.

I think I heard this one before.

Unless I am using light line, I do not grease my carbontex drags.

What "maintenance" would be covered under insurance? None. Insurance is for damage caused by collisions.

Yes, LMAO. Sorry, here's a better description: No, I hold them upside down, with my left hand cradling the dorsal side, fingers toward my body, and the fish's left side facing me. I poke them about three or four scales back from where the pectoral fin lays flat on the body. Then I put them right side up in the well, until they are neutrally buoyant, and pull the needle. When you hold hem upside down, they usually freeze for some reason.

I do them holding them upside down in the live well. Haven't been stuck yet.

You won't find Quantum in the NADA guide.

t's worse when the bill collectors get your name RIGHT!

Absolutely. My buddy had a BUNCH of these when they first came out. They did catch, and the ones that did got mangled and fell apart. Even a Spro BBZ-1 Jr. would be a better investment, though I like the Slammer (or even Mini Slammer) idea better.

LOL, me too.

Except that it cost me about $30 to ship my rod back to Shimano, using the "fallback method." St. Croix allows you to print a shipping label for $10. You know this going in.