dave

Even at Bass Pro Shops, the reels right at the counter will be missing cast control knobs.

P-A-L-O-M-A-R

;D ;D ;D ;D That doesn't make any sense. Glad to see that I'm not the only one that does it . Just saw my error. All fixed. ;D

I was on the water at 4:45 this morning. Arrived at the starting point at 5:10. First fish at 5:30. 8th fish by 7:30. All nice fish. Started seeing a tournament boat or two by then. By the time there were six or eight tournament boats, the good bite had stopped. It was bright and hot. Everyone had out the spinning gear and small craws on the grass edge trying to coax bites. So, I would rather be fishing when the bite was hot and not in a tournament and trying to scratch out fish. This is not a knock against tournaments or tournament fisherman. It just doesn't seem like they were having any fun.

Every hit this morning on a buzzbait. Explosion = no hook up. I could keep reeling and get a couple of blowups from smaller fish. Buzzbait buzzing along and then gone = better fish.

Is it possible that the brakes on the ABU were in the wrong position to begin with? Out too far and causing your problems. I have Curado 100 and 200 D's. As soon as you mentioned 0 brakes I knew how the story ended without even reading any further.

I catch them often on spinnerbaits on the Potomac River in MD. When they hit, you know it. They slam a spinnerbait hard.

I had alway heard that 6 gauge was preferred for TM. I used less once years ago and it gets hot. Just a thought if it's not too late.

Yesterday afternoon, I received pretty much the same response from my US Representative Steny Hoyer.

I sent mine off the first day of the thread. I received an email today from Barbara Mikulski, US Senator from Maryland. She appreciates my concern and supports our cause. Pretty fast response.

I have an almost 20 year old Castaway rod with the symptoms you are describing. Never had a problem because of it. But, yours is new mine is old.

After the many 10 to 20 page threads that have run here about correct spelling and grammar, these are just two examples of why learning to write and speak correctly matters.

If you can reach the grass (Potomac is full of it) from shore, use buzzbaits and toads. Don't think the striper will be there this time of year.

I'm not sure but, I might have liked that. Very creative at least. Did you see Brad Paisley on the Guitar? Willie and Snoop do share a common interest. (I looked for a stoned smiley but...)

Fishing would last longer.

I believe you are correct on the unsolicited materials. I think it gets tricky when the club you are a member of sends something. I received and kept the books and coins a couple of years ago without paying and didn't get too much guff from BASS. I told them I didn't ask for them and wasn't paying for the return. They told me to keep them as gifts.

Very sensationalized hear in the mid-atlantic a few years ago. We have a guide here that used to poke fun at the media by talking about snakeheads eating everything in the water then, walking out of the rivers and eating children at their school bus stops.

I think I remember Bobby mentioning that the weed guard was being upgraded to a heavier flouro. Maybe you have the older versions? Maybe not.

I still have all 5 speeds just, not anything close to what it was.

I have a friend that is a guide. He has learned to fix things himself to save money over the years. He'll say that something is easy to fix and start rambling off what you have to do. I usually zone out about the 3rd or 4th step. I think I could do it. It be nice to find a schematic to see what I'm getting into.

That is one of the things I was thinking about. Is that I home maintenance deal or a qualified service guy?

Yes, I had actually taken the prop off to make sure there was nothing wrapped around the shaft. It does seem like there is a possible loss of electrical current but, where and why is the question. This one has come all of a sudden this season. Never any problems until now.

I have an older Minn Kota 555 Turbo. Up until this season, no problems. Now, while I do still have all 5 speeds, I need to have it on 5 to really have any power. I thought it was the battery at first so, I tried another battery. No real difference. Any ideas?

I bought a 1986 Glasssteam for $800. Motor ran great when started. But, when I got out on the water, it would only putt around. It would not open up. The carbs were gunked up enough to allow it to idle but, that was all. Never knew it until I had it on the water.

MD, in the Washington DC metro suburbs.