dave

I believe it is supposed to be a smaller diameter and have less stretch.

3/8 oz. golden shiner, tandam blades

This thread has been informative and entertaining! ;D

I think that it was Al Linder who said that when the crappie are biting, he could out fish anyone using live minnows by using a white grub of some sort.

Used 12# all season on a baitcaster and loved it.

Cart, Fritts "designed" the Bass Pro crankbait reel with the slop in the handle on purpose like the old Lew's reels. He said he thought the play in the handle helped when crankbait fishing. When a fish hit, the fisherman wasn't able to set so fast and hook up better.

I have seen these new reels and they do look nice. I've fished with Curados through three different model changes in the last 10 years or so. What scares me about ABU is that they come out with a new model every year or so. The reels never seem to catch on. I never hear anything good about the multitude of models. I did use the old 5500's years ago. I would like to try the new Revos. Did ABU get it right this time?

I'm with Chris. Buy a scale. Even a cheap one removes any guesstimates.

Perfect. Thanks

ReelMech, I had a tip top come off and have tried to glue it back on a couple of times. It doesn't seem to want to stay on permanently. What type of glue should I use to get it to stay for good?

Having been an athlete in my younger days (possibly like some of you) I am going to vote that even the pros are not athletes. Does good physical conditioning enhance your abilities? Yes, as it does with most activities in life. Professional golfers have to walk the course over four days and still preform. Does that make golfers athletes? I don't golf but, will again say no. I think that the sports of bass fishing and golf require SKILLS. The better your SKILLS, the farther you go.

I agree with Paparock. That black band that you wear just below the elbow to take pressure off of that tendon can be like magic. But, strained is one thing torn is another. I had tendinitis once in my elbow and the band helps. Went out one day at work to dig some sign posts with a post hole digger. It must be the muscles and tendons that are used when using this tool because my pain was gone that day and has never returned.

I don't know what kind of fish he was but, that Incredible Mr. Limpet could see just like us, as long as he was wearing his glasses. ;D

In regards tossing back dinks like garbage, Guy Eaker told us in a seminar at Bassarama that they do that on purpose. They believe that by tossing them, it startles thems into almost forgetting that they just got caught. When you ease them into the water after a fight, they are still stunned from the fight. With the sudden toss and landing back in the water, they quickly swim away, from what they can tell, are less affected by being caught.

I met Ike the January after his Classic win. He was sitting behind a small desk at the Bass Fishing Expo in Timonium, Maryland selling his tapes and signing (there was hardly anyone in line, actually no one) autograghed cards. I would have thought that the Classic winner would have had some representation with him. It was just him and his mom. I actually felt kind of bad for him. As the show was ending, he was walking around the floor looking for people to talk to. Ike is not the age of some of us. If you think his stature is small on camera, those who have met him will tell you that he is very slight and unassuming. We talked for a little while and he actually wanted to see the rod and other things that I had bought. He is young and still feeling out his new found fame. Give him some slack for awhile and lets see where he goes with it. As others have said, he is a bass fisherman (judging by his B.A.S.S. and FLW career stats) second to very few. He'll figure himself out.

I am fortunate enough to be able to go to both the Bass Expo in Timonium, MD. and to Bassarama in Richmond. Although the Timonium show is getting smaller, it is still better vendor wise that Bassarama. I usually go on Friday but, this year had to go Saturday and was expecting terrible crowds. The show is overall pretty disappointing. This was my 4th year and it was the worst yet. I did like the seminars. I have heard Ken Penrods seminars so many times I could probably do them, jokes and all. But I still sit through them every year. I did enjoy Guy Eaker. I have never seen anyone cast like him.

Small pond. Overcast and rainy in July. Great day, caught some really nice fish. Just kind of casting a spinnerbait, leaning back in my seat relaxing. Heard a crack, dropped my rod in the floor and did a perfect back flip just like a scuba diver does. I was back in the boat just a fast as I went in the water. Good side of the story beside not being hurt, no one saw it. Bad side, $150 brand new Nextel on my belt. I will never have my phone on my person again while fishing. When my phone dried months later, it still works. But it cost me $150 then because it was a company phone.

I here ya Road Warrior, My buddy and I sometimes think that we won't need to bring beer. We're always wrong.