CWB

Well, today's high quality hooks are chemically sharpened. Using a file or stone may destroy the physical integrity of the hook point. Gamakatsu, X-Point and Owner are incredibly sharp right out of the package and do NOT need any modification. 8-) I have to respectfully disagree on this one. Although you are probably 95% correct, you still get dull hooks from time to time. I just bought a pack of X-Points and 2 out of the 5 were dull. I sharpened them and they were as good or better than new. I have had similar minor problems with all hook manufacturers. I just sharpen them without a second thought. Not a knock on any manufacturer, just a fact. Always check before tying on. I cannot comment on the integrity, but I would rather be sure the hook I tie on is sharp, rather than take a chance tying on a dull one. I'm form the old school days where you had to sharpen every hook. Even with the strictest Quality Control, you cannot control what happens to the product when it leaves your hand. I work in Manufacturing and cannot tell you how many items have been rejected by the customer (Aerospace and Military) due to damage resulting from improper handling by the carrier. Better safe than sorry type of thing for me.

Mike- Just getting ready to do a little perch fishing and checked ebay. The shirt isn't listed yet. I've got 50 cents burning a whole in my pocket. Wait, maybe that's from someone throwing out a cigarette butt.

Happy birthday you old fart! 15 more years and you can retire. ;D

X2 on the Eeliminator!

Sounds like you enjoy ruining every hook you buy. I wouldn't go that far. I check my hooks also and if they need sharpening, which inevitably some do, I sharpen them. Better than tying on a dull hook. Even the best quality hooks can have their points dulled during processing, packing, and or shipping. Better safe than sorry.

You went there for the great food right? How do I get a shirt like Mikes? I'm jealous!

P.M. sent.

If everyone followed Kent's lead, the world would be a much better place. Some of us already do. As a lakefront property owner, I can tell you cigarette buts are the single most unnatural thing I have to pick up off my beach. Cut up weeds are the worst but that is unavoidable. Cigarette butts are not bio-degradeable. Neither are aluminum cans, plastic bottles and cups, all of which I have cleaned up. Littering = laziness. Koopa put it well. You are never going to stop everyone but educating as many people as possible is a start. There are some ramps in my area where they actually look in your cooler and make sure come back in with what you went out with. These are private ramps though. P.S. Mike- I hope you're kidding.

That sandwich, (if that's what you call it), that Jimzee is gnawing on looks bigger than any of the fish! ;D

Sorry- The pasties fell off. Looking at the pics is pretty good incentive to hit the weights. Hard! Gotta heal the back first.

Okay I'll just make fun of the Buddha then. You'll have to get in line Grasshopper. Wait, that was Kung Fu.

I knew that one was coming. What took you guys so long? ;D Too many 12oz curls. Actually there have been a few times when I have had a fish wrap me around a dock post or a post a boat is tied to and had to go under the dock or pontoon boat and go and get it. Wading is always an adventure. I've even jumped out of the boat and done this. 12lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid is some pretty tough line!

Where do you live? I'm going to start making some calls. Can you buy me some Rage Shads and ship them to me?

X2 I'm usually there at least once, maybe twice a month. When I do order, never a problem. I always ask them that if an item is out of stock to let me know ahead of time and they always comply. Communication can't hurt. Also, I use their live assistance and that works great. Maybe you are on their list!

Love the CrawDudes! The Molopo scent rocks.

On a budget, I'd get a pack of Rage Shads and a Pack of Bass Magic Swimbaits with weighted 5/0 Gammy Superline hooks. Last time I was at my local Dick's, the Bass Magic were $3.99 for 6 of the 4.5" Bought 3 bags. Check Wally World. If they have the Rage baits I think they are $4.99 per pack. You won't find a better topwater bait than the Rage Shad. You can burn it in like a buzzbait but with no hangups, slow it down and wake it, and even let it sink down into holes in grass, pads etc. I've even heard some guys weight it down and use it as a swimbait.

Hey-Lay off dude! They finally won a game last night.

Good story. I had one break me off a few years back and for the next ten minutes or so It was jumping around like it was on crack. Then the jumping stopped. Lo and behold there, floating about 10 yards away, was my frog. Go figure.

I guess we'll see you in the next life then. The Cap is a Niles West high school baseball cap, not Nebraska. My son is the Varsity catcher. I only wore the B.A.S.S. cap because the other one was soaked with sweat.

Almost looks bigger than he is!

MinnKota foot controlled. I fish very heavy weeds and a Motorguide is not worth the packaging it comes in for this. I bought a Motorguide from BPS to replace my 15 year old dead Minnkota as it was on sale and mounted it in the boat and trolled into the weeds I normally plow through with the MinnKota and didn't get 2 feet. I instantly removed it and before throwing it into the lake, returned it to BPS and exchanged it for a MinnKota. Fell or it again as I bought a BPS Prowler which is a Motorguide with BPS logo on the cover and same problem. Called BPS and they recommended the "NEW" Hydrilla Hacker prop which I bought for $45.00 and it was actually worse than the 3 blade prop the motor came with. Needless to say, returned both for MinnKota Endura and got lucky-they were on sale with a rebate. MinnKota foot control all the way and not the electric steering ones. Too slow response and hard to steer in rough conditions. Plus steering has to draw power from the battery(s) I suppose if you fish open water Motorguide is O.K. but I just feel they are not as sturdy and well made. I think MinnKota outsells Motorguide by 2:1. Check other forums and you will learn which is preferred by those of us that have to buy our own. JMHO

Check this out. http://www.toughboats.com/video.cfm?fullscreen=1&filename=Toughboats_BubbaCRevLegal Couldn't resist once I saw it.

Yeah, can't help myself. Anyway, you, Uncle Leo, Triton 21 Koopa, and even Big-O if he gets up this way have an open invitation. Heck, I'll even take that Mook Muddy out if he ever gets out this way! Must be a weekday though to avoid boat traffic. Need at least an hour notice. Hey Mods- Interested? If anyone is in the Chicago area and is looking for someone to spend a day on the water with, reply or shoot me a P.M. Weekday only unless you can waterski. After about 9:30 A.M. you'll feel like a bobber on the ocean on these small lakes. Was actually going to film a froggin' segment for Midwest Outdoors some years ago with Walt but both planned days were rained/thunderstormed out. :-[

If you like these, wait for the Rage Hawgs coming out soon.

Beats work any day!