A-Jay

Something changed - I'd find out what it was and then decided. Good Luck A-Jay

Whatever you do - do not try this ~ I'm just saying A-Jay

Nice Fish ~ Congrats A-Jay

This isn't good. A-Jay

Yep, I decided in 1977 to start lifting weights and doing cardio every other day. I've kept with it and definitely can see and feel the difference. I have sufficient strength, stamina and confidence to participate in much of what life has to offer, including fishing. A-Jay

Not so much tonight - Nucks did you guys wrong. A-Jay

X2 ~ Isn't that what everybody does ? A-Jay

I fish smaller bodies of water but I do it from a canoe, so I'm off the water before most. But, my two largest LMB (in this state) came on days that were close to my limits as far as wind goes. So a bit of a blow gets me a little ramped up. A-Jay

All these snacks sound excellent - but don't you think it would all be just that much tastier if ya dipped it in a bottle of JJ's Magic ? A-Jay

So it comes with an Alabama rig then ~ A-Jay

Sounds like you have it figured out - Please Read the next paragraph - * - * - ! ! I lost two very dear friends in two separate fatal crashes when the driver fell as sleep at the wheel drive home to start leave. It only takes a second to nod off. Ensure that you guys watch out for each other during the 20 hr drive back. Make a Plan and stick to it. Know which TWO people will be awake AT ALL TIMES; Not just the driver. It sounds simple but it makes no sense to "just Wing it". My friend's did - and it was the worst and last decision of their lives. Stay Safe A-Jay I

Goodale's Bakery in Grayling ~ A trip up to Northern Michigan is not complete unless ones stops in to secure a dozen Bavarian cream donuts. A-Jay

I agree this is a problem, on many levels. And it starts right in our own homes. Think about your own children and/or the children of your family and friends. We've all done this. We ask a young person "what do you think you'd like to do after high school?" "Oh I'm going to trade school, I'm going to be a welder" Now think about that for a minute and be honest. I believe that todays parents might encourage the youngster to consider "setting your sites higher, you should go to college and get a degree". There may be no right or wrong answer, but that's a reality. When I was growing up and in high school, (1970's) there was an actual Trade School, that students could chose to attend. It was a public school that taught the mandatory courses but also included several trades as part of the daily curriculum. These students graduate, had a high school diploma AND an employable skill right off the bat. They were ready for apprenticeship and often times the local trades man would work with the school to help with job placement. Growing up there were choices, Go to trade school, Go to college, or Join the Service ( becoming a policeman / fireman was included in the service category) This if From Wikipedia, A vocational school (or trade school or career school), providing vocational education, is a school in which students are taught the skills needed to perform a particular job. Traditionally, vocational schools have not existed to further education in the sense of liberal arts, but rather to teach only job-specific skills, and as such have been better considered to be institutions devoted to training, not education. That purely vocational focus began changing in the 1990s A-Jay

Very, Very Nice. Best of Luck with her. Congrats ! A-Jay

Congrats on the PB ~ She's a real beauty too ! A-Jay

I do appreciate the input. And so to put a lid on this one - After seeing the info here and combined with what I could find on other sites, I still went with a Quantum, just kicked it up a notch. Found a very good deal on the Quantum Tour KVD Cranking Classic - TKVDC150PPT. It's in the mail. Thanks again A-Jay

If you say so ~ ? ? ? Is there supposed to be more ? A-Jay

Thanks for the post RW - I tried it a bit late last season with out taking a fish. Your results post here are certainly a confidence booster. I'll be throwing it. A-Jay

Nice job guys ! Hard Not to Smile while holding that kind of weight. A-Jay

Holy Smokes Man ! You're carrying a 9lb average so far ~ You are definitely getting the right bites. A-Jay

I have rigged my last two pick-ups with and A.R.E Cap and a Bedrug bed liner. The liner is Really nice. I wouldn't get the begrug without a cap or a tonneau but the two together are a great way to transport your tackle safely and securely. A-Jay http://www.bedrug.co...ucts/bedrug.php http://www.4are.com/product/walkin/

Thanks Dwight. A-Jay

^^^^^^^^^^ This. A-Jay

Right from the horses mouth ~ A-Jay VanDam: I prefer to use the 7-foot Quantum Tour KVD rod with the 1.5 and the 2.5. This rod gives me a lot of control, and it’s extremely accurate. It’s short enough that if I’m casting up close, I can make a really-accurate cast with it. Yet the rod is long enough that if I want to make a really-long cast, I can, and it has enough power that I can hoist a big bass out of really-thick cover with it. When I’m fishing the 1.5 and the 2.5, I use the Quantum Tour KVD 5.3:1 gear-ratio reel. This reel has a slightly-larger spool than most reels, and it’s not a slow reel or a super-fast reel. This reel gives me really-good control. I’ll use the extra-strong Mustad KVD Elite Series Triple Grip Treble hooks. I put No. 2 hooks on the 1.5. But I’ll use a No. 1 or a No. 1/0 treble hook on the 2.5, because these treble hooks are extra-short shanked, so they don’t get hung-up, and they’re really strong and sharp. Even when you’re grinding gravel or rocks with these ultra-point treble hooks, the hooks don’t get dull. I tie a Palomar knot, because it’s quick and easy and gives me almost 100% strength with the Bass Pro Shops XPS Fluorocarbon line.

WOW ! Those Stripers must have been a BLAST ~ A-Jay