BassChaser57

I like to try to outsmart a critter with a brain the size of a marble. 8-) To figure out where they are and how to sort out the details of the daily pattern is what I love. Even when I lose.

I LOVE BassResource.com. This is such a great place to discuss our passion for Bass fishing, then get into some very thought provoking economics discussions. When can we talk about girls? 8-)

Thanks for the link RW. It was read carefully and I mostly agree with the article. No doubt the U.S. agriculture industry is in great shape. John Deere and Catterpillar are doing well. Boeing is also way behind in building jets and I totally agree the ports are in full swing. There are bright spots and we still have a fantasitc country, we just have a few warts starting to show. I see firsthand the trade imbalance with VERY light loads from the U.S. westbound to Asia for all cargo air carriers and full to the last Kilo Eastbound. The biggest chess play for all U.S. cargo airlines is to figure out how to get airplanes to Asia and getting someone else to pay $10,000 per hour for the fuel. For the last 6 years it has been the U.S. Military chartering the jets to Kuwait and then they pay 75% to reposition. We keep going eastbound across India and into China, Korea, or Japan for the "backhaul." I also see seaports in Shanghi and Hong Kong with every outgoing ship loaded to the max with inbound ships riding high like a cork. From the air I see ships inbound to the U.S. fully loaded riding low and the westbound very high in the water. This of course is not a scientific research method but it what I have dealt with for many years. It seems like a one way trip out of the U.S. for our dollars. 8-)

You are right RW but I am going to order them as that will give me some cheap lures to loan to my partner while fishing or I can give them to my son to help fill his tackle box. You have to admit, it is a good deal. 8-)

So many things come to mind on this matter. 1. The international news have been on a daily basis calling the U.S. Economy in recession for over 6 months. 2. How can we send $3 per gallon of gas to the Middle East and our consumable dollars to China and hope to keep America financially strong. 3. Our country was made strong on innovation and the industrial revolution. Now about all we have left are service industries and financial institutions. We do not make anything anymore. If I mow your lawn for dollars and you wash my car for dollars, have we made any money--of course not, that my friend is our service economy. 4. The housing and auto industries are only two entire industries that are tanking with all the trickle down effects. 5. Unemployment in on the rise. 6. Our education system is broken with over 40% of our kids never finishing high school which limits future potential. 7. Military spending and government entitlement programs (before the war) were almost 90% of the Federal Budget. 8. The stock market and the international dollar exchange rates are falling to the floor faster than a prom dress. 9.. Our economy is just starting to show the pains of personal and government overspending, over leveraging, over population, under education, and lack of industry. The economy will have to get much weaker, no way around it. There are no economic indicators that indicate a strong growing economy in the near future. This is a sad but true situation we face. I am glad I am not "King" as it has become so out of control I am not sure how to get the country back on track short of finding an alternative fuel souce.

We want details--all the details. 8-)

"Admittedly, I do not have the great tournament wins nor the extensive background some others have" I would leave out any statement that could be construed as a negative. Let the potential sponsors decide the validity of your fishing experience. You obviously have a passion for life and have proven your desire to make the world around you a better place. Your being comfortable with people and public speaking rings loud and clear which is a huge personal attribute. It is my opinion that sponsors are looking for someone who will represent their company with integrity and gain public resect for the goals of the sponsor. Another way to say it is that if people believe and trust you then they will try the product because they trust and respect you. There are a few fantastic anglers that I would have no desire in buying anything they were promoting as I do not think they are genuine. You should have sponsors courting you sooner rather than later with a resume like that. Keep up the good work and keep us posted. P.S. Look at RW as an example, he has never won the Classic (to my knowledge)but he probably has been responsible for more Fat Ika's sales than any other person all because he is highly respected and trusted.

Now that is about as good of a comeback as I have heard. That really put a smile on the ole mug this morning. I vote for Avid to go to help break the writers strike. 8-)

Come on guys lets face it--most child problems are really bad parenting problems.

Don't let some tough love get you down and keep your dream alive. You must practice, participate, promote, and proof read. Practice your fishing skills and take lots of photos. Participate in activities to get to know people and help yourself get noticed. Promote yourself as you go with an album of achievments. Of course what you write shows who you are so be careful with your writing, your speech, and your portfolio. This sounds like alot but stay on track and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up your dreams. Good Luck!!!

I will let you know when I get a day in Seoul and hopefully we can go jerk some lips toghther. Keep up the good work. 8-)

I use Bozookas but the way to keep rods safe is to use rod sleeves and turn half of your rods in each direction with the handles protruding about 6" from the tips then rubberband all the rods together so all the rod tips are protected by the handles. This has worked for me for years with no damage. I believe there will be no trouble with making your own PVC rod tubes as long as there is a screw on cap so they can be inspected by security. Have a great trip. 8-)

Tom will put you on fish if you can cast where he tells you. I have seen other Lake Fork Guides that had to cast for the clients as they could not hit the sweet spot. I have even seen them hook the fish and give the client the rod to reel it in. I am sure this is not the case with you but I always practice alot before heading to Fork. Good Luck

I can touch my nose with my tounge. Where does that fit in this highly unusual conversation.

+1 Or, substitute a Rapala Husky Jerk in the Blue & Silver (J10 or J12) just to try a different brand. 8-) My favorite is the Rapala X-Rap in the #10 size. The glass ghost has worked the best for me but have never caught a fish on the Lucky Craft Sammy. I will keep trying and let you know when I get the 10 pounder in the boat. 8-)

We are all envious that you have a fish in your hands and we all have a keyboard in ours. Congratulations on a great outing. 8-)

Always start with a silver with blue or black back for sunny days, gold with dark back for cloudy days, chartruse sides for stained water and of course you can never go wrong with the clown as it is an in between for many situations. The suspending rogue is a great bait and with the correct presentation it is one of the better, tried and trusted baits with water temp under 65degrees. Of course jigs, and plastics are also good cool water baits.

I call Lake Fork "Lake Lottery" as it is a bit like playing the lottery. You may not get anything for awhile but you can surely hit it big at any moment. I have seen lake Fork very stingy with it's fish but have also seen days on the lake I will always remember. Congrats on a great day.

I have used worms, slug-O's, wacky worms, creature baits, along with other long and slinky baits and have become very comfortable with them but have noticed I have not been using jigs or tubes much at all any more. I want to become a better jig/tube fisherman. When do you use long and slinky vs. short and stubby?

Why is an American Car Manufacturer recommending British Petroleum?

This story is not for the faint of heart. A good friend of mine was walking on the tounge of the trailer, got on his boat, then when he tried to step off the boat onto the upright that holds the winch, he slipped and impailed the winch pipe into his "man parts." He was so stuck with this pipe stuck into him that 911 was called and they had a terrible time removing him from the pipe to get him to the hospital. He ws really messed up and fianally found a Doctor in L.A. that would even try to make his parts functional again. It took several years to get all the work done but he claims all parts work normally. It makes me hurt just to tell the story. He was a pilot and I flew with him several years and he recently retired.

If you watch International (foreign) news programs you will hear the anchors talk about the U.S. recession and it could possibly infect Europe. There is no doubt a recession is unavoidable with sub-prime loans, $100/barrel for oil, the import/export imbalance, the loss of manufacturing, turning into a service economy, if you want to hear more let me know. 8-)

Why is it that I will get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt while in my car but I can ride a motorcycle without seatbelt or helmet in most states? When you drink cherry koolaid, where does the red go? When you unplug something fom an electric cord, why does the electric not run out like when you unscrew something from a garden hose?

We anglers are always looking for a miracle lure when it is location, technique and presentation. If KVD and I were in a boat he would kick my butt with any lure so most times it is NOT the lure.

It is not bad to be a redneck. Larry The Cable Guy made over 20million last year--Git-Er-Done!!