bigbaitfisher

"hanging out by the beach" needs to be removed. Is this something you are e-mailing to prospective sponsors? If so, I don't like it. If you are mailing or handing them a hard copy, AWESOME. Through e-mail you may lose some of the formatting or pictures and the resume will look like garbage. I also think your "mission statement" needs to be changed. I'm not sure what I don't like about it but there's something that makes it seem....needy? WHAT are you after? Not how are you going to do it. I've tried writing a sample but it just doesn't work. Maybe someone else will chime in? I like it better then your other one. On the other one, the entire "EXPERIENCE" section is un-needed. As a potential sponsor, I LOVE seeing people on the boards and providing their user names. It lets me read their posts and tells me A LOT ABOUT THEM. If you have ANYTHING questionable or "unprofessional" on any of the boards, I would take that section out. TRUST ME, potential sponsors will absolutely search. Don't make it any easier for them to find dirt on you on the internet boards. (I am using this as an example, from the posts of yours that I have read, you look fine but I have not dug around).

Tommy, Please post your updated resume. It's a big improvement but I'm hoping everyone here can help further refine it for you. I had Tommy send me his updated resume at my request. In my eyes, it isn't as professional as it should be and spends a lot of time on the fishing aspect. It's a good start but it needs more.

No way on the red hooks, at least for me. I hate 'em and think they're ugly. It's highly personal preference with that and for me, not a selling point. I'd have to think a little more about it because that red hook, IMO, NEEDS to be changed out to a black. I would keep it simple with black nickle hooks all around. Definitely owner ST-41's 2/0. Think about a rear dressed treble.

I read about 3 sentences, realized how long the rest was, and stopped. That's honestly about how long you have to impress someone, too. No one wants to read 2+ pages. Make it a resume style, keep it brief. It should fit onto one page.

The maroon North Face gear just calls those stripers in!!! We are not running wire. Personally, I feel it's outdated technology. I do have it on two rods on my boat (I am a mate during the summer) but it's such a PITA. One little kink and it's ruined. I have found braided line to be a much better alternative. It is thinner then mono and therefore less water resistance. You need less weight vs. mono and slightly more vs wire. It also lasts much longer then mono. Thanks for the compliments everyone! As big as they are....they were still catching bigger! A friend of ours had a 63 pound MONSTER a mile south of us. I'm still happy with my big girl!

Actually, it's fairly common. Why would I as a company want to support and promote YOU as an angler if you can not invest in me and my product line? It seems like MOST of the companies that do this (make you buy a tackle pack up front) seem to take good care of you after that.

I've caught a few in my day ;D http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1229834639 The above were all caught slow trolling this december. We also cast for them in the spring/summer using baits imitating shad/baitfish. Jigheads and flukes, spoons, swimbaits/swim shad, zara spooks, poppers, rattle traps, etc. are all popular baits here. White/Red seems popular for TOPWATER striper lures. We have A TON more success on white or chartreuse. Depending on which camp you sit in... -If it aint white, it aint right -If it aint chartreuse, it aint no use.

I tuna fish in the summer, and do a tournament or two. Two years ago we won 3rd place out of 169 boats and took home a little over 11k. Entry fees were about 2500 (with gas for the boat, too). Not too bad. We have a grading device for Tuna. The japanese are not interested in a fish that is graded under an 8. I have never seen a tuna above a 6. It's a weird scale and I'm not sure how it works, but even a 6 is really good tuna. The insane prices they are paying is for absolutely amazing 10+ tuna that is very fatty, very healthy, and FREE OF HEAVY METAL. I know a guy who, while shark fishing, landed a 800+ pound Bluefin tuna. Upon returning to the docks with it, DNR did some testing on it. It was the HIGHEST EVER mercury levels EVER found in a fish and DNR argued that because of this, the fish could not be sold on the market. It was argued so long with the fish sitting on the dock that the fish went bad.......

Easiest place to meet will be right in front of the fish tank on the first floor, right as you walk into the MAIN entrance. It will give something for the "early birds" to look at while all the slow folks get there. I'll mark it on my calendars and try to make it, but not sure of my schedule that far in advance.

Spent Thursday on the Chesapeake Bay with a few close friends of mine. The big rockfish are in and I know several guys who have caught some 60+ pound monsters further south from us. Launched at 8am, made a short run to an area and set all 13 lines. Trolling tandem rigs in 4/6 ounces and umbrella rigs. I also launched a downrigger running the Reaction Strike Shad Clone. It's a 10 inch bait that mimics these shad down to the eyeballs. I set the downrigger at 35 feet (trolling over 60-80 F.O.W.) and we all sat back. Around 1015AM, the downrigger rod went off, in a big way. I grab the rod and feel nothing but monster head shakes and knew it was a beast. I called for lines to be cleared, and she took off screaming the drag on my Tekota 700. After a 15 minute fight, I landed this beauty. 47 inches long, 32 inch girth, weighting in at just over 44 pounds. Proceeded to catch another 20 rockfish, average size about 35 inches. Had 5 fish over 40 inches, and 4 came on the Shad Clone. We all kept our over, and caught two unders. The slot is 28 inches, and it's hard to catch them that small this time of year! It was a blast, and the Shad Clone held up through all of it. If anyone is looking for a big shad bait, full profile and all, then take a peak at this bait. It's a monster, but if you're after the big girls, you won't be scared!

After the super bowl works great for me! Any time, really.

I live about 20 minutes outside of Baltimore, where the show is filmed, and know a guy who's house is very often used in the filming. Yes, people actually, sadly, talk like that...and in public too. In fact, some of what you see on The Wire is "mundane" and can be heard in the Baltimore County Public School Systems without anyone flinching.

That's a country song by Clay Walker, called the Chain of Love. Great story, great song.

IMO, that's a huge mistake. For those that need to feed a family, may I suggest a 2nd job? There's no reason to destroy a fishery by taking undersized and illegal fish home. Plus the fines associated with keeping small fish makes it completely not worth it. I don't care if it's my own mother, I'm calling DNR. There are some guys who I will go up to and speak with, if we are talking throughout the night, and say stuff like "hey, that fish looks a little short bub, might want to measure it in case DNR swings by". If it's 17 3/4 I'm not calling, as measuring devices (even golden rules) can be off by 1/4 inch. If it's short and they don't release, I'm going to the bathroom and making a phone call. My friend's girlsfriend absolutely hates me for it, saying stuff like "I wouldn't want to pay $500 in fines!' Great, don't keep small fish and there won't be a problem. Play by the rules and we'll all get a long. Sorry for the rant....it's a touchy subject.

Maryland DNR Hotline is 1-800-635-6124 It's on speed dial on my phone because I DON'T TAKE CRAP. I call WHENEVER I see ANYTHING going on wrong. I am KNOWN FOR calling DNR at places like Kent Narrows and that place will clear out when I arrive. It's actually not a bad reputation. This year alone I have probably called 15 times, and DNR responds everytime. And they thank me everytime, too. Without citizens calling these crimes in, it will continue to happen and will continue to destroy the fishery. The biggest thing is keeping short rockfish. I mate aboard several boats and can eye an 18" rockfish pretty accurately. I still measure EVERYTHING because I'd rather not eat then deal with a $500 fine. I'm not going to question anyone with a fish that might not be 18 by a 1/2 inch. But I've seen guys keep 14" rockfish and that's not tolerable by any means. Don't be afraid to call them. Be nice about it. But if they don't show up that time...start demanding that an officer comes out.

I know a guy who makes them just like that, and hooks me up with them. Melting the ends is the way to do it, so they are triangular-ish (??) and stick in the tube. If you weren't in western MD, I'd swear that you're him! But he's in gaithersburgh. I use rattles. It's such a subtle "clicking" sound that I personally don't feel it adds a whole lot. I ALWAYS add a rattle when I'm not getting bit. Sometimes it's just the little things that produce bites.

Eddie, Recent "transplant" of sorts, as I am finishing up school at York College of PA. Havn't fished much since I've been up here (first semester) but love fishing the Susquehanna out of Duncannon. Have fished Redman a few times with no luck what so ever. Willing to travel to be a fishin' buddy for anyone in the winter/spring!

I have a 50 some acre pond/lake in the area that has a potential state record swimming in it (current is 11 pounds 2 ounces). I have hooked a 10+ pound largemouth twice in there and am very confident that come this spring, I will have the new State Record.

Google is the absolute way to go. I text them daily for weather, directions, definitions, ect. It's easy. You're sending the message to GOOGLE 466453 For Weather, type W (city and state, or zipcode) and send Find Pizza places by typing "Pizza, (city and state or zip) It's a completely free service, there is NO CHARGE from google, only from your service provider (standard rate).

I have DNR on speed dial and have NO TROUBLE calling them WHENEVER I see an infraction. Recently called on a group of individuals who were keeping undersized rockfish (stripers/striped bass) and DNR was there within 5 minutes, handing out a $500 dollar fine. The penalties here in MD are stiff, as they should be. I would be calling your DNR agent every time you see this. EVERY time. Demand that an agent comes out to your location. Eventually, they'll just move on to another pond unfortunately, but hopefully they will catch the drift soon enough.

Check the hunting department for predatory game scents. Even if you just drag it around the parameter, and place it on a drip stick, it may be enough to keep them away. I have two cats, and they can not stand black pepper. I've placed it around all of my fishing stuff as a deterrent and it works in keeping them out of the area. Something about the smell. You could also see if you could borrow a very large dog for the week and walk him around on a leash, allowing him to chase and scare the cats. I wouldn't bring a gun into any of the situation, even if it was a simple air gun at 100 FPS. It will frighten the neighbors and cause a lot more trouble then its worth. And if that doesn't work, place milk on the neighbors a few houses down steps every night. At least the cats will be over there now ;D Sorry.

I have done all inclusive vacations the past 2 summers and I love them. All have been in the Caribbean, but hasn't been "couples only" or "no kids". 2 years ago we did the Dominican Republic. There were 4 or 5 hotels on the resort (I believe one was "no kids") and 10-12 resturaunts, a golf course, plenty of pools and beach space, all you can eat buffet open from 7am to 10 or 11pm with plenty of variety and local food. There was no real need to leave the resort. HOWEVER, where we were...Spanish was the predominant language by both workers and guests. I know enough to struggle to get by, but because of that I don't think I'll be going back there. Pluses: Open bars (8 of them) no limit to meals, very friendly staff, beautiful location Cons: Rooms were "out of date" with electric problems, AC problems, older TVs. Was at times very crowded. Last summer we went to the Bahamas. Nassau. The hotel was just trying out the all inclusive packages and it was very nice. The rooms were recently updated. Scenery was awesome and everyone spoke English very well. When the menu says "Fresh Fish" it means that it was caught THAT morning. Pros: 5 very nice restaurants to choose from. Beautiful rooms. Open bars (3 of them) 3 beautiful pools. Smaller resort then DR. Bahamas seems more "stable" then DR, we would leave the resort area to explore. Cons: Some restaurants still required a reservation. Hotel was being renovated, occasional construction noise. Kids are on site but have never been a problem. Both places had artificial reefs with tons and tons of aquatic life. Spectacular. We have found some AWESOME deals simply by looking. Both trips have been booked through www.cheapCaribbean.com and they have gone the extra mile to make sure we were happy. Not affiliated, just a happy customer.

I've launched a 14' Jon Boat out of there with a 40 hp motor and ran across the river. Not the BRIGHTEST idea, but we caught enough fish that day to make it worthwhile. I will 3rd the recommendation for Penrod's book. It is not for sale at Bass Pro any longer, but can be picked up through Penrod's website or at the seminars he attends. Very valuable information in that, and all of his books.

I just spent my Saturday Afternoon wading the Susquehanna River from Columbia River Park. It seems like a very nice park and there were a lot of boat trailers in the parking lot. I stayed near the ramp but managed 5 smallies, the two biggest being 14 and 16" on texas rigged senkos. Just wondering if anyone fishes the area from shore, where you go, and how you fish it. I am new to the area and while I can figure the river out pretty easily, any advice would be great, even if it's as simple as "go upstream from the river!" or "Try fishing at this park instead, more shoreline to wade".

I've had WEEK LONG periods on the susquehanna river averaging 100+ fish a day, with many being over 3 pounds. Had one day with 75 fish between 3 of us and the smallest fish was 2.5 pounds, up to 5 pounds 2 ounces. Biggest day, which included A LOT of dinks, was 142 smallies between 3 of us. Have also had days on the river where over 200 smallies were caught between 6 youth anglers.