SirSnookalot

Everything works some of the time and nothing works all the time.

Some fish are attracted to lights, at least some of my target species are. I only use a light to tie a knot or remove a hook, I hang a small flashlight on lanyard from neck. A light is ok if you are alone, but I see so many "bait fishermen", with lights on piers or headlamps and they don't turn them off, it blinds everyone else. The only thing I dislike more than a bait fisherman is a bait fisherman with a cast net. A topic a few days ago about leaving a messes while fishing, that's the bait fisherman's MO. Bait containers, live bait caught and left to rot on shore or a pier, garbage as they are " camping out", the list goes on of crap they leave behind. Those are the peeps fishing for croakers, mangroves, sand perch all the other puny fish. I do a know a number of people that net their bait elsewhere, fish in total darkness and fish for species like permit....................these guys are some really excellent fisherman and don't leave a mess. Sorry for the rant.

^^ excellent explanation, but this is the difference in comparing a "household" budget to that of the government. Your Aunt is responsible to no one, the government is responsible to 300 million people to provide services, such as a military and many other programs we depend on and need. . When your Aunt dies all she 's done is left debt that no one is responsible for, the government hopefully will live forever. Your Aunt lived like a millionaire, a good portion of the population lives on poverty. If your Aunt needs a pay raise the amount is very limited, the govern can print money and raise taxes to create income. Government can change the tax code for additional revenue and help stimulate job growth. May not approve but government can bailout, for example Chrysler in 1979 and the latest to Chrysler and GM, both of whom are well on the road to recovery ( GM has taken back the title of #1 auto manufacturer). This is the exact argument that a certain group of congressman have been trying to make, " we know how to manage a household, the same rules apply to managing the government"........it don't work that way, not when your dealing with international finance. Only the U.S. and Denmark even have a debt ceiling, and ours has been raised 78 times since it's *** in ww1. There has never been a debate over the debt ceilings, Reagan raised it 18 times with a total time of 10 minutes spent on the entire 18. The debt ceiling is only for money already spent, has really nothing to do with future expenditures. I think South Fla did a masterful job of explanation.

I think Root Beer is right on. When a country like China can import their goods into the U.S. about a 2% tariff and in turn our exports are charged 25%, trade practices that must be changed. The tax code favors off shore manufacturing and the banking industry can make more money investing overseas than here, The economy is only global because it's cheaper to do things offshore, we must make the economy revolve around our own people. Boeing is selling airplanes in China, the stipulation is that some of the parts be manufactured in china, increasing year by year. The Chinese goal, in time will learn the airplane manufacturing business and be on their own, then compete with Boeing. Modernization of their cities and infrastructure is putting us to shame,,,,,,,,,anyone question where the real brains are? They educate their young, we cut funding. We go for quick short term profits, they go for long term world domination. It's the story of the tortoise and the hare.

For being a science that is not exact because there are so many variables constantly changing I think weather forecasting is pretty good. I don't waste my time with fishing forecasts.

Not about the debt ceiling. I've read that a number of post offices may be closed. People are sending less mail due to email, social networking, text messaging and so on. Not to mention companies want you to go green, not because they are enviromentally aware it's because they want to save the postage. I've seen the spots on TV saying that the Post Office is funded by postage alone, not tax payer dollars, so I'll have to accept that. Technology may good for some parts of business and our personal lives, but it puts people out of work adding to already unemployment problems.

The problem with waiting is we think something always better is coming out. For me I'd be perfectly content with last years model at a better price. Do we not plan on owning a piece of equipment for a number of years working at it's peak?

We have already covered the fact that Warren Buffet pays more in actual dollars, but a lesser percentage rate. In all probability, as I'm not privy to his personal records, Buffet derives income from owning companies and receives for his compensation dividends, interest, profits and losses on sales of companies, much of it taxed at the capital gains rate of 15%, if he gets any kind of salary it probably isn't that much money. Social security on the other hand is not really a tax, it's more of a pension plan, not the best but it's what we have. For an employee it's a real decent deal, 14% rate divided between employer and employee, kinda sounds a little like a 401 with matching contributions, s/e people like me pay the entire 14%. For those of us now collecting SS, it's my friggen money and I want it.

I own 3 supremes, 25-30- 35, excellent value and good reel

I'd prefer to look at voting history and the platform of a 1 st time runner. I see no reason to vote for a first timer if I don't agree with their agenda. 87 new people elected to the House, wonder what many of their voters are thinking of them now?

If line pick up is important it's IPT( inches per turn), not ratio. I'll answer this from my own prospective other people may have a different opinion, I use spinning gear 100% of the time. I pay absolutely zero attention to ratio, my retrieves are always varied, if anything I reel on the slow side and work the lure, senkos barely move. I prefer a drag that has a ratchet feel to it, it clicks, rather than a smooth turning. a 2000 series reel is a good all around bass size, using 8# line drags are set no more than about 3#, a reel with a mega drag is really not needed for bass. When people say weight I think they may mean how it feels on the rod, take your rod with you. The choices are endless, nowadays it's difficult to make a mistake. I own spinning reels from about 6 different companies, really isn't all that much difference, I like them all. Don't get caught up matching bearings, for example a soron has 11 and a stradic is 5 ( I think) both reels are pretty close in smoothness. Good hunting.

I'm in the market for a new spinning reel myself, went to Dick's and the selection was dismal. Have a good idea of what I want, 4000 about 11 oz and and 20# drag. I already own stradic fi, soron 40 and penn conquer, each would fit the bill. I just want to go buy it without having to drive 40 miles to BPS, don't want to buy it online either.

I agree with most of what has been said here, especially both long mike and jignfish. As a retired s/e business man I totally relate to longmike, I'm basically was and is in the same place. As far as the present situation goes I think most will agree it's about jobs. I don't want to start a debate over spending cuts vs raising revenue, just check the history on your own and you'll have the answer. As long as the lobby system is in place a career politician only has his /her self interest in mind, problems will not get solved. IMO ( not that we can do this) any member of congress, their staff, and administration personelle should defer all salaries until this problem is solved. Any books written, speaking engagements and outside income should not be allowed while serving. A member of congress who I will not name has investment interests that favor his/her own interest and not the public as a whole, this is not right.

The solution is easy, to implement is impossible. It's a revenue problem or lack of it. Jobs create more tax revenue, Clinton raised taxes and added 23 million jobs, things were good then, even a surplus. Reagan lowered taxes and unemployment rose from 7 to 10 %, then lowered taxes and put people back to work. Reform the corrupt banking system, level the field on free trade and encourage American companies to manufacture here instead of overseas to create jobs. Congress is really the problem for allowing all this to happen, they are not the solution.

He meant tax rate, not actual amount of money paid. I believe I heard Buffet saying that on CNBC.

Grim...........I personally see little difference in the 2 words, the end result is the same.

That's quite true, the top 400( average 260million a year in income) people in the united states pay on average 16% federal income tax. Most them are paid in stock taxed at the cap gains rate 15% instead of being on salary at 35%. Reform of loop holes may mean we no longer get interest mortgage deductions.

As mentioned above raising the debt ceiling is for money already spent, not future budgets. I won't take a rep or dem but as just about every economist and financial expert I've heard believes raising the limit is critical. If not the first thing affected is our credit rating, making money more expensive to borrow. True you may not get a tax hike but higher interest rates means all loans will cost each individual more out of pocket money, of course in short order stock market probably will fall as well, been a bad week so far. Pick your position on the side of this debate, I won't mention mine, but a fact not many have discussed is cutting spending and what happens. Smaller government means more unemployed federal people collecting unemployment, sure less money the government is laying out, but at what cos, of an already fragile real estate market? Will also will ripple into private sector. I know there are a lot peeps on here who hike, bike or fish in state and federal parks, a cut in programs may put a hamper on that as well. Just some things to think about, I'm taking neither side (on here lol)

Addiction may be a harsh term for fishing but I don't think obsession is. Spending $ on fishing that one can't afford can be as harmful as any addiction, does it make a difference what you spend your money on to leave you broke, the rent is still due. An addiction or obsession that takes you away far too much from your family can be very unhealthy as well. To paraphrase what is said on Francho's signature line,,,,,,,,,,,,,most anything in moderation is ok, being excessive isn't..

If money were that tight I'd probably buy nothing and use what I have on hand, or buy less expensive items to use. I normally use xrap size 10, just happen to find a lure as effective but half the price, so I'm buying fewer xraps now. I use a lot of jig heads 1/4 to 1 oz and trail a white worm off it, I use them for bass, snook and tarpon, BPS markets an identical item called a snook or cobia ball for about 5 bux. Don't for get the bargain bin, can be some good stuff there.

I agree 100% with jayo. I'm not an equipment snob or as some would say enthusiast but I am a fish snob. I would not spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars to go catch small fish when I can buy a moderately priced outfit that will give me the same production. I can't be convinced that spending buku bucks will give me more fun for 2 or 3# fish and get me less tired, if you get tired maybe getting in shape is the answer. However I have dropped some serious coin on equipment for fish that I consider not my everyday run of the mill catch.

About 75% of time 2 hands. Only time I cast for distance is off a pier or sometimes the beach, 2 hands. Rest of the time I'm pitching with 1 hand along side a jetty, sea walls or docks. 1 handed under neath is much less stress on my back.

Nothing but 100% postitive customer service from BPS, Dicks was excellent as well, have never bought anything from Cabelas or Gander.

There really is not a whole lot of difference between a cheap sw reel and a freshwater reel, both imo are not appropriate for long time use in the brine. There are factors to consider other than the just the reel. Inshore or offshore, bait or artificial, target species, rod, and whether we are talking casting or spinning gear. My motto......Never take a knife to a gunfight.

Very very worried, but I do think a "deal" will be made, but we are seeing dome damage already. I do not believe any deal made will be good for the common person. I'm totally livid at what is going on, can't express my feelings and or state facts without being political............so I'm done!