senile1

The Powell rods from two or three years ago tended to be slightly tip heavy, though they were great rods. I own a 683CEF, 684CEF, 684CB, and a 703MEF spinning rod and all are from that time period. The 684 CEF is a heavy action rod and is good for jigs. The 683CEF is medium-heavy and I like it for all of my plastics. I use the 703 for pretty much the same functions as Shadcranker suggested in his post above. The 684CB is a crankbait rod.

I second that RW. I remember BassChump made some posts concerning his issues when his equipment was stolen and he was really bummed out. I'm glad things are looking up for you, BassChump and I'm proud of you for fighting through it. When things are down and you keep your mind on your daughters or sons during that time, it gives you perspective and strength. They are the ones you're living for. It sounds like you've got your head in the right place.

It's been a productive year despite the fact that I've been working 70 - 85 hours a week since the middle of June. (I'm getting too old for this s%&t, seriously.) We had a tremendous amount of rain in the Spring and the water tended to be cold and muddy where I was fishing. So my Spring was absolutely awful. But Summer has turned out to be nice. Because of my work hours my trips have been in the shorter 3 - 4 hour range but I have caught larger fish this year. I've caught more 4 - 6 lb fish and broke my PB after many years of being stuck at the same point. The reason for this is I have concentrated on fishing deeper structure more than in the past.

By the time you reach a certain age you can't just pick 6 favorite movies. My favorite movies tend to be movies that require some thought and/or provide a true surprise in the plot, not a twist that one can foresee or guess. Keeping that in mind, here are six that would be among my many favorites. The Game Memento The Others Sixth Sense A Simple Plan The Usual Suspects I really have to mention "Dances With Wolves" on any list of movies that I like.

I do not have a DD to my credit but, as everyone has said, fish where the 10 lb'ers live. Nothing more need be said. I hope you can hook one in your week.

I'd like to see the Cubs break the drought this year and take it all. Beware the "curse of the Billy Goat."

That's an excellent post, Sam.

I would suggest power loading and launching as the quickest method. Disconnect the straps on the back, remove your transom saver, and insert your drain plug. Back your trailer down until the bunks are wet for a good slippery surface. How far down you back your trailer depends on the trailer and boat so you'll have to experiment. Generally my back wheels are pretty close to the water so I have to jump in the back of the pickup and walk out on the tongue to disconnect the winch strap. Then I hop in, power her up, back her off the trailer, and pull up to the floating walkway, etc. and tie her off so I can go park the truck. To load, back your trailer down until enough of the bunks are wet so the boat will slide on without too much throttle. Again, this varies with the type of boat and trailer and experimentation will be required. If you back the trailer down too far the boat will be floating well above the trailer and the bow of the boat may not hit the bunks soon enough which will cause it to shoot too low and go beneath the roller. If you don't back it up far enough your boat may end up a foot or two from the roller. (It doesn't take long to figure all of this out.) So you park your trailer at the right depth, you line up your boat nose with the roller and drive it onto the trailer. Sometimes a little extra punch on the throttle is needed to get the momentum to climb up to the roller. Then climb out on the tongue and make sure the boat is firmly against the roller, connect your winch strap, and pull it up tight. If the boat isn't against the roller you will need to winch it up, or if it is too heavy, you will have to back it off and try again. It's simpler than it sounds. It's a lot of fun learning this at a busy lake when other people are waiting for you to get out of their way. Don't let that stop you though.

I think that was in a recent Bassmaster issue. I believe it suggested that shallow cranks with square lips are a replacement, or are even better, when banging wood in shallow water. There are situations where one could replace the other, but overall they are different baits and I wouldn't be without either of them.

Thanks, avid. That Muddy character needs to pull his head out of the gutter.

LOL!! Funny, Muddy. Fat chance of that occurring. I'm too much of a s$!t disturber. Even if I consistently wore a halo, I wouldn't accept anyway. You gotta' stand by your principles.

It sounds like this guy made a mess of things and then dumped it on the unsuspecting buyer. In other cases, used equipment can go bad through no fault of the seller, and the timing is just bad. I bought myself another boat last winter and in the spring I sold my old boat. I spent the time and money necessary to keep my old boat and engine maintained and running in tip-top condition. I sold it to my step-son's friend. His second time out with the boat, it died on him out on the lake. I felt guilty as hell even though I thought I had done everything I could to make sure the boat was ready to go. I offered to give the guy some money back to pay for repairs but he wouldn't take it. Some things can't be foreseen.

Hello, Cart. 8-)

Speedbead, I apologize for slightly highjacking your thread. Getting back to your original question, it's the 12th of September and a recipient has not been announced. Moderators? Glenn?

Speedbead stated: I don't disagree with you Speedbead. That's why I presented my opinion. *** stated: I stated that there are numerous Elite Members which would indicate that I believe there are many winners on this site. The giving of an award to 12 members a year recognizes only 12 of those winners and, with the growth of this site, I'm saying there are many, many people who deserve recognition that will never get it. That is a fact that one would be hard-pressed to deny. *** stated: I believe there have been five of them (Raul, Sam, Alpster, Catt, and yourself) but that is irrelevant. I didn't like the award when it was announced. I'm just stating an opinion guys. I know numerous people love the award and that doesn't change my opinion of you. Please don't let my statements here change your opinion of me.

Out of approximately 17,300 members you can bet that we have a lot of Elite Members. Many will never be recognized because they don't make their good deeds well-known amongst the membership. In my opinion, that makes them even more deserving because they do not draw attention to themselves. I respect those who have been chosen for this recognition. Good people have been chosen, but you guessed it. I don't like the award. While one good person is recognized many more will go unrecognized. That makes for a lousy award.

Booyah 3/8 ounce chartreuse and white spinnerbait.

I don't mean to bring this back to the top of the threads as it has pretty much ran its course but I wanted to respond to a couple of people. Simp, thanks, for getting my back. I understand the concern of some for laying the fish down. I don't normally let fish touch the bottom of the boat but in this case I layed her down quick for a length picture. The fish was long and if I was making a guess at her weight from looking at the pictures, I wouldn't have guessed over 6 lbs, so I though the length picture would give everyone a better idea of the fish's size. Daniel, I didn't feel that you were bashing me in anyway. We're good. I really appreciated the suggestion.

It's too bad you didn't have a scale. I've been guilty of this many times in the past. Pictures can be deceiving. It's a beautiful fish no matter the size. Congrats!

Awesome fish, Olebiker. Congrats!

my mistake. Come on, Ed, read the title to the thread!

I'm not saying La Russa should win it. I just said don't forget him. And the fact that he does it every year makes him more deserving of the award, not less, in my eyes. However, my choice would be Joe Maddon of the Rays. Piniella has lots of talent in Chicago. I think he has done a good job but others have performed well with a lot less talent. There are quite a few managers who could make history with that team.

Let's not forget what Tony La Russa has done in St Louis this year. They lost all their good pitchers to trades and injury. Pujols was the only known quantity left in the lineup. Everyone expected them to be near the bottom of the division including me. The guy does it every year. I would include him in any list of candidates.

Yes, Powell may manufacture their rods in China but they use quality components. These are good rods.

I wish I could help Shad_Master but I'm coming in a few days after your club. I've been working like a slave and I'm finally taking some days off to hit Mozingo, Bilby Ranch, and Truman later this week. Good luck in your tournament.