senile1

Riskkid, I've been looking at this same boat. I have a boat now, but I'm itching for more rod space and though the 176XT is small it has decent storage for its size. I would go with the larger 75 hp motor. It doesn't increase the cost too much. I fish Truman Lake which is 55,000 acres and have no problems with my 15' 6" boat but I do have 70 horses pushing it. Of course, a bigger boat with more power will always handle the waves better. The lakes I frequent have a lot of timber so I like smaller boats just for the fact that I can squeeze them into places that larger boats can't reach.

Heart - Ann Wilson is one of my favorites of all time. Nancy doesn't do bad backing her up. Barbara Streissand Celine Dion Whitney Houston (Before she practically ruined herself with Bobby Brown, she was unbelievable.) Dora Pesch (From the band, Warlock) Her voice could raise the dead. What a heavy metal voice! If you haven't heard her, listen to their one big hit, "All We Are", on Triumph and Agony released in 1987. There are other great songs on this album as well, but only one was well-known. Janis Joplin Momma Cass Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) Billie Holliday Roberta Flack Aretha Franklin I know there are others. These are the ones I could thing of at this moment. Oh, how could I forget Pat Benatar.

I carry between 4 and 8 and then, if needed, change blades and skirts.

Thanks for the info and the PMs guys. I'll have to get out to Cabela's after work today.

GristMill, What makes you think that just because you've joined this forum, you can now take away my coveted title?

GristMill, I'm sure this site and the anglers in this forum, will be able to help you immensely. Welcome to the forum. Don't be too hard on yourself. With persistence and applied logic, success will come.

I won't fish the same pond more than once or twice a month if it is 5 acres or less. I do this because I know there are a few people who fish these. I think if you like to fish ponds, (and who doesn't), I'd get permission on a few and fish them on a rotating basis. I fish the bigger lakes in my area and hit the ponds only now and then, though I only have permission to fish two ponds right now. I'm looking for more.

Welcome to the forum, ace-out. What is SA . . . . South America, South Australia, Sexaholics Anonymous . . . .

;D Fin-S-R, I wouldn't consider myself weak-minded but I know I wouldn't go to the trouble of doing what you are doing. I'll look at my logs and make a mental note of what lures have worked best under specific situations but I don't place the data in a spreadsheet. My work requires too many mental gymnastics for me to go home and do this with my hobbies. I agree with KUB on the value of what you are doing. With just a glance you can see what has worked for you and what hasn't. I applaud your effort.

Sometimes having the girlfriend that far away is a good thing. Enjoy the music Muddy. It'll always be there. You never know about the girl.

Troutfisher stated: Hey Troutfisher, I'm sorry I didn't make that clear but you misunderstood me. I didn't say they should only be in office for 6 months. I said the campaign for election should only last 6 months (i.e. Running ads, stumping at different locations making speeches in order to be elected.) I get tired of everybody spending one and a half to two years running for office. Let 'em run for 6 months, have the election, and be done with it. I sometimes think those in office spend more time trying to get re-elected than they spend running the country.

The details have been covered in previous posts. To summarize, the jitterbug is a great lure for topwater and for fishing at night. Otherwise, why would the darn things have been around so long!! They are a very useful fishing tool when used under the right circumstances. LookinForLunkers, if you're knocking them dead on buzzbaits, I wouldn't sweat the fact that you haven't had much success with jitterbugs, but I wouldn't give up on them either. I think you will eventually find a place for them.

Troutfisher stated: Your first sentence supports one of my points. To defend Bush, you bash Clinton. Many who supported Clinton, now bash Bush. Republicans and Democrats should understand that just because you admit your guy may have made a mistake doesn't mean you aren't supporting him. It means you are objective. These guys are both Americans, and the leaders of our country, which isn't an easy job. I don't hate either one. Clinton did some good things and Bush did some good things. Both have done some bad things. If you disagree with what Clinton did, state that you disagree, but don't state that he is evil. If you disagree with Bush, again, state that you disagree, but don't state that he is evil. For all you know you may be the one that is wrong. Only history will prove who is right and who is wrong. I stated this in another thread. People don't disagree respectfully anymore. Rather than saying they disagree with Bush and Republicans, they want to call him a liar, like Hitler, etc. It was the same way when Clinton was in office. As for my opinion that all politicians are tainted to some degree by corruption, I'm not some uneducated Johnny-come-lately who hasn't studied this problem for years. Political Action Committees and other organizations are used to raise millions of dollars from corporations, unions, etc. for any candidate for U.S. representative, U.S. Senator, or President. When a politician reaches the level of running for one of these high offices and he/she is elected, there are a lot of donors to that campaign who expect something in return. And if these candidates don't repay these donors with favorable legislation for their organization, that candidate will probably not receive money from that organization in the next election. This is legalized bribery and in many cases, is not good for the country as a whole. If you deny that this situation exists you are naive. If you agree that this situation exists, then what do you call it, other than legalized bribery and corruption? This is why I suggest that the government provide each candidate for these offices with the same amount of money to run their campaign and the campaign should be limited to 6 months or so. No campaign contributions would be allowed. In this way, it wouldn't be just those that are rich, and have connections, who could run for office. Those who claim that donating money to a campaign is free speech make one major mistake. Those with great amounts of money have great amounts of "free speech" or what should be called undue influence on the legislative process. Those without these great amounts of money have none of this "free speech." In essence, those with the most money have the most free speech which makes it not free, but bought and purchased speech. This country has lasted over 200 years despite the influence of money on the political process, but now there is more money involved in this process than ever before. I just want this country to continue to be great. You can only have so much monetary influence before you reach a tipping point. In the words of the great avid, Senile1 has spoken.

Ditto. Glad to have ya'.

LBH, I was with Roadway Express for 13 years which was LTL trucking. I started out as a supervisor at a small satellite terminal after college, and worked my way up to terminal operations manager at a breakbulk facility in Kansas City before I moved on to my current career. One thing I always respected about UPS was the way the teamsters and management worked together to make the company one of the most succesful in their industry. Great job and I hope you don't put in to much OT this holiday season.

Avid stated: It is debates like these which have led me to not trust either party to tell the truth about anything. The Congressmen and Senators on the armed services committee also knew about the yellow cake and some of them voted in support of going to war in Iraq, including Democrat John Kerry (who of course later changed his mind when he decided to run for President.) You guys who praise Bush and Republicans need to understand there have been a number of errors in judgement that have been made which have hurt us as a country. You guys who praise the democrats need to understand that a number of them voted their support for this war and then changed their minds (many doing so just because they knew it was in their interest in order to get elected.) Geez guys, just about everyone of these people are rich lawyers and most haven't a clue what it is like to live as a common man or woman in this country. How can you be so hard core in favor of one party over the other. Wake up!!!! Money controls the system and both democrats and republicans know it. They love to keep you arguing amongst yourselves because this insures that they (the very rich of this country) will retain power. Keep the fundamentals of our system which have proven to be the best form of government, but remove the money and the influence and you correct its flaws. Then, maybe, a more common person could run for President. Do you think that all of these wealthy people are going to change the system without a terrific outcry from us about its unfairness? Of course not. They like it the way it is. Sorry, I know this is off-topic, but Democrats and Republicans have become so polarized in their opinions that this is the greatest threat to America, IMHO. Read plenty of opinions that go against your own, and read them with an open mind. You'll find out that your favorites are tainted with corruption as well.

If you have been fishing for a few years, there are a number of rod brands that you are probably familiar with and could possibly buy sight unseen: Fenwick, Falcon, G.Loomis, St. Croix, Kistler, All Star, etc. However, I like to read a test of a rod, or obtain someone's opinion that I trust regarding the actual characteristics of the rod before I buy it, if I haven't used that specific model.

I've used my fingernails for years and never even thought to buy some split ring pliers. I just became so used to doing it that I don't even think about it anymore. Split ring pliers would be nice, though. RW stated: RW, did you grow up in a wealthy family? You just don't seem very frugal when it comes to fishing. Actually this sounds like a good idea, especially if you're replacing old, dull hooks. Why take a chance on an old split ring breaking. Replace them too.

I suppose you mean what would we estimate is the biggest fish we've lost? Since I was unable to weigh these fish, I can't really say. And I've lost some before they even broke the surface.

Hmmm . . . . you took the words right out of my mouth, though the senko type worms are up there too.

Congratulations on the PB. DMB, Great work with the picture. ;D

The answer is no. The reason is what Fisher of Men described in his post: Using the same fish calculator you will get some fish estimates that are over the actual weight and some that are under it, due to the different characteristics of each fish's body.

In no particular order: Bill Dance KVD Rick Clunn

Yeah, Bridge of Sighs.

I think what Chris experienced above is the best and quickest way to become a good bass fisherman, or any kind of fisherman for that matter. Unfortunately, my Dad was mainly a crappie and catfish guy. When I started bass fishing he was just a beginner as well and we didn't have people to refer to as resources that I remember. So I learned most from books, magazines, and time on the water. I'm still learning.