senile1

Think about it. The Republicans and Democrats already agreed to a budget for all of these expenses for the fiscal year and they passed that budget. So they knew that the expenses they approved would eventually exceed the debt ceiling. Why would one approve a budget of expenses that you knew would exceed the debt ceiling if you weren't going to approve the raising of the debt ceiling? It's all about political gamesmanship. And here's another thought. If you play this game you know you effect the stock market in a negative fashion. You drive stocks down, and then when you author a bill that you know will pass muster with both parties you jump into the market with both feet as you pass the bill that saves the day. Stocks rise in response for a few days and then you sell and make a bundle. I suspect this idea is not lost on some politicians and anyone else who deals with the market on a daily basis and has the contacts to capitalize on such a situation.

I'm not sure but I think he may be referring to the transportation of patients using the wheelchairs and wheeled beds in the hospital, not driving a vehicle. This was one of my jobs while attending college and the position title was transporter. I think a 16 year old could do that job.

I know some will disagree but I have both a Champion Extreme and a G.Loomis GLX and I think that the GLX feels slightly more sensitive. So I would think the NRX would win in the sensitivity department easily over the Dobyns. But that's just me and how the rods feel in my hands.

Well, that doesn't describe Burley. He can take it and he can dish it. Life can be hectic sometimes and, unfortunately, a message board doesn't always fit into the schedule. I, myself, have not been on the boards much recently due to network installations, network upgrades, and some issues with family members. I miss the boards but other things are more important. I suspect it is the same for Burley.

The only thing I would add is that a c-rig might not be the way to go out of all the choices suggested. If there is a lot of brush on the bottom around your stick-ups you'll be hanging up quite often with a c-rig. If the bottom is fairly clean around the stick-ups, then add the c-rig to your list.

The Shimano reels that cost over 600 dollars have the digital control (DC) feature which uses electronic circuitry to assist in the elimination of backlash. It seems like yesterday but they rolled this feature out in 2006. Since that time they have added it to some other models in addition to the Calais. The prices for these reels run 400 dollars and up. Below is a link to a review of one in 2006 on Tackletour. http://www.tackletour.com/reviewshimanocalaisdcreview.html

I think you may have just answered your own question about the miles per gallon figure . . . rate of travel.

It's not a skunk just because someone didn't post. It just means they know the fish they caught isn't close to winning the competition. An 8 lb Florida largemouth isn't even close. I caught one around 6 lbs in Missouri and posted the picture but I didn't weigh it because my scale's battery had died, but even then, that is less than 50 percent in Missouri. Dwight and Shimmy are sitting at 74 plus percent. It will take a real statewide chunk to beat that.

The New Madrid fault is due for another big one, according to seismologists. I hope it doesn't come in our's or our kid's lifetimes. I remember feeling tremors a lot when I was a kid growing up in Southeast Missouri.

That appears to be a largemouth. In the future you can confirm it by checking to see if the mouth reaches back behind the eye when its mouth is closed. The mouth does not go behind the eye on a spot. Also, there is a distinct separation between the front and rear dorsal fins on largemouth bass. Nice fish by the way.

So, right now, because all of our kids live in the Kansas City area, we prefer to not be more than three or four hours from them. That would probably dictate that we remain in Missouri or Northern Arkansas. However, we might consider Texas if the kids are doing well at that time as Dallas is only an eight to nine hour drive and a quick flight. (Yeah Baby.) This list is still in development. Lakes in Missouri: Table Rock - Meets all criteria. Stockton Lake - Awesome for seclusion, for natural beauty, and for many of the items listed but good healthcare is 50 miles away in Springfield Missouri. That might be close enough. Truman Lake - Closest to our kids but excellent healthcare is probably only available in Kansas City. Lake Ozark - Probably out as a place to live. Seclusion is not available on Lake Ozark because development has been allowed on all of the lakefront. Meets all other criteria. Lakes in Northern Arkansas: Norfork Lake Bull Shoals Lake Beaver Lake Lakes in Texas: Lake Fork

Are we fantasizing or are we for real? My wife and I discuss this a lot because our plan is to retire on a lake but there are so many factors that come into play. How far away are we willing to live from our children and grandchildren? Is there good healthcare within an appropriate distance from where we want to move? Will we be moving amongst people we can relate to? Is the Lake known for good fishing? Can we have privacy and some seclusion while also being able to have a social life within a reasonable driving distance? What type of nature experience will we find in the areas surrounding the lake? These are just a few of the items I can think of off the top of my head. There is much to consider when you really start to work toward a decision. We have it narrowed down to three states and a handful of lakes.

Congratulations! You have to be flying high! I'm on target for an early retirement but depending on healthcare inflation and other factors I may work longer or shorter. It is definitely something that I am looking forward to. I am so tired of fishing only when I can and not when I want to.

Congratulations on your new PB!

I think this is a very good point. I think that sometimes junk fishing is confused with versatility. Versatility isn't just using a different lure and catching fish with it. It is learning the time and place to use a different lure and knowing why it works under those particular circumstances. This knowledge gives one confidence in the use of that lure. To develop this type of knowledge takes time and to repeat Catt - experience. If an angler learns how to use a bunch of lures, but doesn't learn the best seasons and circumstances to use those lures, that angler is just junk fishing. There is no rhyme or reason for the use of his/her lures. The better anglers that I know have experience with a group of lures that will address all seasons and circumstances. These anglers may not use more than six or seven lures on a regular basis during the year, but those six or seven lures and the different presentations that are available with those lures, allow them to have a presentation that meets every circumstance. That is versatility.

Nice fish!

Congratulations on the new PB.

Congratulations on the new PB! She's a beauty.

Much like Bluebasser, my Dad taught me some basic things. We fished for a number of species including bass on occasion, but I didn't learn that much. We had a couple of very small lakes with good populations of bass back then, in which Rapalas and plastic worms always seemed to work. We fished enough for me to fall in love with bass fishing, but, essentially, I taught myself the finer points from seasonal/environmental effects on bass behavior to versatility with lures. Books, magazines, this website, and time on the water have been huge resources for me.

Actually, dodgeguy was big on Sufix Performance Braid a few years back before he went to Fireline. Maybe PowerPro came before that. I tried out the Sufix Performance Braid at the time, based on his suggestion, and I am still using it.

I agree, Gangley. It is an interesting subject.

Bass fishing addiction can be explained in terms of dopamine and neural conections. Normally neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, only exist in the synaptic gaps long enough to be absorbed by the neural receptors. However, bass fishing blocks the absorption of dopamine by the receptors causing dopamine to remain in the synaptic gap which results in the high we all experience. Many addictive substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, heroin . . . . and bass fishing . . . . block the absorption of dopamine. It is believed that such substances . . . . and bass fishing . . . . can damage the dopamine delivery system which results in the addiction to the feeling created by the use of these substances.

There is not substantial empirical evidence to answer any of these questions with a high degree of confidence, nor can one really know if conditioning was the reason a bass did not bite. I always prepare for the situation I am fishing and have rods rigged with lures that fit the season and the environment. If there happens to be one lure that was once a good lure for that situation, but is now not drawing strikes, all I can do is switch to another lure or another presentation of the same lure that fits the situation. I do believe fish can be conditioned to a lure or presentation but I never concern myself with the details of how long that can be because I can't really know for sure why the bass didn't bite the lure or presentation, though I can speculate.

Gary, that is an excellent explanation and analysis. I've always stated that the tiny amount of weight involved in a tip-heavy rod doesn't bother me and you have explained perfectly the reasons why.

I wouldn't classify myself in any one category so I chose "other." Depending on the conditions,the season, and other observed environmental factors I might fish deep or I may choose to fish shallow. When the bass are located in tight to brush I'm probably pitching and flipping. If I catch the fish in an active period I'll probably be a power fisherman. If the fish are inactive I'll be finesse fishing. I try to be versatile. Once I determine where the fish are located and what mood they are in, that determines what kind of angler I am at that particular time.