SoFlaBassAddict

That right there is the problem, KLuo. It could just be because the handle on a spinning reel is longer. I don't know. Maybe I just don't have the same wrist action in my left hand as my right . I'll give it a few more days before I swap it out. I like holding the rod in my right hand, it's very comfortable, I just can't crank it properly for some reason.

Ouch. I heard Drogba hurt his arm. I didn't know he broke it though. Thats just horrible for the sport. Ferdinand hurt his knee again. I haven't heard how bad it was though. I really hope both of them are able to play. I caught on ESPN that Altidore was hurt also. What the heck is going on in the friendlies. I understand playing hard, but man, the World Cup is less than a week away...

Basser223, heres my two cents: You don't need a bunch of rods, you can do whatever you want with three. That being said, it is much nicer to have a few more sticks handy for other things. I've go out with four casting rods and one spinning. I'm very happy with that. I can cover everything I need with those five rods. I used to only go out with two or three and found myself having to retie just to try a different lure or technique out. You don't need to go out and buy expensive gear either. Just buy what fits into your budget. Heres my gear: Casting: MH: Jigs/worms M: Crank rod MH: Pitching/Flipping M: General purpose rod (realistically, I can live without this one) Spinning: ML: Small finesse baits I find that I am a lot more efficient having the extra two or three rods than I used to take out with me. I enjoy fishing more being able to just grab something else that is ready to go. I'm able to catch more fish because I have a bait in the water more often.

Although being unprepared isn't a crime, there are several reports of documents being falsified, negligence, inspection reports just not being done, witholding information, etc etc. Unfortunately, a lot of this stems from a branch of the government. Who knows how far they will search for "criminal" acts. Along with what and if anything will be done about it. In a nutshell, there have been crimes committed, tracking down the guilty parties is a different story entirely.

I've definitely gotta give this a little more time, but man it just don't feel natural right now.

Funny part is, all of my spinning gear is cranked on the left side.

Thats why I stick with cheaper cranks Must have been one heck of a surprise seeing a gator pop with with a lure in it's mouth. Sounds like a halfway decent morning at least. And you aren't joking about surrendering to the heat. It's been brutal the last few days.

How the heck do you guys use LH baitcasters. I picked one up today to try out and I just couldn't even turn the handle smoothly. I was just jerking the thing around. I like the idea of being able to pitch and not have to swap hands, but good god that just don't seem worth it.

Bout time you got into one Nice fish. Surprising that you caught it on a plastic. Peacocks rarely ever eat the soft plastics. I bet that was a fun fight on light tackle.

My greatest fear personally is that this junk gets into the Gulf Stream. Once that happens it's over. Almost the entire eastern seaboard will get hit with oil. It will go from a disaster to an ecological nightmare for a VERY long time. I don't mean to diminish the areas already been hit by oil, but if it gets into the stream, it will become something far beyond what anybody thought possible. When I was in college at the Rosenstiel School down here at UM, we talked about this a lot. Some of the dye patterns that got tested to show what could happen are just sickening.

Most people don't realize it happened. It's not exactly an advertised thing. 10 months of oil gushing out of the well. That could well be what happens here as well.

Ixtoc I - Bay of Campeche My father and I were actually talking about that the other day. Well ran for 10 months before they could cap it. Crazy stuff. http://home.versatel.nl/the_sims/rig/ixtoc1.htm

Regular drop shot/finesse hook tied with a palomar with the tag end passed back through the top of the hook eye works just fine. If it aint broke, don't fix it.

I'd much rather see the Celtics win. I see the Lakers winning it though. They just look like they're on a mission. As long as it goes 7 I'd be happy. I'm not a huge fan of either team. I've never been a Lakers guy, I've always followed the Celtics though (U THE MAN BIRD!!!).

agreed. absolutely amazing skills. (watch arsenal) Oh, and viva dutch!! Always been a fan of total football, these guys are artist. But in all honesty, Spain and Germany will be the big wigs this time. Still can't believe Russia didn't make it. As much as I enjoy watching Arsenal (GO GOOOOOONERS!!), you can't say just watch one team. Chelsea is stacked full of ridonkulously good players. Along with teams like Man U, Tottenham, etc etc...

You're going to see the US vs. England's starting lineup. First match of the tournament for both of them

Great fish, Red. Way to go.

Gorgeous rod, Steezy. What all do you plan on throwing with that thing?

I believe it was a horny toad.

Get as wide as you can afford and or find. I've got a 36" wide and I can stand in it with no problems. I don't trailer mine and a 36 is easily manageable to pick up and toss in the bed of the truck by myself. That being said, if I had found a wider bottom, I probably would have bought that.

Oh, I don't plan on going out and buying a bunch of them. I think I've got like two or three bags of them and a pack or two of jigheads.

I'd love to see a link to the story on this one. I understand this is a major ecological catastrophe, but I don't see somebody in charge of BP being that callous to say that. They've been exceedingly careful with how they've worded things so far.

Thats kind of what I was thinking. On the other hand, I've had fish chasing them, so something is working. It's kind of like jigs. Not a big popular bait down here. They do catch fish though. This far south a lot of the traditional bass lures that you read about online just aren't effective. It's hard to find info about our area down here. A few hours north, no problem.... It's kind of like looking for a good lake map. They don't exist for any of the lakes around here. Lox, Iso, and Okeechobee aren't an issue. I would LOVE to get my hands on a contour map of some of the large strip lakes around my area.

One of the lakes I frequent is the largest and oldest in my area. It's some a healthy population of large grass carp. Doesn't seem to hurt the fishing at all. My lake on the other hand, has no carp in it. Just Pleco's. The bass fishing here has steadily been on the decline. Theres a thick layer of dead vegetation covering most of the waters on the shoreline now. I know there are still fish here, just not the numbers like when the lake was younger. There probably needs to be a very specific balance of how many carp to the size of the body of water to keep it healthy. Once you hit that point where there are too many, good bye fish habitat.

No chance they have a decent chance at taking it. I think they would be a Cinderella team at best, or a 1980 US Hockey team story at worst. I didn't like how they played in the friendly play two weeks ago. Who knows, maybe Donovan will GREAT and the defense stout. I hope so. Well, in defense of the US team, they didn't field a strong team in that game. Bradley was still working around and playing with his starting 11. Yes, if they won the whole thing it would be a Cinderella story. The defense is very suspect. If Onyewu gets beyond the fear of re-injuring himself, they should be much stronger defensively. Right now he's a liability. Loosing Charlie Davies was a huge hit as well. I think players like Altidore and Dempsey will be able to step up though. Edson Buddle is playing great this year, but thats only the MLS. Herculez Gomez really could be fun to watch, he's having a great start to his season with Pachuca. Tim Howard is never an issue. That guy is a great Keeper. I think the US' major concern will be the questions at defense along with the play of the forwards. Time will tell. The opener against England will be a big test for them. If they come out on top from that match, they could well ride a big emotional high into the second round and beyond depending on who advances.