SoFlaBassAddict

I've got a Cardiff 200 that I throw swimbaits with and use for saltwater applications. Great reels. Strong, built like tanks, super easy to take care of. The only complaint that I have with them is that you need to remove the entire handle plate to access the VBS.

Believe it or not, the deep cycle batteries that you can get at Walmart (Everstart I believe) are pretty good batteries. There are several people on here that use and recommend them. Fairly inexpensive, and readily available.

I played around with a couple of different units for my Jon. I tried a Garmin and returned it the same day. It didnt read all that well and would just randomly freeze forcing you to power cycle it. The Humminbird 570 I had wasn't too bad, it just had a few quirks that I wasn't a fan of. I've got an Eagle unit on it now and am completely satisfied with it. Dollar for dollar, it's been a great purchase. As far as decking goes, take Rhinos advice and test it out first. I stand in my jon, and that's only because I have just the floor done. I've stood on the bench seats and it's far too unstable. Easier to find out if it'll work before building a bunch of stuff that you may have to scrap later.

This Is something that I thInk a lot of people need to read and understand. Treat every day like there is something new to be learned. We'll never know all there is to know about fishing.

I grew up in a fishing family. Freshwater was really never part of the equation when I was growing up. It was treated more as eh, whats the point. We would go fishing for one major purpose besides the fun. Food. We'd go out offshore or to the reefs and load up the boat with fish to eat. When I bought my house, I wanted waterfront property. Turns out I was able to buy a house pre-construction on a private lake. Thats when my bass fishing fever really started. Being able to get out on the water just to relax made it all worthwhile. Over time I really began to appreciate Bass fishing. The puzzle, figuring out what the fish were doing, how to catch them. I started primarily learning as I went, then I found Bass Resource. I've learned more off of this site than anywhere else. I've been fortunate to fish with several of the local BR guys here on more than one occasion and was able to learn from them as well. I hope along the way people have learned something from me. Theres no greater feeling than being able to help somebody else become a better angler.

BPS XPS is a fantastic fluorocarbon line, especially for the price. I also really like AbrazX. I use both in several different pound tests.

I'll throw one in almost any condition. There are very few situations where I won't find myself at least trying one out for a little while. A rattlebait is one of the most versatile lures that you'll have in your tacklebox.

Hope you all make it through ok. Stay safe.

That is just beyond awesome. Brushhoggin, you sir are a genius.

I've got 20 pound AbrazX on my plastics rig right now. Love it. Definitely has some memory. A little stretch and some KVD Line and Lure handle that.

Already called to make an appointment. Did the saltwater gargle too. I remember my mother telling me about that.

Hardy har har! Funny guy!

Wasn't a fan of it myself. Glad it seems to be working out for you, Dodge. No more Fireline pictures for a while!

It's 3:15 AM and I cannot sleep. Darn this toothache from keeping me awake. I've tossed enough Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen down my throat to knock out a horse at this point. I've got the clove oil in the bathroom, but man do I hate using that stuff. Who's got a remedy besides booze, and a pistol, that will actually work?

How do I deal with it? I take my saltwater boat out less and less right now. To fill up the tank at the price I paid today would be roughly $520. I just can't afford to do that as much anymore. Now mind you, how much fuel I burn all depends on the type of fishing I go out to do. A light day of fishing is still going to burn around a half a tank of gas though. I find myself fishing out of my jon boat with a couple of TM's on the private lakes around the house here. It's far cheaper and just as much fun. The only difference is I don't eat what I catch when I go bass fishing. If I'm hitting the salt, something will be going into the box and getting put on the grill that night.

I know that Doug (Bassn Blvd) fishes a few night tournaments and fairs pretty well in them. You may want to send him a PM for some info.

What I wouldn't pay to see those peoples reactions right now....

Great. Now I have to stick a couple of them in just to see what happens....

I haven't been getting out as much as I'd like to lately. Been hitting the lake here at the house for a few hours every couple of days though. Fish have been hiding in grass for the most part. The front that rolled through over the last couple of days seems to have moved them a bit deeper though. Nothing big, but lots of 1 to 3 pounders. Fun nonetheless.

Gary's response to the video: "This goes back to the good ole tournament days, out on the water one day, guys were catching their limits with 4 pounders. I kept trying to tell them it takes bigger fish than that, I was searching for the 6 pound or larger ones to win. They kept going on and on about how they had their limit in 4 pounders, so I said heck man I crap 4 pounders. Never have been able to live that one down."

"Macho Man" Randy Savage dies in a car crash. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/post/Report-Randy-8216-Macho-Man-8217-Savage-die?urn=top-wp98 Rest in peace, Macho Man. OOOOOOOOHH YEEEEEEAH!

I am so bringing my Halloween mask with me the next time we meet up, Doug. I'm fully planning on scaring the poo out of you.

I once dated a women named Irene. She was a mean ole girl.

See the strike Count to two Slam back and try to cross his eyes Crank fish in Smile You aren't going to land them all. Just part of the nature of frog fishing. For the most part though, you're using big hooks. The no stretch property of braided line will help you drive that large hook home a bit better.

Awesome, Mike! Boy, I wish my daughters sure enjoyed fishing like that. Good stuff right there.