Marty

I'm not a Knight fan, but everybody is aware of his on-court success, the graduation rates and the never having an NCAA violation. On the other hand, his history of immaturity, bad behavior, refusal to acknowledge and show remorse for same, and his conduct at press conferences are more than enough to offset the good, as far as this fan is concerned.

I don't have specific brand recommendations, but a reel that's on the smaller side and rated for line in that 4-6# range, along with a rod rated L or UL, in a length you prefer. I use 5 1/2' for my ultralight fishing, but I'd be equally happy with 6'.

I've been using Firefox for about two years. But here's part of a response in today's paper here by the local computer expert: "Basically, if Microsoft sends you an update, it's something you need. Wait a day or so (to let the news hit if there's a problem), and then install it. There's also a problem when Microsoft sends you an "update" that's really some new thing they want you to use. Like Internet Explorer 7. Many people are having trouble with that one; going back to Internet Explorer 6 ends the problem."

I prefer to fish fast, so I use a lot of topwaters, crankbaits and spinners. However, I use weedless soft plastics in weeds and other cover where exposed hooks are not usable and also use them when the faster lures are not producing. There is a staggering array of soft plastic styles and shapes and I pretty much stick to Power Worms, Senkos, Flukes and tubes. My partner will use lizards where I use worms and he does well, so I think you can use what you have confidence in.

I have always used crankbaits extensively and just about all of them will work. The ones with the Jitterbug bills (Hocus Locust) will undoubtedly work, not because the bass confuses it with a locust, but because it has the gurgling action that appeals to fish, for whatever reason. The same goes for other cranks, which may be shaped like various creatures. They will also work because of built-in action, not because they imitate something. Of course, the above is my personal opinion, not facts.

Ish is the only black angler, to the best of my knowledge, who has won a tour-level event. I have seen a few others in past years, including Alfred Williams, who a previous poster mentioned now fishes the FLW. I don't know if there are others besides Ish who are currently fishing the BASS Elite series. Three or four years ago, a black fellow from my area won the co-angler championship on the FLW tour.

You can do a Google search for prescription polarized fishing sunglasses and get plenty of reading material.

I've never used either, but I'd suggest you spend your money more wisely. I'm sure they will catch fish, but no better, and maybe not as well, as conventional lures. As to the light, let's not underestimate wild creatures' ability to see at night. Billions of preyfish without blinking lights have met their demise to predators under the cover of darkness. Finally, in my humble opinion, that company engages in deceptive advertising and claims and I would never consider doing business with them.

I just this year dusted off an old Daiwa 3500 reel and started using it with 14# Fireline because I wanted better casting performance than I was getting from the 2500 size. As you probably know, all other things being equal, a bigger spool yields better line performance. I use this from shore a lot, so it gets used (with a 6'6" medium power rod) for a variety of applications. When I'm in a boat it's usually used for soft plastics. But the bottom line is, as far as I'm concerned, is that if the reel's weight doesn't bother you, you can use this reel with 8-10-12# line for whatever uses you'd use that line for on a smaller reel.

Not everyone wants a low gear for crankbaits. Some would rather have a higher ratio and slow down the retrieve when necessary. However, the reason that some people like them is that lower gear ratios have more cranking power. Therefore, it is physically easier to crank when you're using a bait that offers a lot of resistance, such as a deep-diving crankbait.

Couple of points: 1) Don't tie it directly to your spool, it might slip. Use backing, such as cheap monofilament. I do that and use only 50-60 yards of the Fireline, saves money and I don't need more than that to fish with. 2) I can't cast quite as far with the Fireline as with mono. It does seem to dig in a little bit, but never hits a sticky point and stops the cast. It just doesn't seem to flow off the spool as smoothly as mono.

Take a look at the FAQs here and you'll see some questions that should be of interest to you. http://www.bassresource.com/fish/faq.html

I have no idea of what lure you're asking about. :-?

Of those three lures, I only use the Shad Rap extensively. I can't answer your question because I have multiple favorites depending on depth and other factors. I use #5, 7 and 8, in both the shallow and deep-diving models.

Had you previously tried Fireline in another color? I've used smoke-colored Fireline on a spinning reel for three years and have been satisfied. I haven't tried crystal, but someone said it behaved exactly like other colors, so if that is indeed true, then I would expect it to perform OK on my reel. Also, when you say it didn't sit on the reel right, exactly what was it doing?

I always wondered about pressure; how it's defined and where the dividing line is between pressured and not pressured. Never did get an answer and probably never will. However, there is no doubt in my mind that just one fisherman can do serious damage to a four-acre or bigger pond, depending on the pond's characteristics. My "home" pond for about 10 years or so is 13-15 acres, no boats allowed. The fishing has gone from good to nearly non-existent, and I believe one of the main reasons is people keeping fish, even legally. Looking at my records, I have caught 200+ keepers there. What do you think would have happened if I kept all of them? I have my opinion and I think just one angler could ruin the pond you asked about.

Desmond was on SportsCenter today at 6:00 talking about that error.

I'd use the 2 3/4" in cold water. Actually, that size is good all year for both species, but I'd start with the smaller one in cold water.

I'm not expecting a response. They may or may not publish my letter, but they generally publish letters without comment unless a question is asked or a disclaimer or clarification is needed.

I know nothing about sponsorships, but being uninformed never kept me from mouthing off. ;D The following is a letter I sent to what is known around here as "Another Site." What do YOU think? LETTER I am light years away from the world of organized fishing and sponsorships. However, I read with interest the Dock Talk item in which Guido Hibdon's advice to anglers seeking sponsors is to "catch fish." Intuitively, that seemed overly simplistic, as I suspect there are thousands of skilled anglers who are deficient in the sponsorship department. Coincidentally, the next day I read the article in the January Bassmaster about the Federation Nation angler who has a boat wrap and numerous other sponsors. He stated, "Most companies don't care about how many fish you have caught. If you can lay out a marketing plan in which everyone benefits..." It's not rocket science to figure out which advice I'd follow if I were a sponsor-seeker.

The Countdown tops my list of underrated lures. It'll catch anything that swims, bass included, naturally, yet it's only rarely talked about, either on forums or magazines.

Pickerel are just as adept at cutting line as their larger cousins. RW and I have apparently had different experiences with leaders. I've caught too many bass with them to consider them as a negative. And I don't want to sound like a high-falutin' moralist, because I'm not, but over and above losing lures, I don't like the idea of a fish swimming around with a mouthful of crankbait.

I'm not RW--that's pretty obvious--but I've been dealing with pike and pickerel for 37 years and 6-8# braid won't cut the mustard. A 20" pike cuts through 14# Fireline like a hot knife through butter. Use a metal leader if you truly want biteoff protection. I use small diameter leaders 5-6" long and 12# or 18# test. Do the leaders alter action? I don't know, but I've caught loads of bass and toothy critters with leaders and I have full confidence while using them.

I asked that a couple of times quite some time ago, but didn't get any results. You must know how to ask. ;D

Pinkfloyd, I hope you don't take this as an insult, but I'd recommend that you see a counselor to find out why you're so down on yourself. It's not right to think of yourself as a big loser because a relationship didn't work out. Good luck.