Hillbilly_Hooker

MattFly, I was going to make the same suggestion as to cleaning livewells in between tournaments and outings... thank you for making that post. Cleaning livewells will not only help decrease the likelihood of spreading LMBV from lake to lake, but it will also decrease the likelihood of spreading non-native invasive plant species or other diseases from lake to lake. I'm anxious to see what follow-up studies on the livewell spread of LMBV yield.

I can't suggest a particular reel, but get a very slow ratio one... something around 5.0:1 or slower. I was wearing myself out cranking deep cranks until Fivebasslimit turned me onto a slower ratio reel. If you haven't tried it, you can't imagine the difference. Hillbilly

Skeeter, Welcome to a great forum and perhaps I'll see you on the water on Norman someday. Hillbilly

Now that the Christmas season is upon us, we begin to reflect on the past years, what we've accomplished and where we've failed, those that we've extended charity towards or withheld it from, the tasks we've completed and the areas where we could've done more. And quickly approaching is the New Year, when most of us start to set goals and resolve to do more, to do better, in the coming days. With fishing and hunting license sales on the decline nationally, along with the numbers of our fellow citizens that actively enjoy the outdoors, I would like to encourage every single member of this wonderful forum to resolve to help promote and protect this sport that we so dearly love, and are so passionate about, in the days ahead. Listed below are some suggestions as to how we all might help. This list is certainly not all-inclusive, so please feel free to add your own suggestions as you see fit. Take a child fishing. If not one of your own, seek out a child in your neighborhood or church that may not have the privilege of having a father or mother that will take him or her fishing. Volunteer for a local Boy Scout Troop, youth group, or other organization to take some kids fishing or to help them learn more about fishing. Enlist the help of your fellow fishermen or club members. Volunteer for a local middle or high school biology class or sports group to speak about fishing. Contact your local wildlife or fisheries agency about volunteering to help. Assistance might be needed with a local cleanup, artificial habitat construction, or in gathering data from your catch that could better enable them to judge the quality of that fishery or how to improve it in the future. Contact your local military base or recruiter's office to volunteer to take a service member fishing. I'm sure a day on the water would be greatly appreciated by those seeking to escape the horrors of Iraq or Afghanistan, or merely to escape the lonliness of being seperated from home and loved ones. Contact your local college or university to inquire about volunteering to take a college kid fishing. Perhaps there are students nearby that are avid anglers but, while at school, they are miles away from their boats, tackle, and any fellow anglers that they know. Speak with your local fishing club about starting a youth club if none exists, or about ways to further assist it if one already exists. Resolve to take an adult neighbor or co-worker fishing. Perhaps the person that works alongside of you all day has had a lifelong desire to become an angler but didn't know how to get started. Contact your local lake's advocacy group, homeowners association, or civic league and volunteer to serve. Most would value the input of the local angling community as to what happens on and around the lake. Communicate with your local town, city, or county government about possible conservation or recreation groups or Boards that you might serve on. At your next and future fishing tournaments, consider ways to help the organizers rather than criticizing those things that could be improved upon. I appreciate your indulgence in reading this post and your consideration of other worthwhile suggestions that can be added to it. In closing, I wish everyone a blessed and merry Christmas, and challenge each of you to 'practice what we preach' in the coming year. Sincerely, Robert B. "Hillbilly Hooker"

I couldn't agree more about people holding and playing with the fish way too much. As to camera fish, I guess when you're televising an event, you're expected to give the viewers something to watch. I, as do all the anglers in my local club, also net all of our fish and try to get them in the livewell or cull them and return them as quickly as possible to the water, with a minimum of handling or further stress to the fish. I, personally, would think that the use of the rubber-mesh type nets and then lipping the fish from the net would be the least injurious of all methods.

Cabela, What, exactly, is it that B.A.S.S. is allowing THEIR fishermen to do that doesn't occur on every other tournament circuit in the U.S. ? I certainly won't claim that bass don't become injured during handling, by ANY angler, I don't think it's limited to just B.A.S.S. events though. But B.A.S.S. continually studies the issue and has been on the forefront of innovating ways to cause less injury to the bass... from the use of aerated holding tanks, release boats, and other means. On another note, I don't know that any particular handling practice either promotes or inhibits the transfer of LMBV, but some recent studies have shown that LMBV can be transferred from one infected fish to other healthy fish that are held together in the same livewell. This transfer can happen within a matter of minutes. Hopefully, future studies will shed more light on this hazard and possible ways to prevent the transmission of the disease. Hillbilly

I don't know the reason for not allowing the use of nets in B.A.S.S. pro-level tournaments. They are permitted for B.A.S.S. local club, regional, and state tournaments, however. I am intrigued by the question and as soon as the holidays are over, I'm going to inquire of B.A.S.S. as to the reason for this rule. In the meantime,though, I would like to point out that B.A.S.S. pioneered the practice of Catch and Release as well as the use of livewells in boats. Before the B.A.S.S. bashing starts, please realize that B.A.S.S. has done more to promote fisheries conservation and the safe handling of bass and their return to their home waters than, perhaps, any other fishing organization in history. Prior to the existence of B.A.S.S., the prevailing practice was to Catch and KEEP. Regards and a Merry Christmas to all, Hillbilly

Shad, I don't think Cabelas does have a Rewards program other than the one that's tied to their VISA card. If you don't want their credit card, then I guess they don't want to give up any freebies. Too bad for them, I guess I'll keep shopping at BPS. Regards, Hillbilly

bassmasta07, I couldn't agree with Sam more, get an education... a college education, first! I hate to plug products on here, but Ike put out a CD/cassette, that's available on his website, about how to turn pro in 5 yrs. Regardless of what you might think of Ike, the CD has some very valuable information in it. Good luck and good fishing, Hillbilly

Dan, Welcome to the board and Merry Christmas! I live in southwestern VA, not far from the NC border near Mt. Airy. If you're ever back in the WNC area visiting and want to hit the water, let me know. I fish Kerr Scott in Wilkesboro some and am open to heading to other lakes. Regards, Hillbilly

According to U.S. Coast Guard studies, 87% of the victims of boating accidents who drowned were not wearing their PFDs. Does anything more need to be said?

eastky, I'm in the Huntington area weekly on business. PM me if you ever have an afternoon available and want to hit the water. Welcome aboard! Hillbilly

I have purchased at shows before as well, but always from a dealer that is 'local' to the show. In case there was a problem, I could get back to that dealer to resolve the issue. If you aren't going to be in the area of that dealer, I would have to agree with vtbassin, BPS has stores in a lot of locations and it would be much easier to have an issue resolved through them.

Merry Christmas to all and thanks to all of the forum members for helping to make '06 a great year of fishing for me!

mktrout "there is no such thing as a president 2500 size ." I stand corrected as to the Pflueger President model that I use... it is the 6740, Pflueger's 4000 series. As to the existence of the President 2500, Pflueger lists it as the model 6725, which is classified as an ultralight spinning reel... http://www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/products.php?p=12 I can't say that Pflueger's 2500 is comparable in size to what other manufacturers call a 2500, but I can say that it does exist.

I just read, on another site, that Ike will indeed be running a Puma for '07.

LBH, I saw that news segment as well, it was awesome! I'm glad you posted the link so that others could see it as well. Merry Christmas to all, Hillbilly

ring fry, You can go to the Navionics website to find a local dealer: www.navionics.com Also, if you have a Bass Pro Shops nearby, you should be able to pick one up there. Hope that helps, Hillbilly

I can't attest to the other reels, but I have a Pflueger President 2500 spinning reel and I love it! I've had it for well over one year and I've fished the heck out of it... no problems or complaints yet.

RW, That's outstanding news, congrats! Let me know if you need a hillbilly hanging around in the background... I'll be on my way ;D

Welcome to the board! What part of the world are you from?

I can't speak for others but I can tell you why I am seeking sponsors. With four children and three grandchildren, my personal budget is limited as to what I can set aside for tournament fishing or fishing in general. I doubt that my talent will ever enable me to become a pro tournament angler, however, I would like to fish all of the local and regional tournaments that I can. Cash sponsorships allow me to do that. My regular job has me on the road regularly over a two state area, and on occasion, outside of that area. Consequently, I know a lot of people in those two states, aside from the contacts I gain by virtue of fishing in tournaments. If I can use my experience, education, and talents to help a business owner grow their business, and get money in return for more fishing, then I'm more than willing to do that. As to more patches on my shirt, I could care less. I would much prefer to fish like a pro than to look like a pro, but that is, however, one more avenue of advertising that I can offer my sponsors. As to putting a patch on my shirt for a free pack of sinkers or a discount on a shirt... I wouldn't waste my time. Regards, Hillbilly

I'll add my Hoo-Ah!!! And, not to promote a particular magazine over another, but Primedia, the owner of InFisherman, has a program whereby you can send a service member a gift subscription for just $10 per year. The gifts are made anonymously, so the service member won't know that you're the one sending it, but they'll still get the magazine just the same. I thought it was a nice thing to do at Christmas, so I placed my order today.

Yum Dinger 5" worm in Carolina pumpkin and chartruese t-rigged.

GristMill, I just sent you a PM about someone on another site looking for a partner on Lake Anna. Hillbilly