flechero

Well if you don't mind it being less than full screen, you can download the lowrance product simulators and free map data. I guess the only catch is if your lakes are available... follow the link in my first post to the maps list. All can be found at Lowrance . com. I'm sure there are much better pay options but I can tell you that the Lowrance stuff is pretty easy to use and the price is right. You use your mouse as your finger in operating the on screen unit.

Revo S Casts great has a monster drag and is comfortable to palm and will hold plenty of line. If you get real serious about it you might want something different later on but this will do it nicely and if you don't like swimbaiting, this is a great reel for other stuff. I use one for swimbaits and I have a TD-Z BBS that sits in the locker.

Too bad about the rod. Sometimes it's a freak little nick that can trigger it. I'm sure St. Croix will replace it. Did it sound like an explosion or just a cracking sound? I had one break while stress testing a single foot guide set up that was as loud as an M-80! My ears rang for a good while. ...lol

Agreed. It's preference but I hate a mod rod for any topwater applications. I use a fast or ex-fast and loosen the drag a little more if there are trebles.

Dave, When built right, you'll see NO decrease in casting distance or accuracy. The only difference you might feel is that after a few hours of cranking or spinnerbait fishing, you should be less fatigued. Most of the benefit is for the rod, not the fisherman. If you want more detail or in depth info try a quick search of the tacklemaking and rods,reels sections- using all dates and spiral, acid or roberts wrap(ped)" You'll get all of your questions answered and then some.

784 or 844 in IMX

Interesting comparison... I have a Lowrance 332C. I use the Navonics gold and the "free enhanced maps" from lowrance. I hate to admit it but the free download maps from lowrance are my favorite. (at least for my home lakes) I have done extensive comparisons on Belton and Fork. The paper maps have some different info but I've found much more useful info on the electronic maps since you can zoom in more. Lots of small ditches, holes and other contour not shown on the paper maps. As for the Navonics vs. free- the Navonics has more info (like old roadbeds, submerged buildings/houses, etc.) but the free maps can zoom closer so you actually pick up more of the little things. I prefer that since I fish "small spots" as opposed to larger areas most of the time. One nice thing about electronic maps is that you can do some scouting on the computer in zoom mode which is easier than paper maps and mark out areas and spots to try... also you can save map data from multiple sources and compile all you want onto the SD card with the free maps- you can write, overwrite and do almost anything you want. Lowrance allows you to download the simulators free and if you have your card in the computer you can run the simulator with your maps as the unit would. You can mark, edit or save info just as you would in the boat. I use the Navonics in conjunction with free maps at home but probably 80% of the time I have the free maps in use on the boat. The other reason I like the "free enhanced maps" from lowrance is that the GPS has been dead on with it whereas the Navonics hasn't been as good. It's still great but the Lowrance maps have been almost perfect. Skiatook is listed on the free maps as well as a bunch of OK lakes. http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Mapping/Enhanced-Lake-Maps/

+1

No more than anywhere else. There are several types of cooling set ups but the lake water only goes across hot pipes, tubes or some type of cooling fins. Kind of like the air does in your heat & AC unit in your house. So any polution is from the "exhaust" that comes from burning the coal in a coal fired plant. (but wind normally carries it off) Most of what you "see" is steam from the water in the cooling process.

The size and activity level of the plant will dictate how much water is warmed... the 3 PP lakes I fish most have hundreds of acres that are significantly warmer. And the colder it get the more water affected since that makes them fire up all 3 generators and/or run them more hours per day. Everyone should have a PP lake or two to fish in winter.

Sounds like I need to get busy checking these guys out! Thanks for the recommendations, they sound great. Keith

I know you are kidding around but that's not how it goes, at all!! We could be on a totally different page. I don't know what water you fish or for that matter, what you consider "thick." Your M rod could be great for your water. And the worst case scenario is that you got a great topwater and senko rod... you can always get something heavier later, when you decide that you need it.

Catt, I for some reason thought that L.F.T. didn't paint by pic... I'll double check with them by phone, thanks. Roadwarrior, Good link, I'll check the ones listed, thanks.

I'm looking for some taxidermy recommendations. (for replicas) My only criteria is that they paint them off of my pictures. I've seen some beautiful work but I also see the memories too vividly in my head to have mounts that look like a different fish. I like that each fish is different and sometimes the colors aren't like a picture in a magazine... but mostly I just want the mount to match the memory. Who have you guys used? Thanks

I think you are missing the point. The advantage still goes to the fish. We are talking about areas that you can not have a pretty fight and play fish. You may be flipping areas that are open but that's not where we went. I got news for you also... there is nothing easy about it... you hook a good fish (insert your own # here) and have to get him out the middle of a submerged tree or from under a 2 story boathouse with upwards of 50 piers and crossmembers. You can't "play them beautifully" unless you are using trolling wire for line and then you are going to beat the fish to death by the time she clears the last obstruction. ...lol I do understand what you mean, I just think you misunderstood what we meant.

Texans are incredibly friendly, to invited guests, during calling hours. If you come into my house uninvited in the middle of the night, you are there to harm my family or property - I always err on the side of caution.... Game over.

It's sad that so many people can't see the difference. I was spanked and when needed, the belt came out. I honestly don't remember one unfair spanking or belt use on me or my brothers. We needed it. We are all better for it... we would probably all be in prison if Dad hadn't cared and loved us enough enough to do whatever worked... in our cases spanking was the answer. We were hellions- spanking or the belt were just about the only things that scared us. Time out and all the "negotiations" are fine if they work (they didn't with any of us) but a lot of the boys I know and see can use a little correction to the butt now and then.

If you are a fan of St. Croix blanks, this is the way to go. His rods are MUCH better value than factory and look pretty dang sharp also! You can also buy them spiral wrapped. edited for spelling

Not to rock the boat (and I'm a Loomis fan) but I wouldn't buy Loomis for rod 1, the crankbait rod. JMO. Now that may leave you some options... if you buy a good cranking rod, it can be had for (a lot) less and then the choice becomes, IMX or GLX with the savings on rod 1. Deciding between IMX & GLX is a good problem to have.

I like to hunt and it gives me an excuse to put the boat away. There might be some "ok" hunting in Texas! ...lol Don't you guys have power plant lakes up north? We're only about 3-6 weeks away from power plant lake spawn (depending on which part of the state you fish)! Hunting is awesome but I can only eat a couple deer. Besides, what could beat a big fish on a buzzbait during prespawn in December??? This was last December:

Thanks, that makes perfect sense... I wasn't even thinking about the pond. I had a bunch of Turkey Run and ForK images in my head, where you can't get the boat to the fish to "lift" them out. We have lots of times where it looks like a circus trying to find a way to get a good fish out before she saws the XT off in the gunch, and you can't play them normally.

More than one member here has been instructed, by kistler customer service, to use TAPE to build up a reel foot to fit a loose reel seat. Yup, they are nothing but solution oriented!! ;D ;D Anyone see the new kistler Christmas sale ad? Buy any kistler rod and recieve 2 free rolls of electrical tape with a mail in coupon to 3M. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Kent, That surprises me a little... You normally profess to be a big fish guy more than a pure rec angler. I know you like to play the fish but a high % of my life's bigger fish came from flippin' and pitching the nasty stuff. Most swimbait set ups are HEAVY + and the drags are cranked all the way down and you took up swimbaiting this year and seemed to like it. Although very different, there are certain aspects that are almost the same. Both seem to be a big fish, heavy rod technique with a "get em to the boat fast" mentality. I know I missed something, so what is it? Purely curious.

Several of my friends are dumping cable for dish and AT&T over this. I'm not jumping yet... waiting to see which other service is better by friend's reviews. I'm fortunate, my in-laws get NFL network so I'm not in a hurry. Rumor has it that the AT&T bundle is the best service and looks to be cheapest also. We'll see.

Because we'll pay whatever they charge. Bastages Very true... I don't remember Robert ever mentioning a purchase, driven by a sale. ...lol ;D