Darren.

Fantastic outing. Well done! Here's to more of the same....

Well that game sucked. McDermott and the Zone D when the Bills should have been playing man. But with injuries and trying to cover the great Nacua and Cupp, ugh. Refs sure missed a huge call at the end that would have forced a 4th down (false start miss that was so obvious Stevie Wonder would have seen it). Next week red hot Detroit and the worst turf in the NFL. Stand by, I'm hearing the Refs have already made sure Patrick gets a W tonight. I mean look, he's got Apple Intelligence and the refs in his pocket. I'll see myself out. Vent over.

Looks sweet!!

Unforgotten. Forever.

Mmmm. Coffee. Black. Like @Glenn's pic, not see-thru. Black. Don't shoot me now, but I actually got into Folgers Classic Roast about 10 years ago when on vacation. My sister brought some and I was shocked at how good it was. Of course, the way I like to brew it gives my wife a stomach ache, so she avoids it. If I make a 12 cup pot, It is usually 8-10 somewhat heaping scoops of my Ninja scooper (one level scoop = 2 cups). But I love me a good triple espresso from a coffee shop.

Agree on at least the wind. As I said in response to @Team9nine, I can't wait to try these in calm parts of the James River. Will have to look at your suggestions.

I've been throwing on ML spinning gear, 10# braid and 6# leader. Can't wait to try them in the James River for smallies when we next visit Lynchburg, VA. Should be nice in the calmer pools with little to no current.

Bought a few of these about a month ago (or so) and tossed 'em in fresh water. Really nice results - bass, crappie, etc. Love these little guys. I put a Ned craw on them and pure awesome. Anyone else try these? Ordered a bunch more on Black Friday....

Dang. My first back throw-out was simply opening the van door, reaching in to start it. Bang. Electric shock and I was on my back for a few days with some Flexeril. Unreal how much it ruins a good day. Splitting wood is for my sons to do.

As a super stickler for wearing a life vest when kayaking... i.e., 100% of the time, I once forgot it after unloading the yak and gear at the dock. This is where the wife comes in. She drove all the way (~6 miles, so not bad) to meet me as I waited. Love her bunches. She didn't have to do that on her day off. Hasn't held it against me for payback, either! In the spirit of the OP, I have been researching more use of pulley systems with my kayak. Always looking for better ways to do things.

Agreed, though before CMC went down they were doing decent at the run game. Ok, first series was good, went down from there. Sad about CMC. Hope he recovers quickly... But GO BILLS!!

Nothing quite like it. Been to at least one snow game back in the early 90s. Nothing like freezing one's tuchus off at Rich Stadium in the nosebleeds where the wind is ripping over the stadium walls.

Terrible hit.

Am I the only one feeling this way? 😂

I'd put a heart on every single post here. Happy Thanksgiving, all! Some amazing food today. Great to see family. Congrats to all the Cowboys fans. You beat the Giants. 😶 Here's to a great remainder of 2024 for fishing to all. Right there with ya! Got me tonight, too. And funny thing, ordered on TW using my BPS card. Hoping the wife doesn't check too closely.

Welcome aboard! Rod and reel selection can border on a religious argument. Find what will work for you, the bait monkey will have his way with you regardless . I'm one who prefers rods 6'6" and under. I also fish 1000 size Stradics for fresh and salt. Caught plenty of bass over 6 pounds (the one in my avatar is 6 pounds 6 oz) on them. Avatar was caught on a 5'9" Shimano Compre rod and a Stradic 1000 FI. No problemo, and was in sticks, too. I use braid for mainline and always tie on a leader of fluoro, or a copoly which saves cutting into the mainline. Daiwa makes some mighty fine gear, hard to go wrong there. I think your selections are fine.

Nice story and catch!

Yikes! Speedy recovery to both of you!

Welcome aboard, Michael! Wishing the best for your treatment! May you find endless joy in fishing.

Never caught on a Sluggo. Back when I lived in WNY, a buddy took me fishing at a small, private lake his folks lived at. He said Sluggo weightless is the greatest bait and will catch monsters there. We were skunked. Since then I've tried a few times, but zilch. I wonder if they would do well in saltwater...hmmm.

I will welcome you aboard. Great name ! Have a gander at the articles offered on this site. Some really great advice there.

You are correct. My son was not here when I typed it in as a speck. I read this to him just now and he said "Dad...it's a grey trout/weakfish, not a speck." My bad. LOL. What can I say, I'm mostly a freshwater guy. Both have the fangs, tho.

It is just a lot of fun to go after a sport fish that can get big in size - and is a treasured catch for so many. I don't like the tournament scene much, anymore than I would try the disc golf tournament scene, or mountain biking. I just prefer the enjoyment w/o stress of competition with others. Needing to one-up everybody else - for me - is not much of a good time. Just my .02...or .01. Other species are great, and can be a lot of fun. I am spending time with my sons who love to do the saltwater thing. There are *so* many species out there and just wetting a line, feeling the pull of a fish on the other end and guessing what it is, to me, is part of the enjoyment. I fish because it is fun, challenging, and enjoyable.

Welcome aboard! 🤙

Went out on the creek last night with son #3 in his jon boat. Tide was going out, caught several species: perch, speckled trout, Reds.