.ghoti.

I've had two of those samplers in the past; bought in duty-free shops. They had Black, Green, Gold and Blue. Tasty!! The Green Label is a single malt. I'd buy it again if I could find it.

iphone5 user here. I had my previous phone for almost 5 years, which means it was beyond obsolete. I too, have to text to communicate with most of the people with whom I wish to communicate, PITA that it is. Voice-to-text is cool, particularly when driving. camera is decent. calendar, maps / navigation, alarm clock weather newsstand and facetime are all very nice to have. I've only purchased two apps, so far. A utilities app includes calculator, voice memos, compass and contact listing. The iFart app is always good for a chuckle. So yeah, I'm an old guy with smartphone, but I wonder if maybe I'd be better off if I were still a smart guy with an old phone.

I'll pour some in my flask, and you can see for yourself when we're at Bull Shoals in a couple of weeks.

I also just found a grocery store selling Black Bush for $30. If you haven't had it, try it sometime.

The wife and I went to Jamaica for our winter getaway this year. Had no plans to vist the duty-free shops this trip, but while walking through, found a deal. Johnie Walker Platinum. one liter for $100 or two $150. I bought two. Last year I found Double Black, and said to myself, "self, this is my new fav". I took one bottle along on a fishing trip last February, and RoadWarrior declared it the best scotch he's ever had. Well, they upped the game again. This one is better yet. If you're a scotch enthusiast, look for this stuff next time you want something special. I just had to do a quick comparison. Had about 1/2oz of Platinum next to a 1/2oz of Blue. Personally, I'll take Platinum over Blue Label any day.

Go to Fuji's website. Just about everything you want to know will be there. Mudhole also has good info.

If you manage to get some JJ's, and you have a wife, do not even open the bottle in the house. I made some very effective flukes, using JJ's to "paint" the top edge of the bait darker, and paint some stripes down the sides.

Mike does insist on cranking with the wrong hand.

I also promise that my car will not run over the new one.

i will brimg along some soft-set Loctite; to keep the new reel attached to the rod.

An off-the-wall thought, if you will. Check out some JJ's Magic. It's the only dip for soft plastics that will actually change the color of the bait. If you can get some of that stuff shipped across the pond, try "painting" some light color tubes, using q-tips.

I was along on that trip with Mike, and got to handle that combo but not fish with it. I had a Steez/Certate combo I had out on it's maiden voyage, and thus did not beg really hard to try out the Pinnacle combo. My quick impression was; a nice crisp, light weight rod; maybe a bit heavier in powere than a ML, with a nice fast taper. The reel was a bit on the heavy side, but felt very smooth in hand. I was looking forward to trying it out on an upcoming trip, but that's not gonna happen. By the way, although I was not at the wheel, the SUV in question was my Jeep Commander. Like I said, a nice solid reel, but no match for the Commander.

Exactly!!!

That really makes me want get in the boat with you again, you long-legged jamoke.

That's the stuff shooter. You can also use it full strength, but wear gloves. Prolonged exposure will make your hands peel; just like you get a sunburn. 50% doesn't seem to bother my skin. I'm gonna try what John recommended as well.

David, I don't disagree with you at all about quality oil applied in the correct amount to clean parts. Sounds like a recipe for success to me. But, I like to experiment. And I like to push the envelope a little. I jumped on the rocket fuel bandwagon when it first became available, and like everybody else, soon discovered that once per year was nowhere near often enough. I tried a lot of different lubes over the years, before settling on 321. TSI has been around long enough now that you would think most of the disinformation has been answered away. But it has not. Comparing WD40 to TSI321 is like comparing fingernail polish to epoxy. They are two different products, designed for completely different uses. WD40 was designed to displace water, not for use as a lubricant. TSI321 is a synthetic ester. Esters were developed as lubricants for high speed, very high temperature applications. Originally, it was the development of synthetic esters that made the jet engine possible; which is not at all to the point. TSI301 is a penetrating lubricant. It is 321 ester mixed with a solvent. The solvent is harmful to some plastics. They do not tell us what the solvent is, nor is it listed which plastics can be harmed by it. Again, doesn't matter to me. I use 321, which has no solvent. I'm starting with properly cleaned parts, and don't need the penetrating, cleaning properties of a solvent. This particular ester is a molecule with polarity. In a nutshell that means the molecules link together and bind to metals. This provides long lasting corrosion protection along with excellent lubrication. I find this to be just what the doctor ordered for spool bearings, and for levelwind lubrication. When used on the levelwind parts, grit does not stick nearly as much, and can be simply rinsed away with fresh water; which does not wash away the lube. Try this sometime. You may be impressed. In fact, if you PM your address to me, I'll send you some. I have a good sized container of the stuff, and, being an old fart, I may not live long enough to use it all up. I'd be happy to send you a sample. Like I said, it ain't magic, but it do be pretty darned good stuff.

baluga, next time you order, try TSI321. When you buy 301, you're buying 321 lube mixed with a solvent. The solvent is what evaporates, not the lube. I'll agree, there is no "magic" lube, but 321 comes as close as I've found. Just have to careful, and not use too much. I dip a thin, steel pick in the container and get a very small drop to apply to the bearing. This gives the speed of the very light, low viscosity oils, but lasts all summer.

Acetone and lighter fluid both work very well, but both are toxic, highly flammable, and they stink. Simple green works nicely, is biodegradable and smells pleasant. Get the shields off, if you can. A 50% solution is good enough. Soak and swish for about 5 minutes. Repeat with fresh simple green. Rinse with boiling water, and air dry before applying the lube of your choice. Many people make way too much of this. I've read too may comments about this solvent or that solvent or the other solvent being the best because they leave no residue. Well, there ain't no such thing as a solvent which leaves no residue behind. Whatever you use will leave some residue behind. Don't worry about it. Just get your bearings as clean as you can, lube them properly, and go fishing. I used the bearing blaster with both carb cleaner and brake cleaner; and it does a good job. But, you'll be using toxic, flammable chemicals, and you'll have to use it outdoors, with rubber gloves and eye protection, if you're smart about it. The stuff flies everywhere.

85 here in Ocho Rios yesterday. be about the same today, and tomorrow, and the next day , etc,etc,,,, we really picked the right week to go on vacation.

Ah, now there's a good thought. Ive never tried the mobile version. I will do just that.

I have no goals, standards or expectations when fishing. I fish to get away from all that crap.

First, Lee is correct; I am very fluent in smartass. Cant help myself sometimes. Second, rockcalk, I did not intend my comment to youy as a smartass reply. It just came out that way. My apologies if you took it as such. I don't know you well enough to call you a It is difficult to nuance a typed comment. My problem is this iPad. It will not allow me to post a picture on BassResource; in a post, in a PM, or in a gallery. The only way I've been able to poast a pic is to email to myself, open it and save it on my desktop PC on campus, and then post from there. Since I'm not on campus until Jan 13, and do not go on campus until I have to, posting a pic seems to be outside of my capabilitiy right now, so I'll have just give a list. Norcalbassin sent me a very nice package. Two swimbaits; a Mattlures bluegil and a Huddleston 5" ROF 12. I don't have a swimbait combo but I do have a muskie combo I use for smaller muskie baits. I think it will do nicely for those two baits, and I'm looking forward to to giving the swimbait thing a shot in the upcoming season. Also a pack of Big Hammer swimbait tails. I have the correct jigheads for those baits. I've used those exact baits before and I know they will produce in this area. He also sent two Dirty Jigs & Tackle swimjigs. Both are what I'd call crappie color and will be perfect for Trophy Country, with a white Rage Tail Menace trailer. Two packs of GYCB Cuttail worms, one of my go-to baits, two packs on tungsten weights, and a *** tee shirt. My wife has already appropriated the shirt. It's been a long time since I was able to cram my carcass into an XL shirt. The wife wears my old tee shirts as pajamas, so I will be waking up to a woman in a TW shirt. Sounds like a good way to start the day to me. All in all, norcalbassin sent me a package of loot worth a lot more than 25 bucks. And, all good choices for me. Thanks, Chad.

I have two projects for 2014, both of which will have a negative impact on my fishing time. And on the funding for fishing trips. We recently aquired a small cabin on our local lake. It needs a lot of work. I have a contractor working on the floor right now. They are tearing the floor out, down to the joists, and replacing all of it. That is the biggest piece of the puzzle, and I'm glad the wife agreed to farm it out. I tore out the kitchen completely, leaving nothing but the stove. It's new, everything else went into a dumpster. Once the new floor is in place my work will begin. building a new kitchen, replacing a stool and shower, drywall, trim work and painting, deck repairs, dock repairs or replacement, adding AC, etc, etc, etc. The outside is in good shape. New roof, new siding, new windows and doors. Inside, it has a new stove, new washer/dryer stacked combo, new frig, and a fairly new gas-fired heater. Thw second project is getting rid of the last of my debts. I've paid off all credit cards this year, and I'm keeping only an amex green card. The only remaining debt I have is a home equity loan. I will pay this off sometime near the end of 2014. Then I can retire. And that is my primary goal for 2015. I will be 62 shortly, and I've been working two jobs since 1988. I had my second heart attack three months ago. It's time to stop and smell the coffee.

rockchalk, no offense intended my friend, but your answer reminds of a smart-assed answer I gave to one of my students. He asked how to write a resume. i told him to open Word, type his resume, and click save.

Hope that stuff produces for you. Since the Rage Tail Menace came out, I haven't used any other trailer. Can somebody please tell this old fart how to post a pic from an iPad?