Mike L

Slippage isn’t always a bad thing. All my reels are set up the same way. That said, My thumb is always on the spool from hook set to landing regardless of what I’m throwing where, from long distance casting to frogging and/or punching. It’s there to adjust as needed all the way back. To rely on a locked down reel regardless of the make and model, just puts too much stress on the entire combo when it just isn’t necessary. Mike

We take it for every plane trip and cruise we take. Mrs Mike was a travel agent for 28 yrs so anything travel wise I don’t question. Yeah it can be expensive depending on your point of view, circumstances and what you want covered. Just keep in mind, it is what is..If you need it you’re glad you took it. Tip..As @A-Jay mentioned, Be absolutely certain you read it and understand the limitations. They’re not all the same. Safe Travels Mike

Totally agree with your first paragraph. I’m just glad we don’t have to hear about them for another 8 months. As for your 2 nd..I don’t know. I think SF is set up just right for this game. The wide zone they run can negate a constant full on push. The wild card in this is of course Purdy. I think by the end of the first quarter after Philadelphia throws everything they got at him we’ll pretty much know. Mike

Ain’t it the truth!! Mike

Yep, That’s what I meant. When my Ma passed one of the many things I kept was that steam machine. I gave it to my daughter when her son was young and congested and remember her questioning it. I set it up, put him to bed with it and was better the next morning. She still has it! Mike

Since retiring I’m told I’m less tolerant of certain things that I remember never being bothered by before for some reason. And things that did bother me, I have much less patience for now. Mike

I remember My Ma would smear that stuff on our chest’s when we were kids whenever we were congested. She would put some in one of those steam machines that created a mist and locked us in our room with it. If our nose was stuffed up she would take a little and put it above our upper lip. I don’t remember if it helped for congestion, but it does help you to breathe better if you can stand it. Mike

As most know the vast majority of my fishing is as a tournament co angler at different levels and formats. A few times a boater’s mood and attitude changed drastically and each time I asked to be returned to the ramp. I have no patience or intent to be locked into close proximity to anyone impaired in such a way with no way out with my safety at risk. Especially on the water…or not. Mike

I’ll bet you are!! Mike

For what you describe I’d start with a 1/4 fir a while hitting the more sparse areas first, then go heavier as the veggies get heavier. Point is I want the slowest fall first to get through and go up from there. The heavier the cover the heavier the weight. Mike

The front seat of my ‘65 GTO. Mike

“I Reckon So” Mike

Beat me to it So…..The Searchers Mike

That club has some of the best fishermen I’ve ever known. You’d be surprised how many current and past pro’s that club has spawned. Mike

Southern Plastics Baits Mike

Thanks fir that, I didn’t know!! Mike

Personal experience from the first BFL I ever entered. If the boater next to me didn’t notice them down as I started backing up….. Well…it still gives me the shakes just thinking about it! Mike

Excellent!! Another new co angler Tip… If you’re pulled up to shore waiting for your boater to back down the ramp and you volunteered to load the boat, Please don’t forget to pull up the Power Pole, Talon or other shallow water anchor BEFORE you move! Mike

If I use one I like the 6” june bug Berkeley General Mike

I just hope Tampa wins And not because I live in Fla Mike

Yep, Forgot about that one!! When they want wiggle I use the Skinny Dipper when they want thump it’s always a Big EZ. Mike

Check out Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper boot tail swim baits. They have a color they call “Shiner” but never used it. My favorite is their “Houdini” color which is close to it and which I have the Greatest success with. What they call it doesn’t matter. Mike

I understand what you’re saying and appreciate your entire post. In my opinion and from personal experience this sentence isn’t always true. The world is a different place now than it was 50 yrs ago when I was your age, which in this instance and your experience is a good thing Mike

When punching through the thickest stuff I use #80 original Power Pro. Using dowel or lead pipe, my hand will give out first. The best thing I do is to maneuver right on top where the line goes in, point the rod vertical and cut it as far down the blank I can. Of Course I move after all that because that spot would be dead for a bit and then come back. Mike

Men of a certain age who lived in the intercity of many major northern cities remember the summers of ‘66-‘68. “Racial Strife” was rampant and neighborhoods were just beginning to change. Most people who lived in thier homes since immigrating from Europe over the previous 3 generations were in no mood for change. Where I grew up in the Englewood section of the So Side of Chicago I literally had to fight my way to school or to the grocery store for my Ma. Once or twice a week the fellas in my neighborhoods “local collective of friends” would have to band together just to take a walk. I still have the scars Mike