K_Mac

I cast right and use only left handed reels. I almost always palm the reel. For me it is a seamless transition; when casting I have two fingers in front of the trigger, and as I engage the reel with my left hand I move my right hand slightly forward so that my ring finger is now in front of the trigger. I now have the reel in my palm. It's like thumbing the spool; do it enough times and it happens naturally.

I think this is a great rod at full price. At this sale price I would buy a couple more if I had any extra cash.

I installed this charger(ProSport II 20) in my boat this past spring. After researching on-board chargers, this looked like the best choice (for the money). I bought it on sale and got the friends and family discount that was available the day I was there. A fantastic deal on what seems to be a good charger. That it has your seal of approval validates my choice. 8-)

My experience has been just the opposite. Any issue I've had has always been resolved to my satisfaction. Do they get it right every time? No. Do they seem to value my business? Yes. There is a line between, "I am not happy about this," and "This company is useless." I don't think bashing companies or products has a place on this board. Just my opinion.

I have a couple of BPS Pro Qualifiers with the new style handles. I really like the way the reel feels and performs, though I'm not sure how much the swept handle contributes. I'm just not sure it's that big a deal.

Just a couple of things to add to Way2slow's advice: Make sure the breaker/fuses are as close as possible to the battery, and make sure they are in the positive conductor for each circuit.

I have a Pro Qualifier combo (7'MXF/6.4:1) that is my favorite worm setup. It is worth a look.

Since once driving 35 min to the lake without the key, I now leave it in the ignition. I also have a spare in the boat. When I ordered the spare from the Honda dealer, I assumed they were like auto ignitions with unique keys for each serial number. I was surprised that they made one key for all Honda ignitions. They might as well just use a non-keyed start switch and save the hassle.

I don't have the new lower speed version, but on the ones I have there is a pin that holds the side plate in place. The pin is spring loaded. Pull it out (from the handle side) and rotate the side plate upwards. It will turn about 30 degrees and pull off. 8-)

Temps around 50 this weekend here in Southern Illinois. Let me know if you're coming. I'll have the boat ready to go.

What separates Danica from the rest of the NASCAR rookies (other than the obvious, and wonderful physical differences 8-)) is that she brings new fans and money to the game. Hate her or love her, most everyone has an opinion. She may not make the cut. She does have the support to stick around a while and find out. I hope she makes it. What I don't understand is why anyone would want her gone. Sponsorship dollars are not as easy to come by in this economy as they once were. She is money right now. If she doesn't have the skills, that will take care of itself. If she does, good for her and NASCAR.

How about, "What's your favorite color?"

Cabelas shows them in stock on-line. I'd start there.

That may not be a winner, but it is high on the list. ;D

I don't think Martin-Wells received much hoopla, especially compared to Danica Patrick. For me, and I assume for many others, the reason I want to emphasize how Martin-Wells did is to encourage those with biased attitudes to take notice. We have over 25,000 members so you can be sure there are biases among us and all of us, now and then, can fall prey to stereotypes. I do understand your point about the hoopla however, especially regarding Danica. This is an interesting conversation. I will add my $.02 FWIW. I have come to believe that while while I would like to be blind to issues of gender, race, ethnicity, age, socio-economic status, education, religion, political alliance, geographic location, sexual preference, hair color/style/length, tattoos/piercings, and only God knows how many others, I am not. How I see the world is formed by many things, some of which I do not understand. I cannot possibly know the challenges of a woman competing in a man's world. When Danica Patric or Pam Martin-Wells compete at these levels, whether they win or not, it is news. They have achieved a level of success that will open the doors for other women. It is worthy of comment for that reason, if no other. Was Kriet's comment based on her fishing skills? It was more likely based on his views of having a woman compete for one of the biggest prizes in fishing. It is that attitude that separates her from the rest of the field.

Forgot to put in plug (more than once). Drove 80 miles to lake without gas hose (paid $25 {20 yrs ago} for an extra that another boater had-it was old but better than nothing). Left boat key hanging on hook by the back door. Left tie-downs on transom (more than once). Left rain gear at home (rainy, cold late fall day). Fallen off front twice (losing prescription glasses and trashing cell phone both times, plus one good spinning rig). These are the ones that come quickly to mind and is not a comprehensive list. : On the inaugural trip with my first boat was maybe the best(?). It was a 16' Polar Craft V on a trailer that hinged in the middle. For reasons unknown, we decided to pull the pin from the trailer so it would pivot. We were OK until I crawled in the boat and sat down in the back seat (raised on a pedestal ~12"). As soon as my brother started down the ramp, the trailer pivoted. Now I am nearly standing on my head, hanging off the back of the boat, with both arms wrapped around an 18 HP Johnson. The lower unit of the motor scraped a few feet, before my brother stopped the vehicle. Luckily nothing seriously hurt but my pride. This was not the last time I found myself upside down, hanging on to that motor for dear life. That old Johnson would start in gear. One of the first trips out, I left it in gear when I stopped. When it was time to go, I gave the throttle a twist and gave her a tug... It was a very exciting couple of seconds. I told the friend I had bought the motor from about this and he got a big laugh, having warned me. A few months later he was fishing with me, and did the same thing. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. I was young and in good shape then. Any one of these happening now and my falling off the boat number would go up.

Congratulations. Most of us settle for working for someone else. I never had the guts to take the shot. Good for you. I wish you great success. Remember us little people when you make the big time. 8-)

Nice.

His green flag pit stop seconds before the yellow, and then getting out out ahead of the leader was one of the luckiest moves I've seen. I'm not saying he isn't a great driver. Great drivers put themselves in position to get lucky. BTW Burley it is good to see you finally come out of the closet in your feelings for JJ. ;D

For me it is my younger brother. He was the one who got me back into fishing when I was in my late twenties. I had gotten caught up in all the challenges of life, and forgotten that all work and no play makes Kirby a dull boy. We fished together for years, and we learned a lot about fishing and life together. When he was killed in an accident it was a very tough time. I refurbished his boat last year, and it gives me pleasure to know he would be happy for me when I use it.

As I was watching ESPN's coverage last night, I was asking myself the same question. At this point he is like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong and others who just dominated in their sports. I think "X-Factor" is a good description of that ability to bring every part of the package, including; physical and mental ability, physical and mental toughness, experience, preparation, confidence, focus, and unrelenting desire to be the best, all together when the championship is on the line. He is not my favorite pro because his style and mine are very different. I am more like KVD described Kriet, "a dragger." KVD fishes way too fast to suit me, but you can't argue with results. He is head and shoulders above the rest.

Another vote for the Pflueger President. They are solid reels for the money.

I fished for years from a 14' V Polar Craft. I used it on some of the biggest lakes in the region, including Lake of the Ozarks and Bull Shoals. As others have said, it really depends on you. If you're careful and pay attention you will be fine. Since it is your first boat, there will be a learning curve. The trouble starts when you push the limits. This can happen very quickly. I was lucky a couple of times in situations that I should not have been in. Heavy boat traffic can be as dangerous as a thunderstorm to a small boat. Good luck. BTW I have fished Smith Mountain Lake a couple of times. It is one of my favorites.

Sorry to here it. We lost our dog a few months ago. I still look for him when I come in the door. I have been through it a few times over the years. Last one for me.

Anything but braid should definitely be re-spooled. Fresh line will behave much better, and you will not take the chance that is has been damaged by sun or temp. I am assuming the line is something other than braid. Braid is a different animal. I don't have enough experience with it to comment.