K_Mac

Although your wife is undoubtedly right, I would have loved to be there with you. Makes a man glad to alive.

Very cool video. When he made the comment about a reel having that much drag would cause you to change your life, I was thinking the same thing. You would have to be in great shape to handle a fight like that-if not it just might kill you. :-?

Welcome to the forum. I have a lookout for that boat as well

Now that is what I call a fishing trip. 8-) A trip like that, esp. with your Pop, is one of those memories you will never forget. I am more than a lttle envious but I get a little vicarious thrill just out the story and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Now that is funny ;D ;D ;D

Welcome to the forum. Come on in and make yourself at home. Like roadwarrior, I'd like to hear about the peacock. That is a great fish.

You got that right. I would love to win it all enough times to be hated by the rest of the baseball world. : ;D

Catt I completely agree with you. If I came off sounding like I didn't I'm sorry. The guys we used to fish with a week or two each year on Bull Shoals used to give me a lot of grief about my little boat and all the tackle we carried, but after getting thumped a few times they did it with a smile. I have to admit seeing two big guys with 6 or 8 rods in that boat was a little funny, but we sure had a great time and caught a lot of fish. 8-)

Catt Good story. I've fished out of "tin" boats most of my life . Sometimes a small boat will get you into spots a big rig can't, or more often won't go. I also know that "high tech" aint a bad thing. If you're fishing a big lake like Bull Shoals in MO. and Ark. a big stable rig with a lot of gittyup and high end electronics is a very good thing. I have had some of the best fishing experiences of my life on this lake from a 14' deep V with an 18 HP Johnson, but if money were not an issue it would not have been my first choice. If you can afford high end, "high tech" equipment, that is a wonderful thing. Good equipment makes the entire experience more fun IMHO. If you're like most of the rest of us, buying the best quality you can afford will get the job done just fine. At the end of the day knowledge, skill, and experience are what really count. Just my nickels worth.

I'm thinking you're right. You are a very clear thinker for a Yankees fan. ;D

Tipptruck I have avoided responding to this thread because I am also not a fan of tattoos. I am too old, too traditional, too conservativeand though I hate to admit it, often too judgmental. Tattoos and piercing have become increasingly popular over the years, and I could go on at some length why I think this is a bad idea. With that said, I have finally reached a spot in my life where I begin to understand what Martin Luther King Jr. was saying when he talked about judging men by the content of their character. Just as men are still sometimes judged by the color of their skin, they are often judged by what they wear, how they're groomed, how they speak, etc; it is a poor way of doing things, but cannot be ignored. If you want a tattoo, that is absolutely your bidness (as our President might say). If you want to do this to honor your father's memory, I can't think of a better reason. I lost both of my parents a few years ago, and it will always hurt. I was touched by Russ's comment and completely agree; a life well lived is the best way of honoring them. Good luck.

Guys, I loved reading your baseball threads, and I'm gonna jump in on this one if you don't mind. Pujols batted 397 with runners in scoring position (clutch). Ryan Howard batted 256 with runners in scoring position (not clutch) Howard's RBI total benefited from batting with 72 more batters in scoring position than Pujols. (lucky) Howard batted between Chase Utley (stud) and Pat Burrows (stud) and sometimes Bobby Abreau (stud) Pujols spent much of the season behind Preston Wilson & So Taguci (not studs). Howard had an awesome season, but if he switches places with Pujols, it's no contest. btw. Pujols had a higher slugging percentage (1st in the NL), higher batting average, scored more runs, stole more bases, and played gold glove defense. If you haven't already guessed, I have a man crush on AP. Viva El Birdos! Dan DMB Jump in any time. I would say this even if you were not a man of of great wisdom and discernment, as evidenced by the above post.

I agree that when you consider the role Pujols had on our team and the numbers he put up, he deserved the MVP. There were many times during the regular season when he carried the load and we would not have even been close to making the post-season without him. Howard had a great year, but Pujols the most important guy in bringing the championship home to the National league. Add the HUGE numbers he put up and that by definition is spelled MVP.

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum. I just checked the count and at this moment there are 6867 members of this forum, and I doubt if you could get a majority to agree on any of these questions. "Best" is very subjective. If I had to pick one rod it would be a baitcasting rod rated at 1/4 -1 oz. with a fast action, and a quality low profile reel that retrieves around 26 inches per turn of the handle. Line would have to be changed to meet local conditions and primary technique used, but if only one could be selected, it would probably be 14# Trilene XL. This would be a ompromise and would limit your effectiveness, but as jdw174 said you could fish most lures with this outfit. Add a 6'-7' medium power, fast action spinning rig and now we're talking... Good luck. Enjoy the process of learning what works best for you.

Great thread. I have fished a lot over the years in cold weather, and had to learn much of this stuff the hard way. :-? I will only add only thing to what LBH said about PFD's. Many drownings in cold water happen so quickly that even having a partner with you is not a guarantee of safety. If a person falls head first into very cold water, a "gasp reflex" sometimes will cause them to fill their lungs with water on contact. If some isn't right there to pull them from the water, they will sink and be gone. Cold water is a very dangerous thing, and a PFD is a priority IMHO.

My wife read this thread a little while ago so I could get her point of view. She immediately said much the same as avid. I just took for granted the women at this event were teachers, and other parents. If avid and my wife are correct...well that is another story.

I completely agree with the above. I have to admit that I am sometimes guilty of looking. We men are visual creatures, and our attraction to the oppposite sex is a powerful force, but we do have the ability to behave in a way that honors our commitment to our wives. As BassChaser mentions, it is a two way commitment, and a big part of that is open, honest communication. If counseling is needed, get it. That is not easy or comfortable, but is worth the effort. Advice is often worth what you pay for it, and my only credentials are my wife and I, by the grace of God, have managed to stay together for over thirty years. We have made plenty of mistakes (most of them mine) and will no doubt continue to make them, but our love and respect for each other is greater than ever. As the others have said, I wish you the best.

Welcome back.

Valuscus I understand the frustration of health issues, loss of jobs, and not enough cash to make ends meet. I have lost jobs due to downsizing a couple of times in my working career. I am currently unemployed because of health problems. It is frustrating to have to dip into retirement funds to make ends meet when you're as old as I am (50). Now you are probably asking, what is your point K_Mac? :-? Good Question. Catt mentioned Philippians 4:11. Philippians 4 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. In verse 12 Paul says, I have learned what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. He then goes on to say in verse13, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I can tell you after 30+ years of marriage and being in the work force, through tragedy and triumph, that this promise has been true in my life. I have learned that you really find out what you believe and what you're made of when times are tough. That is good thing. One more verse and I'll end my sermon. : Romans 8:28 is my life verse. It says, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. I will keep you in my prayers. Kirby

Welcome to the forum. I look forward to your input. Make yourself at home.

I like the idea of guessing the weight. Based on the average estimate of unweighed fish, I would guess bassinfreak2 is very close. That seems to be about what is generally added to any bass above 3 or 4 lbs. As for the foul hooking, you folks from south of the boarder are not above suspicion. A Mexican WR will be looked at at least as closely as the Cali folks. We distrust foreigners even more than other US fishermen. ;D

Very touching story. Thanks Russ.

Beautiful work kb. Raul the problem is, once the kids leave it is just a mater of time brfore your house is overrun with grandkids; a real blessing, but a serious threat to fishing tackle.

My guess is he will be in shadow, just adding fuel to the, "is Elvis still alive" question.