K_Mac

While I've learned much along the way I sure don't have all the answers. I certainly have nothing to sell. I am convinced that proper nutrition is not as simple as calories in and out though. It may not be quantum mechanics, but what we consume and when are essential parts of maintaining a very complex machine. I also know that what works for one may not work for others. After many years of trial and error I have learned that the hard way. Knowing your body and having the discipline to do what needs to be done to maintain fitness and health is a life-long process that may be simple, but it's not easy for most of us. Good luck on your journey.

I wish you well. I think short-term you're probably OK. I question whether you can properly fuel your body long-term though. As Deacnh03 said, losing weight can be an unhealthy process. Losing muscle for the sake of making a weight is a lose/lose process. Messing with your metabolism is a tricky thing. Good luck.

Yep. Two is better than one in this situation. Enjoy the 7s. They will serve you well.

Don't you think fasting for 20 hours and eating for 4 is a lifestyle change?

Rhino the thing about Simmons is in spite of the little shorts, tank top, and oil he never really ever was fit in my opinion. He was as soft as an over-ripe tomato. About as smart too, although he managed to make a lot of money with his snake oil.

A_Jay many people are convinced that many foods are evil. Bacon is not evil. Cheeseburgers are not evil. Ice cream is not evil. All of these foods, in moderation, can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. It takes discipline to do the work necessary to allow for the occasional the "bad" choice though. I have come to the point that I understand that as soon as I swear off ice cream, I will probably stop at the first Dairy Queen I see. I can't avoid these foods entirely, so I have to figure out how to live healthily in a world where being fat is the status quo. I have been successful in doing this for the last couple of years because I've learned that being fit makes every aspect of living better: From carrying the groceries in, to standing all day on the deck of a boat, to that "special" time with my wife.

I have tried many diet plans over the years, losing and regaining hundreds of pounds. In February of 2012 my cardiologist told me that I needed to lose some weight or not to make any long term plans. I weighed 338 pounds at the time. Today I weigh 190. I am convinced after much work and research that diets do not work. Diets are a short term solution to a life-long problem. A clear understanding of nutrition and exercise, and an ongoing commitment to living a healthy lifestyle is the only answer in my opinion. Anything else is a temporary fix. That is not to say that the latest diet plan will not allow you to lose weight, just that weight loss is only one part of the solution. Good luck!

I am also a right handed fisherman who has all left handed reels. Controlling the rod with my dominant hand and reeling with my left is far more natural to me than using a right handed reel. My advice is to try both. Some use both right or left, depending on the technique. Its all good.

RIP Yogi. While best known for his memorable quotes, he was a great catcher and baseball coach. His legacy goes far beyond his interesting use of language. The game, and baseball fans everywhere will miss him.

Exceptional post. Very well said.

I wish I could give you a simple answer. The truth for me is that over time I've learned what works for me in most situations. I used to worry way too much about what, when the more important question is where. This is especially true when it comes to colors and plastics. I have dozens of different plastics in a huge variety of colors. I use six or eight in three or four colors most of the time. Jigs and trailers, cranks, topwaters, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and swim jigs (including scroungers) are much the same. That is not to say I don't take far too much stuff when fishing from the boat, but if when i bank fish I can get by with far less. Knowing the water will also allow me to carry less. I think it just takes most of us a while to get to the point where we worry less about about having exactly the right bait and more about getting our bait properly in the right spot. I'll get back to you when I get that figured out...

A_Jay that is the best answer to the question I have seen! There are times when the lunar stage is significant in my opinion, but catching fish is not the only reason many of us fish. For some of us it is not even the primary reason! Enjoy the process and leave the charts to fortunetellers, politicians, and other disreputable types.

This is the reason why even great companies have to modify warranties to keep costs down. How much less would those Legends cost if they didn't have to replace rods broken by careless or thoughtless fishermen? Anything beyond a limited time, manufacturing defect only policy just encourages this sort of thing, and costs all of us more in the long term. Back on topic, this is only one of many ways of breaking a rod. I haven't used this method, but I have found other ways; some of them just as dumb!

Muddy was his site name. He brought a lot of passion to the conversation. That same passion also made it difficult at times to communicate in a format where nuance isn't easy to convey. He has a good heart, and I miss him too.

lo n slo sums it up well. Many of us have spent more years than we'd like to admit trying to figure out what bass are going to do in all situations. Even those who have exhaustive knowledge of bass and years of experience stike out at times. Enjoy the process.

A_Jay I am only a few years into a fit lifestyle, so the "tonnage" you're moving is not going to happen. At 59 I don't really care either what my max is in any movement. The young guys can push the envelope. For us with a bit more milage, good form and more reps greatly reduces injuries and gets the job done. Keep up the great work. You are an inspiration to many of us. Well done!

Way2slow offers great advice. Most first time boat owners have no idea of the cost of ownership. For others the passion for fishing comes and goes, while payments for a high-end rig can go on seemingly forever. Buy what you can afford. If you can't afford something now, find someone you can fish with and share expenses. Good luck.

I agree with you. Most of the time when I C- rig it is with a baitcaster and a 7'2" heavy rod, with at least a 3/4 ounce weight. In crystal clear water (think Bull Shoals) a spinning outfit has saved the day a few times.

For skirted jigs I use 1/4-3/4 oz, with 3/8 used the most except in deeper water. Plastics 1/8-1 oz, with 3/16 or 1/4 the most common. For dropshot I like 3/8. If you know how the fish are related to structure or grass cover use that to determine the distance from the weight. If not I would start about 6-8" off bottom and experiment from there. Being able to determine bottom structure takes experience and paying close attention. You can tell much about bottom structure by paying close attention to bank contour and by feel with a heavier bait. Good luck!

C-Rigging does not require a heavy weight. You could go with a 1/4 oz weight on your rig without any problem. You will have to slow down to keep contact with the bottom though.

Give me a Barbie motif Metanium/NRX combo and I will fish it without reservation!

20# fluorocarbon is maybe a little much for open, clear water and is not a good choice for topwater because of its density. Mono or copoly is a better choice. My guess is that is not the problem though. When fishing gets tough in the conditions you have, I usually choose one of two options: First, is to go deeper with a finess bait, generally a trickworm or finess worm on a shakeyhead; or, fish a jig or plastic like a cut worm or beaver in the heaviest cover available. Sometimes a spook over, or a spoon or crankbait through schooling, suspended fish also works. The other thing to remember is some days you are not going to be successful. Enjoy the day anyway! Good luck.

A 202 on a pistol-grip glass rod that could nearly be tied in a knot. I caught a litte of everything on that cheap combo. Of course it wasn't cheap to a poor kid. Caught a huge carp from the river behind or house. It took one of my brother's help to get it home. I was about 8 at the time. Goose I would give much for a photo of me and that fish.

A_Jay coincidentally that is exactly like the one I used to carry in my 14' tin boat!

As you can see, MassBass you are in good company. I am in the other camp: I don't care at all about aesthetics. How it performs is important, I just don't care if colors match! You guys have perrty stuff though!