K_Mac

My training is also going well. I still have another 20 pounds to shed to be as tight as A-Jay, but a man needs a goal to shoot for...

The trouble with only buying name brands on sale for many of us is that they don't often come on sale when we have the cash to take advantage of it. To be able to buy a couple of hundred dollars worth of Rage products on sale is very cool-if you have a couple of hundred dollars to spend. I have found reasonably priced alternatives for many of my fishing needs. When I run low on a particular "alternative" bait, I can buy them whether on sale or not without have to pay the name brand premium. BPS Stick-os and River Bugs are good examples in my opinion. I do not argue that these baits are as good as GY Senkos or RI Sweet Beavers (although empirical evidence suggests they often are), just that they are good enough to meet my needs at a price I'm more willing and able to pay. This is best advice in this thread IMO. Most of us spend an awful lot of money to figure this out, because it much easier said than done. What works is a fluid thing for me, because the truth is there are many ways to catch bass, and I like to experiment with different techniques and baits. That requires continually searching for the right bait at the right price...I believe it is that process of figuring it out that makes fishing the life-long challenge that keeps most of us learning as we go.

Stlbob welcome to the forum from another member of Cardinal Nation! Your BIL obviously has plenty of cash, though he really doesn't seem to have a great deal of wisdom. He may be a very good, generous, and well meaning guy but buying anything as high end as the Steez for someone without knowing their needs and wants is a mistake IMO. For the money paid for the reel you could have a very good rod and reel combo that will last even a serious fisherman a life time. With that said I would not risk offending him, so as others have said buy yourself a high end rod to match and enjoy! The only trouble with that is over time you will find there really is a difference in high end gear and probably will want to upgrade everything you have...good luck.

I am big fan of many Bass Pro branded products. I have also tried many that have not measured up. When it comes to inexpensive crankbaits I much prefer Bandit or Strike King. When it comes to finesse plastics, creatures and worms, Zoom is usually my choice. For craws and chunks, Net bait Pacas are my go-to. For beaver baits I often use BPS River Bugs in both sizes. They are a cheaper alternative to RI baits that work nearly as well as the original. I have used many pounds of Stick-os over the years and find them a great alternative to the more expensive name brands. I do think RW list is a good one. If money was not an issue I would stick to quality name brands for most of my fishing needs. Necessity has caused me to explore other alternatives. I know when I try a BPS branded item that it may not work as well the product it is patterned after. For the difference in price I am often willing to take the chance. Buy a few items and give them a try is my recommendation. Enjoy the process! Good luck.

Two years ago (Feb 23, 2012) I weighed 338 pounds. This morning 200. 180 is my ultimate goal, but I have to develop a little more discipline to make that happen. I am in great shape, but those last few pounds will not give up easily. If I can do it so can you. I promise it will make you a better fisherman. Good luck.

Well done! I wish you a happy 44 more.

Jigfishn10, I had 1/2 of my left knee replaced a number of years ago, so my running days are done. I was a distance runner back in the day. I finished a 10 mile race one time with my only motivation to beat the very fine looking woman in front of me. Let's just say she was inspirational to follow. I thought I would out-kick her at the end-not! Talk about ugly: I was..er...going at both ends...for the next hour or more. At the time I was just happy to have a new personal best. Serious runners are not quite right! Aceman if you can put me on double digit bass here locally I might start an A-Rod type program.

A-Jay you ain't that pretty to begin with so I wouldn't worry too much...

If you don't look ugly crossing the finish line you haven't pushed hard enough!

Goose I was just thinking the addition of the Flea Market Forum to the drop-down list makes it too burdensome and clumsy to navigate and maybe I'd petition to have Glenn remove it... Just kidding! Thanks Glenn.

Hootie I find that almost all high carb foods can send me into a feeding frenzy. I try to avoid empty calories because whether it is chips or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I can't eat just one.

As a "born again" fit guy after spending many years as an unfit fat guy, I completely agree with you. I had gotten to the point that standing very long on the deck of a boat was not any fun. My body simply would not allow me to fish as long as I wanted to. Having lost weight and started a fitness program, that is no longer the case. I still have other health issues that limit my fishing at times, but I have done what I can to make fishing an enjoyable part of my life. Good post jnatale3.

I am an advocate for C&R. It is a proven method of maintaining a valuable resource that everyone here loves. It is only one though. When combined with selective harvest it is even more effective on many bodies of water. My home lake (Cedar Lake) has a 14-18" slot limit. It is one the best bass fishing lakes in southern Illinois, in large part as a result of this. It has many other characteristics that make it a fine fishery, including deep cold water and an abundant food supply. A few times a year I will keep a few smaller bass for the table. Like RoLo I believe handled properly it is a fine eating fish.

Any of the inflatable vests will float you face up even if unconscious. My belt has a strap that has to be put over my head when inflated to get that protection, so if I am knocked out when leaving the boat it may only make recovering my body easier. I wear it because even in the heat of the summer it does not cook me, it's cheap, and it is not at all in the way. I don't really notice it all. I am saving nickles to buy a couple good inflatable vests.

This is an interesting thread to me. It confirms that for some the Super Bowl is part of the American culture. For them the thought of not watching is "hard to believe". For others, like me, it is just another game in an endless chain of games. I do have a little interest in seeing if Manning can finish a storybook season, so will probably have the game on. Now if the choice was game 7 of a Cardinals World Series, I might fish with one eye on my smartphone...

No question about that for me:I would go fishing! There is no broadcast sporting event that would keep me from fishing this time of year. I might record the event if a team or player l like was involved, but fishing would get the call every time.

I have mine. It does make for good bathroom reading, but the new catalogs are more and more becoming teasers to make you go online to actually place an order with all the models, sizes, colors, etc only listed there. A sign of the times I suppose...

Given the choice, smart guy with old phone would be my pick. I too am afraid that ship has sailed.

I thought the same thing. What has happened is the drop-down menu only shows a few of the boards. Click on Fishing Forums and the entire list appears. At least that's how it works for me.

While a man can never have too many Paca Craws, I am probably good.

That is an important life lesson. "Argue with a fool, and you're liable to act like one", is one of those simple truths that for most of us have to be re-learned occasionally.

Well said A-Jay.

I hate when that happens! I have not yet spent a nickle. Medical expenses have not allowed for it. I may just have to use some of the stock on hand this year. I really don't NEED anything...I will not be happy about it though.

Glenn it is a funny question. I am not sure where being 8' tall and bullet-proof was replaced by the understanding that a man has got know his limitations. Life has a way of teaching us those lessons. I remember my first real job after high school. I thought I had all the answers. It did not take long to learn I didn't even know the questions...

I have fallen off the boat while fishing twice. Once in water only a couple of degrees warmer than you had today. I was very lucky both times. I now wear an inflatable belt type PFD most of the time, and at all times when fishing alone. The second time was in warmer water, but the wind was blowing just enough to keep the boat just out of reach. I managed to catch it with my last ditch effort. Had I failed I would not be here to tell the story. As it was all I could do was hang on till the wind blew me into shore. The second time happened after I had resolved to wear my belt at all times when alone. I had just started fishing, was within sight of the ramp, and had forgotten to put it on. I actually reached to pull the release to find I was not wearing it. It does not get much dumber than that! That lesson was made even more clear two years ago when a good friend drowned while fishing alone on a local power plant lake. It was early in the year, windy, and he was not wearing a PFD. I may have been with him if I had not been in the hospital at the time. I am still haunted by that thought... Glad you were lucky. Thanks for sharing your story. We all need to be reminded that PFDs save lives.