K_Mac

People quit fishing for a lot of reasons, just like everything else I think. When my brother, who was my fishing partner, was killed in an accident in 1999 it took me a few years to find my passion for fishing again. During that time I found the game of golf. Like most of us 'all or nothing types' I did that with complete abandon for a while. While my wife kept encouraging me to get back to fishing (my first love), I just couldn't quite get past losing my brother. It took an invite from one of my co-workers to remind me how much I missed being out on the water. That simple invite and trip enabled me to get on with doing what I love to do. It is really easy to get into a pattern and not want to include someone new in our fishing time, but this thread reminds me that inviting someone new along can be a life-changing thing. Thanks for the reminder Glenn.

Great attitude Caver. Attitude plays a big part in my experience here. When I come here with a negative attitude, I can always find something to **** me off; when I come here looking to learn, teach, see what the latest buzz is or just hang out for a while, I always enjoy my stay. I have learned much since finding this forum a while ago, and am a better fisherman as a result. Enjoy! Thanks for the post.

Wed evening I was fishing at a local strip pit with a friend. I caught several good fish on a jig. The only indication of a bite was a slight tick when they picked it up. Had I not been there and done that before, I would have missed most of those fish. Yes, I have soft hands that are able to feel a subtle bite, but experience is what has taught me what a subtle bite is. I have fished with some though who wouldn't know they had a bite if the fish jerked the rod from their hand.

Excellent video endless. I have had great success with chatterbaits, although this year the chatterbait bite has not happened yet for me. I keep throwing them because they can, and will produce quality fish.

Catt you make a good point. Where, how, and why is more important than what. With that said, you use Tru Tungsten weights on your T-rigs. Many people would say that paying $1.50-8.00 for a weight is silly. Good hooks are now nearly a dollar, or more a piece. Quality jigs are $2.50-4.00 plus. A garden variety chatterbait or spinnerbait will cost $5.00 plus. A bag of plastics may cost $7.00 or more, with many individual pieces costing over a dollar. Shopping smart can save a bundle, but the days of cheap crankbaits, or gas, or cheeseburgers are gone. I've made real cuts real cuts in some areas to be able to afford to fish. Going out to eat has been one casualty, but I can live with that.

Looks like a good time was had by all. John 30s and rain is not any fun. I have done it as a younger man, but with age comes wisdom-at least that is what I tell my wife! great post.

Way to go BB. I am now going through the process with my grandkids. As has been said, time passes quickly...I will now sing a few bars of 'Sunrise, Sunset' from Fiddler on the Roof.

I am far from a crankbait specialist, but the last week or two I have done really well working a 100 series Bandit (1/4 oz) over grass. I use a med power rod with a BPS Pro Qualifier reel and 12# CXX for this. Any good quality reel and line will work fine IMO.

I'm with Catt. The med Carbonlite fishes much like a MH made by many other manufacturers (think GLoomis), and is heavy enough to get a good hook-set in most situations, IMO. The MH Carbonlite is my go-to rod for 1/2 oz and better jigs and large worms on heavier weights, or where heavier line is required. Good luck, and keep swinging! Edit: I don't know which Trilene mono you're using. XL is stretchier than the others...a good copolymer is my choice.

I don't own any Loomis rods. I have used many of them, and at the IMX/GLX/NRX levels they are fine rods; they just don't fit my budget. With that said, I would wear the hat, t-shirt, or affix a Loomis sticker without giving it a second thought. I would wear a Porsche or Maserati hat or t-shirt if I had one, and I ain't likely to ever even drive one of those...if that makes me a poser then so be it. FWIW I fish with several guys who fish a variety of great tackle including Loomis rods, and not one of them look down on my BPS gear. We catch fish and have a great time doing it. Buy what you can afford; wear what you want; life is too short to worry about the little stuff...

I know nothing about the rods, but I have a couple of President reels that are excellent values IMO.

It is easy to get stuck doing things the same way, esp when it works most of the time. Last year a friend was putting a serious smack-down on me, with both of us fishing essentially the same bait. I finally stopped fishing and watched him. He was letting his shaky head sit motionless for several counts, then moving it slightly and doing the same thing, over and over all the way back to the boat. When I slowed mine down and left it alone I started catching more and better fish. I have been fishing long enough to know not to get too locked in on any one technique, but I have to be retrained from time to time...

I do exactly the same.

Catt I've never been a big fan of the "leave everything else at home" school. If you cannot cover the entire water column you have arbitrarily limited yourself. Catching fish is far more about knowing where and why, than what IMO. FWIW if I had to fish only midcranks for very long (whether I was catching fish or not) I would find another hobby also...

I use copolymer (CXX) for everything. Works for me.

I think boat position makes the decision. Like Catt and J Franco, working uphill is often the better option and may require working all the way back. If you're in very deep water pitching to cover or working structure then maybe not so much. I have also been surprised by fish taking the bait in much deeper water than I expected. So in summary, it depends ...there are few absolutes when it comes to fishing. Good luck.

I don't know if the punishments fit the crime or not. I do think sending a message that rewarding intentionally hurting a member of the opposing team won't be tolerated, was the right thing to do. Football is a violent game, but physical injury is not the goal. We live in a culture that says winning is the only thing that matters. I applaud NFL management for trying to protect the integrity of the game. Many of us still think integrity matters.

Anyone "fond" of communal showers with a bunch of guys is a little suspect in my opinion. I do take an occasional shower at the gym, but I am not fond of doing so. I do not dilly nor dally while there...

As ww2farmer said, if you're flipping it really doesn't matter much. I pitch with BPS PQ reels with dual braking, and usually use no centrifugal brakes and have the spool fairly loose. I may add a little mag braking, but have found that I have better accuracy with less brakes; it will cause you to pay attention though... Stick with the 3/8 oz jig until you get comfortable, then you can start to lighten up. Pitching, esp when using a lighter baits, is a presentation that requires practice and attention to detail. I fish with a guy that makes it look easy. Watching him has made me much better. Try some different lines and diameters also. 12# CXX is what I prefer if I can get away with it. Really nasty stuff may require a little heavier. Good luck.

I love db. He sees things that most of us don't, and he touches his readers in a way that is not always pleasant or nice. He always make me think.

The fundamental principle here is I do not want to see your junk, and I do not want you looking at mine. While there may be circumstances where this can't be avoided, as a matter of general practice the Rule is sound in my opinion. And no, it has nothing to do with embarrassment or *** , just proper manly behavior.

Catt you fish catching legend it is good to hear from you. I look forward to reading about all the fish you've caught during your sabbatical. Welcome back!

An overrun is a minor inconvenience that happens when my thumb is not paying enough attention. A backlash is the thing that happens when I catch the running light, outboard, console, etc at the beginning of an overhand cast (most often with a C-rig for me), hit something else on the way to the target, or I make a hard cast forgetting to tighten things up after pitching a light bait. There is a distinctive sound that happens as the line on my reel attempts tie itself in the most complex knot ever...this is often followed by some sort of expletive.

Interesting question Glenn. I like the new "Today's question" feature. I definately received some bad tendencies as far as health goes from my pop. I smoked for years before finally giving them up. It took pop a long time to quit. I remember when he told my mom that as soon as cigarettes hit a quarter a pack he was giving them up; they were way more than that before he finally had enough. He also liked to drink more than was healthy, and I had to deal with that demon along the way. He had heart issues that I also share. He was good man that always wanted to do the right thing, even if he didn't quite get it right every time. I received my curiosity, charm , and love of food from my mom. Food was always a way of expressing love for her, and I struggle with that today. I expect that will be the case till they throw dirt on top of me. I have come to terms with the fact that my parents did the best they could. They made a lot of mistakes, and I have a couple of siblings who blame all their problems on them. As intelligent adults we are responsible for our own actions. We all have demons. Maturity is when we can look them in the eye and say, "I'm in charge here."

They're very much on the rise here in So Illinois. The last couple of years a short drive along the Mississippi not far from my home will almost always allow you to see at least a few eagles during the winter months. It is becoming more common to see eagles while fishing at some of the local lakes as well. In some areas they have they have gotten so used to people you can get very close before they pay much attention. Last year, with all four of my grandkids, we walked right up to one roosting in a tree in the middle of a small river community (Grafton, IL).