K_Mac

Like many here I don't drink much soda any more, but when I do I want Coke (no Pepsi please) ice cold with no ice in it. That is the only proper way in my humble opinion.

ChiCity I have seen the adds for the new rods, but haven't had a chance to see or handle one yet. Thanks for the write-up. Tony Monticelli you've made your point; at least I think you have, some of what you've written is hard to decipher. You feel the Cabelas rods are inferior and cost too much, right? We get it, OK?

Sweet old gal. I could go for some pasta and bread sticks...

Well done Mega. You changed the title so as not to make an unwarranted negative review, and used this as a learning opportunity. A good lesson for all of us.

The Stick Jackets, or something similar are a great idea. I use the Bass Pro rod socks on all of my rigs as an inexpensive alternative I think the jacket type offer a little more protection though. Having something to keep rods from tangling in the box will save much time, effort, and grief. The nylon socks are also a pain to get a barbed hook out of...

Grimlin you remind of another one (like you I have more than my share). I was helping my father-in-law clear for a road through a section of woods. We had just finished talking about how a tree can find you when cut if care is not taken. It wasn't but a couple of minutes later that I cut down a tree about 3 or 4" in diameter that then fell hitting me squarely on top of my head. It would have killed a lesser man...or one with a normal head. Even with my hard head it really rang my bell.

When I was about 17, several of us geniuses were driving around throwing firecrackers out the windows at innocent pedestrians. One of them hit the window frame, then me, and fell between me and the seat back! Burnt a hole in my shirt, a smaller one in my t-shirt, and made a blister about the size of a quarter on my back. The seat back was also scorched a bit. A few years ago I was "hit" with a lawsuit almost a year after an auto accident. I would have preferred the firecracker.. .

New2 beat me to a couple of points. A 200 Series Bandit is a light bait, 1/4 oz I think, 15 # fluorocarbon is not the easiest to learn on, and unless the rod is rated for that light a bait you have a challenging situation for a veteran, let alone a rookie; and even if the rod is rated correctly, a 10 or 12 # mono or copoly would make things a lot friendlier until you get a little more comfortable. Good luck.

FFM as you look at the above picture you will see a slower action brings more of the rod into play with the same amount of force when compared to a faster action. This allows a moderate action to be more forgiving when using treble hooked baits. Conversely a faster rod brings the full power of the rod into play faster, making the hook-set easier when using a single hook bait, like a jig or plastic. I will not jump into the middle of the technical discussion related to rod making and performance. I don't have the credentials. I can say that there is much difference in action and power ratings among different manufacturers, and even differences between models made by the same manufacturers.

My prayers are with you and her.

Great questions Steve. I think the hardest thing for me to learn is that close is not always good enough. Whether it is deep water structure or flipping/pitching tight to cover, there often is what KVD (and others) calls the spot on the spot. The difference in not getting bit, or getting bit big can be very small and attention to details is a vital part of fishing. I think the hardest concept for to get my head around is that being versatile doesn't mean being good at everything. It has taken years for me to figure out that a handful of colors and a fairly small variety of baits, fished properly, in the right spots, at the right time are all I really need. I am not saying that having one of everything is a bad thing; just that if I'm not careful I can be distracted by searching for exactly the right color, size, wiggle, etc, instead of location, speed, and depth. My goal at this point is to be really good at a few things and confidently do them in the right spot. Finding the right spot consistently is a function of applied knowledge and experience, and I'll have to get back to you on that.

I'm thinking you remove them, release the fish to heal up, and then eat the ugly little buggers. Maybe steamed or grilled and dipped in clarified butter...

Goose I also found his remarks on warranties interesting. I completely agree with him for what that's worth.

I don't have much experience with top-end gear. Can you just send me the cash and let me get back to you? I would like to try an NRX 853 and the new Daiwa T31016SHL to start.

Steve welcome to the forum. I enjoyed the interview.

We recorded it and were able to get through the seemingly unending production in about an hour. Billy Crystal had some funny moments. The only movie of the bunch that I would like to see is War Horse. Not bad enough to actually go to a theater to see it though. J Lo and Cameron Diaz looked good, although I couldn't tell you much about their dresses... Speaking of beautiful people, what is the deal with Angelina Jolie? I used to think she was one of the hottest women in Hollywood. I have fishing combos that weigh more than she now does and are sexier too. I really need to get a life...

I've been watching for an hour or so, and with the format they have I can see why it is hard to maintain much enthusiasm. Way too much time between things. I would have liked to try pitching into the fishes mouth for $100, 000! With 6 to go it is still very much up in the air. Things will get a little more amped now. I predict one the Lane boys wins it. I would love to go to the classic and hang around for a few days. It would be a good time.

You did fine. 28 IPT is still a fast reel and I agree with RW that it a versatile speed. I bought a 7.1:1 Pro Qualifier a few years ago only because they did not have the 6.4 (26 IPT I think). It is a fine reel, but if I had to choose I would take the "slower" one. Enjoy!

Raider one of the things that I enjoy about this site is the diversity here. One of the challenges that comes with the great variety is we have many different world-views, socioeconomic backgrounds, personalities, experience levels and more. We all have bass fishing in common, but that is not all that brings many of us here. I enjoy the conversation, and think of many here as friends or even family. As family we have some that tend to push our buttons. Having a button pushed from time to time is good for the circulation IMO, and like family we generally have the option of not hanging out with the ones that push us over the edge. Maybe the most challenging thing for me about having a conversation in this format is it is tough to convey intent or emotion. Sometimes a well meant comment or attempt at humor doesn't work even when face to face. For those us prone to being smart***** it is even harder not to offend. Hopefully as family, we cut each other a little slack. And yes, I know I need more "slack" than most.

I have a 24V 80# Fortrex on my 18' aluminum. I would not go back to a smaller motor or 12V. Having the extra capacity and power can be the difference in catching fish or going home. If money is not an issue, 24V is the only way to go IMO (worth what you pay for it).

Grey Wolf is a cranky old guy with a smart mouth. So am I . I don't know why he is not posting now, but in the spirit of his above quoted post, if you don't have anything good to say then don't. Grundle Love your post ranks very high on the irony meter.

Because of the way they are made, strip pits are harder to read than most lakes. You can't look at a bank and visualize what's underwater most of the time. It has taken several years for me to begin to find the prime spots in lakes I fish. I don't have side imaging sonar, so finding shelves and subtle drops near deep water takes time. Pits are not that different than other lakes. Like most lakes, transition spots where grass, rock, wood, etc meet, esp close to relativity deep water, and bottom irregularities are always gold. Fishing your strengths is most often a good plan IMO. I primarily use jigs and plastics and I tend to fish off the bank more than some. It works for me, but a friend has taught over the last couple of years that pitching tight to isolated cover, even in very shallow water can kill. Wacky rigged Senkos/knock-offs pitched to cover is my secret weapon. Moving baits can be effective, though I prefer something slower when conditions allow. While I have caught a few in the 5-6 lb range, I have not yet connected with any thing over 6 lb in my So. IL. pits. I know they're in there. Maybe this year. Good luck.

I can only speak for the 2011 Z-8. A friend of mine has one with a 250 Pro XS. Nitro says 74-77. With the two of us and all our gear it will do at least 75. It may do better, but I am too interested in making sure I stay in the boat at that speed to pay close attention. He says it will do 80+ with just him in the boat, and I don't doubt it. EDIT: Neither of us are skinny dudes. Full figured would be more accurate.

SirSnook you could not be more right.Having worked as a blue collar guy most of my life, I understand that many look on any blue collar workers as somehow less able than they are because of the title they have, the education, the financial success, etc. I also understand that many blue collar folks are resentful of white collar folks for lots of reasons. Like Snook a re-hash of my working life isn't needed, other than to say from starting as helper at a shipyard out of high school to service and sales of medical equipment, I've spent some time in both camps. I worked my way through trade school and college along the way. My pursuit of education in the later years had little to do with what I did for living. I really don't like the idea of "college material." It is usually based on performance and has little to do with ability. When I was in high school many of my teachers and all of the administration would have predicted me ending badly. My issues were many, but they had little to do with aptitude or ability. I think we should teach kids that work, whether blue collar or white, is honorable and that education and training give you options. Too many kids today seem to think that success is a birth-right and is based on how much stuff you have. It is not.

Very cool Glenn. I enjoy reading Don Barone at least as much as anything being written regardless of topic. I admire his honesty. He sees the world through a lens that captures nuance that most of us miss. I hope he is around a very long time.