K_Mac

I think you ask a good question. The heavier spool will spin longer. I don't know how much this effects distance. With heavier baits it may make a difference? Maybe it's a wash, taking more energy to start? I am sure there are some here who can can answer this question.

Craziest game I think I've ever seen. The Rangers should be drinking champaign right now. They are a team and a franchise that deserves to win. Instead they have to be wondering what happened. Hollywood could not have scripted Freese booting a routine a pop up allowing a run, then coming back to be the hero-twice! The Cards have done this magic act for a couple of months now. They think they can win in any situation-maybe they can. Should be fun tomorrow. Go Cards!

Congratulations on being accepted. College is a wonderful opportunity to learn about a lot of things, including yourself. It will open many doors that are otherwise closed. Getting it done while you're young is much easier than doing it a piece at a time while working and raising a family-trust me on this. If you have the opportunity, desire, and intellect to do it (you obviously do) then go for it. Why your parents are not encouraging is impossible to know here. Maybe they think they are protecting you. Maybe they have issues of their own. What I can tell you is at this point in your life, what you do, and to a very large extent how you feel is up to you. Your accomplishment is your own. Don't let the negative attitude of others control yours. Life is too short. Good luck.

I went with the jig. That is my favorite way of fishing, and if I had to pick one that's it. I may catch more fish on a crank, or jerkbait, or spinner/chatter bait. I definitely use all of them this time of year. I will still take my chances with the jig.

Long-Range-Junkie as usual you've found reason to list your high-end arsenal. We all get that you have great stuff. I am happy for you and maybe a little jealous. With that said, you may want to dial it back just a bit. I think most of us understand that that a lighter spool starts better, esp with lighter lures. I have no problem throwing lighter weight baits with my dual braking reels. Using very light line/lures on baitcast gear effectively takes gear designed for that purpose, and is at least as dependent on the rod as the reel. I use spinning gear for light line/lure applications. If the Curado will outcast my PQ it won't be "with ease", and won't be enough to make any practical difference IMO. It is a much higher priced reel so expectations should be higher...Again, what braking system is best comes down to what you are used to using and personal preference.

Catt posted this link recently on another thread. It will answer your questions. http://www.bassmaster.com/video/bassmaster-university-flipping-and-pitching

When I came to this site I had been away from fishing for a couple of years due to the death of my brother, who was my primary fishing partner. I was welcomed here, and made to feel at home. This site was my first experience with interwebz forums. I very quickly realized that the welcoming atmosphere here is more the exception than the rule. I am now a member of a couple of other non-fishing forums. I go to them when I want to talk politics and religion, or weapons and shooting. I am careful to wear full-body armor when on these sites. They are not for the faint of heart. I have seen this site evolve over the years. When I first came it was a much smaller group, and there was more freedom to discuss non-fishing controversial issues. Since I love all controversial issues, I thought that was great. Over time it became clear that these issues were often divisive and had a negative effect on the site in general. Glenn and the Mod Squad apparently agreed and some changes were made. The leash is much shorter now. "This is a fishing site" was the mantra. That is still the case, although the recent ethics discussion was allowed to run its course before the plug was pulled. It is a delicate balance to maintain, and while I sometimes think there is more moderation than necessary, the results speak for themselves. I love this site. I love the information available here. I love the willingness of the group to share their experiences and knowledge. I love the personalities and the banter; enthusiasm and passion are two of my favorite things, and I find them here. In summary this site is different from the rest because of the management. As has been said, I don't always agree with it, yet the family atmosphere, the amount of participation, the quality of the people and information are directly related to how this site is managed.

I use PQ reels most of the time. I like the dual brake option. Like deep I use the centrifugal brakes primarily. I do add a little mag braking to compensate for wind. The Shimano and Daiwa systems are very good. The dual braking systems add a level of complexity to the mix. It really comes down to what you are used to, and personal preference in my opinion.

I think using WD40 gives one an unfair advantage in loosening and tightening bolts and screws. It also unnaturally inhibits rust in some applications. Its use is definitely unethical... I have read many times that Wd contains fish oil. It doesn't. Here is a link to the web site. http://www.wd40.com/about-us/myths-legends-fun-facts/

No. I reject this truth, and choose to believe if I can just get the right magic bait in the right magic spot at the right magic time, I can catch any bass in the lake. That is my position, do not confuse it with a lot of facts.

Me too Dan! You will remember this: XL like Nietzsche and Sartre your argument that there are no absolutes except the absolute freedom to set your own rules of conduct (or the individual as the highest authority if you prefer) is self defeating. Here are my final words on the subject (maybe a few too late by some standards ): "What, then, is ethics? Ethics is two things. First, ethics refers to well-founded standards of right and wrong that prescribe what humans ought to do, usually in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Ethics, for example, refers to those standards that impose the reasonable obligations to refrain from rape, stealing, murder, assault, slander, and fraud. Ethical standards also include those that enjoin virtues of honesty, compassion, and loyalty. And, ethical standards include standards relating to rights, such as the right to life, the right to freedom from injury, and the right to privacy. Such standards are adequate standards of ethics because they are supported by consistent and well-founded reasons. Secondly, ethics refers to the study and development of one's ethical standards. As mentioned above, feelings, laws, and social norms can deviate from what is ethical. So it is necessary to constantly examine one's standards to ensure that they are reasonable and well-founded. Ethics also means, then, the continuous effort of studying our own moral beliefs and our moral conduct, and striving to ensure that we, and the institutions we help to shape, live up to standards that are reasonable and solidly-based." The above quote is from Issues in Ethics as quoted on the Markkula Center For Applied Ethics web site. Here is the link: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/decision/whatisethics.html

I find mazes confusing, and that offends me.

I'm sitting here looking at the parts diagram that came with mine. I don't see anything that would cause the issue. What I can tell you is this is the first I've heard of the problem. I've had mine two years. I would call Minn Kota Technical Services at 800.227.6433. Let us know what you find. Good luck.

I think you are right Catt. Having caught the same bass more than once at least a few times over the years (that I am aware of-I suspect it happens more often than we know) on the same bait, I agree that conditioning is short-term. While the proverb, "there is nothing new under the sun" is true, the development of baits over the years has increased selection and colors, and I think that has improved our chances of catching fish. The Senko for example has become a part of most fishermen's arsenal because it is slightly different from everything else, making it a very effective bait at times. It is more about a bait that matches the conditions than the fish becoming conditioned to a bait. To a large extent the idea of conditioning is about selling tackle more than anything else in my opinion. It is easier to buy the hot new bait than work on the bad habits that J Franco mentions, or the techniques that make you successful Catt.

Well said SirSnook. I have long been an advocate for public caning/flogging.

I've spent a lot of time this season improving my pitching skills. I have fished several times from the back of a friends boat who likes to pitch shallow cover. The first thing I learned from him was that I had to back off on everything to loosen things up. I use a BPS Pro Qualifier reel with dual brakes. I set one centrifugal brake, turn the mag break off, and set the spool tension to just keep the spool from moving side to side or just slightly tighter. It will take some getting used to (a skilled thumb is your friend), but once you get the hang of it you will find your accuracy and the way your bait enters the water to be much better. Good luck. Note: When you go back to casting make sure to tighten things up a little or a hard overhand cast may have you practicing your professional overrun repair skills.

Captain your man Holland pitched a gem. Do not let your euphoria convince you that the Card's offense is anything but great. Our pitching has been suspect at times and our defense hasn't always good, but we will score some runs... Celebrating beating the Rams must be like kissing your sister...not much joy in it.

Over the course of human history every civilization has had laws regarding right and wrong. And yes even in civilized cultures the standard of acceptable behavior has varied, but there has always been a code of ethical conduct. Humans understand that there has to be restraint or the rule of the jungle applies. Your argument that since morals and ethics are man-made they have no relevance misses the point. I believe an awareness of right and wrong is an integral part of all of us. Morals and ethics are certainly an essential part of our culture and civilization, "man-made social constructs" notwithstanding. In order for humans to live in civilized social groups there has to be a code of acceptable behavior; whether you agree with the code or even the existence of it, you are still judged by it.

It was sure about pitching tonight. Another great game. We play best two of three for all the marbles. Go Cards!

XL, because the premise is flawed. Taking what does not belong to you is wrong. Robbing someone just because you can is wrong. Violence for its own sake is wrong. Rape is wrong. Murder is wrong. Incest is wrong. Lying is wrong. Cheating is wrong. Should I go on? These things occur in the natural world. As human beings we control our base, primitive instincts because we have the intellect to understand that it is in our best interest to do so. Why do you challenge the idea of objective right and wrong?

Amen!

Great question and a very interesting response WRB. The notion of a 40 or 50 pound 5 fish limit is the stuff of dreams in this part of the world. Double digit fish are very rare, and have eluded me so far. I'm not sure I have ever fished in FLMB waters. I spent some time on La Grange lake is GA. and Smith Mountain lake in Va. years ago, but didn't know nothin about no FLMB at the time. Based on my reading on FLMB I thought the difference was a genetic predisposition to grow bigger in warmer water. It never occurred to me that they would feed differently, and I don't recall ever seeing or hearing that discussed. Thanks guys.

XL, by paying less than the correct price it may not be stealing by your definition, but it is less than honest by mine. Philosophers and theologians have been discussing morals and ethics for many centuries as the framework that separates humans from the natural world of eat or be eaten. Whether morals and ethics are part of our genetic mix as high functioning beings or an artificial construct, they are a major part of what allows us to function in civilized social groups. The case that all standards of behavior are arbitrary and subjective does not hold up to close examination in my view. There are objective standards of right and wrong. I would agree that morality and ethical behavior can not be legislated or mandated. Without that compass to set direction though, civilization ultimately fails.

Way to go Goose! Let's see-at 50 per trip, and approximately 30 trips this year, I guess I'm up to about 1500 so far... Well at least the 30 is about right. I always think I will start keeping detailed records, but I have never been able to do so for over a trip or two. I fish with guy from time to time who always seems to know the total for the day; I have found if I divide his number by 2 it is fairly accurate. I could go for some grilled trout...

You are a skilled debate opponent. You have come close to answering the question, without actually doing so. I have already made my position clear. Please answer the question.