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The new Pro Qualifier is very "Pure Fishing" with the thumbscrew sideplate release. It doesn't look like the JM line has changed much. The sig series still has the thicker chin under the level wind as well as the Elite and Gold which they've slotted the chin on those, I assume to cut weight. The lower end reels definitely have Quantum written all over them. Muddy stated the Pflueger Supreme was dropped. It appears so as BPS doesn't have it listed and the new Cabela's catalog has the Patriarch, Summit and President reels but no Supreme. I'll be curious to see if they release that reel as a pure fishing style reel with dual braking later this year.

I've run several different Merc props on my Yammie. Check your spline count.

Kicking around in a float tube with waters running under 40 degrees is dangerous. Even rescue divers equpped with the best in thermal body suits admit to becoming cold when under water for an hour. Submerging half your body in water barely above freezing seems nuts to me, especially considering how pathetically slow fishing is this time of year. Good luck, wear a PFD and inform loved ones where you're going and when you plan to be back.

I owned a Ranger V hull. I've also had the opportunity to own a Skeeter, a Charger and 2 Champions. I've also fished out of the 300, 400 and 500 series Ranger models as well over the years. I can say of the boats, the Rangers were dead on the best on the water fishing platform but ride wise, it just didn't excel. Rangers slower speeds weren't at issue, it's merely the design of the Rangers that forsake the deeper V wedge hull with a steeper dead rise (that offers the smoother, drier ride in rough water) in favor of a flatter V which improves stability while on the water at rest but at the same time, compromises rough water handling. Bass boat design is all about that, it's a compromise between the type of hull that will offer maximum performance and smooth rough water ride vs a hull that provides a lower profile, flat, stable platform. Most of the major, mass assembly manufacturers have chosen one of the 2 concepts (I've left off high speed) over the years and have made their mark selling that style of hull. I never would've brought the rough water issue up but Leo did state he would be spending a lot of time on Erie, a lake that can get dangerous in a hurry. When choosing a new boat, a lake like Erie will make you stop and reconsider boat choices. In this case, I'd sacrifice some fishability in order to gain a superior rough water handling that a boat like a Champion has become legendary for over the years. BTW, I'm not even pushing Champions. If you really want the best tough water ride you go out and buy a Storm Boat. A little pricier but considered by most as the best tuff water boat on the water.

I fish Lake of the Ozarks here in Missouri often. It's a lake that gets really rough due to extreme recreational boat traffic. A rough water riding boat would be the first thing on my list and Ranger would not even be on it. Champion, Charger, Stratos are a few I'd look at. The Ranger is a really nice fishing platform but getting to and from the fishing spot in rough water isn't one of it's strong suits.

Time (Mason, Waters, Wright, Gilmour) Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way. Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town Waiting for someone or something to show you the way. Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain. You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today. And then one day you find ten years have got behind you. No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun. ;D To think how many hours I wasted and frittered away stoned on a couch listening to them telling me NOT to fritter away time. Good words for all youth (or anyone) to live by BTW. Darkside of the Moon was an absolute sonic masterpiece when it came out in '73. The music world was kinda taken by surprise. It's a must have in your record.... er uh, CD collection. As for the band itself and it's music? IMO, They spent too much time lamenting over Syd Barretts mental meltdown which tended to permeate many of their albums.

Yes. Some sets do have this feature. It's often called "Steady sound" or something similar.

Everytime you cast your body in the shoulder/arm area is experiencing shock stresses it's not used to. I would suggest if you don't already, start working out and also getting with a physical fitness trainer and describe your casting action that's causing the problem and have them devise some exercises that will help work out those muscle/joint groups not only during the off season but during the season as well.

Seriously Dom, I've had bouts of rotator cuff problems due to work issues that stopped after stopping the work issues that were causing them. I've also had a long standing problem with tendonitis in the elbow which hasn't flaired up in a long time due to proper exercise. I learned those elbow exercises after reading an article on Larry Nixon and the problems he had with his during a fishing season. I've got other problems now, bad carpal tunnel. It's gonna be surgery for me. Hands are mostly numb. I'm now getting pain and stiffness in the right ring and middle fingers. Weird shooting pains from the wrist into the right thumb. I'm just trying to figure out when I can afford the surgery.

If he'd use the Pink Floyd CD's as they were originally intended, in conjunction with a popular herbal inhalant, he'll never even feel his shoulder pain while fishing...... at least he won't care.

That ones tied up doing other things. ;D

Washington county lake in Illinois is chatterbait central around here and it's load with wood under the surface and is off colored much of the time. Most guys fishing there have one tied on at the start of the day and it's one of the few lakes I've been on where that bait will catch fish over a regular spinnerbait many times. Otherwise my results have been mixed.

This bait has got me interested. I followed ***s link in his other thread and read this. For those of you that have used the 125 series bait, just how slow does this bait fall? I'm interested in the possibilities this early spring during the normal shad die off/jerkbait season and am wondering about the potential for this bait. These baits obviously have some natural bouyancy that is overridden by the weight causing them to sink and I'm wondering if putting lighter weight trebles would slow the fall slower or if anyone has played around with getting these baits to fall slower than they're designed to.

I've seen navigational maps available that show general bottom depths but given the nature of rivers, the bottom contour is always in a state of change.

I'm predicting the report will be available in the Flea Market section. ;D I think he would have gotten along much better with that reel if it had centrifugal brakes. That is the only reason I'm interested in the Skeet Reese Revo. I owned 2 SX's and that magnetic system is too temperamental for me. I still have a couple Revo S reels I kept for the drag systems and have them on pitchin and flippin rods. The centrifugal brakes on those work alright though the actual brake assembly itself seems sort of chintzy. One other thing, of the 2 reels, the SX and STX, I found the SX to be more unforgiving than the STX for some reason though I found neither was worth the effort. Lots of potential though, change the braking systems on those reels and you'll probably see my Pfluegers up for sale here. ;D

I own 6 Patriarchs. 4 LP narrow spools and 2 wide spools. I've had them about 6 months. I also own 4 of the Johnny Morris Signature reels which are very similar though a little larger profile. Plusses: If you've ever owned or used a Revo model, this reel will feel almost the same on the rod. There are only very minor ergonomic differences between the 2. It's a very nice LP reel that feels great on the rod. I've got problems with carpal tunnel and these reels, whether narrow or wide spool are comfortable to fish with all day. On the business side of the reel, the mechanics of the gear trains and handle gears/main shaft line up perfectly with a Revo. It also uses the identical thumbscrew palm plate release that allows access to remove the spool and adjust the centrifugal brake. Casting - These reels are a dream. I normally don't use the external mag brake control and just rely on the internal centrifugal 6 pin. It's a solid centrifugal brake assembly that works very well. I find 2 pins on is the most you'll need after setting the spool tension up correctly. Fine tuning during the day can be done by the mag brake on the outside if wind conditions change. These are very nearly thumbs free casters. The drag works great. It's rated for 10 lbs which some may find on the low side but I'm not sure I'd ever find a need for more unless I was thinking about using this as a flippin reel. The overall operation of this reel is butter smooth. Fit and finish is outstanding. If you like the smooth feel of a metal reel than this is the one for you. The Titanium deposition finish is very durable and I've had no problems with scratching or tarnishing so far. The paddle handles actually feel better than a Revo though you still may want to add grips. The star drag and spool tension are both click type so you get that feeling of dialing in better. The thumbar spool release also has a non-slip rubberized finish. You get a really nice neoprene reel cover with it that will fit over the reel while it's on the rod. Now the minus side of the equation though this is more personal taste. Lefties are out in the cold on the Pflueger reels. So far, they offer nothing for southpaw anglers. Line capacity - To me, the Revo's offered the perfect spool size and line capacity. Not too much, not too little. The Patriarchs, along with most of the other Pflueger reels, force you to make a choice between the narrow spool models or a wide spool for line capacity. I'm sure this is due in large part to the Pflueger V-type spool they use. The wide spool models are not physically taller than the narrow spools but they are a 1/2 inch wider. Comfort wise the wide spools are just as comfortable to use as the narrow and the weight difference is negligible.. Reel handle. This ones is a real personal preference deal. The Patriarch uses the old Pflueger style reel handle attachment method. Instead of a handle nut that holds the handle onto the main shaft like so many other reels, this reel involves tightening down the drag all the way, then pushing it down while at the same time, turning the handle counter clockwise to spin it off the main shaft end. It's only a nuisance when you want to disassemble the reel for service. Drag - Again, may or may not be an issue. The Patriarchs roughly 10lb drag force is pretty much on line with most reels in this category except the Revo's of course. Reel speed - Available in a 6.4 or 7.1 ratio. No slower speeds for cranking are available. I'm investigating replacing a Revo 5.4:1 main and pinion gear on one of these as an experiment. Other than that, the only actual negative I have is if you ever use the cross plate on your reel as a hook holder during a day of fishing, DON'T with this reel. Larger sized hooks, especially like those found on jigs have a nasty tendency to catch the barb over the front of the cross plate putting the hook into a near death lock on it. Getting the hook undone has resulted in 2 gouged up cross plates. Use the rods hook holder. That's about it. Hope this helps.

You can try here http://www.southwesternparts.com/ Click on Garcia under parts. When it asks for the year and model just select 2008, don't put in a model. You'll get a list of reel models available. Ever since Southwest changed their website I have lots of problems with it loading and with errors on the Acrobat plug-in. Good luck

I'm predicting the report will be available in the Flea Market section. ;D

If you are looking for rough water ride, there are boats that do a better job of that.

I would also add not to stay at the Kimberling Inn. It sits right on the North side of the bridge in Kimberling City. The place was alright as far as the rooms, prices, dock, boat ramp, etc. The wife and I had a second honeymoon of sorts there about 10 years ago. chose the lake front with the jacuzzi. The well water stunk of Sulfer so bad it completely ruined the jacuzzi experience. We had to get bottled water to brush our teeth because of the smell of the water out of the tap. Taking a shower was a stinky experience. Yeechhh!!

My wife has my old XLT's mounted on 1st generation Berkley Lightning rods. Those things still cast like a dream and the lightning rods are still an incredibly light and sensitive rod given their age. Currently, my oldest rods I use are probably 6-7 year old All Star Titaniums and a later 90's AS classic and GT2 crankbait rod. I have a BPS Bionic Blade, IM6 pistol grip that's around 7 years old as well as.

Given the economy right now, I can't imagine any boat dealer that wouldn't explore haggling on a no haggle boat if you show true interest and have the money to buy.

Adam Sandler = :

"Because I can't do this all day" ;D Vince is pretty funny. BTW, anyone actually use a shamwow? Do they work?

Put just about any golf club in Tiger Woods hands and it becomes a "best" golf club. Put just about any fishing rod in a great fishermens hands and the same thing happens. It's really what works best for the individual angler.