Ratherbfishing

The most cleaning my rod guides get is when wet line is running through them.

It depends on the type of bait you are using and/or the technique. On hard baits when the lure is moving, I seldom really do a hard hook set as I believe this can yank the bait loose (especially if skin hooked). Instead, I generally do a long, deliberate "sweep" and then keep pressure on the fish when I make contact. On jigs and soft plastics, I generally wait no longer than the time it takes to place yourself and the line in the proper position and/or posture to set the hooks (USUALLY rod tip down and most of the slack taken up). On frogs and such, you'll want to wait until you feel some resistance on the line/rod. Otherwise, you'll likely pop the lure right out of the fishes mouth. The only real exception is if the lure has been taken down and REMAINS down.

I'm unsure how you define "hoarding" but the implication that NOT sharing everything one knows is somehow selfish is, in and of itself, selfish. Put your OWN time in on the water.

I like to fish for a lot of species (if they are biting) BUT the reason I favor bass fishing is that you can catch them with a LOT of baits and a lot of methods in a lot of locations. They always keep it interesting.

Or none at all (if "fishing" is a euphemism for something else). Well, okay. Lots of time but no "fishing."

Why are you dissing dogs? ; )

Funny thing is-most of my clothes are shrinking horizontally but not vertically. It must be the way the fabric is laid out when the clothes are made.

yep, that pretty much covers it. Except maybe need to add "sun and humidity and bugs" as second runner ups.

I am NOT a mechanic (though I sometimes play one on television) but if the problems began when the motor was running fine and it inexplicably quit, I DOUBT it is the starter. A bad starter won't make a motor stop running. Sounds electrical (besides starter) to me.

Can't help you on the rain gear but I can sympathize. I don't quite understand HOW rain gear can shrink like that. Seems to be happening with ALL my clothes, though. : (

It was attempting an evolutionary "leap" forward but didn't know when to quit.

By golly, you're right. It IS my opinion.

If memory serves me, yes. I think the problem was that it was "waxed" dental floss.

Gander was one of my first exposures to large(r) sporting goods stores and as such, I HAD a certain amount of loyalty to the company. But that waned over time. They really didn't seem to care if they were competitive or not. The store near me was empty most of the time and when I commented on it to an employee, she said they made most of their money at Christmas and mostly on their firearms. (?). If that is the case, why have all the additional overhead? I'm surprised "my" store lasted as long as it did.

Yes, you are crazy. Understandably so (weather-wise) If you sell it ALL off, you'll wind up buying SOME of it back-at new lure prices? Why would you want to do a fool thing like that? If you must, just sit it aside and incorporate it back into your arsenal as you see fit. Or you can give it all to me and I'll save you the trouble of deciding. : )

EVERYTHING has been addressed at some point in time so join the crowd. When the water is cold and muddy, I first try a lipless crankbait (Rat-l-trap, redeye shad, etc.) or a bright-colored jerk bait (my fav is a Shadow Shad Rap) fished slowly (looong pauses between jerks).

Bob. His name is "Bob." (I've used this before but I couldn't resist)

Personally I think tourneys can hurt the population but not the expanded season.

Oh, don't get me wrong. I detest aggressive drivers.

You mean because of the Gremlin? Yes, it happened in...1985. I haven't seen a Gremlin on the road in decades. But no, I haven't matured at all.

The use of a turn signal in some areas is a sign of weakness which will then be preyed upon.

Seems to me that in order for there to be a "happy ending", she is either going to have to learn to be content when you go fishing or you are going to have to be content by not going fishing. If she continuously punishes you for your hobby, than give it up. Or give her up.

I've been looking for a cheaper substitute but haven't been satisfied with anything else (yet). Do these Lunker City baits "undulate" as well as the Swing Impact? (The little Havoc Beat Shad has a similar action and I use them A LOT too but they are much smaller than when a bass wants a big meal).

I don't hear a lot of talk about the Havoc Beat Shad and it isn't particularly flashy BUT it's one of my favorite "finesse" baits. They don't hold up very well but they are much cheaper than most similar baits.

The NEXT thing you know, he's going to be telling you that you have a "case of the Mondays." I wonder what compels people to lie? I'd keep an eye on him. A person that can't be trusted in small ways might not be trustworthy in other ways (and, especially, large ways). You might even ask him-though the answer might not be satisfactory, anyway.