Ratherbfishing

It's fishing advice but I think it applies here also: Don't leave fish to find fish.

That's what Illinois did with the last 4 out of 7 governor's.

Favorite: texas-rigged soft plastic Least favorite: Carolina-rig soft plastic. (the Alabama rig gets honorable mention).

Me thinks he is yankin' your chain.

Oh, no. There are a LOT more reasons than that. This is just the LATEST to add to the list.

Yep, crossing the wires would do it.

In a word, "No."

Yesterday I notice my boat registration has expired (end of June). Turns out IDNR isn't sending renewal applications by snail mail anymore and with the weather (lousy) I haven't had occassion to use my boat much-hence why I didn't notice the expiration date on the hull. My anxiety is raised a bit 'cause I plan to pull it down to Southern Illinois this weekend. So I go to their website to renew the registration. After entering all the tedious information I get an error message which directs me to call IDNR. It is clear to me that they knew the website wasn't working so they should have IMMEDIATELY directed me elsewhere. But they didn't. Anyway, I call IDNR.Sit on hold for 10 minutes. Then it HANGS UP ON ME! GRRRRRRR!!!! So I call again. Get put BACK in the back of the queue while I Wait ANOTHER 10 minutes (glad my phone has hands free). I finally get through and, of course, I have to pay by credit card. There is a "convenience fee" of 4 dollars on top of the 50 dollars registration. I ask myself-"for WHOSE convenience?!!!" It certainly wasn't for mine. As the title says, is it any wonder everyone is trying to leave Illinois?!

Guess they give the fish a break on Dec 31st, huh? ; )

No need for a leader. In addition to providing an additional "weak link", the knot will likely foul on stuff. Plus, in the kind of conditions where a frog works best, the visibility of the line won't make much difference. Straight braid is, IMHO, the best choice. I would not wait until you feel the bite to set the hook but I would suggest you "pause" very briefly-long enough, at least, to determine if the lure has gone under. Expereince is the best teacher on this. When setting the hook, if and/or when it's possible, I like to do a "whole body sweep." I feel it provides a little more power than what my arms alone can do.

I think it would be morally reprehensible. ; )

On short, steep ramps, if you are using your rear view mirror, the boat/trailer may suddenly "disappear" on you when it drops down so be sure your boat and vehicle are relatively in-line with one another (or use your side mirrors). Otherwise, you could "jack knife" the trailer on the ramp. Use courtesy and common sense. A couple weeks ago a couple of yahoo's decided they were special and cut in front of us (and another party) and tried, hurridly, to back the boat down the ramp. That part went okay for them except, In their haste, they forgot to disconnect the front strap and, when they tried to pull the trailer out, they almost flipped the boat. Had there not been one of them IN the boat at the time, I would have had to laugh my self silly.

Apart from your photograph, I'd swear you were a guy.

Of course you COULD have done something differently but there's no guarantee that would have worked much better and, regardless, there is only so much time in a day. Fishing is a mental puzzle which doesn't stop when we get out of the boat. Only afterwards we can no longer test our theories. BUT we can extrapolate from our experience on a given day and, perhaps, either repeat or avoid triumphs and failures (or something in-between). If you don't get skunked occassionally, you're not fishing enough.

You begin this thread by admitting, I think, that you are "too mean" and then you contend that society and people are too sensitive. If your spouse feels compelled to warn waitresses in advance about your behavior, than I'd say you have issues which merit some work.

I'll look into this. Thanks!

I would like to try to glue or epoxy a cleat or two on my bass raider. Any suggestions about type or method?

No offence intended but what was your expectation after high school? Or did your folks not prepare you for this eventuality? The world is (or can be) a demanding place where, despite what some would have you believe, you can't get something for nothing. Not indefinitely. And not without losing your self respect and dignity in the process. Work is not ALWAYS a four letter word. Some jobs are relatively fun-if you allow them to be. At least some of the time. Don't expect to start out as chairman of the board without experience and/or an education. Be happy and content with small things-for awhile. One of the best pieces of advice I can pass on is this: If you can be trusted with small things, you can be trusted with large things. Prove to the world that you are a good, dedicated, loyal person (in work and otherwise) and you will be rewarded. By those that matter, anyway. Oh, and enjoy your relative freedom to choose and move about. I greatly miss that about my youth.

Pee wee herman?

It's an itch that Preparation H won't cure. Hmmmm....I wonder if that would make a good fish attractant?

Shoulda put a dozen snakes in the basket

Seems to me you are giving the lure too much "hang time." Cast with a flatter trajectory and put your thumb on the spool near the end of the desired distance so the line can't interfere with the blades. I'll wager your problem will be solved.

Welcome Slappin', You've not caught a bass and you're still obsessed? I'm not sure if I should applaud or worry about you. I wouldn't sell the farm to buy bass gear just yet but I don't see how or why your obsession couldn't become permanent and, perhaps, even increase in intensity. I work at the illustrious UIUC and live less than ten minutes from campus. If you want, PM me and I can probably put you on some fish without much great effort. You have a fishing license, I assume?

I'd say a dual bag vacuum cleaner is in order. JOKING!!!!!!

On average how long after your last fishing excursion does it take before you get the "itch" to fish again? And then, if not scratched, how long does it take for that "itch" to become a full-blown "panic"? I can usually go about 2.5 days before the itch hits and if not gratified with a week, it becomes more of a panic. (During the winter months it becomes akin to a long term neurosis-bordering on psychosis-often accompanied by wild, staring eyes and incoherent babbling). (The itch is getting pretty strong right now).