Sam

Welcome. And yes, you can gather lots of good suggestions regarding your bass fishing to make you a better angler by asking questions and then adding your input to the queries of others.

Wow, Garroyo. They are both excellent. The Secrets of a Champion addresses these topics and a few more: Spinnerbaits Topwater Lures Hard Baits Soft Baits Carolina Rigs Doctoring Lure Colors Hooks and Stuff Fishing Line Rods and Reels Boat Efficiency Tactics,including How I Won the Classic Bass Strategies includes: The Truth About Bass Dispelling the Myths Structure and Cover Understanding Forage Weather and Such Choosing Good Bass Waters Gearing Up Dealing with Dilemmas Confidence and Observation Choosing the right rod The Right Reel Mystique of Lures Organize your Tackle Link to Better Fishing Value of Electronics Cold Front Curse Scoring in Clear Water Make the Most of Muddy Water Joy of Fishing from the Shore Both are really good reads. So it is either...or!

How about going back into the 50's with: The House on Haunted Hill with Vincent Price Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein with Bella Lugosi The Monster from the Black Lagoon with my ex-wife Dracula with Bella again I remember they scared me, other than for the Abbot and Costello movie which was funny. The original Phantom of the Opera back when there were no talkies, like in the 30's. And you can watch Young Frankenstein. Great gags if you pay attention. Here is one of the many links that list horror movies. These are from 2000 to date. Sorry to say it does not include my last tournament on the Potomac River which was a horror movie in itself: https://www.imdb.com/list/ls026579006/

Don't tell us that Ike has another presentation with a funny name.

The two KVD books in paperback are excellent. Bass Strategies Secrets of a Champion

Like sharks in saltwater, bass are aggressive predators in fresh water, either hitting to kill their prey; hitting to chase other fish away; or feeding. Small bass will chase and hit other fish, including other bass,that are larger or the same size as themselves. I do not believe bass will think about the size of the target. They just do what their instincts tell them to do which is to strike hard and fast.

The best horror movie ever made. It still has an impact on people around the world. J A W S

Go to a.....forgot how to use English's or a local Tidewater tackle shop and see if they have the free 2020 Freshwater Fishing and Boating booklet from the VG&IF. It lists places to fish for smallies and other species.

Yep, lost a nice Shimano Curado and a BPS Extreme medium heavy 6'6" rod when I was fishing my double secret pond about 5 years ago. Was in the raft floating in the middle of the pond, which is about 20 to 25 feet deep, and when I casted my crankbait it hooked the rod and off she went into the wild blue yonder and plop, into the water. I now have a strong magnet that I take on my boat to fish out whatever I drop overboard. So far I have been very fortunate not to have to use it. Here is another way we can lose or rods and reels. https://www.newsbreak.com/news/1592633457410/alligator-steals-anglers-rod-and-reel-combo-swims-away

X2 Welcome. Great having you with us.

I am getting to like the name "Swamp Dwellers."

Fish, if you know the medical industry's financial structure and how they try to avoid taxes you would understand. The insurance company will make the hospital or provider "discount" their normal rates by 45% to 70%. So a $3,000 hospital bill can be reduced to $900 and the hospital has to accept it. Does this mean the hospital can "charge off" the $2,100 on its income taxes as uncontrollable? If the individual does file an insurance claim and that individual's insurance plan has either a "deductible" or "Co-Pay" then no matter what the medical facility or provider receives the individual is still responsible for his portion of the service charges. So you can see how complex the financial situation is with medicine these days. Although the billing can get confusing we still have the best medical care in the world.

Right on, Bull. The Chesterfield County police officer told us that every situation is different and it is easy to accuse anyone of anything. Then it is a crap shoot as to which prosecutor and judge handles your case. So what happened to you in Vermont is totally different than if it happened in Virginia or Maryland or DC or California, etc. Either way, if you are charged it can cost a lot of money to defend yourself.

So far I have not ventured into areas where I believe I need a weapon for self protection. With what is going on in Richmond now, the probability of me carrying in the very near future is very strong. Also have it for protection while at home. A few weeks ago a mob stormed the Richmond City Prosecutor's home about 1/2 mile from me. My neighbors and I thought we were immune to them coming out this far, but were proven wrong. Dangerous times.

Flatheads.

Hey Mike, you and all in the house would have to be able to exit, not just you. And your second example highlights what can easily happen with an unknown person, be it a friend, relative, business associate, or other.

Thanks. I can pick up two or three tubs of Nightcrawlers from Walmart or Green Top.

Zoom followed by YUM and Power Bait. Go here to see all the Zoom options. Check out both catalogs. http://virginiaguidebaitco.com/vag_7_002.htm

With the hot weather, going bass fishing in central Virginia is very limited and you need to be off the water by noon at the latest. I want to take my friends fishing but they are not bass guys so they don't have a good time going bass fishing with me and watching me catch bass as they do not. Then, add in the high temperatures and you have a very disappointing outing. So I am going to take them catfish fishing in local rivers and need your guidance on what bait I should use. I am thinking of 1) calamari (squid) 2) shrimp 3) small bream caught while on the water 4) chicken in bacon grease Of course we will try our luck at catching bream for bait while our catfish lines are out, but what should I consider using in addition to local bream species? Thanks in advance for your guidance and suggestions.

Yes, they are among us. You can find them in Washington, DC.

I just read and posted to the "Trust Your Instincts" post in the General Bass Forum section and it got me thinking of what was presented to my American Legion post on the 16th of July. I had a Chesterfield County, Virginia, police officer with many years of experience give a talk on gun safety and when and when not to use deadly force. The guy had us under his spell from his first words until he was finished and taking questions. Even the ladies in the audience (wives, girl friends and sisters) had questions about carrying a weapon for self-defense. We learned that if we pull a weapon on anyone we are the bad guys and can be charged with brandishing or threatening another person with a deadly weapon. He told us that we can't shoot anyone who is trying to break into our house, steal our property, or is vandalizing our property, or is threatening us unless we feel we or others are in definite physical bodily harm. Now once the perp is in your home you can shoot him unless you have a way to escape via another exit. Even the "castle rule" may not be upheld by a judge and you are in deep trouble. https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-law-basics/castle-doctrine-overview.html If you are legally carrying and someone just happens to see the gun, they can call the local law enforcement and tell them you are carrying and they saw the weapon and bingo! You are now charged with brandishing. You did not touch the gun; only the other individual saw it. I know all of my Legion brothers have weapons and we know how to use them. Even the Navy guys have weapons and they say they know how to handle them. But the law is not on your side unless you reasonably believe you or others are in direct physical harm of bodily injury. The final decision on this is with the local county/Parrish/state/federal prosecutor and the judge. Best way to stay out of trouble when carrying is to avoid trouble. Everyone be smart and safe.

Spooky. I only carry my gun on the boat as we are sitting ducks for wackos and criminals while fishing. Maybe I need to start carrying it when I go to my local ponds?

I needed a prescription renewed for a 90-days supply and my local pharmacy called to tell me the price went up from $260 to $680. Did I want to have them fill it? I told them to hold off and I would get back with them. I got with my doctor and he said we need to change the drug with another one that was equal and less expensive. So his nurse and I did some research and found another equal drug priced as follows for a 90-days supply: Local Pharmacy $133 Blue Cross Mail In $ 40 So I went with the Blue Cross mail in and set it up for future 90-day renewals. I have no idea why the original dug's cost skyrocketed but am I glad to have Blue Cross and can use their prescription drug mail in program. Just letting you all know in case you have a Rx mail in program with your group health insurance. Give it a try. You may be surprised at the cost and ease using it. But I do have a problem: how to spend the $620 savings I just enjoyed. Green Top, here I come!

150 Mercury EFI with no jack plate.

Great news. Now start posting!!!!!