Sam

I peg when fishing cover/structure and grass. I have not had any problems. In my humble opinion, I would think that a sharp hook is more important in a hook set then the sinker. But good philosophical discussion on the topic. Happy Thanksgiving.

Good idea, Muddy. Let's hope Mike will do this for us. Happy Thanksgiving.

Dee Tee, Be sure to have a good set of paddles and a charged cell phone, too. ;D ;D ;D Happy Thanksgiving

My E5 casts beautifully. I think it is more important to "balance" your reel specs with those on your rod for better and longer casts. The line size on the rod and reel need to balance or you will never have a proper cast. Also, check out the bait size on your rod and stay within those paramaters for better casts. A longer rod will give you longer casts, too. But longer rods are not for everyday fishing; they are more "technique" oriented. You may want to go with a lighter line when trying for longer casts, too. Just "balance" your reel with the rod; read any follow-up posts from the guys; and have fun.

Island Bass is right, again. Tighten your spool and drag. If the spool still will not turn, then the reel is broken. Send it to the Reel Mechanic, or take it to local tackle store and see if they know anyone who fixes reels, and have it repaired. I had this happen to me last month and it seems I broke a gear in it. Easy and cheap fix. Happy Thanksgiving.

Spinning gear opens the door to finesse fishing so you have a lot of techniques to use in your arsenal. I like either a 6'6" medium heavy or a 7' medium heavy rod when spinning. I can "skip" the plastics under the docks, boats and piers easier with a 6'6" length. I use the 7 ' for pitching and flipping, although a 6'6" rod will do fine. Light crankbaits and jigs can also be thrown on spinning rigs. Be sure to note the line weight paramaters on your President and match them to the line weight paramaters on your rod. This is curical to a good match. Also check out the lure size on the rods you are considering and think if these lure sizes include the majority of the size baits you will be throwing. Next, consider if you want graphite or glass. Graphite has more "feel" to it. Glass is more powerful and has less "feel" to it. I like graphite but I use both types of rods and have not encountered any problems. Any name brand rod, even the Bass Pro Shop rods, should perform for you. And with the Christmas sales just beginning, you can expand your selection to higher priced rods that are on sale. Have fun; drive yourself nuts selecting the rod; and get ready for some fishing after Christmas. Happy Thanksgiving.

I am going to copy and past to a Word document and give it to my wife. No telling what she will order for me. Should be some good surprises in my Christmas stocking this year.

I got my LuckyCrafts at either the Richmond BPS or Green Top. Beautiful Lucky Craft baits. But the Shad Rap is one of my staples and I always throw them; and then go to the Lucky Crafts and others.

Nice story and pics. You did good!

Which show is it within the list of shows on your web site????

I got my antlers this year. Should be 8-point but each lost one-point due to fights. Did I shoot the buck? Nope. I let a guy hunt behind my house and he gave me the antlers. I had some beautiful 8-point antlers about 10-years ago but they got lost when my son and his room mates burned down their house at Campbell University. Believe me, he isn't getting this set.

BossierBassHunter, Great pics and story. Glad to read you are proud to be from Bossier City. Growing up in Louisiana all of my friends from Bossier City said they were from Shreveport. Now any friends from Shreveport say they are from Bossier City. Keep throwing those jigs!!!!

Great! Nice to know there are Tracker parts around. I wonder if the BPS Tracker Service Center could have gotten you one like the original?

Sounds like a great organization. Hope Ole Biker can fish it and let us have his insight and comments on the event.

X2 what Island Bass says.

Remember to use the same diameter mono as backing on your E7 so you can get more use from less Spiderwire on the reel and the line will last so much longer as you are not using an entire spool of the line at one time. If you have trouble with backlashes, may I suggest rigging the Curado with mono backing of the same diameter of the Spiderwire with about 75 to 100 yards of the Spiderwire; then go outside and cast it as far as you can; then take one or two arms length of Spiderwire off the Curado; take some electrical tape or Scotch tape and place it over the remaining line on your reel. The tape will stop the backlashes from going deeper. As for your Original Spiderwire, keep using it until it is gone and keep going out and have some fun fishing with it. Start to use other brands to see how they perform as compared to the Original Spiderwire. Just go out and do some fishing!

Check with your state FLW/TBF Federation for clubs in your region. B.A.S.S. also has clubs in your area so you may want to check out their state federation. If you can't find anything on the web or from the local federation officers, check with the fisheries guys in your state game and fisheries department. Usually these guys know the clubs and their officers or how to get in touch with the officers. Good luck.

There are a lot of places to eat in Richmond. Not by the Raceway, but other places. Have some nice resturants in Ashland, too. So everyone can hit the Expo, Green Top and the new BPS plus Gander Mountain. The Bait Monkey is doing the happy dance. ;D As the dates get closer we all will make plans to meet.

You now know where she lives. Give her a week or two and go back.

DE, super selection! I love my Curados. I can see you using braid but may I also suggest a 20-pound Stren low vis green or clear mono leader? Or just the mono line, itself. Please consider taking the front hook off the Rat-L-Traps in heavy cover or structure. Remember to "swing" rod to right or left when setting treble hook baits. Now go out and make the Bait Monkey happy and have some fun.

Braid on a baitcaster. Hummmmmmmm. Are you fishing in heavy cover/structure or deep diving crankbaits? If you are using braid, do you want heavy winching power to drag the fish out? If so, a "5:1" is the gear ratio for reel for you. Like the Curado E5. If you want to throw plastics, spinnerbaits, Texas-rigs, Carolina-rigs, etc., using flouro, then any of the "6:1" ratios may be best. Like the Curado E6. If you want to throw topwaters on mono, how about a 7:1 retrieve. Like the Curado E7. As for the reels, if you have the money, consider the Chronarch's. Both the Mg's and B's are excellent. However, the Chronarch B is a heavy reel (about 9 ounces). And last I checked the Chronarch has a 5:1 up to a 6:2 gear ratio. For less money, you can get a nice Curado E7. Check the line capacity and test/yards for each reel and then decide. You can find this information on the Shimano web site. Remember, low gears are for power while higher gears are for speed. Have fun and then get your second choice of reels in the summer and the third one next Christmas. Since you will be buying reels, lets talk rods...........

www.ncboatshows.com/show.php/eventId/3 Kevin VanDam is one of the speakers. Check out the site for others. If you can't get this address t work, Google Richmond Fishing Expo and then look for the Expo on the right hand side of the page as it scrolls down.

X2 Let us know what started it. :-?

According to Ike, he suggests mono for treble hook baits. I have been having a lot of success with 20-pound Stren on a Curardo E5 reel. But you can have any set up you like. There is an article on a post in the forum about lines and the writer likes flouro for trebel hook baits. Sorry, but I wil l continue to follow Ike's advice. If you add a Lucky Craft Ghost Minnow or Sexy Shad crankbait to the 20-pound floruo and a 5:1:1 reel you may have some good success. Just read what the guys suggest and make up your own mind. Good luck.

Dave does not need a girlfriend. He needs to save his money for fishing stuff. Girlfriends will come along later in high school and college and when he starts his career. No hurry to get a girlfriend. All she will do is take your money and stymie your fishing.