Sam

1. 6 to 8 pound test for ponds and lakes on spinning reel. 2. Use mono for treble baits. Use flouro and copoly for other baits. 3. If you have the Berkely Portable Line Spooling Station make sure the line comes off the spool from the bottom. 4. There is a lot of discussion on how to spool a spinning reel to reduce the line twist. Ike says to spool the line coming off the spool in a counter clockwise manner as the line comes off the reel in a clockwise manner. There are guys out there that flip over the spool after every 10 to 15 turns of the handle. Some members will suggest braid which I use for deep fishing and heavy cover. Others disagree. So you can use any technique you want. Some will use a barrel swivel to help stop line twist. I use a swivel when fishing Roostertails or swimming worms that spin. As for brands, may I suggest you start off with a basic Vanish or Berkley Trileen XL and then move up to your YoZuri, Silver Thread and Stren, Big Game, etc. lines. Be sure to run your line through the Kevin VanDam Lure and Line Conditioner by creating a wet spot on a wash cloth and running the line through the wet spot as you spool your reel. Then spray a few sprays on the line on the spool during the process as you spool the reel. Be sure to keep the wet spot wet when spooling your reels, both baitcasters and spinning reels. Check for cuts, chips and abraisions as you fish and do not "burn" the line when tieing on your baits. Use the Palamor Knot and be sure to wet the line when tightning the line to your bait to avoid line burn. If the line is curly you have burned the line, so you will have to cut off the bait and the curly line and start over. A burned line will break off. Use your fingernail to feel the line and cut off any section that is damaged. Consider changing line after a month of fishing, if not sooner, depending on the amount of fishing you do; the fish you catch; and how much you tear up your line on structure and cover. Trileen is having a buy two get $5 rebate offer now so be sure to pick up a rebate form. Good luck and post some pics so we can see what you catch.

Simon, have you looked at the Ugly Sticks??? ;D

Congrats! Is it red and white or orange and blue? A purple and gold color scheme would look beautiful on Bama waters. Pics?????

P.S. Unless you can install the unit yourself, be sure to factor in the cost of professional installation.

I have a color screen Lowrance X102 for the bow and a LMS-332 for the console. The X102 is a very good unit and I mounted the transducer on the trolling motor. The LMS-332 is WASS and it is great to be able to put in a river or lake map chip and then follow yourself around the river or lake with the red line to see where you have been. I also like the color screen. Cost? Don't remember so I can't help you there but I think the X102 is in your price range. Good luck in your search.

Kool. Great boat. You all will have a lot of good fun and great memories in her. Thanks for sharing.

Great news. I can't wait until Direct TV picks it up. Hope we have some good bass pros' shows on it, too. Thanks for letting us know.

When you throw a Texas rigged plastic the weight hits the bottom and the worm will float down to the bottom. As you pop your rod tip, it raises the Texas rigged worm to float upwarad and then sink down to the bottom. When you fish a shaky head, you know that the goal is to have the worm's tail be floating upward, so it looks like the worm's head is on the bottom, feeding or resting. Be sure to use a worm that floats. the 3-X worms float but so do others. Look for worms that are specifically designed for shaky head presentations, like the Berkley Powerbait Shaky Head Worm and others. Try a few to see what works best for you.

What Fret told you is outstanding. Please copy and past his post to a Word Document and keep it for future reference. All I can add is that you may want to purchase one of these videos or DVDs. I will list them in order of preference: Kevin VanDam's Proven Spinnerbait Techniques (Outstanding) Gerald Swindle Teaching SUccess with Spinnerbaits (Excellent) Hank Parker's Ultimate Guide to Spinnerbaits (OK, but too much filler) If you can find the KVD DVD at BPS please purchase it. The phone number on the back of the package is 800.227.7776 if there is no BPS near you. This is a fantastic instructional DVD on how to use a spinnerbait. If you can find the KVD "3 DVD Set" it is a better buy as it includes three excellent productions. I got it for only $9.95 at BPS so check it out and find out if you can still purchase it for $9.95. Good luck.

I hit their sale last weekend and got the Triton line rebate deal. The had Rapala's 20% off. I will go back and check today to see if anything is on sale in Richmond. I guess they are reducing their current stock to take inventory for the end of the second quarter and will be restocking with new products in July. Thanks for the tip.

I told my wife last night that I want seafood for the 4th of July and not the usual ribs we always cook. She agreed so I am going to search for hardshell crabs and shrimp this week. Only crawfish would improve that menu.

I entered every day with the exception of Thursdays. Sorry you did not win the boat in lieu of the hat. Let me know if you win anything else and I will do the same.

I am now using a Shimano Solstace 2000 spinning reel. Was using a Curado 100 but I like the spinning rig better when wading on the James due to the removal of the backlash problem and this on setup can catch all the fish in the river, even the catfish. Remember, you do not have to cast too far. Just cast into the water running through the rocks or if you see a fish in the water you can throw to his area. What is even more fun is to use an ultra light spinning rig with four (4) pound test and a small one (1) inch white grub on a 1.62 jig head. You will catch a lot of small fish and every now and then a nice smallie.

Its' good. Keep using it.

I vote for graph, too.

Link, Also add to your arsnel a two (2) inch twin tail grub in motor oil fised on an orange headed 1/32 ballhead jig by Eagle Claw. I use The Wright Bait Company Grape Sented twin tail and for some reason the smallies love them. I also use 6 or 8 pound test but not any extra tough line on my baitcaster. Talk about a good fight. But don't tell Simon or he will use them and catch all the fish!!!! ;D

Your stories point out why I fish on weekdays. I have most boat ramps to myself along with the rivers and lakes when fishing.

Bring a hockey stick. Ok, just kidding, but you are from Canada. I would suggest checking the water temperature first and then making plans how to attack the lake. I agree that you should avoid any places with dieing plants. Fish will vacate the area. If it is early spring in your area, then read the articles on early spring fishing. What is the water clarity? This is critical to the baits and colors you will be selecting. I really wish I could be of more help but until you can give us an "outline" of the lake and the conditons we are somewhat in the dark. I can suggest crankbaits and Carolina rigs along with creature baits and Senkos, but I can't suggest many techniques or colors without more information.

Although I have not worked for BPS I would think it would be better than such industries as the food industry. You would be great at BPS because you know fishing and other stuff and you have been a manager dealing with people, if you call your staff people and the public people andyou are a very nice person. I would vote for you to work at BPS because I can then see you more often than driving to Never-Never Land way out on 360 and maybe we can go fishing again and I can put another treble hook through my finger. So I vote "yes" for the Southern Prog to work at BPS. The hours will be easier and the only critters you will have to feed are in the fish tank!!!! Give me a call when you can.

Simon, Throw jig or fly into current and let it go. They will hit it at the Pony Pasture. Then, take small bream, hook it to fly hook, cast out into to middle and try to catch some of those 15 to 20 pound catfish. ;D ;D ;D

Darcy, One other thing. In Canada, where you have free medical coverage, it could take you a few months to see physician or get medical treatment if injuries not severe. If injuries are severe to you or others then you may want to consider traveling down to the Lower 48 for treatment. Immediate and excellent medical treatment. As for what causes most boating accidents? Contact any department of inland game and fisheries in Canada or in the USA and they can tell you. I would surmise accidents are caused by 1)alochol; 2) not watching what you are doing: 3) going too fast for conditions; 4) goofing off in boat with friends when under power; 5) stepping out or falling out of boat; 6) rough water due to a storm or high winds; and 7) lack of experience in operating a boat and not knowing boating safety. Plus the fact that you can be the best boater on the water and some idiot comes along and hits you. This happened to one of my stepson's couisins on his father's side of the family. The boy was on a track scholarship at Penn State when a drunk boater ran over his boat on a Penna. lake. One girl lost a leg; he was cut seriously on his leg and never ran track again; and the other two kids had injuries that required surgery. After the accident he and his girl friend broke up and we were sure they were going to get married. They were a cute couple. When you fall out of a boat you are in a foreign environment that is not favorable to survival. Please wear that PFD and always be careful and watch for the idots on the water that should not be on the water.

Darcy, This is what happens when you hit something in your boat. The hull or lower unit will strike a submerged or floating stump, tree, rock, flat, peice of wood, a bridge support or something that you did not see. TIP ONE - ALWAYS WEAR POLARIZED SUNGLASSES The boat will either stop or change direction abruptly swerving to right or left, if it does not go foward. People and items in boat are traveling at same rate of speed when boat hits submerged object so when boat stops or slows down people and items in boat continue at original speed. People and items in boat are thrown out of boat or if still in boat, are injured. Motor will stop if your lower unit or prop strikes an object hard enough. Motor will flip up in air but should not come off boat if it does not shut down. TIP TWO - ALWAYS CONNECT YOUR KILL SWITCH LANYARD TO PANTS, SHIRT OR LIFE JACKET WHEN MOTOR IS OPERATING. People and items now in water with boat running free, probably in circle. People are in shock, knocked out and have very few items, if any, to hang onto to float. If you are lucky, other people will be in area and can offer immediate assistance. If you are unlucky, call wife and friends on cell phone and say goodbye and what type of flowers and coffin you and your son would like at the funeral. Hydrothermea will suck warmth out of body rapidly and you will become unconcious and drown. Same for son or daughter or anyone else in boat. If water is warm, you may not be able to tread water or swim with a broken or sprained arm, wrist or leg or if you are unconcious from hitting the water. Once again, call wife and let her have funeral arrangements. Send your fishing gear to me as you will not have any more use for it. TIP THREE - ONLY STUIPD PEOPLE DO NOT WEAR PFD IN BOAT. IT IS LIKE PLAYING ICE HOCKEY OR BASEBALL AND NOT WEARING A PROTECTIVE CUP. YOU SPELL THIS S-T-U-I-P-D ALTHOUGH IT WILL HELP ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY. Sorry to be so blunt but it is guys like you that mess up a good day fishing for the rest of us when you have an accident and are not wearing your floataion gear. We have to stop fishing, fish you out of the water, and then tow boat back to a ramp or closest location for EMTs to meet us. As for you not wearing a PFD, it is your decision. As for not having others in your boat not wearing a PFD, that is manslaughter in my opinion, murder at worst. A word to the wise is sufficient.

1. Watch fishing shows on Saturday mornings. 2. Read all articles on this site. 3. Read all posts on this site. 4. Read some fishing technique books. 5. Watch some fishing technique DVDs or videos. 6. Suscribe to Bassin' Magazine. 7. Go to the Bassmasters website and read and listen to the articles. 8. Go to you favorite pros websites and read their articles. 9. Go to the different fishing blogs for specific bodies of water that you fish and read those posts. 10. Go to a fishing clinic or seminar either at Bass Pro Shops, Gander Mountain, your state department of game and inland fisheries or any other seminars in your area. But the best thing you can do to learn how to be a better fisherman is to......fish. So get off your duff, turn off this silly computer, and hit a local pond and practice, practice and practice your casting and techniques. Practice tieing a Palamor Knot or a Chinch Knot or an Albright Knot or a Uni Knot. Just go out and fish1

Sent yout two PMs. Hope they arrive in time for your trip.

I have rods from the Ugly Stick up to Kistler, St. Croix and G. Loomis. The rods I like the best are my Bass Pro Shop 60 Million Extreme rods. They work great all the time. As for reels, I have small Shimano's up to the Castic and Stradic but I like the Curados the best. Go figure? I will probably stick with the 100, 200 and 7:0:1 Curados and always take my BPS Extreme rods when fishing. Of course, I will have the other rods and reels in the boat, too. You can never have enough rods and reels. ;D