Sam

So glad you called Animal Control. I agree, stay on Animal Control. Call your councilman and then follow up with a letter of complaint to him/her. I hate people who mistreat dogs and Virginia has some laws to protect dogs from being mistreated. Don't let up!!!!

If you want to take the shine off the weight then spray paint them black. I don't think the color of your sinker matters that much although I have had fish hit the sinker. As for "glass" I go to a local bead shop and purchase their clear glass faceted cut beads for around $7.50 for a 10 inch string. Expensive but they are different than the "glass" beads we get at the local tackle shop.

Glenn is with Ike? Mr. Straight and Narrow with Ike? Now that's a combination! Looking forward t some great pics from Glen.

Yes, Catt. He had it all. Good looking. Nice guy. Great fisherman. A big, big loss to bass fishing. He would have been KVD before KVD. Hope he is looking down and enjoying the Classic.

Ike introduces Bass Resource. com. Can't get better than that! And Glenn, keep those cards and letters comming!!!! ;D

How closely do you follow the pro series (FLW/BASS/others?)? - Only follow B.A.S.S. I have no idea who wins the FLW events. Do you follow both or only one? - Only B.A.S.S. Do you have a favorite pro that you follow closely to see how they are doing and "root" for them, or do you just check the daily updates to see how the leader is finding fish, what structure they are fishing, and how they are approaching the given waters with the current weather, etc.? - No, but I do read in BASS Times and Bassmaster Magazine about them. I like Ike the best and follow his tournament results and Angler of the Year standings. If you have a favorite, why are they your favorite...(you know them personally...you fish a similar style...they are from your area...etc.) - Heard and met him at Bassmaster University and another seminar and he is one of the nicesest people and greatest ambassador for bass fishing around. He is colorful and smart and an excellent fisherman. His antics are enjoyable and he yells, just like me, when he nails a good one. I mean he nails a good fish. And he is an excellent speaker and teacher. A true pro and a very nice person Any other questions?

Who knows? The Shadow knows. Give your BPS fishing department a call and ask. Or call the main number and ask the person who answers the question. Get their name so if there is a problem you can name the person who told you "yes" to your query and demand that they give you a rain-check.

Don't you mean Shimano and Loomis? Top of the line for reels and rods? And what about Kistlers? They are excellent. So maybe your posse should be Zebco and Loomis? Or Quantum and Ugly Stick? Just food for thought.

Beastieboy, It is nice knowing that Trojan makes other products, like trolling motor batteries. I had no idea. Some of the guys in my bass club swear by the Wal-Mart trolling batteries. I think it is a matter of preference. If you are used to going into a store and buying your Trojans and then checking out with a wink and a smile, then you can do that. If you want to purchase other brands then that is OK, too. Just make sure they don't leak. I mean, leak in the boat. I mean, like get a good brand name that will last and not cause you future problems. Future problems can be very time consuming and expensive. Plus the fact that you have to explain them to others, like your parents. I mean when you have to get the boat fixed from the leakage. And make sure they fit OK. Like they are not too big. Batteries do come in different sizes so make sure yours fits snug. In the boat. Snug in the boat. And that it will not slip around when you are using it. Like on the water when the boat is running. Or come off. You always want to secure it to the boat so it does not come off and move around. So go out and get your Trojans or other brands and make sure they are fresh and are ready to go. Have good time and be safe. Be safe on the water is what I mean. Gettng good performance from your Trojans. I mean with your trolling motor. Or whatever. ;D

Yes, Jack's Juice. Just remember to see which way the wind is blowing so the spray does not come back on you. It can mess up your glasses (sun or otherwise) and make you smell like a crawfish or shad. We have had some heated discussions on the value of attracants on our baits so some guys use scents and others do not. In his book, Knowing Bass, The Scientific Apporach to Catching More Fish, Dr. Keith Jones says that oil based scents cannot be smelled by a bass as they cannot pick up the oil molecules. But it is a confidence appliaction and I don't think it can hurt. So use it if you want. And if you are going to use an attractant, use Megastrike in the tube. It is not messy and easy to use. Or JJ's Magic. Just dip and go. Just don't spill it. Or make your own with cooking oil and anise or vanilla flavorings. Or use Dr. Jones secret receipe which I do not give out. Sorry. Or just spit on it for good luck.

Trixo69 and Gummybear, There are articles on this site about drop shotting. Google "drop shotting" and bunch of web sites will pop up. Just remember a few suggestions when drop shotting: 1. Use a Palamor knot, as advised by others. 2. Run the tag end of the line back through the eye of the hood from the point of the hook back through the eye so that the hook stands out straight. 3. Use anything you want as your sinker. A bullet weight tied on with an O-ring; a drop shot sinker that can pull off when it gets caught in some rocks or structure; just tie your sinker to the end of the line; any type of sinker you want to use. 4. You do not have to have the sinker two or three feet from the hook. 8 inches is a good separation but it is up to you to decide. 5. You can use any hook you want. Some use a small Octopus 1/0 hook. Others use a #1 hook. I like to use a weedless 1/0 or 2/0 hook. 6. Baits are of your selection. You can fish small and finesse or heavy and bulky. I like the finess application the best so the bait can float above the sinker. 7. Be careful when stowing the rod as the free flowing sinker will get wrapped around your other rods and you will have a disaster on your hands. Just secure the sinker to the rod buy the use of a rubber band being placed on your rod above the reel. Slip the sinker under the rubber band to secure it. 8. And read, read and read about this technique and then practice, practice and practice to learn how to use it to the best of your ability. Now go out and get snagged! ;D

Not only what you all said is correct, but you usually don't get bruised or break any bones or have someone yelling at you during the game or facing your teammates and fans when you mess up or have to lift weights or run all the time. Or worry about being hit by the ball or getting chopped blocked or spraining your ankle getting a rebound or being hit by a puck. And you do have the comradeship of other fishermen and you can expand the truth a little and no one knows the difference. All you have to worry about is falling out of the boat.

Dave, There are applications for both. For instance, the cover and structure you are throwing into will determine the set-up aloing with the water clarity. Heavy cover screams for a baitcaster. Light cover yells for a spinning rig. Clear water says to pitch as you can be farther away from your target. You hve to determine which set-up meets the conditions you are fishing. Now, with that said, you know that when you pitch or flip a spinning rig the bait falls straight down to the bottom where it enters the water. Right where you want to put it. Advantage spinning rig. With a baitcaster you know that the bait can swing back towards you after it enters the water for up to two feet. So you need to be closer to your target with a baitcaster than with a spinning rig. Advantage spinning rig in clear water. If you are in heavy cover and need to pull the fish out back to the boat, then a baitcaster may be your weapon of choice. Advantage baitcaster. If you have trouble with backlashes on a baitcaster, then the spinning rig is the best bet. Advantage spinning rig. Flipping is usually done with a baitcaster due to its unusual technique. No backlashes and it is easy to use. Advantage baitcaster. Pitching goes either way, as we discussed and no backlasahes when using a spinning set-up. So give both a whack and see which technique you lik best. Also, do you have Denny Brauer's Jig Secrets to Huge Catches video? It is a must if you want to pitch and flip. If you can't find the video check your local bookstore for the paper back copy. It is excellent, too. Denny taught me how to flip and pitch at one of the Bassmaster University lectures. Yes, the master was there and he introduced the technique and showed us how to use it. Now, I do mostly pitching with a jig, wacky worm or a shaky head set-up. I even have been known to throw an unweighted Senko and some Zoom four-inch mocassin blue Dead Ringers with a 1/8 pegged bullet weight. Dynamite in some Virginia rivers when fishing shallow or in structure. I will try the drop shot technique by pitchng and flipping as soon as it gets warm. Where is golbal warming when you need it????

Age is in your mind. And it beats the alternative.

Ike is still alive. Come on, Ike.

I agree with the jon boat idea. I have a raft and I get blown all over the ponds I fish with it.

I saw them and backed off as I have not read any articles about them or anything on this site. If you use it please let us know what you think. Thanks.

Simply beautiful. Just beautiful. And wasn't it fun reeling her to the boat? I bet she put up a good fight.

If Dave says to get it and your wife agrees, then go get it. The economy needs your help. And the Bait Monkey will be very happy.

Personally, I like the medium heavy. But what type of cover and structgure will you be pitching and flipping? That will determine the rod you need, be it medium or heavy action. Check out Denny Brauer's book or video on Jig Secrets and he explains the best rod to purchase before you make an investment. If you can't wait, then Google flipping and pitching and see what the pros have to say. And read the articles on this technique here on the forum. Have fun.

And you will be receiving another check in June, too. The Bait Monkey loves you.

Darn, I hate when this happens. So sad. And Hillery cancelled her rally due to the accident.

It gets worse. You will be like your parents. And always see the girlfriend's mother as that is how she will end up.

I totallyl agree with the 24-volt trolling motor. What a difference it makes. Interesting option to install a recessed area for the trolling motor foot pedal. I may consider that after I get my Shimano CORE.

WRB, You got it!