Sam

It is worth the drive. Believe me, there should be a lot of boats to see; lots of stuff for sale; and the seminars look very attractive. Green Top on Route 1 just north of I-295, is also a place to stop by on your way into Richmond if you are coming from the north. The Richmond Fishing Expo has taken the place of Bassarama as Bassarama was on the down slide due to some unfortunate things that have been occurring for the past few years. I hope a lot of the people who left Bassarama will come back and have their wares out at the Fishing Expo. And Green Top is also a lot of fun. Busy and crowded but fun. If you are on I-95 be sure to keep your speed under 100! ;D

Good advice above. If you are still having problems with backlashes try what some of the pros do. Go outside with your rig ready to fish. Cast as far as you can. Rip off another 15 to 20 feet of line from the baitcaster. Then place some Scotch tape over the remaining line on the spool. The Scotch tape will stop any backlashes at the tape. It is extremely important that you "balance" your rig as stated by Cajun 77. Here is how it is done. Rig up your rod and reel with the lure you will be using. Point the rod tip at 11 o'clock and reel in the lure to the rod's tip. Let the lure drop to the floor (not carpet). When the lure can drop slowly from the rod tip to the floor and the spool stops when the lure hits the floor, then you have "balanced" your rig and this will help reduce your backlashes. Do this everytime you change lures, even on the boat or on the bank. As soon as the lure hits the water, or immediately before, stop the spool with your thumb. Do not let the spool continue to spin after the lure hits the water. Use the spool spring knob on the side of the reel to help slow down the spool's speed when necessary, balancing it with your drag. Be sure to check your drag throughout the day, especially when you first go out, to make sure it is set to give some if the fish runs but not too tight or too loose. You should be able to pull the line off the spool with some pressure. I think LBH or one of the moderators said to have about 2.5 pounds of pressure to take the line off the spool for your drag. A too tight drag can cause the fish to break off. And the thumb trick from Glen (abvove) is a must. Good luck.

Good question. Here is my input. If you can ask for permission on the days the course is closed, usually Mondays, the management may give you permission for catch and release. Otherwise, you can always trespass and fish when the course is not open, be it before the first tee off time or on days when the course is closed. You are usually not allowed to fish the ponds while the course is open as there is always the probability of you getting struck by a golf ball and being seriously injured. I have fished golf course ponds with management's permission. That way you can have a good time and not worry about being thrown out or arrested. Some guys just fish the ponds and never have a problem. I don't want to take the chance. It is up to you how to approach the golf pro to ask for permission. So make your plans and practice your presentation.

Cajun 77, According to the same reporter on ESPN Radio, Dungees has said he wants to retire when he reaches 50. His son has enrolled in school in Tampa. He won the Super Bowl last year and although everyone is putting their money on the Pats, if he wins a second straight Super Bowl the reporter said it is a done deal that he is gone. If he loses he may want to leave the Colts and try to do something else with his life. Should be interesting to see what happens with Carroll at USC and the other open coaching jobs in the NFL.

Ronnie, That is funny. Thanks for sharing.

What grinds my gears are the people who stay in the bumper lane at an acceleration lane entrance to an interstate and don't move over into the hammer lane to let the cars enter the interstate from the acceleration lane in a safe manner. Yes, it is an ACCELERATION LANE. Not a "let's stop to see the traffic go by" and mess everything up lane.

Yes, on Saturday morning from 9 to 12 unless I stay for the speaker. Probably will go on Friday before the crowds get there. Going to Green Top, too. Look for the LSU sweatshirt and/or LSU cap. On Saturday I will be working the kids casting event or selling boat raffel tickets, where ever the Federation places me for three hours.

Shimano. My Curado 7:1 is excellent.

Hey, It sure beats working. Maybe this day will turn out to be "average" as your "best" day is ahead of you this year.

Disneyworld Ponds Mexico lakes

Has anyone heard about Pete Carroll of Southern Cal interviewing for the Atlanta Falcons job? On ESPN radio this afternoon it was stated that Reggie Bush's agent states in his book that he gave Bush $300,000 while Bush was at USC. If this is true, and Carroll sees the handwriting on the wall regarding NCAA probation, that could be a reason he would leave USC for Atlanta. Carroll was a bust in the NFL before he went to USC so I was very surprised to hear he was interviewing for the job. And there will probably be an opening for the Colts head coaching job after this season and I wonder if the Colts would be interested in Carroll? Just curious if you guys living close to Atlanta or in California, or anywhere else, have heard any news? Thanks for the feedback.

Catt, Congrats on a fantastic 2007. I send my best to you for an even better 2008. As for me, LSU winning the BCS Championship says it all. Now that I can calm down and relax maybe I can do half as good as you did in 2007.

Please be very, very careful. Friend bought a beautiful yacht for $23,000. Bought a truck to take it back to Louisiana but due to DOT regulations he could not take the boat on the highway via trailering. So he paid a guy $5,500 to tow the boat to Louisiana. When he unloaded the boat and had it checked over at the marina, it was found that the motor was damaged beyond repair and the boat needs a new $30,000 engine. So, it just sits there, in Louisiana, after a $40,000 investment (including the pickup he purchased). I would suggest having the boat checked out by a qualified boat mechanic to make sure it is seaworthy and does not need expensive repairs. Then, you will have to hire a professional driver with a tractor and trailer to bring the boat to you, following all DOT rules and regulations. You may want to purchase insurance on the boat in case it is damaged in transit. Overall, your initial investment before you ever see the boat can be high so I suggest passing on the boat, unless you know it is seaworthy and needs no repairs. Don't be in a hurry. There are boats all over the place.

Excellent. Enjoy! http://www.nola.com/photos/t-p/index.ssf?2008BCSshow/

No Catt, you are totally wrong. USC LOST to a 40-point underdog at home.

This should be Tennessee's year. With the SEC down in basketball the Vols should win the conference and then go far into the NCAA playoffs. Opps. I mean the Lady Vols. OK, both the men and women's teams. Just as long as the SEC gets the NCAA basketball title in men's and women's basketball; then LSU wins the baseball College World Series so it will be a sweep for the SEC this year.

Only when I take the boat out or fish locally on weekends. I can fish in the afternoons before dinner or after dinner or early in the AM as long as I am local. Otherwise, it is an insult to take off and go fishing and leave her at home.

Hey, BP48, I have taken the reels off the rods and stored everything off the boat and into the garage. May go out when we get a pretty day later in the month. Between work and football and "honey do's" around the house I have not been fishing since November. Did T9 catch those big bass in the pond behind his house or in a challenging location like the river or lake? I could always go up to Congressional Country Club and catch 6+ pounders with ease. See you all at the Richmond Fishing Expo. I will be wearing my LSU sweat shirt with nothing insulting to any other football team or boasting about a BCS title. It's our second you know. First school to win two BCS titles. Just a reminder. ;D

What a bummer. Beautiful boat and trailer and a gravel road. The guys in my club go slow down the gravel roads. We understand that this is the best method to get the boat to the launch site so everyone takes their time. I would be sick to have the trailer or hull chipped by the gravel. But that's fishing.

LSU - 38 OSU - 24 First OSU TD will be scored when the Fighting Tigers are too excited and shift over too far and let the OSU running back scamper about 65 yards for a TD. OSU field goal set up by a busted cover by Stelth. OSU second TD scored on an interception and return for TD. OSU third TD worth nothing as the second string players for LSU are in the game as time expires. Don't know how correct I will be but LSU will win and get the Buckeyes so confused that when the go into the locker room after the game and undress they will find their jocks are on backwards. Dont't you just love it???? P.S. Went to the game. Ohio folks are great. Nice people. Not a loser in the group. High class, win or lose. However, with that said, I think a bunch of them were overwhelmed by the sights in the French Quarter. Especially those who brought THEIR KIDS with them into the Quarter. You don't bring your kids into the French Quarter! Too much food, drink and walking. Now to recuperate back home.

My wife makes a beef roll to die for. Fantastic. If you want the receipe I can send it to you. It is not jerky but it is out of this world.

Da rules are da rules. That's why you are taught to run away from the ball if you are not going to field a punt. Also, they have to protect the punter as the punter is very vunerable to a serious injury if he is hit while in the air. And the refs have to throw their flags as they are graded on each play by the NFL and if they want to move on in the playoffs they have to grad out very high. Plus the fact that if you are a ref it is fun to throw the flag. Now for the Redskins to score two touchdowns!!!!!

Dominion Dan, That $12 is like a shipping fee! ;D

Ditto what Catt said. The less parts the less that can break. I think this is another gimmick to sell their reels.

May I suggest you purchase Denny Brauer's "Advanced Flipping, Pitching and Jigging" video produced by Strike King? Excellent video on how to pitch and flip plus his secrets to using jigs. This one-hour video is something you need to see to learn how to flip and pitch in different situations. You may have to find it on the internet as I do not know if any of the tackle shops or Brauer's web site still have it. If you can't find the video, get the book. It is outstanding and you will have something to read this winter and then try in the spring.