Sam

Super. Those Paca Craws strike again.

I caught a 5 and a half pounder in a local pond, right at my feet, using a two inch Senko. I found them at GY's site and though I would order some as they are being discountinued. I have caught bream and some beautiful Crappie on them, plus some small bass. But when I caught that monster I almost had a heart attack. She hit it right at my feet as I was getting ready to pick up the bait out of the water and cast it again. Can you imagine my surprise when I saw that mouth? And I was using a small, gold #6 (or maybe a #4) hook. I love 'em and will use them until they are gone this year.

You do have a serious problem in Northern Virginia. First, Hope Springs and Leesylvania are always busy. I like Hope Springs a lot better but as you know, you play the devil in launching your boat on the narrow ramp with another 50 guys lined up , waiting impatiently. (That's why I am a nonboater on the Potomac). Leesylvania is not much better. First choice for the Federation and club tournaments. The marinas give the Federation and club tournaments not only preference but lower parking fees. (Hope Springs does the same thing). Then there is One Fish Anna. Anna Point Marina is always a zoo with pleasure boaters and club fishing tournaments. The other launches are full of recreational boaters. That is why we schedule the One Fish Anna tournament in February or March to avoid the pleasure boaters but then we give up fishing Buggs and Gaston early in the year and have to fight the pleasure boaters when we do fish those bodies of water. Williams and Hicks are also busy but it is first come, first served, so maybe you can do better on the Rapp and Pamunkey. And don't forget there are two sides at Walkerton to launch onto the Mattaponi so you should not have problems. Think about the Chick River or Lake Chick. Long way to drive from where you are but you have some options as to where to launch. I know you are not affiliated with the FLW (TBF) or B.A.S.S. so you may want to consider joining. B.A.S.S. will cost each member $40 a year for state and national dues while TBF costs $35 per person. Even if you are a member of B.A.S.S. or the TBF there is no guarantee you can still get a ramp. All I can suggest is that your club members do like I do: get to the ramp as early as you can, like two hours before blast off, take your time to rig your boat and then put her in either by yourself or with the help of other early arrivals. Or...fish during the week! Good luck.

They can be excellent. Do you homework first. Check on what you want to consider buying and check out the prices in the BPS and Cabella's catalogs. You will then know if you are getting a good deal. The dealers may also negotiate the price. I got a Curado a few years ago for less than what the catalogs were asking. The presentations by the pros are dynamite. Worth the price of admission. Go and hear them. Speak with them. Ask questions. Take notes when they make their presentations. I know you want to go fishing but you may learn a lot and find a bargain or two at the expo.

Yes, you are totally correct. But it is fun tweeking the UT fans. And what about Charlie Wiess of Notre Dame. I don't think he has passed up a buffet in a long, long time. Glad you are back on line.

Robby, Yes there are some people who let their position of power go to their heads and do dumb things. I have found that the young law enforcement and game wardens sometimes go overboard while the older, more experienced individuals act more civil and intelligent. Wardens do spy on fishermen by using their binoculars. This is the standar method of watching what the fisherman is doing, i.e., catch and release, damaging property, smoking pot, using other drugs, etc. Normal technique for game wardens. I would suggest letting the management team at the equlivant of the Penna. Game and Inland Fisheries know of your concerns. They need to know what is going on. Following you in your vehicle too close to your rear bumper is usually not done unless the warden is trying to spook you into doing something. I would have called the cops on my cell phone. Sorry you have problems with the wardens in your area. I would think they are the exception and not the rule.

Listen to some opera and you will love the power of the singer. Fantastic. Just fantastic.

I like the Pats and hope they win the Super Bowl. I do not like the Bruins or the Red Sox. I like the Flyers and Yankees. Sorry, but one out of three isn't that bad.

It was actually Phat Phil Phulmer of the University of Tennessee who was using an alius. He is dynamite at a buffet.

No suggestions. Just think how you fish and select the lures that fit that profile. LC lures are excellent.

One more thought. If you are concerned that you look older than 15 or that you will be stopped while fishing, please consider calling your Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and ask for the name of the warden(s) who is in the areas where you fish. Then call or write a letter to the warden telling him who you are and that you are 15. Keep a copy of the letter in your tackle box or pocket if you are concerned about being stopped. And by the way, the wardens may know of some good spots to fish and baits/techniques to use. And if you meet a warden ask him what school he went to and how he got into the business. Show an interest in him and he/she will watch out for you.

Yes. And thank you for your service to our country.

A game warden has more power than a law enforcement officer and can take measures that a law enforcement officer may not be able to take, such as search your car or ice chest without your permission. A professional game warden will take your name and phone your parents for confirmation of your age. If you give the warden any "lip"or any negative behavior he can then do as he pleases within his scope of authority, which includes taking your equipment, issuing a ticket, and making you and your parents go to court to prove your age is 15. Usually game wardens are very nice guys and gals and if you are nice to them they will be more than nice to you. You may want to carry a note from your parents stating your birth date and giving a phone number to call in case of an emergency. Game wardens are our friends and are there to help us as necessary and to make sure we can fish and enjoy our waters without any interferrence from others. If you work with them they will work with you and believe me, they don't forget good people who stay within the laws and do not cause trouble on the waters they patrol.

I don't see any problems.

Andrew, It is a term we use on this fourm to note our need to purchase fishing gear if we need it or not. An example is someone wanting a new baitcaster which they are trying to buy for around $50. They finally purchase a Shimano for $200. The "Bait Monkey" strikes again as the individual paid more than they had planned to spend. You apply this principal to all fishing tackle purchases and you can understand that you need to be watchful of the Bait Monkey. He can jump up and bite you anywhere at anytime. ;D ;D ;D

Should be an entertaining game with KU's powerful offense and VT's dominering defense. I can see a close game going into the fourth quarter with the Hokies pulling it out. Then again...I think of the LSU whitewash of the Hokies and wonder if that will be a repeat tonight? Either way, it should be a great game.

No way. Dumbest game I have ever seen. All the guys do is run back and forth and kick the ball all over the place. I know why they go nuts when they finally score. It's because they don't score very often. I will admit that the some of the pros are very good with the ball but overall I just can't see watching a bunch of guys run all over the field and not accomplishing anything.

No matter who you wanted to win it was a very entertaining game. I hope the Orange Bowl is just as entertaining. To see the WVU team and its bright future makes me wonder went on behind the scense to have RR abruptly leave. for a down program that needs some rebuilding. With LSU healthy and Ohio State still stinging from the BCS game last year against Florida, both teams have something to prove so the Monday night contest should be hard hitting. Then, its all over until August. :'(

Lake Anna is separated into two (2) sections. The "hot" side is totally private. The "cold" side is open to everyone. To fish the "hot" side you need to know someone to fish off their property. I have no idea if you can fish this area off the dams so hopefully someone familiar with Anna can give us their input. As for the "cold" side, there is a state park that may me open or that you can fish off the bank. The majority of the "cold" side is private property or inaccessable due to the terrain. There are some vehicle bridges that cross the lake so check your maps. You may be able to fish off the bridges or their banks. You may want to call the Lake Anna Marina Bait and Tackle Shop and ask them where you can fish from the shore on the "cold" side. One Fish Anna is tough on a good day and you may do better fishing some local ponds or other bodies of water. If you go to the Richmond Fishing Expo on January 25, 26 and 27 at the Richmond Internatinoal Raceway Complex you can meet one or two of the Lake Anna guides and also get some additional info on the area. Let us know what you find out.

I asked Bobby of Megastrike to respond to this thread. It is always great to hear from one of our sponsors. Please read what he has to say about Megastrike. Thanks.

Rule #1 when catfishing: Be mindful of the three fins. Rule #2 when catfishing: Take your time removing the hook. Rule #3 when catfishing: Use pliers to remove hook while catfish is in net or you have the animal under control. The catfish will stop jumping around soon after it is out of the water. It usually becomes docile and you can handle the fish with no problem. With small cats, I take my left hand and place the thumb and little finger under the two side fins. I then push the dorsal fin upwards with my hand, securing the fish so he cannot squirm away. If you have never handled a catfish, remember that they do not have teeth but they do have sandpaper like areas in their mouths. And they will clamp down on your hand or finger if you put them in their mouths. Best bet is to lay the catfish on the ground, either in the net or out of the net, take a pliers and remove the hook, and gently place the fish back in the water. Do not kick the catfish. Just lift him up by his stomach and put him back in the water. A catfish fin has barbs so it can do some damage when you pull it out. And unlike bass fishing, you do not have to kiss the catfish before returning him to the water, although it would be a nice gesture.

In 20s today in Richmond with higs in 30s. On Thursday it is supposed to drop 10 degrees lower than today and we may have snow flurries. At least it will definately kill the ticks that are still around.

At this time many public school divisions will allow a "sport" to evolve if the participants can raise the capital to support the "sport." For example, in Virginia there are many high schools that have crew teams. The kids and their parents raise the money; purchase the shells and trailers; get the skiff and motor; purchase the equipment and uniforms; set up the meets; and pay their transportation, room and board for the out of town or state meets. With public school budgets tight there is no way a school division is going to financially fund a fishing sport without outside financial assitance. The same is true with other sports that may carry the individual high school's name but in fact is a "club" sport, like Lacrosse, ice hockey and field hockey. But with that said, you shared a wonderful article and I sincerely hope the program is successful and it spreads across the country. Happy New Year.

Because Glen says so. And that's that.

Troutfisher, AU did the same thing to LSU when they played earlier this year. It is a throwback to the Paul Dietzel kickoff trick when the receiver catches the ball, turns and looks at the end zone, and the other receiver comes running by him. The guy with the ball can hand it off to the other receiver or keep it and turn upfield. Never did that great for LSU during the Dietzel years but it was fun to watch and we did it when we played touch football. AU's quaterback will be a big pain in the fanny for the next three years. I think it will be a lot of fun watching LSU's Perry-Lou and the AU QB for the next two years as both can pass and run. Now to see if UT can win their bowl game and the rest of the SEC can do the same, especially the Fighting Tigers.