Sam

Taking the law into your own hands is a no-no and you would have been in more trouble than the perks. That is our legal system. Protect the perks and the heck with the victums. I know how you feel and thank goodness you did the right thing.

Did you all see the interview with the lady who played the daughter? She is 61 now; has seen the movie about 400 times; got married; husband got killed and left her with two children; son committed suicide at age 18; she remarried and husband died a few years ago. It is always interesting to see how the actors progressed after their claim to fame. Personally, I have seen the movie enough times so I don't have to see it again. And my wife is from Indiana,Penna., the home of Jimmy Stewart. Her folks used to go to the Stewart's pharmacy and they knew Jimmy when he was a kid. There is a stuffed statue of him in front of the new courthouse and a very good museum in downtown Indiana. Go see it when you can.

Found it! A MUST READ down below. See what he did. A one sheet of paper with this data on it could make a big difference if you get or do not get a sponsor to list with you. Always show the sponsor what you can do for them in return for their sponsorship.

There is a post on this forum from a guy who has sponsors and he decided to give his prospective sponsors some interesting information. He counted the number of times he drove to places; went to meetings; went to or gave seminars; went fishing; etc. and then gave the numbers of people who would see his sponsor's ad. By doing this he can tell the sponsor that his ad will be seen by "X" number of people. Try to find the post as it is very interesting. Good luck.

I would think it would be worth it. Especially living in Blacksburg where there is nothing to do but hang around your apartment with your girlfriend during the winter months. How boring? Where is it being held and when? Have a good time back in school and get all A's in your classes.

Where did you see this technique? Can you give us the source or web address? I can't think of putting a plastic designed for shaky or wacky worm fishing on a jig but who knows, this may be the next super technique once the swimbaits die down. Please let us know. Thanks.

Do more jig fishing.

Ice on the ramp? Now that is what I call devotion. You are better than me. If there was ice on the ramp I would have headed home. But you all did good. Great memories of a bad day gone good. Happy New Year.

Other than for the awful baseball cap the pic is great. What a lunker! I bet you had a good time reeling her in. Now, change that baseball cap to LSU and you will be a real winner!

Congrats. You did good! Catching your first bass with your new set up is always a blast. I caught a dink (13 inches) on Lake Gaston on the very first cast using my new Kistler rod. Man, was I surprised. Keep up the good work and sooner or later you will be posting pics of those lunkers. Have a great New Year!

Corky, There is a boat show in February but it is mainly saltwater boats so that is no help. Can you go to the Richmond Fishing Expo web site and check out the other locations for shows? There is a big one down in South Boston area but I don't have any details. And the one up in Maryland is supposed to be big, too. If I hear of any I will let you know. Happy New Year!

What Catt suggested: "When you miss a bass drop your rod on the deck and throw plastic bait to the exact location of the miss." It is also true when throwing a buzzbait. Always have a Senko rigged either Texas or Wacky style on your spinning rig ready to throw if the bass misses your buzzbait. I have the Silver Buddy spoons but have not fished them. Friend caught some nice bass on a local river using the Silver Buddies. I will have to ask him if he used a trailer. Thanks for the info. I may want to consider throwing them next year.

Same back to you, Reel Mech. Have a good one and be safe.

Beautiful North Carolina blue sweater from Talbots. LL Bean wool socks. Shimano Stradic 2500-F1. LL Bean kaki pants. LL Bean First Watch Weather Station. Bass Pro Shop reel cover for fishing rig I keep in my car. Spike-It ColorCelector. Plus some small stuff. Wife and I are cutting back so I did not get a lot of clothes and other stuff. The Shimano reel is all I really wanted. Wife did good!

The Bait Monkey strikes again! You did good. I would think you will enjoy your Shimano products. The only problem is that Shimano will change the inner workings of their reels and not change the reels' name. Therefore, a 2000 Curado may not be the same as a 2007 Curado with its workings. Abu is an excellent option. Great products. Enjoy and let us know how the reel holds up.

Excellent question. Maybe the Reel Mechanic will put in his two cents and give us the insight on ball bearings. I have always gone with the high end reels that have 3 or more ball bearings and have not had problems with backlashes once I was taught how to balance the bait and baitcaster. I still get backlashes when I cast incorrectly or into a wind without being ready for the resistance. However, I wonder if the lack of backlashes is more of a result of the ball bearings than the balance and casting efforts. Come on Reel Mechanic, please let us know.

So sorry to hear about your trouble with the reel. My new Stradic 2500 F1 seems to have arrived fine from both Shimano and BPS. I would think that either Shiamano or BPS would take the reel back and give you the shipping credit. Even better, are you close to a BPS? I have found that if you return the item in person you get outstanding service. I really hate when you receive something that has been damage in shipment. So sorry it happened to you. Still, Merry Christmas!!!!

And on the first cast? That may be bad. I have found that if you catch a fish on your first few casts you will not catch anything else during the day. But it is a beautiful catch. Congrats.

Law enforcement; telecommunications; fire and rescue; and Wal-Mart. Of the four, the first three are the most important. Thanks to all in law enforcement, telecommunications, fire/rescue for being there for us, 24/7/365. What would we do without them. And in our government, everyone on active duty where they never rest. It is because of these people the vast majority of us can enjoy the holidays and fishing. Thanks to all who serve for us and the country.

Some of the stunts in the two Jackass movies were awful. I could not watch them. I still get sick to my stomach when I think about them. And some of the stunts in the two Jackass movies were great. However, with so much on the internet, TV and movies I don't think the stunts produce the shock that they could have produced about 20 years ago. I would like to watch the movie but I usually don't download stuff. I may do so later today. If Redline Robert says it is worth the time to watch then it is worth the time to watch.

Sorry to hear about your sprain, especially on Christmas eve. Where is the pond in Fredericksburg? Off Route 1 or in the city? I go up that way for business and would love to know where to go to drop a line this summer when it gets warmer. I hate cold weather!!!! Hope you are feeling better today and that you get some great fishing presents.

Same back to you!

XM started its Clasical Christmas songs on Channel 113, the Pops Channel, and to say the least the carols and other songs and instrumentals have been fantastic. Opera, classical, piano, brass, choirs. strings, winds, drums...you name it and they have or had it. And every one was excellent. Talk about some wonderful singing. All the opera stars you can think of. Beautiful voices. What power. What presence. Outstanding. I am sorry they will be stopping. It is a pleasure to ride down the road and listed the the great voices of out time and all of the orchastras and choirs from around the world. If you all have XM, give 113 a try. You will not be sorry.

Supercalafradalisticexpealadoshis. Or however Mary Poppins spells it. Yes, they are expensive. How about some of you guys buying a few, trying them out, and letting us know how they work. ;D Or if the are better than the Bandits that seem to work fine. Merry Christmas!

I, too, was somewhat uncomfortable that the young man retained the fish. However, after reading some articles I also understand that by removing a few dinks from a body of water may be a good thing. As long as he kissed it then all is OK!