Sam

I have a lot more slang expressions when I miss a hook-set or when they get off the bait when reeling them in than I have for setting the hook. However, all I say is to "Cross Their Eyes" when setting that hook.

I have had the watch for 15+ years and it is great. Not as pretty or stylish as your watches, but it keeps the time correctly. Loved seeing those watches. What a collection!

I guess my Swiss Army watch just can't enter the discussion but I love it.

Nope, but I am not allowed in BPS at this time of the year so maybe I can see them after January 7th when the BCS National Chamnpionship resides safely in the SEC for another year. LC is an expensive lure but I can at least look at it. I have no idea if this new lure will perform differently from other lures in its class so I will wait for the reports on this site before considering purchasing one. How about going out and buying a few, testing them, and then giving us a report? Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Maybe you guys should stick to fishing and forget Bama football. 6 and 6, with a lucky win over Arkansas? Nothing to get overly excited about. OK, in all honesty, while at LSU Satan lost to UAB and also defeated Notre Dame in the I-Bowl. So be patient. As for Tubby and Auburn, he has to stay at least one more year to have himself and his coaches be vested in the Alabama Retirement System. So Tubby is not going anywhere, other than to keep the streak alive against Bama. As for Tubby going to A&M opr Arkansas, you could forget that thought right after it was mentioned. A&M has bid problems and Arkansas is in the toilet after this season. Now you guys go fishing this winter as the rest of us freeze our fannies off!

Man, I'm glad you said "big bass." I was thinking of something else that has slang names!

Cheddar. A strong cheddar. Nothing better than a really strong cheddar either alone on on a sandwhich.

You mean that I should give up my three and use some other set up? ;D

Finesse fishing. Drop shot; doodling; s-l-o-w Texas rigged plastics; shaky head. Carolina rigs on lakes or when fishing deep in rivers.

So where is Basspro48? Still out practicing baseball? Triton9 is probably fishing while Basspro48 goofs around with baseball. So who has their priorities straight??????

You are getting old. Need to rub some of Boudreaux's Butt Paste on your back. It should do the trick. It is cold in Richmond and we had a rash of car accidents today due to the black ice. I am going home early before the crazies leave work and we crash all over the place again. Sorry to hear about your back. But try some of the Butt Paste.

Got my Christmas shopping 95% completed but wondering if they have any good fishing items on sale. I go to Wal-Mart at 5:30 AM Saturday mornings when the store is empty and the clerks will actually be nice and help you find what you are seeking. Most of the early Saturday morning staff knows me at my Wal-Mart so I get great service. I bet the place will be a zoo!

Thanks for the story. I am sending it to the Federation reps in my Richmond bass club to see if we can get the Virginia Federation involved. If you have ever launched at Hope Springs you know we need a nice BIG and WIDE ramp on the Potomac very badly. Thanks for the story. Let's hope someone has the brainpower to understand the need for this new boat ramp.

1. Had to have treble hook surgicially removed from finger. 2. Had real bad sunburn/windburn on face. 3. Fell off side of boat in driveway. Bruised and embarassed but not one saw me. Just a few minor bruises. 4. Lost balance in boat and fell onto deck. Hurt side and shoulder. Did the fall deliberately so I would not fall out of the boat. 5. Scraped and cut fingers and hands working on boat. 6. Tore rotator cuff by pulling on trailer to move boat in yard. This was by far the dumbest thing I have done with the boat, so far.

Just cast it out, but not too far, and keep twitching the rod tip very softly as you bring it back. Let the bait move by the shaking of your hands holding the rod. I use a brass sinker and a glass bead as my sinker combo. I tie it on with the help of a small "O" ring. Does this attract more fish? Who knows. But at least it makes some crawfish noises as it is moved. And remember, the bite can be as suttle as stretching a rubber band so when the rig feels "different" be sure to set the hook. Some guys swing their rods to the right while others just set the hook overhead. Give both a try and see which one works for you.

I tell the truth, with one exception. I tell the people fishing at my local pond that there are very few fish and the ones in it are contaminated. So far it is working.+

I am a proponet of carrying. My wife is totally against it, espcially having a pistol in the house (rifle is OK) when the two boys (age 6 and 9) visit. I am very close to taking the carrying course and getting my license and weapon. What has always concerened me is that when we are on the water we have no protection from the crazies. My friend in New Orleans had his pistol save his life when he was leaving his office arond 9 PM one night and a "gentleman" approached his car. He drew his weapon and the "gentleman" said he meant no harm and he walked away. My friend swears that if he had not had the weapon he would have been held-up. When guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns.

Mark McQueen is the head baseball coach at the University of Richmond. Ron Atkins has retired but he is still around. UR is having some cold weather baseball camps. You can get the details at the Spider Sports web site. UR has had some great baseball teams these past few years. I hope all the guys who play baseball can go to a camp either at a university or in a private setting to learn the skills and to let the school's staff see and meet them. Good way to get your partial baseball scholarship to your favorite school. Baseball is a very unforgiving sport but it is a lot of fun. Just like bass fishing!!!

"We went down to the field this afternoon and it was snowing pretty good, got a lot of honks from people drivin by. I guess they were just amazed to see kids playing baseball in the snow." OR JUST A BUNCH OF CRAZY GUYS????? If you have the time over December and January, you may want to call the UR baseball trainer and ask him about the specific exercises you can do to help make you a better ballplayer. You may have to go see him at the Robins Center if he has any printouts, etc. for the UR players. There are "sports specific" excercise you can do to improve your baserunning, fielding and hitting. UR has a great baseball program and their trainer should be able to give you some guidance. The UR track coach may be able to help you run faster so consider giving him a call, too. Don't be bashful. Call the trainers and coaches (you can get their names on the Spiders' website or call the sports department) and ask them for their assistance. All they can tell you is "no" so then you call another school and ask for their input. After all, you do want to play baseball for UVA, don't you? Of course, if you want to make it to the College World Series you may want to contact the folks in Baton Rouge!!!! Good luck; have fun; be safe; and we'll wait to hear what the trainers and coachs tell you.

Yes, your information on DEET is correct, from what I have been told. So I spray my clothing and neck before going out. I usually do this at home or at the dock. Then, if I have to spray again I do so, but very carefully, and I wear plastic gloves you get at the grocery store to keep it off my hands. And I apply scent to all baits, even the hard baits, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. So if I get skunked it is DEET's fault! ;D

I read where you could wash your crankbaits in the dishwasher when you wanted to clean them. So I did it, today. The crank is a Bandit 200 crawfish that I threw into a tree limb on my favorite pond back in March. With the pond at its lower level, ever, I walked to the tree and pulled in the branch and retrieved the lure this afternoon. The bait had caked on black dirt and scum all over it. I rinsed the crank off in the sink and placed the crank in the utensil basket and washed it with other dishes, but without my wife's knowledge. I don't think she would see the humor in it. The crank was very dirty as it was in the high water and the tree since March and I was interested in just how clean it would be at the end of the cycle. It came pretty clean. Clean enough to throw as it is. Of course, I could always clean it some more with a toothbrush or a rag. Just wanted you guys to know that this cleaning method works!

Not only are the flipping and pitching articles on this site excellent, may I suggest the following so you can learn even more? Denny Brauer: Jig Secrets to Hugh Catches video. Denny Brauer's Jig Fishing Secrets in paperback. Great information about pitching and flipping for your consumption.

Follow the money. ESPN is all about money. ESPN is not about fishing, football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, rodeo, arm wrestling, poker championships, etc. ESPN is about money. ESPN will save a lot of money by combining the events. ESPN could care less about any individuals. Growing up in Louisiana you learn to "Follow the Money." It is still true today. A simply sad state of affairs. ESPN has once again shot themselves in the foot. Just "Follow the Money."

Super. Although your life, as you know it, will never be the same, it is all for the best. Even when they get to be teenagers and their minds go to mush. You will have so much fun at Bass Pro Shop next Christmas. Just you and the Bait Monkey, walking the store, buying everything you see for a child. And don't forget, put $2,000 in a savings account when the baby is born and he/she will have a million dollars when they retire. Now, let's see how long it takes your wife to get all mad when she can't sleep on her stomach! ;D

I would think everyone on this site is very impressed by your accomplishments. You have been blessed with a very special talent. Please use it to your advantage. We will be following your career and I know we all send our best wishes for a successful outing down in G-Ville. Just do your best. We are all proud of you and what you have accomplished.