smr913

Raider, we will work some sundays but generally it is just the six days. It is because on pipeline jobs we are on the front end and it makes sure we do not get too far ahead of survey and the line locators. Our jobs usually last between 2 and 4 months. I have been here one so far but just got off another that I was on for 2.5 months. Clayton, Right now i am 8 hours from home so too far to get home for a night. The job I was on before I was 18 hours. I am trying to get them to come down to see me since my wife is on her college summer break and O am right on the beach. I feel for you man. My thoughts are with you.

Too many of your sentences begin with "I".

I took a job last November with a construction company that requires me to travel for long periods of time. In the 7 months I have been working I have been home maybe 6 weeks. Leaving my wife and daughter at home has been rough and still have not gotten used to it, but it is better money than I could be making at home. I am 26 and we have been married 2 years and my daughter is 20 months old, so I have been on the road a large part of our marriage and child's life. At first, I was a little depressed and gained a decent amount of weight, I was smoking a lot, and drinking too much. Over the last month I have been starting to make some changes to better myself while on the road. I am on my 3rd week of no tobacco (longest time in 10 years of nicotine addiction), have been eating considerably better, and even joined a gym in the town I am living in. I would love to hear some similar stories from people that work away from home and how they keep themselves busy when they are not on the clock. Right now I work 12 hour days (6am-6pm) Monday-Saturday and live in tiny hotel room. -This isn't meant as a "woe is me" thread. I know there are people in a lot tougher situations than myself. I am ever grateful of our service men and women who do this sort of thing overseas and in the line of fire. So a big thank you to all of them!

I am a child of the 90's so alt rock from those days will always be my favorite. That being said if I could go back in time to see one concert it would be Led Zeppelin and best thing is they are showing a Zeppelin concert on VH1 Classic right now!

Spinning = Left, Baitcasting = Right. That's all my dad had for me to learn on, and when he finally bought me my first BC when I was 9 or 10 it was right handed. I gave a lot of thought about it while I was in college and even bought an Ambassador 5500 in left hand just to give it a try and I didn't care for it. Now that reel just sits in the closet.

When I go to a new pond the first thing I throw is a 1/8 oz spinnerbait in white, chartreuse, or firetiger. That is my numbers bait while pond fishing.

I wouldn't throw deep cranks on that rod so I don't think a low gear reel is necessary. I would go with a 6.3:1 reel like a citica 200e or if you want use up your whole budget get a Chronarch 50e.

Are you dead set on using swivels? It is common practice to connect braid to leader with a uni to uni or albright knot. The problem with swivels is that it creates unnecessary failure points in the set up.

Chronarch

I use the popper as a strike indicator and tie a 12" dropper to the bend of the popper's hook and on the other end tie a small wet fly. Works well and you double up a lot.

Also may be worth looking online for a used Citica 200e. It only comes in a 6.3:1 gear ratio but got great reviews and can be found in the $60-80 range. I am actually trying to find a few over the next few months for my soon to be spinnerbait setups.

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Depending on the type of catfish and the watershed you are fishing will vary the bait you use. If you are after Flathead (Yellow) Cats I would use the live bream as they are more active hunters. Channel Cats I would go with stink bait, chicken livers, or worms because they are more scavengers. Blue Cats I would fish with live bream or some cut bait. Turtles have always been a problem when using cut bait for me. All of my largest cats, both Blue and Flathead, have come on live Bream on trotlines. I have seen dead shad sold at Wal Mart if buying your bait is the route you want to take. Hope this helps some. Good luck!

I really like the idea of having all the same rods. I never really thought about it before but after reading KVD's books it got me thinking. Right now I only have 5 setups (1 spinning 4 B/C). Most of them are all Shimano and I will probably always keep the reels that way. They have never done me wrong and have never given me a reason to go elsewhere. I am trying to find a good lineup of rods in the $130-$150 range to start building up my collection. While I would love to broaden my selection of Cumara's, I can not justify 10+ rods at $200+ each. I have narrowed my picks to the Powell Max and Shimano Crucial series.

Start with something decent sized that is kind of grey with a chartreuse tail. Perhaps one of those awesome looking new Shellcrackers that Rage Tail has come out with. Going back and rereading your post. I can't decide if you are asking for the best thing to imitate or catch the bluegill. In the event you were asking about catching bluegill (in the bass fishing forum btw), I have no idea. I have never heard of anyone punching for BG. Try something small and weedless in any open spots in the mat. They usually are not shy about what they eat.

Moderator Edit: Please start a new thread, they're free! -Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior Global Moderator

It's not that sickening. When I was younger, before I could clean a fish on my own, I would watch my dad clean whatever we had caught that day and I always wanted to see the stomach contents. Not because I like seeing all the innards but I was always fascinated by nature at work and it gives you the best idea of what the fish are eating on a regular basis. Just get in there and do it, but don't let the fish go to waste after your science experiment.

Thanks BASSclary. You must have been in my head last night. I have been trying to find rods at this price point and went to bed looking at this whole line of rods on TW. The thing I like the best about it (other than the price) is the fact that they have such a wide line. I really like the idea of having all your rods the same series and this is an affordable way to do so without giving up quality. Great review thanks again!

Turn all the centrifugal brakes on and tune the spool tension so the bait falls about 1 ft per second. Pay attention to thumbing the spool as your bait is about to hit the water. Don't get too concerned with distance, just take it slow. As you get more comfortable you can back off the brakes and get more distance. I started throwing a BC when I was about 10 in my back yard and I started driving a stick when I was 15. Just like knowing when to change gears is a feel you will become that way with a BC is you just practice. Good Luck!

Hey guys, I am in the Lumberton, NC area on work and wanted to see if anyone knew anything about the area. I don't have a boat so I would be mainly interested in bank fishing. I see a lot of ponds on the side of the highway I take to get to my office (Hwy 74 between I-95 and Laurinburg) but don't know if these are all private property, and I don't want to risk getting ran off. I know the Lumber River also runs through and there is road access to some spots. If anyone on here is familiar with the area and wants to pass on some info I would be very thankful. My wife is coming up to see me in a week and I'm trying to decide if she needs to bring my gear or not. On a side note, I am trying to plan a weekend getting offshore for some Mahi so if bass fishing is a no go I can at least get my fix some how. Thanks!

I have a 6' Light Spinning Rod from TFO. It's pretty well balanced with a Sahara 1000 and serves as my small water setup. I have a 7' Medium Spinning Triumph that I do not care for at all. It sits in the garage and doesn't see the light of day. Off the topic a little, my dad has some TFO fly rods that he enjoys and actually got to talk with an executive from TFO at an expo. The guy took the time to go over to an empty parking lot and give him some pointers on fixing the tailing loop in his cast.

I will cast a spinnerbait or swim jig parallel to the docks making repeat casts to the same spot. It seems that if the bass are under the dock they will get fed up with the lure swimming by and bolt out and take it.

I am loving the orange and white checkerboard. Go Vols!

Sounds like the fish are short striking. Try a different color or change the size up and see if anything changes.