Valascus

Hey...can someone try to explain to me how I can make those links hyperlinks so i can make all that easier to read so peeps don't have to scroll back and forth to read it? Wanna try to keep things user friendly!

That would be great to watch the playoffs with this whole crew. Tons of baseball knowledge and educated opinion flying around on this post. I usually don't drink...used to when I as younger, but as soon as I hit 21 it just wasn't as exciting. ;D I usually just drink when i am out at a restaurant with a meal. BUT, I DO still down a few during playoff times. Nothing like a good ballgame and some brew. The Cards have some definate weaknesses going into this years playoffs. Starting pitching being our first and foremost issue. In the second half the pitching has been rough aside from Carp and Suppan. Most of our bullpen is passable, but the closing position will be interesting indeed with Izzy down. Wainwright will be doing the closing for us. A rookie pitcher...who has been groomed as a starter... who is in hisfirst full year in the bigs...and has never dealt with the pressure cooker of closing a game in the do or die atmosphere of the playoffs. :-/ Dunno 'bout all that. Makes me nervous. Our offense has been a little above average in the league I would say. Most games we aren't blowing people away(a few here and there), but we aren't scrappin' for runs either. There are 2 things that I think will give this already good offense a shot in the arm. 1) The return of our scrappy little sparkplug, David Eckstein. 2)Jim Edmonds Gets over his post concussion syndrome and returns to the line up. He's not on the disabled list so he wouldn't have to wait to be added to the line up and no players would have to be sent back to AAA. Another thing to consider for the Cards is their bench. A LOT of bench players have been receiving play time since certain peeps have been down with injuries. This is a blessing in disguise. A lot of our bench guys have been hitting the ball well and coming up with very nice defensive plays while keeping defensive miscues to a minimum (for the most part). Scott Spiezio, Aaron Miles, Preston Wilson, Chris Duncan, So Taguchi, Jose Vizcaino, and John Rodriguez all have been taking pretty good cuts and have done well in the field. This gives us a pretty good weapon in a well rounded, experienced, and warmed up bench. Now...lets consider our first opponents. It will be one of two teams, but both are from the N.L. West, which we have DOMINATED this year, going 22-9 against N.L. West foes. It all depends on who gets first place in the West...the Padres or the Dodgers. If you are a Cards fan, PRAY that it is the Dodgers, who we SWEPT in the entire season series against them going 7-0. The Padres on the other hand we have gone 1-2 against and still have a 3 game set coming up against them soon that will be a good barometer of how we may fare against them. Here is a link to how we stack up against each opponent offensively: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stats/sortable_team_stats.jsp?c_id=mlb&section1=null&statSet1=null&groupByTeam=true&statType=1&sortByStat=AVG&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2006&baseballScope=NL&prevPage1=1&readBoxes=true&Submit=Submit&sitSplit=&box1=lan&box2=sln&box12=sdn&checkBoxTotal=0&compare.x=29&compare.y=3 Here is the link for pitching: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stats/sortable_team_stats.jsp?c_id=mlb&section2=null&statSet2=null&groupByTeam=true&statType=2&sortByStat=ERA&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2006&baseballScope=NL&prevPage2=1&readBoxes=true&Submit=Submit&sitSplit=&box1=sdn&box4=lan&box8=sln&checkBoxTotal=0&compare.x=12&compare.y=5 And, finally, the link for fielding: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stats/sortable_team_stats.jsp?c_id=mlb&section3=null&statSet3=null&groupByTeam=true&statType=3&sortByStat=FPCT&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2006&baseballScope=NL&prevPage3=1&readBoxes=true&Submit=Submit&sitSplit=&box3=sdn&box6=sln&box12=lan&checkBoxTotal=0&compare.x=18&compare.y=2 The Padres offense compared to us is not quite as good, but they play in a pitchers park, which is also reflected in their pitching stats. The comparison to the Dodgers is a wash since we are so close to each other offensively. Pitching comparisons are pretty ugly...especially against the Padres. They own us in essentially every pitching stat. The Dodgers also have a better staff than us, but again, I view this as a wash since it did not seem to matter which of their pitchers we faced in the regular season beating all that came before us. On the other hand OUR pitching VS. the Dodgers is STELLAR...yes...I said STELLAR. Our Pitching Stats Vs. Dodgers: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stats/sortable_team_stats.jsp?c_id=mlb&section2=null&statSet2=null&groupByTeam=true&statType=2&sortByStat=ERA&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2006&baseballScope=mlb&prevPage2=1&readBoxes=true&Submit=Submit&sitSplit=vsTlan&box1=sln&checkBoxTotal=0&compare.x=18&compare.y=1 I dunno what y'all think...but that is flat out FILTHY.

Heck, I've done both dawn and dusk on the same day. Started at 5:30 am (sunrise at the time) and didn't stop until 8:30-9ish. Boy...was I hungry after that. The fishing stunk the majority of the time, but it was nice just to get out for that long. As for which I prefer, I will fish either, but I tend to do so more in the wee hours of the day. Boy Cart...some steaks sound perty good...with a few eggs...biscuits and gravy...dash of hot sauce for the eggs...a little A1.

Geez Muddy...your Mets seem to have a little trouble sealing the deal here...AGAINST THE PIRATES WITH A MAGIC NUMBER OF 1!! That's two straight denials from the Bucs. Heck the Phils won't even cut you a break. They had to go and win again last night. I guess the Pirates are saying "No champagne in our house!!"

Let's be honest here folks. A movie about fishing isn't even going to make it to the box office. I'll be surprised if it does anyway. Straight to DVD. I agree that it would be great if it did...would be good for the sport. But in all likelyhood, if it's a movie, it'll go straight to DVD. If it's a TV series, I doubt any major network will carry it...FOX is developing it and there is no way it end up on their network...at best it'll end up on one of FOX's sports channels...ex. fox sports midwest. Why would I wanna go see a movie about fishing anyway...I'd rather GO OUT and ACTUALLY FISH. Just my .02 cents.

Maybe I am just weird, but I don't think I would want want a sponsor...but then again I have NO professional angling aspirations. To me once you've crossed that line, it's a job...it's a job with a TON of pressure to perform day in day out. I fish to get away from life's daily stresses...i don't need some sponsor breathing down my neck cuz I am not performing up to their standards. To me, when fishing becomes work...it just ain't no fun no more. But just to entertain the though briefly...lets see...keep in mind don't have a very firm grasp of normal fishing sponsors and how this whole dealy works. Dream Sponsors: McDonalds...they are huge...tons of exposure if you played your cards right with 'em. WalMart, same as above. Lucky Craft...need I say more on that one. And just because there would be too many to list, any major bait manufacturers, major outfitting stores, major bass boat line, major trolling or outboard companies. Anybody would any of any of those things i just listed more than likely. Not so dream sponsors: I think LBH has nailed this one. Any group that has an "abrasiveness" with any group of peeps. Gotta be as PC (as much as I hate that) as possible. I don't think I would want any sponsors dealing with alcohol or smoking...just a personal preference to me. I hate smoking, but don't have anything against the ocassional drink. I would just feel like I am hawking products that young fisherman just don't need any part of and are detrimental to people general health.

In all honesty...I can't really think of anything that breaks my concentration...wait...I take that back. Blistering cold...that'll do it. If my hands are freezing I am not gonna be thinking much about what I am doing. But I can generally combat that by dressing appropriately...but some days it's just too dern cold any way you slice it. The other one is unfortunately something I cannot control...too many people trying to fish in one spot at one time. Happens to me all the time at a few places I go. Bugs and Sun - Bullfrog Mosquito Coast Spray On 30SPF Spay on Sunscreen and Deet Free Bug Repellent. Hunger - I'll just eat a massive breakfast before I head out...and I'll bring a bag of beef jerky...does the job fine. Fatigue - No such thing when I am fishing. I have fished for 8 hours straight, on less than 3 hours sleep, while sick and still had a decent day. Sickness - I'll take whatever I need for what ails me and bring it with me so I can stay drugged. Call of Nature - I'll just go do a number 1 behind any old tree, and I pack a roll of TP for the very very rare instance I HAVE to make a number 2. Cell Phones and Conversationalists - Neither bother me...I have to leave on my phone in case the wife may need something or some emergency awould arise with my daughter. As far as talkers go, I just kinda listen to them peripherally. As long as they are not talking loud I don't really care. Heat - Heck no...I THRIVE in heat...no problem fishing those days when there are heat advisories and the heat index is 115. I just bring a cooler with about 8 bottled waters and a ton of ice in it and keep it somewhere shady. Heat stroke and severe dehydration would not be fun after all. Pleasure Boaters and Personal Water Craft - If I can move, I'll just move. If not they could be called another one of my concentration breakers...yet another one I can't control. Not getting a bite - That just makes me concentrate that much harder. I turn into the Zen Master when the bite gets tough. I WILL get a bite before I leave in most cases...course I am stubborn as a mule. Critters (snakes etc.) - I will note there presence, give them a wide berth, and take a few seconds between casts to re-locate them most of the time unless I know they have traveled outside of my bubble. If they are persistantly bothering me, I will try to shoo them off gently with the tip of the rod, but if that don't work then I am the one that does the moving. Most things are just a matter of preparedness, willpower, and just flat out not allowing the situation to get to a point to where it IS a concentration breaker. As long as it can be controlled the it ain't a problem.

I attack docks like I attack eveything else. I try to consider the conditions and aggression levels of the fish then will use whatever lure I think makes the most sense. Most of the time I will end up going with something that can somehow get under the docks without spooking the crap outta the fish. Cart, that is a good way to get bit. I think I would like using shallow diving cranks in that situation too. They would have to dive pretty fast in order to get under the dock though. DT-4s and 6s ,depending on how fast the water deepens next to the shoreline, would probably work great in that situation as well. And like fivebasslimit said...on the way out you could bump it into a dock post and just kill the crank for a sec. Sounds good to me!

I think I am pretty much with fivebasslimit on this one, my only difference is that even if they are down that deep then I will still try to get 'em. If I know they are there, then they must be caught!!

we can give you izzy and that wont happen. ;D Yeah muddy you might have that devision secured. Only took 50 years but you finally did it. 50 years and a massive spending spree over the last few years. What ever happened to developing talent instead of just buying it?

I haven't been really paying much attention to the Cards lately...been busy with work comp stuff,rehab, and studying for my Member's Challenge. Haven't had time to get out yet this month either. I agree with CJ here. We'll make the playoffs, but DO NOT look good for them. I think any series we win will be an absolute battle. Could get ugly folks. Muddy, your Mets ran into an ANGRY Florida Marlins team...whew...them youngsters are flat palying some ball. I am pulling for 'em. I hope they nail down the WC. What a story that would be.

I'll start out by saying that I am by no means a river fishing expert, heck...I am not an expert period. But, during low water situations it would make sense to me that bass would hold VERY VERY tight to any available submerged cover or structure that IS NOT directly in the current.

I know 20+ is pretty good, but more is gooder! I guess I am just challenging more people to try the challenge and enjoy the learning experience of trying new things.

Hmmm...doesn't look like a lot of folks are signing up for this months for some reason. C'mon fellas...18. That's it?!? 6000 members....and we got 18 for this months challenge. You know ya wanna!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1155061609 There ya go.

I usually fish my Spooks in a "walk the dog" style retrieve. The cadence of your retrieve will be where adjustments may need to be made. Sometimes the fish prefer an almost constant retrieve with few pauses. Other times a slower retrieve with pauses in between movements will get the bait bit. All depends on what speed the fish are tellin' ya. Good luck.

I will always target the shady side of any type of cover in the summer time. Like Matt said, cooler water, less light, and excellent ambush point. In the winter time i could see how it could be either side. Bass may be on the sunny side to help warm themselves, but will only tolerate the light in their eyes for so long before getting back in the shade (depending on how mild the winter may be) or heading for deeper water. I usually target the sunny side though in the winter assuming that the bass will not be heading back to the shady side when done sunning themselves, but heading back to deeper water.

A foul hooking is when the fish is hooked anywhere but the mouth. Weakley's bass was hooked just below the dorsal fin. That's all old news and that dead horse got more than beaten...it got turned into a mushy pulp. I will say this though, George Perry's WR Bass will not stand much longer. It could fall next season. Someone in either California or Mexico will break that record. I believe it will happen in Cali. The conditions out there are just right for churning out LARGE bass.

I'm with BD on this one. If I know for a fact I got a good solid hookset, then I'll let 'em jump once or twice. But if it is a bigger fish or the hookset felt off or weak then that rod tip stays as low as I can get it. I would rather see the fish landed then jumping through the air.

I have a Fuji FinePix A340 that is 4.1 Megapixels paired with a 512 MB XD Card. The camera can store 250ish pics at it's peak resolution, which can produce a photo quality 8 x 10. Easy to use, can use 2 Duracell Rechargable NiMH AA Batteries (so when one sets in use the other set is charging so I never get caught without batteries), compact, and the best part is got it on clearance for $110 bucks.

I agree with Fish Chris here. I get bouts of crazy amounts of nervous energy if I haven't been fishing for a while, or haven't had a good fishing trip in a while. As far as "addictions" go fishing seems like a pretty harmless one to me. Yeah so ya don't have a serious job ...yeah so your single . So what? If yer happy then screw it all and quench those fishing fevers to your hearts content. I can't do that sometimes...between marriage, my 17 month old daughter, and work I sometimes just have to deal with the fever. But that's not that bad since I love spending time with my wife and daughter....work on the other hand...

I think I would have to agree with everyone else's general concensus here. I would get that flathead, walleye, and pike out. If you want the ponds to be good BASS producers, then make it to where the bass don't have ANY competition for food with the flathead, walleye, and pike. The most balanced pond stocking system that I have seen is Largemouth, Bluegill, and Channel cats. That's what the state of MO will do if you have built a new pond and want it stocked. Letting them stock it with bluntnose minnows a year before they stock the bass, bluegill, and catfish is a good idea too. Now all that being said...back on topic. I have good luck on small ponds with shallow cranks. Mostly in firetiger and bluegill for me. Manns 1-, Rapala DT-4, and Baby Bombers (dives to 1-6 ft.) make up my crankbait attack on small ponds like that. With the weather in my area starting to change to a more fall like feel the bass are getting more aggresive shallow.

I disagree with a few things in this article. Number 1: I NEVER set the hook twice. EVER. If you are using good sharp hooks of the correct size for your bait, have properly detected the fish, give a quick, yet strong hookset, and have the bait rigged properly you should not need a second hookset. Setting the hook twice could rip the hook from the fishes mouth or create a bigger hole for the fish to more easily throw the bait. Number 2: I don't think color makes that big of a difference at all. The ONLY place I think color makes a difference is in clear water. In clear water I try to use more natural colored baits, so he is right there. But much more important than color of bait is how the bait is presented. Here is how I do things: Clear Water: Lighter Natural Colors - Watermelonseed, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Chartreuse, White Slightly Stained to Stained Water: Darker Natural Colors- Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Candy (Pumpkin and Pumpkin Chartreuse also work well here) Heavier Stained to Murky Water: Dark Colors- Black, Junebug, Blue/Black Flake, Dark Red/Black Flake....anything DARK. Dark baits put up an easier to see profile in murky water. This isn't any hard fast rule or anything. Just how I do it. Makes sense to me, works for me.

Except that Mulder's season is done. And it looks, to me anyway, that the Cards have no clue what they wanna do with their starting pitching. They have been talking about David Wells...in my book...The Padres can have him. Too old, ERA over 5, and he's a rental at best cuz he doesn't WANT to pitch here...he WANTS San Diego. Doesn't look to me that they have a choice except to go with a rotation of Carp, Reyes, Suppan, Marquis, and Weaver. When the 40 man rosters open up hopefully they can add some bullpen depth. I hope they pull everything together. At least the offense is starting to perk up a bit. But Jim Edmonds is out indefinately now, Gary Bennett could be headed to the DL leaving us with ONE catcher. I think we'll make the playoffs, but it has ben and is going to continue to be a bumpy ride. Izzy just needs to either get his cutter back up to snuff or ship out. No room for error at the back of the bullpen when starting pitchers ERAs are so high.

I would consider myself more of a conventional fisherman. I have been known to try some crazy stuff from time to time. But more often than not, I can find a more conventional bait or presentation to get mah feesh.