Brian_Reeves

Line probably isn't the issue. I've fished redfish with 17lb mono. Some people would call that crazy, I called it a heck of a lot of fun. Were you using a Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap? If so, buy some owner or gammy trebles and replace those junk hooks. That may not be what happened, but it's a good thing to do anyway. Rat-L-Traps come with crap hooks, unless their setup has changed in the last year or so.

There are three things I want to put on my tournament shirt that won't cost people money. Bassresource.com logo, CAST for Kids logo, and my Combat Patch with CIB and American Flag. Everything else will be filled sponsors. As far as getting sponsors goes, you don't need them. Fish club tournaments and some weekend opens for whatever is available for your age and learn the biggest part of bass fishing. Domination. Let the wins and results advertise for you. Remember that when dealing with companies. They want you to do something for them. Don't go without getting something done for you. For example, a friend of mine just got sponsored by American Rodsmiths. He now has 7 free awesome rods. He is also sponsored by Berkley and Wave Worm. He's not a big shot pro...he's a co-angler on the FLW tour. Just learn how to become a recognizable force on the water and in the sales and marketing trenches and sponsors will naturally come to you man. That is their primary source of advertising.

Johnny Walker...any lable is fine with me. 3 icecubes and some JW and I'm happy

Yeah I've boated about 10 or so 9lb bass. I'll probably take you up on your advice. I'd be willing to bet that as soon as I stop caring so much about a weighed 10lb bass, I'll probably catch one lol

It seems I stirred the pot a little in Mike's I hate my Job thread. I wanted to go out of my way with an apology to him for a)hijacking his thread b)getting his thread shut down c)not choosing my wording correctly I didn't want it to seem like I was arguing or getting into a contest over who has it worse. So yeah, my mistake dude To the mods, I wanted to come on record and say this publically because the offenses were public.

I can understand how being cooped up inside all day could drive you crazy or make you unhappy. That's one of the reasons I joined the army lol. I was in a similiar situation. The only problem is that I went from one extreme (mindnumbing boredom) to the other (friggin combat). I think I have finally learned that I will be happiest where I can be outside a little bit without getting shot at or being miserable. I actually think that I'd rather live in a remote african shanty village than sit 18 hours a day in Middle East heat in a Bradley. Let me try to paint the picture for you. First off, you're wearing an Interceptor Body Armor with MOLLE system. With your ammo, water, grenades, plates, and helmet, I'll call it about 60-75lbs. Now you have to fit on a bench that was designed for 3 grown men to barely fit without gear. Well...they have gear on too, so your crammed in there with no leg room. Overhead, there isn't enough room for you to move your head. If you're 6ft tall (like me) then you will have to tilt your head in order to fit in the back. So you're mildly uncomfortable and weighted down, no big deal. Ramp up....now things get bad. It's dark. The only available light comes from periscopes that are about 3inches by 6 inches. Most of the time these are covered up so it is nearly pitch black. It's loud. I mean like rocket ship taking off loud. Metal is slamming pavement and rattling against itself creating a ruckus that is painfully loud. Put earplugs in. That helps a little. It vibrates. Not a good vibration either. Jarring your $%^&ing brains out vibrating. If you lean your helmeted head against any piece of metal, it feels like your head is moving faster than a jigsaw blade. We didn't cover the heat yet. You can have a bottle of water, fresh out of the refridgerator. In 30minutes, you could make coffee with it. It burns when you drink it, so you don't wanna drink. But if you don't, you die. The body armor keeps moisture locked into your body, meaning that your sweat makes you hotter by acting like an insulator rather than cooling you down. Your hands have gloves over them and your pants are tucked into your boots. Heat can only get out at one place, and that's at your neck. So your own body heat drifts up into your face. This is just in the first hour. By the 5th hour, you look like you jumped into a swimming pool. If the bradley crew would let the ramp down, you probably run the risk of going into shock. There is at least a 20 degree difference between the back of the bradley and outside and it's 130 outside. 150 easy in the back of the brad...maybe more. At this point you're drinking water that is burning the taste buds off of your tongue but you need probably a gallon each hour just to maintain. The humidity from sweat evaporating is making it stuffier and hotter. Muscles are cramping up and joints are stiffening. Your weapon is painful to the touch. At least in an African shanty I have leg room and air circulation. Don't get me wrong though, I wouldn't wanna be there either.

I don't think that this jig is going to be a jack of all trades in the jig field. It will probably do a great job on submerged structure with sparse cover. I doubt it can go through some of the stuff that I put my jigs through though. I guess it all depends on how you fish though. It's easy not to get hung up with an exposed hook or traditional jig when flipping or pitching. Maybe this is the same way. I'm maintaining a possible neutrality on this one. I LOVE snagproof products. Chances are I'll try the jig.

Join the Army and sign up for Infantry. Plenty of nature for you there. If you want to really find out how to properly hate a job, sit in the back of an M2A3 bradley for 18 hours in 140degree weather with 6 other dudes. Don't forget to add 70lbs of gear and water that gets hotter than fresh coffee. And remember, no air conditioners allowed!!

I've caught a few bass that were huge. THat was back when I was 15 and didn't have scales, digital cameras, or a way to get the fish to the game warden. I'm sure that at one of them broke the 10lb mark, but I'll never know for sure I've caught a 9.97lb bass out of stillhouse. That would have been my first recorded 10lb bass if it would have eaten breakfast. Oh well...I've caught tons of 15lb+ redfish ;D

Do you all use a fluid bed for powder painting or do you just use the jar it came in? I'm thinking about investing in a fluid bed if they are worth the money and effort. Any suggestions on brands if y'all do use them?

I hate hate hate hate hate hate hate powder paint, but I use it. I just can't get it down 100%. I'd say 3 out of 10 that I paint come out screwed up in one way or another. I'm about to start using epoxy over some other type of paint until I can afford a fluid bed. I use barbed wire or nature's edge skirts 99% of the time. I'm out right now though. :'(

Versatility and experience. Even though I'm only 25, I have about 23 years of hardcore fishing experience to lean on. Bass, crappie, cats, bream, specs, and reds. Because of that experience, I've learned how to read conditions and fish most types of lures. I can hang and bang on most structures and conditions with a variety of techniques. Moving to TX has helped a lot. Now I have experience in clear, stained, and muddy water. Deep or shallow, rocky or swampy, I've seen a lot of different situations. To deflate my own ego, I'd say my weakness is lure selection. I show a lot of favoritism towards jigs and T-rigs, even when I know they aren't the best lures for the job. I'm not a fan of crankbaits or spinnerbaits, so I'll try swimming jigs before I even consider tying anything else on. Thank god that works most of the time.

He's the only guy I buy silicone skirts through. When I have the $$, I plan on making a big order there and pump out a few dozen jigs. My only thing is that I'm colorblind and the skirts I ordered all came in one bag. I'm certain if I talk to him he could seperate them for me though. Seems like a good dude

I bought the bullet head jig mold from barlows. Sizes 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. It has a 28 or 30 degree hook in several brands (and hookerz has one too). I have since gotten rid of every jig I own except footballs. This thing rocks in just about every situation

I'd recommend them if you're looking for a small craft, which obviously you are. I have a pelican colorado canoe and I love it. I've fished from the predator before and the only thing is it gets blown around by the wind a bit. Other than that, great little rig

What would be a good swimbait mold to start with? I've checked out the one from del-mart and I"m not looking for anything that needs inserts. I just want a basic, soft plastic swimbait for t-rigging or fishing on a jighead. 4.5-5.5 inches long would probably be best. Anybody sell those? One sided molds would be fine.

I just went through it. If you have a lot of $, you might be able to get a lure patented...but the japanese companies will most likely rip you off anyway. I used a "poor man's patent" on a lure I released here a few weeks ago. Just mail it to yourself and don't open it. Include design specs and whatnot. This can hold up in court, but it's best to get a real patent.

Tony's Cajun Seasoning (includes salt) Corn Meal 6 cans of beer lemon juice mix half a can of beer with a ton of corn mean and tony's to taste. Drink the other half. Add lemon juice to taste. Dip fish into batter and deep fry. Drink other 5 beers with meal. Enjoy ;D You could also try this: tin foil tony's lemon juice white wine italian dressing mix wine, lemon juice, and italian dressing. Season fish with tony's. Allow fish to take one last swim in the marinade for about an hour. Wrap it up in tin foil and bake at about 350-375 until meat is white. Be sure that you keep the fish completely wrapped in the tin foil. It doesn't hurt to put a little juice in there with him. This is especially good with crappie, redfish, or trout. I'm winging this recipie off of my memory, but I think that's about it. Wish I had pictures...

Congrats Redneckriot27!! Bullet Bug it is. I'll send you a PM to get your address and two Bullet Bugs will be headed your way soon

x2 Excellent work

I usually DVR it so I don't miss it. One of my favorite shows on TV

Bose speakers, Sirrus Radio, MP3 player, leather on the seats and chrome on the dash ;D I'm jealous FB. I'd love to have the equipment and space to do a project like that. Not to mention that nice of a jon to work with. Looks really good man.

The BPS idea sounds like a good one. Who would you talk to though? I'm betting the lady at the cash register is not going to give me money out of her drawer lol. Would a store manager be high ranked enough?

I'm gonna let this run for one more day. Winner will be posted tomorrow at 2000 hours central time. Good luck

25 and living like a rock star