DogBone_384

I use a Spiderwire backpack when fishing from shore or my kayak. It holds 4 boxes, a towel or rain coat, all my soft baits, and 2 rods. It's very well build and has held up great for two seasons. I got it at Dicks. Overall, A++.

X2

Don't forget to add the vast number of 'house' brands BPS has, which eliminates distributors and their 'cut', making BPS' house lines more profitable. I can't speak for other BPS stores, but my local store allocates the lion's share of their retail space to their own brands, especially in the fishing department. Like any other company, BPS is out to make money, and that's one way to make more. My local pharmacies are CVS and Walgreens. They employ similar strategies with their own brands, again, because they're more profitable.

Is it March yet?

A couple of questions for you: Firstly, why would you want to use a round that drops more at close ranges, if I read your question correctly? You said your shots will range between 50 & 70 yards. Are you using a scope on your rifle? At that range you shouldn't have any significant drop with either round at such a close range. If you use a scope, does it have a graduated reticle on it? My scopes (other than .22lr) have graduated reticles/mil dots on them, so I sight them at 100 yds and the reticle gives me the cross hatches/mil dots for longer distances in 25 or 50 yard increments, depending on the scope mfg. In your case, sight your scope at 50 yards and follow the scope manufacturers' instructions. Also check the manufacturer's specs for your round's ballistics. That should be helpful too. Best of luck hunting.

That's quite a list; accurate too. My wife gave me a much shorter list: "shut up, show up, pay up."

Thanks for your thoughts, but with fall/winter up here comes deer hunting & ski season. Much appreciated..

I use a 6' light BPS MicroLite rod and a 6920 Pflueger President with 6# mono for crappie and/or perch. It'll throw light Rapalas and spinners nicely and is strong enough to handle the occasional bass or pickerel. If I remember right, it cost me around $100 or so. Best of luck!

Thanks very much. Not that I needed another reel of ANY kind, I have one coming.... Tackle Monkey bites again!

Corrections Officer?

Smelled it, served it, ate it, and cleaned up after it.

Looks like we're getting a little reprieve Sunday & Monday. With any luck I'll get out one or both days. Hope everyone in E-MA had a great Thanksgiving.

I can relate.... TW, BPS, Cabelas, and Gander are my tackle monkeys, and will come back to bite me in another way: my daughter wants (she says 'needs')a Macbook Air. She'll hit me with "you can buy all kinds of fishing stuff, but not buy me a new computer for christmas !?!?!?" Tough argument to win, and typically, I'll find the cash and Santa will make her squeal with joy like a teenage girl (which she is).

My boss, er, wife, is from the Philippines, she's got no problems being in the sun all day. She's not a big fishing fan, but likes being on the kayak, so she'll go a couple times each summer. Although she says she's "really not into it", she's pretty excited/happy when she catches fish. Additionally, she can nap while floating around the pond we frequent (quite a talent) so that's a bonus. She also knows fishing is my escape, and with both of us working two jobs, she doesn't make a fuss if I take off and fish for the day a few times per year. Best of luck fishing, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Oh, BTW - fish ARE icky...

Ours just went in the oven. We've got another on deck waiting for the deep fryer. My mother-in-law is making pancit (Filipino). Sister-in-law's bringing the ham. If any of you have been to an Ameican-Filipino party of any kind, you know it's a heck of a show. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

A former employer has an office in Allendale: I always thought New Jersey itself a state of emergency!

Only one.... it'd be a coin toss between boxed sets by Johnny Cash or Led Zeppelin.... Zep's 2nd box set won.

Now there's the $64 question!

Congratulations! 45's a great start..... my parent's are 53 years and in-laws 56. I'm a newbie at 20 years. I'll agree that it's not always easy, but always worth it....

My favorite brands are: Rod: Abu Garcia (Veritas) and BPS Carbonlite Reel: Casting: Toss up between Shimano & ***. Spinning: Pflueger Line: Mono - Trilene XT Smooth Casting; still figuring FC & braid out. Terminal Tackle: Rapala, Gary Yamamoto, Zoom. All, are of course, subject to change based on tackle monkey fever.....

I sent him three of my reels last year, one being a Revo SX, which came back casting significantly better and a whole bunch farther. My Core MG7 came back an animal. I'm looking forward to what he's going to do with my PQs and *** he just got from me.

Yeah, I hear you (though I'm on the coast, just south of Boston: it's not snowing here) - I just sent three of my reels down to Mike @ DVT; already driving wife nuts with this forum and another rod I don't really need just showing up at the door........ gonna be a long winter......

Happiest of Thanksgivings to everyone out there. And for those in warmer parts of the country - be extra thankful that you can fish all year round! Best to all and their families!

Unless we get another warm trend, I figure I closed out this season at Jacob's Pond, in Norwell/Hanover. Tossed the Ascend 128T in the water and spent the day picking pickerel, yellow perch, and crappie. All in all I caught 14 fish. One pickerel was a PB for me (I'd estimate 18-24"), but it shook itself off the hook while I held it up reaching for my lipper. Had one more good one, unknown type, get off when my snap swivel opened up. I saw it hit the surface violently a couple times: I hope it was able to shake the Rapala free. Though not a bass was seen or heard from, not a bad late November day fishing. Perhaps I'll give ice fishing a whirl this winter, though I plan on skiing as much as working two jobs allows. Hope everyone else in Eastern MA had a good season.

Got an email from Gander today with a nice discount if you spend a certain amount. Sounds like a 'free' upgrade to me...