Smokinal

Welcome VTB! Great place for info.

^^^some good tips J-Hoff

Good for you Hootie! I've been a fitness/health nut since I was about 14 with bodybuilding being my main focus. I'll tell ya, being in shape helps every aspect of your life both physically and mentally. As some of you may have seen my thread about my shoulder surgery, when I went in to get my stitches out, 2 weeks post-op, they were amazed at my progress. The nurse said I was like Christine (the car from the movie). I was supposed to be in a sling for 6 weeks and then pt for 6 weeks. They are starting my pt next week, said I was way ahead of schedule. And I attribute most of that to being in good shape prior to my surgery.

Dang, you guys take care. I hope you both get over it quick.

I hear ya guys. I prefer something along these lines though... and for you softer folks

Anyone else see that "11-4" in the Lunker Club pics in the back of the Jan/Feb issue of BassMaster? Caught by Mike Carbone, next to the 11-13 that looks like it could eat the 11-4. I wouldn't think twice if he said it was a 5 1/2 lber. And I'm not calling him out on it. There were some threads about pics, how fish look different in some pics, how to hold for a pic etc... back a couple of months ago and all I'm saying is that this sure is a deceiving pic. I wasn't there and didn't see a scale so I cannot say; but Mike must be 7' tall and tip a scale at about 300...

Well keep us posted on how your trip is.

X2...braid has no abrasion resistance against rock, shells etc... but fluoro does. And, yes, you are limited to your weakest lb test. I typically use 20lb Super Slick with anywhere from 12-17 lb fluoro leader, depending on presentation.

I'm glad you're ok. Ironic to see this thread as I just posted this link in another thread about pfd's. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Life-Jackets-Vests/Inflatable-Life-Jackets|/pc/104794380/c/104741280/sc/104399280/Cabelas-Tournament-3500-Auto-Inflatable-Personal-Flotation-Device/1546036.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Finflatable-life-jackets%2F_%2FN-1100590%2FNs-MAX_SALE_PRICE%257C1%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104794380%253Bcat104741280%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104741280%3Bcat104399280 Good time to get one! Again, so glad to hear it worked out well for you and thank you for reminding us all that things like this happen.

The 798ci si/di will definitely be your best bet. I love mine. Sure, I'd love a bigger screen but it's the biggest I could afford as well.

Yup, wouldn't have it any other way.

I went to Falcon on a trip in 2012 (from Maine btw) and would definitely hire a guide. Especially if it's only $100? My guide down there was $400 per day, fish or no fish... And welcome to BR as well.

I said I would... http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Life-Jackets-Vests/Inflatable-Life-Jackets|/pc/104794380/c/104741280/sc/104399280/Cabelas-Tournament-3500-Auto-Inflatable-Personal-Flotation-Device/1546036.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Finflatable-life-jackets%2F_%2FN-1100590%2FNs-MAX_SALE_PRICE%257C1%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104794380%253Bcat104741280%26WTz_stype%3DGNU&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104794380%3Bcat104741280%3Bcat104399280 Just picked one up. This is a great time to get a good deal on one if you have been considering it. Regularly $170... on sale for $99

Gotta admire his ambition!

i've seen some of those vids...can't even watch em!

Hook size is probably the first thing an angler thinks of when buying hooks. Most are smart enough to know which hook is the right size for the fish they are after. Sizes fro most manufacturers range from the very smallest freshwater trout hook at a number 32, to the very largest gamefish hook at 19/0. There is no world or industry standard method of measuring hooks, but here in the US, the measures go from the smallest size 32 (which is barely large enough to hold between two fingers) and count down. As the number decreases, the size increases all the way down to a number 1 hook. At this point the number changes to a designation of “aughts” or zeroes. A 1/0 (pronounced “one aught”) hook is the next larger size to a number 1. A 2/0 is larger still, and this numbering scheme goes as high as 19/0. The size breakdown from smallest to largest looks like this:32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 11, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0, 5/0, 6/0, 7/0, 8/0, 9/0, 10/0, 11/0, 12/0, 13/0, 14/0, 15/0, 16/0, 17/0, 18/0, and 19/0 All of these hooks come in a short, regular, or long shank version. The shank of the hook is the part between the eye of the hook and the bend.

If I post in this thread will it increase my odds for getting the flu? Hope not, either way, I hope you both (Red and Deak) feel better soon. Take care guys.

yes it will! im so looking forward to it thank you sir

megastrike user. i believe, if anything, it will make a bass hold the bait that fraction of a second longer to get your hookset on him. plus its a confidence thing,,,and we all know how impotant that is.

i asked if i could but he said they couldnt. hardware they can give back to you but anything biological they said had to be properly disposed of. will do sir, thx

u guys r the best. my hunt-n-peck is really kickin in now so please excuse the grammer/pucuation. im very right handed. things are going to be ineresting for a little while. lol all went as planned and im sure the rest will go well to. i cant thank you enough for the kind words, thoughts and prayers. it really keeps you positive. wen its all said and done, it cud be far worse. at least i hv both arms and will be casting a jerkbait in april! thanks again and best wishes to you all.

Thank you so much folks. I appreciate the thoughts and kind words. You're a good bunch!

Finally getting my shoulder carved. Too many years of bodybuilding, fishing and throwing tons of BP to my son's baseball team has wrecked my right shoulder. It's been 2 years in the making and it's finally here. The surgery is called Distal Clavicle Excision; where they basically lop off 1/4 to 3/8" off the end of my collar bone where it meets up with the shoulder blade. Excited for having the whole procedure done so I can get back into the gym and hopefully be ready for ice-out in the spring. Anyone else have this done? How did it go for you? I have spoken with 3 others and they said it all came out fine but was the most painful post-op they have had.

Cold filtered...right through my kidneys

Ahhh, the 'ol Looser Cruiser. I'll be honest with ya ***looks over both shoulders*** I'd own another in a heartbeat. We bought a 2001 Caravan and we were very happy with it. Very roomy, comfortable and plenty of room for hunting, fishing, outdoors stuff and general crap. We owned it up to around 130K when she was ready for something else so we just bought a Subaru Forester...and that is one heck of a vehicle. As stated, it takes some mental adjustment but you will like it.