Jaderose

I don't hunt but I get the appeal as it seems to me to be basically the same (or close to it) as fishing. What I DON'T understand is trophy hunting. The just seems like blood sport to me but as long as people are doing things in a legal manner, it's also none of my business. There are many things in this old world that I don't like or understand but as I've gotten older, I've come to realize that a lot of things aren't up to me so move on.

I have several. Not really even sure where I got them...lol. I have never thrown one

Frog

Gentlemen, Gentlemen.....when I say I can't remember the last time I got skunked, I AM telling the truth but that doesn't mean I'm an expert fisherman or all my days are great...lol. It does mean I know my lake VERY well and I know a couple honey holes where there's always at least ONE dink or 2 hiding.

I use the Drop dead hook for quite a few things. VERY versatile piece of gear.

I honestly don't remember the last time I got completely skunked.

Catch and Release here for all fish. I don't like to kill animals but that does not mean I have any issue with those that harvest legal fish for food. Same deal with hunting. I don't enjoy the past time. Others do. not my business.

When I'm on the water and the brain is shut off and I'm just taking reacting to conditions and 6 hours passes in the blink of an eye, I know I've had a successful day. it means fish were being caught and I was dialed in and enjoying my surroundings. I'm not worried about numbers or weights. Just peace of mind

Fished as a kid. Went back to it around age 30 or so with spincast gear to get out of the house as young Father. Got serious about bass fishing around 2006 or so.

I doubt I ever throw a drop shot rig again. BORING! I know it works, just not my cup of tea.

I have an old Big O crank in that color scheme with all the glitter. On a sunny day, it's a fish catching machine!

Never done it before? Here's how I would do it....to the right you'll see a link to "Delaware Valley Tackle." Click on that...make arrangements, put in box, put in mail. Wait for your good as new reel to come back to you. Easy...peasy.

The BPS website used to be great. Now it's darn near unusable. How does that happen? How could a huge company like this have such a garbage website in 2022?

Netbait BK Tube in "Lou's Special"

$50 for a haircut? This is why I like living in rural Missouri. I get 3-4 haircuts a year. Put on the #2 and take it all off. $15 bucks a pop and I usually get a new ball cap every year that the barber has made for his customers. Joe, (the barber) usually gets at least one of my wife's coconut cream pies every year. It all works out...lol

If you compare frogging to basketball, I'm a good rec league player. Dean Rojas is Michael Jordan

Good day? 3. Bad day? Sky's the limit...lol

3 BC's (includes dedicated frog rod) and 2 spinning. Covers everything I need

I don't typically need a fire extinguisher when I'm fishing but I'm glad it's there

I can't think of anything I have thrown that I haven't caught at least ONE fish on. I've never caught anything on an A-rig but I think they are dumb and have never thrown one. I've never caught a fish on a Carolina Rig but I've never thrown one. Don't throw that many Jerk baits but I've caught plenty of fish on them.

I've never straightened a hook fighting a fish. I've opened LOTS of hooks on snags. As far as straightening a jig hook? No friggin way.

This. Just ask. It may be that you have better gear than the guide. Or you might NOT. Why travel with gear if you don't need it/can't use it?

I don't know how old you are but I've been in industry for quite awhile now and have gone through a few scenarios like this. Never...not once...has it turned out WORSE for me. Here's why...1.) Be flexible and being flexible includes being ready to leave. Being ready to leave means being ready to move, if necessary. 2.) Your loyalty is to yourself and your family, ONLY! Do what's right for you and your family. You can't save co-workers and you are a "meat slab of labor" to the employer. They may SAY the right things, but they will cut you in a heartbeat if it suits their needs. 3.) Be DAAAAAMN good at what you do and make sure everyone knows it. Including any future employers. 4.) Continue to do your job well, better now even. 4.) Keep emotional reactions out of things. Anticipate the best while planning for the worst. 5.) If necessary...LEAVE. I spent way too many years doing work I love for a company I HATED. I made a promise to myself many decades ago that I would never allow myself to remain in a work situation I hated. This actually applies to life in general, too. About 20 years ago, I completely walked away from the life I had. I hated my job, my 1st wife, etc. I quit the job, divorced the wife ( kept the kids...love my daughters ) and started over. Took my daughters with me as a single Dad. Best move I ever made and a LOT of people thought I was nuts. I didn't listen to them. I went with and learned to trust my gut. Without getting all spiritual, I figured this was the life I have and I'm not gonna waste it giving my all to people that do not appreciate it or even care. Moral of the story? Prepare for change and if you gotta make some? Do it decisively and without regrets. Does it take "testicular fortitude"? Yep. ps....Same time I quit the job and marriage, I also got sober. I made ALL the changes at once. It was rough for awhile but I lived and it made me basically fearless.

I won't tell you how to set your BC's but I'll give you a great way to get MOTIVATED to learn how. If you have standing timber in your waters, tie on something heavy...Big ol frog, or crank and go for a LOOOOONG bomb cast. I mean, get it back there and really LAUNCH that sucker like you're going for one of those mythical 100 yard cast...and fire it straight into the trunk of a tree that is 10ft or so away from you. You, my friend, will then know what a REAL backlash (and misery) is like. You'll get that sucker dialed in real good. (Not that that would save you in this scenario but you'll have the Mother of All Backlashes and you'll never want to pick another one out again...lol)

Weightless GP Senko. I'd be bored to tears but I'd catch fish