Alpster

I always think of it as the "Keystone Cops" went bass fishing. Great memories there.

Of the 9 or 7 thousand rods I have, they are my own builds except for one drop shot and one fly rod. I have nothing against factory made rods, I just like to make my own.

Here's the latest, I am downsizing my collections trying to stick to what I really use in my old age. LOL I intend to sell/give away more than half of this stuff so I don't have to maintain it. The plano boxes on the shelves are packed full. I consider myself a recovering Bait Monkeyholic.

I was going to write something mushy and heart felt, until I figured out he's not dead. LOL I have had the pleasure of fishing with Kent on several occasions and he is the real deal. On the first road trip to Lake Fork, I enjoyed generous hospitality at his home for an overnight stay and some fantastic BBQ ribs. I was also a part of the famous 5 person, two boats and a dock team that helped land his 8+ bass that won the pool at Guntersville (see MAD magazine for details) LOL. He is a best friend the first time you meet him and I hope to see/hang/fish with him again one day. God bless you and your retirement. Ronnie

Shimano MG50. I have a half dozen of these. I have bought much more expensive reels, but nothing that out performs them.

I used to have several "Snagless Sallys" they were killer along grass lines parallel to the bank. Haven't seen one in years.

I must say that I can't count the # of birds nests I have skillfully constructed over the years, but I will take advantage of the opportunity to pick on a Moderator. On one of the Guntersville road trips while fishing with "Roadwarrior" I was sporting my new Calcutta DC reel. Kent said "let me give it a try, these reels are supposed to be backlash proof". He took a MLB backswing and with no thumb at all launched a Rattle trap into the mother of all birds nests. I had to laugh and I set it aside to cut it off later. Great memories! LOL

I bought one of the first DC reels, a round Calcutta TE. I paid a small fortune at the time. Although it's a fine reel and performs well, I've never bought another DC. Its best attribute is casting light baits and windy conditions, but no real magic IME. I still use it quite a bit.

Tom picked me up in NJ and we traveled (and fished) together for the Roadtrip in the spanking new Triton. Got to hear many Maine lobsterman stories. Wonderful, generous fellow. I am also a an "old timer" joined in 2006. Got happily remarried in 2010 and life just got real busy. I still check in now & then, but I also miss some of the old timers. I'm finding more time these days to fish and build rods, etc. I will be around when I can.

I like synthetic burl (rubberised) cork. It's light, durable and is easy to glue and turn.

I have been doing this for years and it works well.

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for nearly 40 years and my feet/toes are a twisted mess. I never wear shoes at home unless I work outside. For many years I bought the shoes most highly recommend (by my podiatrist) and spent small fortunes on shoes. You all will laugh at me, but in an emergency, I bought a cheap pair of slip on sneakers from wally world and now I don't wear anything else. The most comfy shoes I've worn in decades. I forget I have them on. $24 at Walmart. I bought several pairs, just in case they discontinue them. It's crazy, but they are awesome.

If you have a shield EZ, 380 or 9mm, never put a round in the chamber and cycle the action. Always load from the magazine. Releasing the slide with a round in the chamber will break the locking block. S&W has mine now. Waiting to see if they will fix it. This is a common occurrence I have seen on various forums and shooting sites.

I built a med heavy rod from a Lamiglas 5' 6" graphite blank with a pistol grip for pitching dense cover.

The thing about poppers is you can just twitch them and make ripples or jerk them and make a big splash. They are quite versatile in presentation.