Alpster

I hear you Tom. I live in New Jersey and the nearest lake you can run a fast outboard in is in PA. LOL My boat has a two 54 lb 12 Volt trolling motors. LOL I wouldn't recommend the fannie packs to guys with 60+ MPH boats. The guys who lost their lives were in a canoe, so I made a general assumption, my mistake! Fannie pack PFDs are not optimal in fast boats that might smack a stump or other obstacle at high speeds. Sorry for not thinking about all scenerios. Ronnie

I have the ultimate top water rod for Rapala FS, Sammy's and other floating lures. G-Loomis CR722 GLX. JMHO The specs are here.. http://products.gloomis.com/gl/products/alltackle/detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441760485&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302032502&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181201&bmUID=1178488909718 Ronnie

Try coating the knot with some glue (I use "Fishin Glue"). It will help keep braid knots from slipping and makes a smooth surface for the knot to travel through the guides. It's the jagged clipped tags that hang up in the guides, at least that's my experience. Ronnie

WOW! Nobody want's to ever hear a story like this. I will be praying for the family. I have an auto inflate fannie pack. I bought it because the lake I fish most is in a county park and they require a PFD be worn at all times by everyone regardless of age. I recommend these highly. You wear it around your waist and it's so comfortable forget you have it on until you need it. God bless Ronnie

1. 3/4 oz Arkie Jig black & chartreus with Uncle Josh 9" black widow eel. 2. 12" Culprit worm black shad w/1/4oz bullet weight unpegged 3. 6" GYCB Senko green pumpkin weightless 4. Cavitron buzzbait white 5. LIVE CRAWFISH - LOL Ronnie

FYI From the "Encyclopedia of Everyday Law" Trespassing is a legal term that can refer to a wide variety of offenses against a person or against property. Trespassing as it relates to real estate law means entering onto land without consent of the landowner. There are both criminal and civil TRESPASS laws. Criminal trespass law is enforced by police, sheriffs, or park rangers. Civil trespass requires that the landowner initiate a private enforcement action in court to collect any damages for which the trespasser may be responsible, regardless of whether a crime has been committed. Traditionally, for either type of trespass, some level of intent is required. Thus, the trespasser must not simply unwittingly traverse another's land but must knowingly go onto the property without permission. Knowledge may be inferred when the owner tells the trespasser not to go on the land, when the land is fenced, or when a "no trespassing" sign in posted. A trespasser would probably not be prosecuted if the land was open, the trespasser's conduct did not substantially interfere with the owner's use of the property, and the trespasser left immediately on request. For what it's worth...... Ronnie

G-Loomis 8' BounceBack with Calcutta 400. Ronnie

Avid, I think the consensus is, that swimbaits will catch the 'biggest of the big' bass. Low profile reels are usually rated for up to about 12lb test line with limited line capacity (small diameter braid excepted). I think the California swimbait fishermen are hedging their bets that if they hook a monster bass (in the teens of pounds) that having a big, round Calcutta 400/Cardiff 400/Garcia 7000, etc. and a 7-1/2 or 8' flag pole is insurance that a "fish of a lifetime" will not be lost due to gear that is too light. It's not just Low vs round, round reels move way up the heavy ladder and low profile reels hit a ceiling. That's my take on it. Ronnie

I am a licenced land surveyor and trespassing is my buisness. LOL There is no such thing as trespassing in most states unless the land is properly fenced and POSTED. It is very expensive and a lot of work to legally POST private land. Depending on the state, it can involve public notice (a news paper ad), documents filed with the county clerk, fencing that meets minimum requirements, signs at minimum intervals and proof that you inspect and review all of the above at regular intervals. Usually only government agencies do it properly, because they can afford it. With all that said, there is no reason to trespass on private property to fish a pond. The following is my private pond story. I spotted a beautiful 6 acre pond in Amite, LA when I was surveying the right of way for a 500 KV power transmission line from the Pearl river in MS to Baton Rouge. I stopped to ask the owner (turned out to be the care taker the owner lived in NY) if I could fish the pond. His answer was an emphatic NNNOOO!! So I changed the subject and asked what he knew about the big power line that was comming through. He was very interested (as was everyone as this was a very controversial project) so I gave him a few juicy pieces of information and promised I would stop by from time to time and keep him up to date on the power line. Anyway, I stopped by once a week or so and chewed the fat with the old guy and told him what I knew about the power line, which wasn't much, but he enjoyed the conversation. One day I learned he was partial to Mountain Dew soft drinks and salty peanuts, so I began bringing some along on my visits. After almost a year went by, during one of these visits I asked, "so when are you gonna let me fish that pond?" He laughed out loud and said "you can fish it anytime, just don't leave a mess and let me know you are here". My personal best bass came out of this pond and it was worth the time & Mountain Dews. Be a good neighbor, talk to the land owner and fish without worrying about getting caught. Leave things better than you found them. JMHO Ronnie THE FISH...............

I do best in timber and layed down trees in 6-8 feet of water. Ronnie

I love it when I set the hook and the rod loads up heavy & I know the fight is on! That's my favorite thing! Ronnie

Linebreaker, WELCOME to the forum!!! Check out the ABU Garcia Ambassaduer 4600 C3 or 5000 C3. They are less than a $100 and are formidable baitcasters. That's my suggestion. Ronnie

OK! I have been wanting to get this off my chest for quite a while and this is the perfect thread. Why do so many guys go out and spend 20+ dollars on a fancy Walmart rod and a high tech Zebco reel when all you need to catch a fish is a broom handle, 10' of nylon string, a paper clip for a hook and a worm you can dig up in the garden? All these $0.98 spinning baits and $0.50 a piece rubber worms are just rich people status symbols. Heck for that matter if your not too lazy and have good reflexes you can wade into the water and catch em with your bare hands and that don't cost nothing! I can't believe these guys who spend all there hard erned money on fancy fishing gear, what a waste!!! I am only joking, but I love these equipment bashing threads!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D God bless Ronnie

Read through this thread, I think it will help you. Practice, Practice, Practice... 8-) http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1151590913 Ronnie

On the Lake Fork trip, the Bassbuss (2002 Chevy Express Cutaway RV) averaged about 8.5 mpg all highway miles. 5.7 liter V8 w/automatic overdrive. Ronnie

Hey Avid, I Googled "state of the art fishing rods" and on the first two pages alone there are 10 rod companies that claim they are the "State of the art". LOL I also get a kick out of us average fishing guys (and even us rodbuilders) who talk about ROD BLANK TECHNOLOGY like I have a real clue about the "molecular density of carbon fibers" "graphite modulus & matrixes" and on and on. I think "state if the art is somewhat subjective" and your opinion is as good as most guys on these message boards IMHO. I do a rigorous scientific test to determine rod quality, I fish with the rod until I fall in love or hate it and get rid of it, LOL.

Culprits are a favorite of mine, Black Shad is the best color IMHO. Along with Red Shad and Motor oil you can fish any water anywhere. I like the motor oil color in clear water, black & red shad in stained. JMHO Ronnie

OK I have to tell my accent story and it's TRUE! We were working up around Wayne, NJ. My crew stopped at a tiny little Chinese take out to grab some lunch. One of my helpers is originally from Kentucky and has a very minimal accent. When he ordered his lunch, the CHINESE guy behind the counter, as serious as he could be, said the following..."AAWWW SOOOO, YOOO NUUUT FRUUMMM ROUNNNN HEEER< AWWW YOOO?" My other helper and I fell on the floor laughing. You just had to be there. It was hilarious. Almost as funny as LBH's southern accent. (OOOhh ...Sorry Russ, couldn't resist). Ronnie

It's probably a generic batson or fuji seat with a carbon fiber insert. Kind of like this one.... Ronnie

Slick video as usual. Keep it up! I allways enjoy them. Ronnie

Yes I do. I pray over most things. Ronnie

You have it even better in NJ. When the bunker and shad run up & down the Jersey coast there's no better striper fishing anywhere. The IGFA all tackle world record striper was caught on the Jersey coast in Atlantic city. You are in striper country, you just got to go get em! Ronnie

The simple answer is, put a super sweet Shimano DC reel on a Ultra sensitve G-Loomis GLX rod and have the best of both worlds. Life is good! Ronnie

Along with more line capacity, round reels are usually stronger mechanically. They will take a little more abuse. LOL Ronnie

I have to clean my monitor........that's funny right there! ;D Finnesse all the way Ronnie