Fish Chris

So I have a pretty nice truck.... at least to me, right ? LOL It has like an 8000 lb towing capacity, and barely even knows my little 1000 lb rig is behind it. In fact, a few times I'd be getting onto the freeway, and I'd gun it straight up to 68 mph, and over 2 (or 3 ?) lanes in no time, then look back and be like "Oh $#@$" I got my boat back there..... immediately slowing to 59mph... But I've went and put entirely too much time and $$$ into that freaking thing, and the launch ramp for for my Striper fishing, is just too in the middle of know where. Put it this way, it is often littered with broken auto glass I'm sorry. But I refuse to park my truck out there...... So, I had to find a way to get my boat to that launch ramp Drumroll please...... It's the new super boat hauler special ! LOL My Hyundai Accent 3 dr hatch It actually has just shy of a 1000 lb towing capacity (unbraked) so I think my boat is right there.... and anyway, it pulled it just fine today. No slipping at the ramp or anything.... But yea', I know it looks funny pulling my boat. Hey, the car is kinda' sorta' disposable. The truck not ! Peace, Fish PS, I know... I know.... photo's or it never happened .....come on you guys.... it's not like I try to hang out and be cool pulling my camo boat with this car for a while when I'm done LOL .... but I'll try to snap a couple when nobody is watching

Well I think anyone who knows me well, knows that I do come and go. Just been really sidetracked with my latest truck stereo build, weight lighting, mountain biking..... And, to be quite honest, just not any kind of great fishing bite going on until about > right now End of October, like clock work ! I get out, catch my couple of split tails, (I caught a 10" and a 13" splitty this morning) and get those suckers rigged, with my bait runners set. First the baits get all goofy, then {on braided line only } POW ! My line starts peeling, and peeling..... until I swing, in about 10 to 20 seconds, depending on the fish.... Now, I love it when they will pull the slack out for me, and I basically engage my reel and just clothesline them Whooo hoooo ! That is so bad azz ! Oh, so long story short, today was my first day fishing in, I think 12 weeks. But all week long I kept thinking > it's time And I guess I was right. I stuck a 12.6, a 13ish, and this 20.6 lb'er. Fought really hard, and released strong Plus had 2 other good fish on, one for a long fight, then comes unbuttoned 20 feet from the boat ? But hey, pretty fish, huh ? Oh, and I have a whole other funny story for you, but it needs a separate thread LOL Hope everyone is doing great, and sticking a few good ones here and there, Peace, Fish

Thanks again guys South FLA, I think sealed is still the way to go for the absolute truest sound..... but then, an enclosure which has been ported correctly, with "the right sub woofer" (I'm totally sold on these Dayton HO's) can be amazingly tight, and clean. In fact, I'm just waiting for somebody to say they don't like anything bigger than 10"s or 12"s, because 15"s are not fast / tight enough.... > Oh yea', ? Come check this out I even have a few songs picked out for that occasion. Hey Tip, I can't imagine outgrowing my love for music. A really nice sound system is just the means to make great music, sound even better Why would a person out grow that ? About the only way I have changed in the last 30 years, is that now I want my system to be really clean, and balanced, and absolute loudness is not such a high priority. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Oh, so BTW, I spent about 10 hours in my truck today, about 5 hours of it driving, the other 5 parked, pretty much listening to my new setup the whole time. I really cranked it up while driving on the freeway. But while parked at Golden Gate Bridge park (lots of tourists around) I kept it really low most of the time. A couple times for periods of about 30 seconds, I cranked it up, to hear a certain passage, or something cool I hadn't heard on the new system yet > but I was thinking about "anything but" showing it off ! On the contrary, if I could have snapped my fingers, and made all those people disapear, I'd have been much happier.... and able to crank my system with no goof balls staring at me LOL Peace, Fish

Thank you guys On rare occasion (I typically avoid fishing on days where the lake is crowded with joy boaters / water skiers) I will see / hear ski boats with some really loud, nice stereo systems. The boat wakes and all the screaming an hollering bugs the heck out of me, but if it's a nice sounding stereo system, it kind of calms my nerves, while I'm thinking.... "Well, at least it sounds good" Same thing when I'm laying in bed at night, and here some really deep bass roll by the house (very common in my area... probably 4 to 10 X's a night)..... and I'll be thinking, "Man, that sounded really powerful / good.... but I bet they don't have the mids/highs to keep up with mine" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anyway yea', it just sounds really full, and musical. Great for long road trips, like I'm getting ready to do right now Peace, Fish

Some of you might know that I put a pretty powerful, (but quite musical) stereo system in my truck, shortly after I bought it new, 3 years ago. Well, that setup worked really well, and it got a lot of comps, but 1) I was getting a little bored with it, and 2) I had finally managed to crack the spiders on my 12" subs. They still played, but popped and clicked a little on certain notes. Sure, I could have had them repaired..... But instead, I built an all new enclosure, for two 15"s Now, these are not known to be the "loudest" 15" subs around..... But they are known to be some of the tightest, cleanest, most musical subs available. The way I see it, with two 15"s getting close to 1000 wts RMS, in the cab of any vehicle, getting loud enough is kind of a given.... for my musical tastes anyway. {note: IMPO, super loud fart-boxes, that can be heard from 6 blocks away, are really easy to build, but are pretty much kid stuff. Kind of the 1A of speaker box building} But to each their own. Another kind of fun thing I'm going to be doing in the next week, is to build three port extenders, which will allow me to drop my tuning down to about 25hz at will, in about 1 minute. (It's about 35hz right now) That should really pump up the ultra-deep bass that you feel, more than you hear I will also be adding two more 8" mid-bass drivers, and another pair of component mids and highs, in custom pods in the dash. Only about $250 for all of that. Easy / cheap stuff, compared to the sub box build, which was about $600. Anyway, their are LOTS of louder stereos around these parts than mine (SPL setups) and somewhere around Nor Cal, I know their are some way cleaner pro-sound quality (SQ) setups than mine..... But I have to say, this is a fairly loud, and pretty darn clear / musical stereo setup Fantastic for long fishing / road trips I have about 800 MP3 files on a little flash drive in my glove box, all super easily accessible straight through my deck, by way of my remote control (why wear out the buttons... or lean forward when you don't have to Cardboard mock-up last week... The real deal... Put it in yesterday Going on a long road / photography trip tomorrow, to relax, and enjoy it Peace, Fish PS, Inevitably, somebody will think anything more than the stock scratch box, that comes in a vehicle, is totally stupid, and nothing but a waste of time and money. "Why" ? those people ask, "Would anybody do this" ? I'd have to answer that question, with a question..... "Why would anyone put an 8000 hp motor in a car, and drive it down a 1/4 mile track, at more than 300 mph, only to have to completely rebuild it, after every 1 to 3 runs ??? Because its crazy, totally excessive, and just plain fun I like racing too

I think it's my new favorite car Found a sweet high res desktop shot of it too I always liked Corvettes, from the standpoint that they are just so well built.... However, everywhere you turn, there's another Corvette The LAST thing I'd ever want, would be to blend in with the crowd ! So with the 789, I could have a lot of the Corvette technology, but wrapped in a package that "will not be ignored" ! Love it, or hate it (like my truck ) your not likely to see another one like it, and time soon. Oh, and BTW, all of the body parts are carbon fiber / glass composite, with flawless fit and finish Peace, Fish

Thanks guys. Hey Shooter, for a totally ground up custom built ride, that looks like this one does, on a Corvette chassis, $80 or $100,000 sounds like a great deal to me ? I mean yea', a lot of money for a poor guy like myself.... But if I had money, I wouldn't even have to think twice Peace, Fish

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2007-n2a-Motors-789.htm Not only is it a totally custom design, taking cues from 3 iconic classic cars, but it sits on top of a Corvette C6 chassis, so it's a great performer too ! Up to 800hp available I want one ! Fish

Question Answer > Even one small bolt is too much, if it hits you square on the head LOL Here a couple of my first ever lightening shots I took while in LA, a month ago... Peace, Fish

Heck yea ! > On my micro-light LOL Fish

Well, if you want up close, and personal, I caught this guy just about full frame This guy was full frame too. Kind of backlit, but I love the BG, and the pose. The left wing tip doesn't even matter, with him flying to the right... Now, these are all huge 100% + crops. Heck, they were hard to see with the naked eye, they were so far out.... But still, seeing as they belong to the coolest creatures on the earth, I think they were keepers Peace, Fish They did actually come in a LOT closer, but wouldn't lift their darn tails out for a shot Oh well. Had fun. Back to the real world (work) today Peace, Fish

It's not only possible, it's probable, if you fish long enough. Next cast, same day, next day, or next year.... all of these things happen more than most people ever notice. We used to think it was a big deal, until about the 98th time we saw it. Now it's kind of ho-hum. It is cool to see the positive effects of C/R in this way though. Peace, Fish

1)Nicotine is so darn addictive. 2)Nicotine is so darn expensive. 3)When I was a kid, my parents had an aquaintence who use to have to keep a wrag shoved in his mouth, so he wouldn't drool all over himself, after having most of his bottom jaw removed because of mouth cancer. Don't remember if he chewed or dipped, but I know he wasn't a smoker. Now my father didn't dip or chew. He just got his nicotine fix with Pall Mall unfiltereds. He died of lung cancer when I was 11. Of course if lung cancer didn't get him, alcohol would have in a few more years anyway. What wonderful drugs alcohol and nicotine are. Fish

Much thanks guys BTW, I actually love Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota trucks too. I think they all have their strong points. Still, like I always say, as soon as I hit the lotto, I'm going to flop down about $500,000 on a ground up custom F650, something like this > {of course not black with chrome, or anything "normal" like that.... plus, it needs a bigger cab to fit the 100Kw stereo.... and a longer bed, to even it out... but you get the picture } Peace, Fish

I bet you ain't seen another one like it My truck was already pretty much an oddball (like me) being an unusual brown color, then being blacked out. But way back (3 years ago) when I first got the truck, I had ordered a camo accent kit for my rock panels, based on a Photoshop job in which it looked fantastic (IMPO) in front of my Mossy Oak Shadow Grass boat. But everytime I got close to putting it on the truck, I wimped out. So finally, after 3 years, I was starting to get a bit bored with my old wagon, and I finally decided to throw on that old Mossy Oak Shadow Grass wrap. As far as the job goes, it was a PITA, because 1) I did it totally by myself, and 2) it was breezy..... But even so, it came out nearly flawless Give myself about a 9.5 out of 10. Bottom line; If you love camo, you will probably like this. But even if you hate camo, you have to admit, it goes really well with a brown truck, that has no chrome, right ? I'm loving it My paint color shifts a lot from different angles, and lighting {it's called > Stone Green. I know, it's not even slightly green, is it ?} Peace, Fish

It's supposed to get to about 83 degrees here today, with only a slight breeze, and about 15% humidity We more or less skipped right past Spring, but at least we are having some beautiful Spring weather now Oh, and the best part of all > I'll be on the water in a couple hours, enjoying this beautiful weather to the fullest !!! Peace, fish

Very nice fish. Gorgeous angler ! Your brother is a lucky man ! Fish

In my area (Nor Cal) $4000 might be a little high, but not "way out of line". And don't ask me why, but the availability of 12ft'ers, vs 14ft'ers is like 6 to 1. Maybe this is also why a 14ft typically goes for 2 to 3 X's as many $, as a 12ft'er ? I'm assuming the motor is a 2 stroker ? If it runs perfect, you might get $2500-2800. If it were a perfect condition 4 stroke, you might get $3000-3500. But again, that's in Cali > the land of big money.... For some people anyway. Peace, Fish

I'm not sure what kind of humidity you have in IN, but I'm guessing it's high ? Just one thing I have to mention about heat in different parts of the country.... A couple days before my trip to Louisiana, we were having "what we would call" a heat wave. I spent about 9 hours out on my boat, from say 9am-6pm, in direct sun, in just a tank top, with no hat. It got up to, and stayed right at about 100 degrees, for several of those hours. Didn't even phase me. But here is the key word > humdity < !!! It was only about 15%. So, a couple days later, I stepped off of a plane in Shreveport LA, and it was also about 100 degrees > but with close to 90% humidity ! Dudes ! It was like get blasted by a giant blow dryer ! So no ! I could not have fished in that type of heat, for more than an hour, and even that wouldn't be fun ! Anyway, as some have mentioned.... you can always night fish..... but personally speaking, I hate night fishing. I'm always tired, and lost, and most importantly, it's never productive for me. Fish

Exactly LOL Personally, it wouldn't bother me the in the slightest..... But it might bother him when I kept showing him photos of all the monsters I'm catching out of a 14ft aluminum. It might also bother him as I was constantly enforcing the fact that even if I hit the lotto for $100 million, I'd still WAAAAY prefer to fish for Bass (and most other freshwater species) out of my little 14ft baby, than I would, a big, heavy, cumbersome, flashy high-per bass boat ! Speaking strictly for myself, a high performance bass boat would just be flat out detrimental to my fishing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now, it might bother me if my buddy went out and spent $500,000 on a totally custom F650 truck..... because that's something completely frivolous, that I'd LOVE to be able to do, but can't afford to Peace, Fish

That is one fat, healthy bass ! And relative to your state record, she's huge ! Congrats on that awesome catch ! I think that new state record is calling your name Fish

Carp are fantastic sportfish on a rod and reel. In many situations, they are much more difficult / challenging to catch than a Largemouth bass. They are also bigger and stronger. Carp almost never do any harm to bass fisheries. I don't go out of my way to kill living creatures, without good reason. The whole "Carp are trash fish, while bass are prized sportfish" train of thought, just goes to show how human beings are so into "following the leader"...... Just like lemmings running off of a cliff. So glad I can think for myself. It would be a shame not to recognize Carp as the great sporting potential that they are. Travel to almost any part of Europe, and you will find millions of anglers who treat Carp with nothing but respect and attention, just like many Americans do bass ! Bottom line; Bowfishing for Carp, is just as pointless as it would be to bowfish for bass. Fish

Of course way back in the day, I had many trips where I caught too many dink bass, to keep count. But apparently, that meant little to nothing to me, as I really can't tell you anything else about those trips. On the other hand, I can go through my photos, looking at a whole bunch of trips when I caught only 1 big fish, and tell you every detail surrounding that catch. Fish

SirSnook I could not have said it better myself. Just this morning, I was flashing back to a situation many years ago, where I had watched a young guy hook into, fight, and finally lose an 11 lb 4 oz bass > all because him and his buddy just came unglued with excitement, jumping around, stumbling, falling, drag not set properly, net hung up... they just basically made every mistake you could make in a 30 second period. Oh, how do I know that fish was 11-4 ? Because I hooked and landed it a few days later Only difference was, I waited until "after I had landed it" to get all excited and goofy And BTW, about keeping the line tight..... Yea, that's a good idea, but I think it's more important that you get a good hookset to begin with. A well set hook will probably stay hooked up, "even if" you give the fish 1/2 a second of slack. While a hook which is just riding by the point, can come out simply by the fish turning to a different angler from you. So you want to have better, more consistent hooksets ? Use braided line. Somebody said > heavier line.... Why heavier ? How about just "stronger" ? Peace, Fish

Looks totally real to me. I'd have guessed 17 to 19 lbs.... but then again, if it's not that long, it would look thicker / heavier. I could believe it being as small as 14 lbs, or as large as 20. In any case, it's a hawg that I wouldn't mind catching Fish