ejtaylor822

Well, here goes - Quantum - that's what I got and serves me well. Rapidly becoming a fan of Pflueger as well. Hope to get a Shimano one day just to see for myself. Know its got to be good stuff.

Beetlespin - black with yellow stripes.

For me Bluegill, followed by smallies.

Enjoy, what a great time. Stay safe.

I'm with ya, muddy. Have been looking to upgrade for quite a while now, myself. Have had my eye on a sweeeet Johnny Morris elite set up from BPS for quite a while now. With some extra $$$ I had stashed away and some gift certificates to BPS, was getting close to what I needed. As I planned my trip to BPS, the more I thought about it, just couldn't justify spending $400+ for a rod & reel. Not saying it is not worth it, I am a firm believer in quality and that you get what you pay for, however, my skills just aren't good enough to get all the benefit from really high end gear. I am not a pro-angler, nor do I plan on being one, and, do not do tournaments. I just enjoy fishing and want good equipment to catch a fish. The fish will never know the difference between Kistler, Loomis, JM elite, or, uglystik when it is in my hands know there are a lot of people out there and on this forum who know how to get the most out of the high-end equipment, but not me, although hope to one day. Would be like me playing with a $2,000 set of Ping golf clubs vs. my $300 knock offs the more expensive clubs are just not going to make that big a difference in my game saving the extra $$$ ALWAYS helps. So, instead of the JM elite setup, I bought a less expensive one (Quantum KVD), a extreme trigger rod, and, took the girls out for a nice dinner. As you said, living within my means and enjoying every minute of it.

Yeah, I do not know what gets them so dark. I have caught some bigger than that with pretty "tiger" markings, but, most are really, really dark. The pond is kidney shaped with trees along probably 70% of it. Stays a little stained most of the time. Not sure if that does it, or what. I just know they can be fun to catch on lite tackle.

07-13: Caught this one on a fly rod with a popper 07-14: Caught this one on a mini-tube. Actually bigger than looks, curved around, could not get him to flatten out These little guys really put up a fight - lots of fun on light gear. Eddie

This little guy hit a crank that was almost as big as him. I should have had the lure in the pic with him. Agree it is amazing what they will hit.

Hang in there, buddy. Have no idea why life is so fast and "heavy" at times, but, know that some of the most challenging can be some of the most rewarding. Praying for you. Eddie

Nice fish. I do not like see them being eaten either, especially if I am not invited. Will gladly change my mind if you will share. Especially with some hush pups, warm butter and some sweet tea. ;D Enjoy.

NOw that's a good day of fishing! Congratulations.

Good job & congrats. Nothing like fishing with Dad. Catching a pig just makes it that much more fun.

Very nice. Something about being on/near water when you don't have anything to drink. Just makes it 10x worse.

Congrats on the PB. I have learned that if I really want to catch the big ones - leave the camera at home. Never fails for me. I take the camera and all I get are dinks. Leave the camera at home and I am slinging hawgs all day.

Beetlespins and I have some small thin ~3" red worm size I bought off ebay that I rig weightless - they kill this.

Congrats westpamdaddy!! And to you as well, niksfishinmom! Ya'll are in for a great time!!!

Use to when younger. Stopped in high school. However, I do enjoy venison! My wife's uncle makes venison barbecue (what can I say, we are Eastern NC and barbecue everything) that is absolutely worth fighting over. I remind everyone that it is Bambi so they won't eat it - MORE FOR ME!! Uncle and cousins hunt a lot in North West VA, and he makes some good jerky.

I'm with Catt, time for a celebration! NO better way to celebrate than with a new rod/reel - the greater the event, the greater the celebration so go BIIIG on this one! Congratulations to you and the misses!! Will this be the first? If it is, you are in for the best time of your life.

My Grandmmother use to like PB&J and mayo. She tried to get me to eat them, but never developed a taste for them. Guess my weird sandwich, which I still have on occassion, is putting a slice of cheese of a piece of bread, cover it with potato chips, top with a little ketchup then crush them in the sandwich. What can I say......

Thanks for the tip, Kelley. That's sounds like a good idea.

Having some good luck past couple of weeks on Lee Sisson Balsa's I got on clearance from BPS. The Tennessee shad and black pearl are working the best. Also, really digging my new elite bream got from Custom Lures Unlimited.

I was Tarheel born, and Tarheel bread. When I die, I'll be a Tarheel dead! Go 'Heels! Ever the optimist, but, maybe Butch Davis can return us back to the Glory days when Mack was in town.

A lot of bait in this one.... http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/pets/story/1578980/

1. LC Sammy 2. Spook 3. Buzz baits

Man, those are tough to look at/watch.