ejtaylor822

That was funny. Happy for her, but, was hard to watch. Especially with that GRRRRRRRRRR going the whole time.

I can only comment on the quantums as that is what I use and am partial too. I do not do tournaments, or anything like that, just want good quality equipment. I have 6 quantums and found them to be very reliable for me. I have two of the Array's (40 and Inferno 40 (IN40)). I have had the Array 40 for about 9 months with no problems at all. It is my favorite spinning reel. Bought the Inferno a few months ago and am really enjoying it. They both appear to be well made, very smooth, and believe they will last for many years. Recently, about a month ago, got a Pflueger and really like it. It is an ultra light. If the larger reels are anything like this one, it should be a good one too. Very smooth and well made. Good luck.

I picked up a Quantum inferno at Dick's couple of months ago. 10 BBs for $29 is hard to beat. I love that reel. I was in our Dick's sporting goods a few weeks ago and they still had them.

Congrats on the PB! Nice pics. Glad someone has luck with the chatter baits - not me.

Good luck and have fun. Treasure this time with your family.

Wow! Good luck and let us know how it goes. Above all else, HAVE FUN! Enjoy.

Way to go LBH! Those are nice. My first backlash is usually followed by a second backlash - not a 5 lb pig! Good job.

Nice fish, Dan. You know how to find 'em. I enjoy the top waters as well. Would like them better if I ever pulled out a 5 lbr. Bet that was fun.

I saw that match the other night. I like Maynard but for him to tell Joe Rogan after the match that he was not out, is a joke. His eye's were rolling around. Was still a good match though.

That's funny. A fool and their money......

I use to do mine myself. Then when life got to busy I stated taking them to the local "quicky" lube. They stripped out the pan on my old pride and joy T-bird. Think I would have learned but didn't. Kept taking them back anyway. One morning after a change I noticed a fresh big pool under my Explorer. Figuring they just didn't tighten up the plug, I got under to do it myself, but, the plug actually wiggled in my hand!? Took it back and the guy said "oh, yeah the pit bull probably grabbed the wrong one." What? I was confused until he showed me down inside the pit where the oil is drained. Along both walls about half way up was a metal railing. Sitting on these rails were literally hundreds of drain plugs. My jaw almost dropped. After that I have sworn off of them. I only go to the dealers now. Its a few dollars more but is worth it IMHO. Plus, they let me know if there are recalls, warranty work, and other maintenance that is needed. I will not go back to the quicky places.

Hey RW, you are more reliable then our weatherman here in central NC.

My plan was to spend the day fishing then grill some burgers and 'dogs with the girls. Instead, I have a cold - yes a cold in summer - so, instead of fishing, I am feeling miserable, coughing, fever, can't breathe and a sore throat. The good news is that I should be feeling better when I go back to work tomorrow. :-? I will not forget this July 4. Regardless of how I feel, Happy Birthday America!

I'm with Avid. My Dad has used zebco's his whole life and still does. That's what he taught me to fish with. I have introduced him to spin and baitcasters. He thinks they are "nice", but, first time I turn my back he puts it down and picks that old zebco back up and outfishes me and whoever is with us. I will occassionally cast that zebco with him. Its nice for a 40 year old to feel like a kid again with his dad. Go with whatever feels good and makes you happy.

Kevin, glad to hear your dad fly fishes. He will definitely be able to help to make sure you are balanced. When I got into fly fishing a few years ago, it was hard to find line locally. I was lucky in that a few months after I got into it a specialty store opened up here in town - Great Outdoor Provision company here in Chapel Hill, NC. See if any of your local tackleshops has any. Like yourself, I fly fished one time was TOTALLY hooked! The reason do not do more of it is because most of my fishing is shore/bank fishing. Usually not a lot of clear space around which does not help and you can only roll cast so much. I use a 7/8 wt rod and line with 2x tippet for bass. Good luck and have fun. Be patient and it will come - trust me.

I'm with dodgeguy, suffix braid for thick cover. Have it on one of my flippin/pitchin baitcasters and couple of extra spools.

Dick's sporting goods has some. You really have to look for it though - ask a sales rep where it is. Never used it, but, they do have it. Also, check some of your local tackle shops they usually have some and may even help put it on. You will also need some backing and leader/tippet. I use Rio for line and tippett. Not sure of the backing I have. Got 1500 ft of 30# off of ebay for $10. Unless you are fishing saltwater, backing is not as critical as line and tippett, just make sure it is good quality. My backing has never touched water. Question though, have you used fly tackle before? Reason I ask is because you have to make sure your rod and reel is balanced for the line you are using. Also, the leader and tippet have to be matched to the line and fly you are using. If one component is out of balance, you will have more problems than you can imagine. Good luck.

Saw an article on these in the paper yesterday. Found the site. Very impressive vehicles, but, would hate to have to keep gas in them. http://granitetacticalvehicles.com/RockSV.htm Don't know if they come with a ball hitch to pull the boat, so, do not how pratical they are. ;D Seriously though, they are designed to deflect mine and IED blasts from underneath and the side - why they have the angled sides and bottom. Good idea developed by a former navy seal for our warriors.

Been away for a while. Work and family been keeping me busy, and, getting in some fishing in the evenings instead of sitting in front of the computer love these long days/evenings. Nice to sneak off to the pond with an hour of daylight left after the little one goes down. Anyway, about a month ago I got me a little ultra light set up. Had some gc's to Dick's sporting goods and bought a Pflueger ultra light set up. Out of all the ultra lights they had, the Pflueger, IMHO, was by far the best and cheaper than most. Got the 4-1/2' rod with the 4520GX combo. Very smooth reel, appears to be well made and the rod felt good from both a balancing and sensitivity perspective. Well, I have not been disappointed. Put some 4lb spider wire on and have been having a blast! Its opened up a whole new world for me. Have caught a ton of Bluegill and LMBs on super beetles and small grubs. Pulled in several 3 lb bass last weekend. Now that was fun! One, I snuck up on as I was walking around the edge of the pond. Saw him swimming over a shallow flat. Stood behind some brush and cast a weightless 3 plastic worm just to the side of him BAM! He clobbered that little worm. Drag went crazy and he was pulling out as fast as I could reel in. Finally got him and was a nice one. Caught seven more in addition to him, including another one that might have went 3 lb, that afternoon. Caught a Bluegill that fit in the palm of my hand amazing what those little guys will go after. If you want to try something new, give the ultra lights a shot. Obviously, do not recommend if you are fishing around a lot of junk, stick ups, limbs, docks, etc. I had a nice one hooked a week ago that darted into some branches. I wound up losing it because the light setup just did not have the backbone to keep him out. But, around the edges where is fairly clear it is fun. With the lighter lures you can drop them right on top of the bass without spooking them. Eddie

Nice pics, Dan. You were up near my home (Asheville/Burnsville). Blackberry jam from the mountains is hard to beat. Spread some on a warm biscuit with a little butter and that's a meal fit for a king IMHO. That's a good one of you and the Mrs. LR. BTW, love the sign on the building in the musicians picture - this is a workfree, smokin', chewin' and pickin' area. That's good!

Very awesome.

I have been in IT a number of years. I remember back early/mid-90's when the desktop PC was starting to become really prevalent across all lines of business, especially in upper management. I was a UNIX admin at the time and was working with a guy helping deploy the PC side (the client in the client/server world) for a system I was putting in. Remember one afternoon we were on the other side of the plant when he was paged to one of the "higher-up's" office. I tagged along since I was heading that way. We went to the manager's office and he was cussing about his stupid new computer and the mouse was not working. When asked to show what was happenning, he picked up the mouse, slammed it against the monitor screen and started moving it around explaining how the #*%&$^# mouse moved erratically and he couldn't see where to place it or get it to stay in place. We both had to really bite our tongues and remain polite - was very hard. The PC guy was exceptionally gracious and showed him how to "properly" use a mouse. We finished up, left his office and were halfway down the hall when we couldn't take it anymore and started laughing. I would not have believed it if I hadn't been there myself. Eddie

You did the right thing and showed a lot of good judgement and restraint. Must have been really hard. Amazing how disgusting some of these punks can be.

Agree, LBH. Glenn and you moderators play a key role in making this a great place as well - thanks. Love what skillet said - Friends you've never seen, let alone met. Riskkid, you made me "home sick" know exactly where you are talking about. Have thought that would be some good fishing there. Never lived in Nashville, but love TN and that area. Have been there many times and have been trying to move there for years. Interviewed probably half-a-dozen times with companies in Nashville but nothing ever happens. Have just come to accept the Lord does not want us there - feel like Moses looking over into the promised land.. Eddie

Good race. Thought Street Smart really had a chance. Makes me wonder though, in this age of technology and advanced training, if there will ever be another triple crown winner?