FishTank

I use to change my own oil but then I discovered Mobil 1 Extended Performance and I have Wal-Mart change it for me for $50 with this oil. I have about 1,000,000 on my car and my wife has about 120,000 on hers. Both have had the Mobil 1 in them since it came out and I have had zero engine issues. The Extended Performance is supposed to be good for 15,000 miles but I usually only go 13,000-14,000 or once a year before changing. The way I look at it, I can change it myself every 3,000 for around $12-$15 or I can have Wal-Mart do it for me for around the same price with a better quality oil.

Spinning or Casting? My personal favorite for Baitcasters is Trilene Professional Fluorocarbon.

10 lb regular Yozuri-Hybrid for cranks I have been using Trilene Professional Fluoro. on all my other casting gear with out issue....

Steez 100H and 103 Zillion HLC Alphas Ito Daiwa Pixy US Zillion Daiwa TD-Z Stella 3000 Shimano Core How do you like the Zillion HLC compared to the US Zillion? Is it worth it?

I have my favorites based on personal experience....... Reels: Shimano and Daiwa Rods: Loomis and St.Croix Soft Plastic: Zoom and GYCB Hard Baits: Lucky Craft and Rapala Hooks: Gamakatsu and Owner Jigs and Buzzbaits: Booyah Line: I'll just about anything once...... I like select lines from several different companies. I will always want to try new stuff from various manufactures though. Brands I have had bad luck with Quantum (3 reels), All-Star (2 Classics), Abu Garcia (Revo Premier only) and Seagar Line. One thing about my list though, I may be loyal to these brands but that doesn't mean that they too can't turn out some bad equipment from time to time.

Ronnie, tried the link and it is says the vidoe is no longer available. But on the topic, I like the blood knot.

I had a 201 D and did not care for it. I might have had a different opinion on the 100 series but I like my old 201 BSF. Oddly enough, I have heard people say they either love the D or the hate it but I never here anything about the Castic. Which in my opinion is the exact same as the Curado BSF. When I saw the Curado D and the Castic, I was not sure which direction Shimano was going in. When Shimano comes out with the new one, I hope it looks and feels like the old Curado, is lighter in weight, and has the HEG gears.

It did use to be an issue for me but after purchasing a Shimano Core and putting it on a Loomis BCR803, I am starting to change my mind. There is just something about fishing a light weight set up. Maybe it is just a little more fun or maybe it is just in my head......

If you got a couple of extra bucks I would take a look at the Daiwa Zillion. Simply a great real, easy to use and easy to cast.

Just another suggestion. I usually buy my Senkos at Dicks Sporting Goods. They will have them 20%off of the $5.99 regular price. I will take a buy $50 get $10 off coupon and buy 11 packs. In the end it makes them $3.88 a pack.

I got rid of it a long time ago but I had a 1991 Mits. Eclipse that I buddy of mine sold to me when he found out his wife was pregnant with twins in 1993. He was desperate for cash and I needed a car. I only had 10,000 to play with and he jumped all over it. The 10,000 I gave him didn't cover the price he paid for the V8 3000GT engine that had been chopped into it. It also had a weight reduction, computer mod, NOS, racing tires and rims, new leather seats, Alpine stereo, trans. upgrade>the list goes on. Most of it had been done at Indy Imports of Indianapolis and Exotic Racing in Paducah, KY. This car at the time I got it would dust just about any production car, including my neighbors Cab. Corvette. Unfortunately, I could not afford to keep in top condition. Heck, a tuneup on this thing was going to cost me $2000. They had to take the whole thing apart to do it. I ended up selling it for what I paid for it but I sure do miss it. Also, the $10,000 I gave my buddy went towards a nice MiniVan.

I favorite is from Excalabur. I have tried LCs, Rat-L-Traps, and Rapalas versions but the Excalaburs have produced the best for me.

Awesome smallie. What did you catch it on?

That is one amazing setup.....

I was not to far from Pleasantville and I promised the old timer that tried to run me off not to give specifics, in return he let me fish there for the day. As far as a pic goes, I need to buy a pocket digital camera, especially since photography is my other hobby. I just don't mix my two hobbies together. As far as the size goes, 10lbs 2oz is what the cheap scale I have said but I thought it was heavier. I am going to guess the on the length. I had a 24in cooler with me which has a 24in ruler on top and this monster was about 5in longer than the cooler. I was tempted to take it home but it wouldn't fit in the cooler (width and length). I also got hit with some common sense and decided the best place for this fish was in a lake and not on my wall. It is a memory that will stick with me forever. It's just one of things that makes you love fishing.

I don't know about the Exceler but the local tackle shop owner said that the Megaforce is his number one returned reel of all time. When I asked what was wrong with all the reels he had gotten back, he said that there was not one in particular thing just mechanical issues. I have also seen this reel go regularly for around $40 on ebay.

I am not sure if it is a gimmick but anything with words like "space age polymers, titainium reinforced, or nanotechnology" has always screemed as seen on tv junk. I started to think about nanotechnology and remebered that it is an actual science and not some infomercial tag line. Several products use nanotechnology like tennis balls and racquets, fishing rods http://www.rodsbyairrus.com/rods_n_sync.html, sunscreen, glass, and scratch resistant coatings. I really wonder if the carrot stick uses nanotechnology? If anything, the use of Carrots has gimmick all over it and it is not like for anyone in the fishing product industry to use a gimmick to sell something.

I tried the regular P-Line Fluoro on both spinning and casting equipment and it was OK. It didn't last as long as I would hope and the knot strength was again just OK. I would stick with the Trilene. I have used 8lb on my spinning gear and 12, 15, and 17lb on baitcasters. The 8lb on spinning gear is good but not great but it does cast better than the other fluorcarbons I have tried. On my baitcasters this line is outstanding. The only down side is that the 15 and 17lb line is almost impossible to break if you get snagged.

You got that right.... I always went by "90% of the fish are in 10% of the lake."

The original Rapala and a set of Daredevil Spoons were the first thing I put in my tackle box when I was a kid. I fished the Rapala for so long that the paint came off and I ended up painting it with silver and black model paint.

I dont mess with with NO- Xplode anymore i used to take it then it started giving me major headaches thanks though Don't take any of that stuff. Cutting weight and building muscle are two seperate things. This is a common error that people always seem to put the two together. I blame the supplement industry for that misconception. First off how much weight do you want to cut? If it is just a few pounds of fat (5-10), you can do this just working out and doing high reps with about 10 min of cool down cardio. If it is more than 10lbs I would go with a medium amount of lifting and about 30-45 mins of light cardio (bike or low impact glider machine). But remember, it is just as important to do the right things outside the gym as it is in it. A couple more tips.... A small amount of ibuprofin each day as needed will reduce swelling on the joints and help muscle sorness. (This sounds bad but it works)> Hamburger with a high fat count will lube joints and prevent bone tissue and ligament problems. I use to eat 1/2lb on Sunday. Also, olive oil my be a better alternative Don't eat fast food, ever. Not even Subway. Eat natural foods that don't come in a box with preservatives. Don't drink soda not even diet. Coffee, tea, milk, water, and juice. Fruit and natural juices should be your only sorce of sugar. Buy a 5lb bag of fish and a 5lb bag chicken at Sam's club. Bake and dont fry. Drink water all day long and lots of fiber. I doctor told me that key to losing weight was clean colon. Remember muscle weighs more than fat. If you are losing size around the middle and your weight is the same, you are going the right direction.

I was in to powerlifting for years and after trying several "suggested diets", I found the following to work the best. The biggest key is not digest a ton of protein before you workout. 1. Breakfast: 3-6 eggs scrambled with a cup of oatmeal, small juice or milk. 2. Snack: Fruit and a protein substance (either a can of tuna or a protien bar) 3. Lunch: Turkey or Chicken cold cuts with green and orange vegitables (carrots and asparigus were my favorite) 4. Preworkout snack: Bannana, vitamin pack, and water 5. After workout: Protein Drink (EAS) with frozen fruit and maybe some plain yogurt. > This is the time you want your protein to aid in muscle recovery. 6. Dinner: Chicken, Steak, or Fish with vegis tea to drink 7. Before bed snack: Something simple but good for you. Kashi bar is my favorite. A few other tips: Never workout to your max on anything. If you can do ten reps, do nine. Go big or go home.... What you bench is not a sign of how strong you are. Every eight weeks take a week off from lifting and do light cardio instead. When you're done with your week off, change your routine. Do something to shock your body in gaining strength. Only work one body part once a week and take Sunday off. What you do in the gym is only 1/4 of what makes your body strong. Diet, sleep, and what you do to your body outside the gym are equally important. Once every 4 months focus on increasing one body part by changing your workout everytime you come to work that particular body part (this is the best tip I can give anybody). Don't get stuck in the rut of the same exersices each time you come in. Always stretch for at least 15min before you workout and warmup the particular body part you are doing with atleast 2 sets of light weight. Deadlifts are your friend. Learn what your "strength cord" is and what it does to improve your balance and overall strength. Make the most of your workout based on how you feel. If you're tired, sick or just plain sore, don't expect to do your best and most important, don't push yourself to do what you think is your best/average. I could go on and on this subject but I am out of time on this. Just in case, my PB was achieved doing the diet above and the key is protien after the workout not before. Also I competed natuarly for about 6 years and at my best in the gym I could bench 400, deadlift 550-650, and squat about 600. This was at a weight of 198. There is also a book I read back in the early 90's that was the Bible of powerlifting at the time. If I can remember what it is, I will post it.

Sorry, I don't have a pic but I hooked this monster yesterday when I was fishing some strip pits in the Indiana Greene Sulivan State Forest. I got off the beaten path (I was lost) and found my self in place I was not supposed to be. By the looks of the place I would say not anyone had fished it. On my second cast I through out a Zoom Lizard and as soon as it hit the water, BAM.., I had her hooked. I was using a Shimano Stradic with a St. Croix Avid M XFast and some 10lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid, both did their job perfectly. I took about 10 min to get this fish in. I was the best fight ever. I just hope that I can find this pit again.

A few days ago I had a nasty conversation with a guy fishing a local pond I go to about once a week. I had seen him almost everytime I have been there but paid him no attention. I finally asked how he was doing and he said it was slow today and that he was only taking home about 15 fish today. My blood starting boiling at this point. I asked him nicely what he had caught and he then showed me his basket which had some fish the size of bait upto some nice keepers. The problem is, he then tells me he does this about 4 times a week at this pond. He keeps everything he catches. Many of the local fisherman that fish this pond have complained about low numbers this year and I tried to explain to this guy that this pond is not stocked and if he keeps this up, the amount of fish he catches will go down. He then starts to get upset and tells me he will fish this pond until there is nothing left and he will move onto another and do the same thing. He said that these fish are part of his food and his income. I then pointed out that he had about $20 of live bait and that he could have a nice meal for that price. We were both mad now. I finally offered him $10 for the fish he had caught, he accepted, and I then proceeded to dump the fish out of his basket back into the pond with him watching. Did I go to far? I was feeling guilty at first for disrupting his fishing but after I had noticed all the trash and just plain junk he had dumped, I was glad I had confronted this guy. Was there a better way to handle this? Just wanted to rant and here what you guys had to say.

I was just checking out ebay and saw a bunch of these reels. It would appear that they are going for around $40. With what I have heard and seen of this reel, the price is still to high....