Long Mike

A couple of years ago i bought a 2004 Tracker TV-18 with a 150 Merc for $8500. Tracker doesn't make that boat any more, but it was the type of boat I was looking for. It's an eighteen footer with a modified deep-V hull. I fish larger lakes so I needed something that would handle big water if need be. The thought of buying a glass boat never crossed my mind. I've spent probably another five grand on that boat, as I have added the latest Lowrance HDS electronics, a Minn-Kota Terrova trolling motor with iPilot, and a few other bells and whistles. I'm sixty-five. It's the last boat I will ever buy. I love it!

I'm going to take off my Moderator's hat and become a regular member who has been active on this forum for seven years. In all that time, I have been issued one warning and have had a couple of my more caustic posts deleted. This one may be deleted, because you whiners really get under my skin. Glenn REALLY IS trying to make these forums more friendly, but all that some of you can think about is the warning points. For crying out loud! All you have to do is conduct yourself in a responsible, adult manner, and with respect for others with differing views. The warning points then become a non-issue. Geez, get a grip! OK, my Moderator's hat is now back firmly on my head.

preach4bass, Here is the info I sent to Claton. Clayton, I grew up in the "oil patch." Depending upon your education and/or military training, there are many jobs to be had in many locations in the U.S. Do not focus your attention solely upon being a roughneck on a drilling rig. Look at the oil field service companies as well. These companies provide specialized services to the Oil Companies. If you Google "list of oil field service companies" you will find that there are literally hundreds of them. I spent the great majority of my career working for service companies. The pay is as good as, or better, than working as a roughneck. As a general, very simplified explanation, here's how things work. First there are the Oil Companies, (e.g. Exxon/Mobil, Phillips/Conoco.) They can be big companies with tens of thousands of people to very small ones with just a handful of people. The Oil Companies then hire Drilling Contractors to drill their wells for them. The Drilling Contractors hire the rig crews, including the roughnecks. Third, there are the Service Companies. The Service Companies can be hired by either the Oil Company or the Drilling Contractor, but 90% of the time it's the Oil Company. The great majority of people working in the oil patch work for Service Companies.

That was awesome! Thank you!

Raider, until I went into business for myself (non oil patch) about fifteen years ago I spent my entire career in the "oil patch." I worked my way through college by roughnecking during the summers. After graduation I went to work for an oil field service company as a Field Engineer. Twenty-four hour call, Man, you had to be young and stupid to handle the demands of the job. Thirty-six hours without sleep was common. My record was four days without my head hitting a pillow, I've got twenty-five years plus of experience, and have lived and worked all over the world. Gawd, how I miss it! Once oil gets in your blood, you can't get it out.

Bassn, I busted you earlier this week for trying to post that gross video, but I didn't give you a "warning." Would you have preferred that I did, based on the old "three strikes" system?

Clayton, stay away from Odessa. It's a ****hole.

Raider, the answer to your question is yes. I just sent Clayton a long explanation as to how the oil industry generally works. Your best bet would be to try to hire on with an oil field Service company. If you Google "list oil field service companies," you will find that there are literally hundreds of them.

Houston, TX; Lafayette, LA. to name a couple. PM to be sent shortly.

First, welcome to the forums. There are a lot of nice people here. To begin with, I would recommend that you click on the Fishing Articles tab at the top of the page. There is a world of information there.

You're right. It's not working. I'll report it to the proper authority, i.e. Glenn.

Lake Fork. I caught my PB there (the one in my avatar) and it's only four and a half hours away.

That's a great idea Eric. I hate having to scroll through hundreds of smilies to find the one I want.

Gosh and Gee Whiz! Egads and Gadzooks! What an amazing surprise! I can't believe anyone would actually get caught cheeting or even cheating in a Bass Tournament! :rolleyes:

Do buses have batteries? BS aside, I learned a hard and expensive lesson at G'ville. Never again will I allow that to happen.

I'm going to pretend I didn't read that ... and I apologize in advance for getting a treble-hook embedded in the back of your neck the next time we are at Trophy Country.

Awesome!

And people wonder why Tracker sells more boats than any other manufacturer. They build Toyotas.

Yes. I would speculate that almost all experienced fishermen have been given lures by their friends and, conversely, have given lures to their friends. Some lures are used by the recipient with success; some are not.

X2

I'm not sure what you are talking about, but I'm moveing this thread to Tournament Talk

I would like to share an experience with you, about drinking and driving. As you well know, some of us have been known to have had brushes with the authorities on our way home from various social sessions over the years. A couple of nights ago, I was out for a few drinks with some friends at a local upscale Hotel and had a few too many beers and some rather nice red wine. Knowing full well I may have been slightly over the limit, I did something I've never done before: I took a bus home. Sure enough, I passed a police road block but as it was a bus, they waved it past. I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise; as I have never driven a bus before and am not sure where I got it.

I wish I could help, but I'm left-handed. I cast left-handed and retrieve left-handed. My reel handles, whether baitcaster or spincaster are always on the right. I kinda feel sorry for the right-handers who make their casts and then have to switch hands for the retrieve.

00Mod, close, but no cigar. Actually, I have my own vineyard near Medelline, Colombia. As you intimated I have my grapes reduced to a white powder to reduce shipping costs. The powder is then placed into the Franzia boxes and is then smug imported to Tulsa via Mexico.

I had a great time on the trip. I was able to meet and fish with old friends and do the same with new ones. Those are the reasons I come back every year. My only complaint is that I established my PW (Personal Worst.) Five consecutive days with not so much as a bite.