Buffdaddy54

For the past 18 years I have suffered with a condition called Menieres Disease. It affects the inner ear which in turn affects the hearing and balance center and unfortunately there is no known cure. At its worst it can send me into violent vertigo attacks with nausea, vomiting, and debilitating migraines. These symptoms can last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes, which then leads to hours of recovery. In the 18 years of dealing with this there has only been a few years in the beginning where the symptoms have been as bad as they have been this year. One of the by products of this disease is a reduction in hearing. If you are lucky Meniers will only affect one ear, in my case it is bilateral. As I am getting older the hearing loss is becoming much more profound. I have a pair of top of the line hearing aides but when the flair ups are bad they are virtually worthless. Along with the loss of hearing comes a removal of oneself from places and people for fear of not being able to hear. Today is a great example, my hearing is so bad that I cannot hear unless you are right next to me. So instead of going through the futility and embarrassment I remove myself from those environments. Not fun! Tired of missing out. Normally I am a pretty laid back person and I trust in the sovereignty of our creator but lately it's been getting to me. I am a Para Educator for Special needs middle schoolers, from Autism, Down Syndrome, to kids with severe learning difficulties. So of these guys can barely talk and when they do it is very soft. So you can imagine my struggles. I have missed 10 days this school year due to this disease. Thankfully summer break is almost here so the hearing issue will not be as bad. Sorry for the diatribe but when you are isolated you look for an outlet of any kind. Would like to hear some of the struggles you are dealing with. ??

I have a 5 year old laptop that was pretty advanced for its day but it no longer has an operating system. I would like to use it as a spare but DONOT want to put any money into it. I HATE windows 10 and really do not want to go that route. I've seen Windows 7 and 8 on eBay for a decent price. Is there anything other than Windows I should look at?

Would someone please explain to me what you would consider a "beginning Baitcaster" If money were no object is there such a thing as a "beginners Baitcaster"? What I mean is I hear a lot of talk on these forums where people say " oh for the money it's a decent Baitcaster for beginners but............" What does that mean? Are Baitcasters for beginners easier to learn on, don't cast as far, not as many backlashes? Help me understand please. I would think the more expensive the Baitcaster the easier it would be to use because of all the advanced techno. Confused?

S.Sass correct, he was not comparing the two, he was suggesting I try them because he and others have had success with them at the lake I mentioned.

So here is my new setup. Can't wait to get out and try it.

I thought he was full of it also but what do I know, I'm still pretty new at this.

By the way, his recommendation was to go a PQ paired with a Berkley Fire Rod

I have a Pflueger Trion spinning reel that's 6 years old and love it. Can't comment on Baitcasters though.

I was at my local BPS today appeasing the Bait Monkey and asked one of the guys for advice on Baitcasters under 80 bucks. He proceeds to tell me that anything under 100 is junk. I ask why and he said the bearings on models under 100 bucks are fewer and for the most park junk. So I asked him what he would recommend and he points me to the BPS Pro Qualifier. He then tells me that as a bank fisherman I would be wasting my time buying a baitcaster because there would be a limited number of applications where it would be useful. Now I used to have a Pro Qualifier and sold it because I just could not use it without a bunch of backlashes. I was considering getting another baitcaster but questioning whether it would be worth my time and effort right now. Would it be wiser for me to learn all I can with a spinning Rod and reel until I have more experience and catch fish more abundantly or not? Looking forward to your responses.

ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME!! THIS KID IS AWESOME? Couple years back went Oean City with my girls to check out the Dew Tour. It never ceases to amaze me what these kids can do with a skate board.

Hey guys, went to my local BPS with the intent of buying GYCG Fat Ika's which they did not have. So in talking to one of the sales guys he recommended I try a Chatter Bait. He said that where I fish they do very well. I did not get a chance to ask him how to fish them because he was busy. Soooo how do you fish them?

I love being outdoors, not a hunter nor a true angler yet, but I love being outdoors. In fishing I love the aspect of "it's just you" If you catch a fish "it's you" if you miss a fish "it's you" there is no one else taking the credit nor is there anyone else to take the blame. Same way with golf. There is this feeling you get being alone outdoors with just you and your creator. Very humbling know that while you are out there the world does not stop. When im walking my dog in the woods there is such a peaceful feeling that engulfs me that it is hard to put into words. Same feeling I get when I fish. I used to think that it sucked not having a boat but now I have come to enjoy the world around me, trees and their different make ups, flowers, snakes, bugs, Sky,so many things I used to take for granted. Now I relish every opportunity and I agree with others here, for me it's not about catching fish, if that happens great. It's more about being out and enjoying what are creator has gifted us with. The earth and the heavens truly do declare the glory of our creator. now I'm off toBP to appease the bait monkey??

Red Bear, dude that sucks, sorry to hear.

Just got my Rod and reel today? I cannot believe how light this set up is! Can't wait to get out and try them. Getting on MD DNR site right now to buy my license and trout stamp. I was hoping to get out Saturday but it's supposed to rain, we shall see.

For the first time in 22 years I now have not one but 2 car payments? In the last 2 months both of our late model car gave up the ghost. One due to a timing chain brake which in turn bent valves and the other needed more repairs then the car was worth. Hard to go back to payments when I didn't have any for so long. Sorry bait monkey, looks like you will have to bother someone else. Just kidding bait monkey, see you soon and often??

Hey guys, can you giving me some advice on buying a baitcaster under75.00 i do not have any additional funds to move up in price. I watched a video on YouTube where they guy was using an Abu Garcia Black Max . Good choice or can I do better? Keep in mind I am just getting back into this and have NO experience with a baitcaster. I need to be buying another reel like I need a hole in the head.? DARN YOU BAIT MONKEY!!!!!!

Question, What are your opinions on using a red hook as opposed to a plain hook, do they attract more fish? I can't see how they would make a difference especially in deeper depths. Interested in your opinions. Thanks

Went with a Okuma Citrix and Okuma Inspira reel because I got a ridiculous deal on them.

Very excited, just ordered a Okuma Citrix Spinning Rod and an Okuma Inspira reel in blue. CANT WAIT TO GET OUT AND TRY THEM!

Just subscribed to the digital version. Thanks.

I am really beginning to dislike that darn bait monkey. I've just recently come back to fishing after a 3+ year absence and all ready the BM has gotten me into trouble! I have a perfectly good spinning outfit, and the fact that I really have no idea what I'm doing I should be satisfied just to be getting into the swing of things again. But noooooooo, BM says I need to upgrade my stuff, I need to spend over 200 dollars on new equipment and lures. ( Oh, by the way, I don't even have a fishing license yet) If that hairy beast tells my wife what I did I am going to tie him to the end of my line and go Shark Fishing. Oh wait, if I do that I'm going to need a stronger Rod and reel. DAM_ YOU BAIT MONKEY!!!

Good evening all, Is there a fishing magazine that is of the quality of Field And Stream? I really enjoy all of FS fishing articles but I am not a hunter so subscribing to me would be a waste. I'm looking for a magazine that will cover more than just bass fishing. Is there such a magazine? tThanks

Early 1960's 64 maybe 65 my dad takes me to work with him one day. He worked for a glass company back then and his job was to go out and give estimates on jobs. So this day we are heading out on a job and we are driving through SE DC. he cuts a guy off by accident and the guy gets ticked. Guy catches up to us and cuts us off which almost causes an accident. Now my dads ticked, he guns it and catches up to the guy, reaches across me, rolls down the window and lets loose every cuss word know to man. I guess the guys takes offense so he pulls out a gun and points it at my dad and says something to the affect that if my dad doesn't shut the f__k up he will regret it. Now my dad was the kind of guy who did not scare easily,so,he proceeds to reach across me open the glove box and pull out his own gun. So here we are rolling through South East DC with my dad and this other guy pointing guns at each other. Needless to say as an elementary aged kid in between two guys with guns I soiled my pants just alittle. After it's over my dad pulls off to the side of the road and says"if you ever tell your mother about this I will kick your as_ do you understand?" After that day I had a renewed sense of fear for my dad. It took 20 years before I ever told my mother. She said "I knew about from over hearing your father talking to his friends one day, that's why you never went to work with your father again."

I thought I was settled on the Pflueger but now I'm not so sure. I saw a review for the okumo Ceymar and it got great reviews and at 50 bucks I'm really starting to consider. I would love to go up in price from 80 dollars but cannot justify, not only the cost , but being a part time fisher I can't see me being able to tell the difference. any suggestions I'm starting to over think this whole thing. Making this more difficult than it needs to be. I have a Pflueger Trion that has been just fine. HELP! I THINK IVE BEEN BITTEN BY THE BAIT MONKEY?

So,In my search for a new spinning Rod I have settled on 3 possibles. Fenwick HMG, Fenwick HMX, Abu Garcia Vendetta. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Also, any opinions on 2 piece as opposed to 1 piece. Do you lose any sensitivity by going 2 piece? (Like I would know) Will be bank fishing small ponds and lakes. All rods medium to medium heavy, fast action 6'6 Thanks Forgot to mention I will be pairing it with a Pflueger Supreme or President LE. thanks again