jdw174

I get BMaster, FLW, and purchase BASSIN' when I can find it. Just picked up the In-fisherman BASS Annual this AM at WallyWorld. This one finally has some articles in it worth reading. The last two were a waste of money IMO.

I only have one of the Skeet rods...the Spinnerbait/Worm model. I wouldn't use it for worming, but I do use it for spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, occasional shallow cranks, and it makes a decent rod for Zara Spooks. No issues at all after two seasons.

The Bass Pros will repeat the one that was pre-empted this coming Sunday at 11AM. Bass Pros is my favorite right now. I also loved Classic Patterns, but sadly there won't be any new shows produced this year . I also like Lost Lake, but they're also all re-runs and emails from me trying to find out about new shows have not been answered. The J.P. DeRose show isn't bad either. Fishing University is a total 30-minute infomercial and a joke. I refuse to watch Roland Martin catch ANYTHING, likewise Shaw Grigsby. I admit to being a big KVD fan, but like some of you, I think his segments on TBP's are very predictible. In fact, any video with him in it is that way. Evers is a very close runner to KVD, and I always watch his segments. He's had some of the best.

If you forego the V8 option, might I suggest a Tacoma V6 with tow package? I tow a TR20 with mine and have never had a problem on the steepest ramps. Mileage while towing is also in the 15mpg range. Mine is an '05, bought when new, and I've never had the first problem with it.

With what you described, I'd have to go with a tin boat. If your van is a FWD, take into consideration that the tongue weight will push down on the rear, thereby lifting the front slightly and taking away from traction at your drive wheels. Tow vehicles rated for higher capacity will have larger brakes, heavier frames, and most of the tow packages include HD alternators, along with tranny coolers. There's a reason for that. I tried towing my rig with a new GMC Terrain, 265HP V6, and a tow package. It was only rated for 3500lb, and my boat/trailer/engine together almost hit that mark, not counting all the gear, batteries, etc. The hitch only had a 1.5" receiver. It pulled the boat (this was a demo tryout), but I didn't feel safe doing it.

The Bang-O-Lure with the tail spinner is still a deadly lure here on Kentucky Lake. I have several and still use them around flooded bushes and laydowns.

Wonder how long it will be before someone comes out with a "T-rig"? http://www.youtube.com/embed/xSWi4Gt-6Fo?rel=0

They hit the bottom of the bucket, bounced back and stayed there...right where I wanted them in the cold water. None of them "sank".

Was going thru my hardbaits this afternoon. In my jerkbait box were 8 "suspending" lures and I got to wondering...do they really do what they're supposed to? So I hauled out a bucket and filled it with cool water, then proceeded to drop them in, nose first, to check just what happened. Out of the eight, only ONE went to the bottom and hung there with a slightly nose-down attitude (A Strike King Wild Shiner). Out of 3 Bomber Suspending Long-A's, only one suspended briefly before rising slowly to the top. The other two came back up almost immediately. I had two Super Rogues that came up like nuclear subs on emergency blow....likewise two Rapala X-Raps. Luckily, I had some Suspend-Dots and Suspend-Strips in the boat so I went to work and now they all do what they were intended to. Haven't had a chance to try them yet, but hopefully the action hasn't been altered too much, if at all. If you've never tried this with your suspending lures you might want to take a looksee for yourself. You may be surprised.

I inquired Commonwealth Productions about when the new season of "Classic Patterns" will be starting this year and received the following message: "Unfortunately there are no new episodes this season. Hope to start it back soon" - Becky Auten. RATS!!!! This was one of my favorites.

BINGO!!!! Have you seen his commercial where he takes the box of Stren and throws it away over his shoulder? First time I've ever seen anybody do that to an ex-sponsor.

I crank left handed spinning, right handed casting and have no trouble in doing so. No problems with hooksets or anything else. Bought a left-handed baitcaster once and got rid of it after a trip or two. It just wasn't for me at all.

Around my neck of the woods, ATT is basically worthless. That's why I have Verizon. However, since I work for the state of Tennessee, I get a 19% discount on my bill and it's still over $77/mo for two phones, no texting or anything else but making calls. I will be retiring next spring, and am seriously considering switching over to WalMart's Straight Talk. Lots of people around here have it and I haven't heard a complaint yet. You can get a phone that works either on the Verizon network or AT&T's. There's two plans to pick from. One is $30/mo (per phone) that gives you 1000 minutes of talk, 1000 texts, and 30MB of downloads. The other is $45/mo (per phone) and gives you unlimited everything. You can renew each month online, or just walk into WallyWorld, purchase a new card and enter the number over your phone and you're good for another month. You do, however, have to purchase the phones in most cases and I don't believe that insurance is available for them. You can also switch over your current phone number if you want.

Mine came yesterday, and after flipping through it.....I put it in the magazine rack where it will most likely stay until next year. I didn't see a single thing in there that interested me other than the new E21 Wild Black rods, and since I replaced most of my rods last year...well...don't need any more. I already have more lures than I will ever use, although I'll no doubt pick up some odds 'n ends locally that will be the extent of my purchases this year.

I ran nothing but Lowrance for years. Last year I made the switch to a H-bird 898 at the console. IMO the 'Bird is much simpler to run. I kept the Lowrance 334ci and mounted it to the bow. The operation menus are just easier on the 898. Don't think I'll be switching back anytime soon. If the bow unit goes (and it's on it's way I fear), I'll replace it with a 'Bird.

I use a Skeet Reese spinnerbait/worm rod, and an old green Curado spooled with 14lb SST copoly. Works great.

I switched to the YUM Dingers ($3 a pack at Wallyworld)and haven't regretted it a bit.

I have the Costa 580's but had to go with their plastic rather than glass due to the fact that I had readers in the lens (they don't make readers in glass...go figure). I wanted a tint that would work well on both clear and overcast days and the factory recommended the green mirror. I'm totally satisfied. Worth every penny.

I don't have the DS rod, but I happen to own (and really like) the spinnerbait/worm rod. While I wouldn't use it for worming, it is very good with spinnerbaits. I also use it for cranking and IMO it makes a very good rod for Spooks as well. To each his own.

JMO, but I find it way too expensive. Besides, it's illegal here in TN.

The one thing I left behind when I went this morning was my camera, so no pics . I pulled the boat and wiped it down and was going to try and talk to some of them but when I turned around they had all disappeared...presumably to do some fishing. I didn't get a complete count of all the rigs in the parking lot...it was full!! Still nice to see all of them there.

Question answered. It was Strike King Media Days. KVD has a new topwater walking bait, Hackney has new heavy cover swim jig/flipping hook/spinnerbait.

Never thought of it that way, but by golly you're probably right

Came in off Kentucky Lake this morning about 11:30 at Paris Landing. Saw a black/red Nitro Z9 in the middle of the marina and thought, "looks just like Van Dam's". It WAS Van Dam, setting in the middle of the marina doing something on camera. A boat was going by me and looked over....it was Greg Hackney. A whole slew of pros was standing on the dock. Gary Klein, Shaw Grigsby, Mark Davis were the ones that I recognized standing there. In the parking lot were wrapped trucks from another site, Extreme Angler TV, Ardent reels, ***, Kim Stricker drove by in the "Hook 'n Look" rig, and there was a BassCat Pro there with a red/white/blue Eyra (should have known who it was, but couldn't place him). Anyone have any idea what the heck was going on?

Near as I can see, the numbers refer to the retrieve ratio. the "64" refers to a 6.4:1, and the "71" would be a hi-speed.