Mobasser

My family had the same toaster from the time I was in the fourth grade, untill I graduated high school.It worked fine, so my folks saw no need to buy a new one. I recently bought a Honda self propelled push mower from a young guy for 20 dollars. He sold it to me because he said it wouldn't start, and, he had already bought a new one. It's not even 2 yrs old. I drained the old gas, cleaned the spark plug with a small wire brush, and gave the carb a shot of starting fluid. 2 pulls later, it fired up and runs perfectly. This mower, at Home Depot, probably sells for 400 bucks. My daughter and son in law need a mower for this year, so I'm giving it to them. I saw my grandad nurse along old farm machinery years ago, to keep it going. For him, it could mean the difference between profit and loss on his small farm. He bought new things when he needed them, but got the most for his hard earned money with the things he had. It seems like a trend these days, for people to throw away things, when they are still usable. I've seen other examples too. If you can always afford the newest or the best, of course it's your choice to buy what you want. Many times, things get thrown out which are perfectly good, or just need a small repair, to.keep them going. Anyone else notice this trend too?

I love to drink coffee, especially when I'm fishing. It keeps me alert, and makes me cast better too.

As I said before, my son in law was laid off his job at the Airport in KC MO, due to working in close quarters with other guys. He makes pretty good money there. He took a job at a big Price Chopper grocery store for quite a bit less. Wiping off shelves and things, before they re stock. I'm glad I don't have a lazy son in law. He's got a kid to support, so when he got laid off at the airport, he applied at Price Chopper and started 2 days later. He's not too proud to do this work, and he's still making some steady money, untill his airport job calls him back. Sometimes, you have to bite the bullet, and do what you have to do. In our area, many stores are hiring for jobs like this now. They need workers. Mike, I got a notice from my finance company to defer my truck payments for 90 or 120 days if I need to. I don't want to do this, if I can help it. I think the mortgage company will help you if need be. They have to do it. Too.many folks having a hard time now.

Yes. That's the only complaint I've heard about them. Most guys seem to like the switch. Otherwise, I've heard only good things about these reels

Yes. It's good too. I've been there once.

Kansas City No is known for Bar B Que. One of the most famous places is Aurther Bryants. It's in a rough part of town, but lots of folks still go there. For lunch, the line goes out the door. A brisket sandwich is about 2" thick. I've never been able to eat a whole sandwich. They use a 2" paintbrush to put sauce on the sandwich, and each one has a thumbprint where the guy cuts it half. It's kind of a trademark of this place. Some of the Bar B Quehere looks as good or better You'd have to be starving to eat whole sandwich at Bryants. If I ate one, they're probably gonna have to dial 9-1-1, and have me carried out of there

Impossible for me to say. I lost track of actual numbers probably 20 some years ago

3 yrs ago I bought my son in law a Phlueger President spinning reel for Christmas. He's had great luck with the reel, and it's caught quite a few bass for him. Before Christmas this year, I purchased a new Pflueger President reel also. I kept it for 1 week. The reel felt grindy. They must have changed this model, as it looks different from the older ones, and doesn't feel as smooth. I asked my wife to return it for me, at our local Academy. She instead exchanged the reel, for a Shimano 2500fi spin reel. Even though I've been a back reeler for almost 40 yrs, I'm sure I can get used to not having an anti reverse switch. The Sahara feels super smooth, and lightweight at 8.8 oz. From what I understand the newer Shimanos have an excellent drag. I've spooled it with 8lb Trilene XL mono line, and giving it a test run Friday afternoon on a smaller clear quarry lake that I fish with my grandson. So far, it seems like a great reel. Is anyone else using the newer Sahara? I'm excited about giving this one a test drive

Catt, I was hoping more guys would jump in with they're experience on the pre spawn fishing. I'm going fishing Friday afternoon. I'm going to fish shallow and deeper, to see what might work. It's been the same for me at this time of year. I always look forward to getting out there and trying for some pre spawn bass, but as I've said, I've gotten skunked more at this time than any other. We've had cold fronts and lots of rain, so the lakes I fish are full to the brim. One of these days I'll figure this pre spawn fishing out- gotta keep after it

I've paired down my stuff too. When we fish from our canoe, I use two rods and a small plano tacklebox. I got tired of hauling around so much stuff, and I still catch fish. T rig usually gets it done

I wouldn't use the saw with a damaged blade. I've worked with table saws for 30 yrs. Two tools I've seen guys get hurt with. Table saws and routers. Play it safe

Hang in there man! As you say, we'll get through this

You guys make some good looking stuff there. Im.no expert at smoking meat, but we do have a small water charcoal.smoker that I use, usually to smoke ham.from my son in laws farm. I've realized the secret is not to let it get dried out. Some of your all's stuff looks so good, you could open a Bar-B Que place! But then, it would become long hours of work, and maybe not so much fun anymore.

I've done a lot of this stuff over the years for myself, and other people. Hot water tanks, disposals, faucets, sinks, carpentry of all kinds. You can save a lot of money, especially on plumbing repairs. At 62 now, I usually stiff leg it to the coffee maker each morning at 5:30, log on to Bass Resource, and read some threads before I get ready to go. I've got a few aches and pains from doing these things for so long. They go away after an hour or so, so I'm still able to work and go fishing. That's about all I do anymore

For the last 2yrs I've worked for my daughter's business. She buys old homes and we remodel, repair, rehab them. We're almost done with a small house now. I've been working about 6hrs per day- or less. So, I hired in with a management company doing maintenance work at a small 37 unit apt complex. It's 24hrs per week. Because of the virus, I can't go in any occupied apts to repair things. Today is my second day here, and the place looks like a ghost town. I'm working between 2 vacant apts, getting them ready for rental. I've got a truck payment, and partial medicine pay for my wife. I gotta do something here! The apt work is not glamorous work by any means, but I feel.lucky I've got this now. To those that are out of work, hang in there. It's tough right now. My son in law recently got laid off on his job because of the virus. He took a temp job at a large grocery store- wiping everything down with disinfectant, and doing some stock work. Hard times are here for sure.Im hoping and planning next year to retire at 63.

I just got word that Missouri has waived fishing permits from March 27 to April 15th. Trying to help folks who are short on money during the crisis. Of course, I already bought mine in late Feb.

I've fished for bass almost 40yrs now, and I'm still learning. If you want to take your fishing to the next level, apply yourself and keep learning.

Maybe more important than anything else now. Stay in touch with family members, close friends etc. Help other folks if possible

My wife has a compromised immune system. Since I work alone, I'm still working 3 days per week. My wife's mom is 91. We usually stop by several times per week to bring food, check.on her etc. Now, my wife has to stay home. I might have to do the same also. Uncertain times for all of us. Keep your chin up, and do the best you can. That's all we can do now A Jay I've got my 12 gauge pump gun and plenty of shells also. God hope we don't need them.

Even though the spawn is part of the natural.process for bass, it still seems like the big females, sitting on a nest are not comfortable even being there. They're vulnerable at this time and as others have said, don't stay there long. It instinct for them. Once they're done, they go back to deep water/ and or thick cover where they feel safer, and start to feed again. It's why so many guys try to catch them, but strike out.

Ya, if they shut down my main lakes, I've got access to a nice 4acre farm pond I can still fish. One way or another, I'm still going fishing

My last reel would be a Shimano Calcutta.

The biggest leap for me was the first fish I caught on a T rig plastic worm. Over 35yrs ago. It changed how I fished and where I fished from then on

Over the years, I've become convinced that the bigger females don't feed during the actual spawn. I don't bed fish intentionally, but I have made a few cast at the very few that I've seen. Most times, I havnt gotten a clear look at the bedding bass, sometimes a shape or shadow . Once years ago, a bed fish did pick up a plastic worm I cast close to her. She blew it out in a heartbeat. She didn't want to eat it- only move it away quickly. I know some guys can catch them, but I havnt had any luck at it. It confirms how fast a bass can pick something up and reject it, before a fisherman even knows what's going on.

Yep. Spring cold fronts can be a killer.