Mobasser

Get well soon. Wishing the best for you.

jimmyjoe, your probably thinking of the older Mitchell 300/308 or ABU Cardinal 3/4 spinning reels. There were others beside these also. These had one screw to take the sideplate off, and access the gears. Great reels, but I havnt seen this style of reel for a long time. Most newer ones I've seen use 2 to 4 screws to open them up. You can still find these in E bay, and parts are available also. I still use an ABU Cardinal 4.

Catt, I agree. The technique specific rod thing has gotten kind of dumb. Like you and others have said, the label on the rod may not always be the best for your own fishing style.

Hopkins jigging spoon, plastic grub, tail spinner

My wife and I went to visit our youngest daughter last Saturday, in Kansas City. On the way home I noticed a new Preppers Store had opened. Out of curiosity, we stopped in to look around. The owner is selling all sorts of survival gear, knives of all sizes and shapes, freeze dried foods, " bug out bags", and everything else you could imagine for folks to survive. But, the question is survive what? A zombie attack? A food shortage? An electrical power outage? All of the items in the store are not cheap either. He told us when the SHTF, grab your bug out bag and get out. But, go where? It's always been a good idea to be prepared if you can. Before winter I always keep jumper cables, a tow strap, and extra gloves, warm.hat in my truck. A pocket knife is always with me too. We have what we need at home also. Tools, a small generator, food etc. Personally, I think this man is preying on people's fears. As long as you can convince people that something bad is going to happen, there will be a market for all this stuff, even if people have no clue what will happen. I'm not buying into all this. I'm as preppared now, as I've always been.Bring it on. Instead of buying a new "bug out bag", I'd rather buy some new plastic worms, or a new casting reel. That way, I can enjoy what I like the most. Fishing! Any thoughts or opinions on all this prepping? If your a prepper, what are you prepping for?

Good story BassnBrad. I always try to help other folks when I can. I've had times in my life when I needed some help too. And like my dad taught us, what goes around comes around.Treat folks with respect, and help them out if you can. Sometimes, a small thing can make a HUGE difference in another person's life

Agree. I picked up a Fenwick HMG 5'9 rod at Rodgers for 50 bucks also. I got the last one they had. I do think Academy has more sales more often though. Almost every time I'm in there they have something on sale.

When I bought my first good casting reel many years ago, I bought it from a small tackle shop. I paid half down, and paid the reel off the following week. When I made the first payment, the shop owner told me to be sure and bring my rod when I picked up my new reel. He liked to do this on all the new reels he sold if possible. By doing this, you could see how the reel would work with your rod. Weight, balance, and overall feel, could make for better more accurate cast. Since many of us shop on the internet nowdays, this isn't always possible. This winter I plan on upgrading a couple of rods. I buy most of my stuff at Academy, and I plan on taking my reel along and mounting on the rod before I buy one. I rarely if ever see anyone else do this but that's ok. It can make a difference in how the rod will perform for you. If it doesn't feel right, you can choose a different model, that will work better with your line choice, casting style etc. Do you try and do this with rods if you can? I still think it's the best way to buy a new rod.I would really like to take it out to the parking lot and make a few cast, but, that's probably asking too much. I'll probably be the only guy carrying my reel into Academy, but I don't care. I want the rod that works best, with the reel I plan on using. Anyone else like to do this too?

A special thank you to.all our veterans who have served our country. Not just today, but everyday.??

Has anyone ever noticed that a beat up, chewed up, soft plastic bait will catch more fish than a new one? I stumbled onto this many years ago, fishing 4" plastic grubs over a deep ledge. I caught 4 bass on the grub, and received a pull. When I tried to set the hook there was no fish. Reeling back in, it looked like a panfish had grabbed the tail and torn part of it off. I only had 2 grubs with me so I continued to cast the torn grub, and caught a couple more bass. Finally, the grub was shot, and beyond using. Putting on a new grub of the same type, I didn't catch a fish for the next 30minutes. I've seen this happen many times with plastic worms, craw type baits, lizards and even brush hog type creature baits. It's happened enough times that I don't think it's coincidence only. There's some reason for this. Although I'm not much of a Ned rig fisherman, I've read reports that the Z man plastics work better after they've become more beat up. Guys seem to have better luck with them, after some fish have been caught, and the baits are torn, and in rough shape. For years now, I'm not in any big hurry to change a soft plastic bait if its caught fish, even if it becomes rough looking. I'll move the hook slightly to get a good Texas rig, or re rig ball head jigs etc, to.keep using the same plastic bait. Has anyone else experienced this? Do you have an explanation? Some days the old worn, torn worms outfish the new ones. It seems like they outproduce new plastic baits for me

Lonesome Dove is a great movie. Based somewhat on fact too, and the real Texas Rangers

Catt, that's one of my favorites. I've read about Doc Holliday. He was dying, and knew it, so he didn't care who he shot it out with. When other guys might back off, he would rise to the challenge. They say he was really a deadly shot with a pistol. And because he didn't care, a little cocky too What about Shane? One of my favorite gunfighter scenes. He calls out Jack Palance, who plays the Wyoming gunfighter Wilson. A pretty menacing dude. " I've heard your a low down yankee liar". Wilson says " prove it". Shane let's him have it! Of course he has to spin his gun 3 times before it goes back in his holster. I've watched so many times I've got it memorized by now

Growing up in the 60s, I watched western citcoms, and movies quite a bit. I still like them. My own favorites are some of the classics. Shane, with Alan Ladd. High Noon- Gary Cooper. Any James Stewart western too. My all time fave John Wayne movie is the Searchers, and he made many more. I really wish they would bring back western movies. Many had great acting, good scenery, and could be watched by everyone. I'll always love em. What are some of your favorite westerns, actors, gunfight scenes, etc? They just don't make movies like this anymore

I just picked up several(12) bags of these grubs in assorted colors, for a very good price. Is anyone still using them anymore. I use to catch a fair number of bass just rigging with a ball head jig, slow swimming, or snapping them up, and getting most hits on the fall. Don't hear about them too much anymore

Bass fishing is always changing, and has been for a long time. I remember when graphite rods first came out. Some people thought they should not be allowed. Too light, fast, sensitive? There's always guys who catch fish, and those that dont. A hi tech graph might help some folks, but it won't make any difference to others Catt, this is funny! That old lady has probably been fishing this way for Lord knows how long, and catching fish too. Some guys over think it.

I fish a smaller lake that has bluegill as the main forage fish. The best bait is always a Zoom 4" finesse worm in any purple, grape shade. I never know if it's the size or color of this worm , but it's nourished everything else I've tried

Nice buck. Congrats. Catt, it's good you found this one. 2yrs ago my nephew shot one just before dark. We looked for him with flashlights but couldn't find him. We picked up the search the next morning at daybreak, and found the deer half ripped apart by coyotes. Glad you guys found him

Agree. Sometimes you'll feel a light tap, drop the rod, and wait for them to swim off. Sometimes they won't let go of a plastic bait, and just sit there. Others begin to swim away more quickly.

In his book, Slider Fishin, Charlie Brewer talks at length about leading a bass from shallow, wood cover. When you feel a bass pick up your bait, apply light steady pressure, and often the bass will swim into more open water, where they can be played, and landed more easily. Guido Hibdon, another well known angler, talked about this too. When casting to shallow, wood cover with light T rigs, tubes, light jigs, and plastics, it's completely possible to draw a bass into open water- before setting the hook. Once the fish is in open water, set the hook, and play the fish as you normally would. Both these men liken this to a bass competitive nature. They will swim away to eat, keeping another fish from getting their food. As far as I remember, I've never done this, at least not intentionally. My problem would be, once I sensed a strike, I'm setting the hook. Have you seen this happen? Have you ever led a bass this way?Both these men were very good fisherman, so I have no reason not to believe this. Have you ever led a bass? Thoughts or opinions on this?

I've heard this from several fisherman over the years. " Man I wish I still had that rod". Or, " I should have never sold that one". Sometimes we develop a favorite. One rod that you always have on your fishing trips, that feels right, and seems perfect for your style of fishing. Mine is a 6ft spinning rod made by Lews. It's a simple, graphite spinning rod I bought probably 25yrs ago. It features a Tennessee handle, a solid tube of graphite, and you attatch your reel with electrical tape. At one point about 1" inch of the tip broke off, and I glued on a replacement tip. This one is perfect for a 1/8 oz Texas rig, and a Zoom finesse worm, which has caught a lot of bass for me over the years. It has a very fast action, and a good amount of power in the butt section. It probably would be hard to find a replacement for this one, especially with this handle style. Do you have an older rod that's a favorite? Any style, cast , spin, flip, etc. Over a lifetime of fishing, these are the ones that you remember. Do you have an old favorite?

If your new to baitcasting reels, I would pick up a spool of Trilene Big Game. You can start with 15lb test. This is a good line to learn on

I use ball head jigs quite a bit for grubs, and sometimes small worms in more open water. The best ones I've found are made by Owner. The hooks are great qaulity, and sized for bass fishing.

Catt, I received this electric knife a few years ago for x-mas. Mines cleaned a lot of crappies, and works perfect on pork loins, and other stuff too. Good knife

I've had Shimano, Diawa, and Phlueger spinning reels. They've all been good, but I don't think any are as tough and sturdy as my old ABU Zebco Cardinal. I picked mine up several.years ago for a few dollars at an estate sale. The bail was bent, so I cut it off and use it as a bailess spinning reel. Otherwise it's in great shape, and probably one of the best reels ever made. I doubt if I'll ever wear this one out

I say Texas rig worm.