Mobasser

I don't know what would be considered a signature without knowing cursive. Otherwise, there's nothing individual about it.

If you look back at the history of this sport, there's been some really successful fisherman who used methods that are considered wrong or unconventional. If something works for you, so be it.Develop your own style.

I think fishing before any front comes in ( warm or cold) can be good.

A-Jay, my teacher was Mrs Ramsey. Very strict on cursive writing. Many of the girls in the class had good penmanship. I struggled with multiplication tables also. My dad bought simple flash cards, and within two or three weeks I learned them all by memory, with dad working with me every night. I ended up becoming a carpenter, and used multiplication every day. I completely agree. Good teachers rule.

My grandson was working on his cursive writing last night, as part of his homework. I was happy to see it. Growing up in the 1960s, it was mandatory to learn cursive writing. I remember teachers being strict about this also. I think there are 21 states that have mandatory cursive writing in school now. If you take a whole classroom of kids, and teach them cursive writing, this is one thing that makes each kid different from the next. It's they're own style , and, no two are exactly the same. My mom had really good penmanship, and got compliments on this many times. My own is fair, and passable. Were you taught penmanship in school? Do you use it very often now? It's a skill, and like any skill takes some practice to learn.

If your catching fish consistently, then it's working for you, and it's not wrong. Fishing is an individual sport. Do it the way that works best for you.

I think this info is reliable. As for tournament success I'm not sure.

No secrets for me. I fish alone most of the time, so a "secret" bait doesn't exist. I've also shared what's working for me with other guys many times. And, they have done likewise.

I have a 6'6 Premiere I use for crappie and stocked trout. Mine is a light action, and I use a size 1000 Shimano reel also. The 1000 size Sahara should work well.

Jonas, I would try to pick a warmer day for this trip. Since your hiking in, I'd pack one rod/reel, and your other things in your pack. Travel light, and you'll enjoy this more. You might take along some crankbaits, lipless, and soft plastic baits also. Fan cast the area with different baits at different depths. Also, dress appropriately for this trip. You don't want to hike that far in, then, be too cold to have any fun. Good luck.

Shimano puts out a good tutorial on reel basic reel maintenance. How to oil, and what parts to oil or grease.

J Francho, lots of guys would do good to talk with a therapist. I've known some who should have, but never did also. Lots of people carry around stuff for years. It can be good for anyone and couples to talk out these things and look at them in a different way. I've got a nephew who's a therapist. He's helped out lots of folks by being a soundboard, and giving suggestions.

Hoping Brady is going to be ok.

Agree. This is why they call them Americas Best Generation. Hard working, non quitter folks, and tough as nails. There's a lot to admire about them.

I'd take some jig/ craw baits. Fish them slowly.

My dad was a Sargeant in the Army Air Corps when they attacked Pearl. They were called out to the flight line to stand in the cold several times. Dad told me there was a lot of confusion, and, they expected other attacks. He ended up serving in the Solomon Islands area, and made it back home after his tour. We were lucky he made it back home.

I had this same problem many years ago. I trained myself to slow down by fishing a plastic worm. The slower I could move it, the better my catch rate. My older brother put a piece of masking tape on my rod when I was about 13. He wrote, " SD"on the tape, which was a reminder to slow down. He was always telling me," if you want to learn to catch bass, you've got to slow down".

One of my heroes. Glad to see he's back.

Hope you can relax Mike. He sounds like a hot head, and got carried away. Maybe after a period of time, you can go to his house and talk with him, and get things resolved. You may never really like him, or be friends with him, but you can get along.

A twitch pause with a Smithwick Rogue can work great at times.

I have a lot of gratitude for being a member of BR. I've received lots of good advice and tips. There's some really good sticks hanging around here.

Hoping all of you get feeling better soon Catt.

I'm buying my wife a new Expresso coffee machine. She's mentioned it a couple of times. When were out somewhere that has them, I say, " why don't you buy one, go ahead, let's get one". She always says " no, I don't really need one". So, I'm buying her one for Christmas. Even after forty one years of marriage, women are still sometimes hard to figure out.

Some more info: the original Osprey was invented in 1906. Louis Eppinger made this spoon while on a camping/ fishing trip to the Canadian wilderness. His original weighed 2 ounces. He sold the Osprey spoon at his taxidermy shop in Detroit Michigan. He kept working on his design, and had it perfected by 1912. The original Osprey had one color pattern- black and white. The Daredevle is maybe the most copied lure in history. They've lost track of how many cheap duplicates were made and sold everywhere. The devil's head insignia was made by Louis Eppinger to show that his spoon was the best of it's kind, and to stop copywriter infringement. Eppingers still make a good quality product. Most guys list this as a pike lure, and they've earned that reputation. But, they still catch bass too. My own favourite is the 1/4 oz Spinnie, in solid chrome. As WRB mentioned, the IMP is good for bass also.

I like the holidays. When my kids were all home, we put up a tree and decorations the day after Thanksgiving. We haven't done all that for a while. I like lights and traditional outside decorations. One thing I don't care for are the big inflatable Santa's and other things people put in the front yard. I see too many that have deflated, and lay in the snow all winter. They get picked up when it's time to cut the grass in spring