Mobasser

I agree that BR is the best for reviews. A kind of review on any gear can be found by just typing in the search bar. You can find good info on almost any rod, reel, bait, etc, and read the thoughts of folks who have used these things.

If I'm interested in trying a new product, I'll often read some reviews on it. But, we can't always believe all the reviews. Some items that are widely accepted, don't always need a review, because so many people use them and have liked them for years. It always seems like the most controversial reviews are rods, reels, and lines. We've got to ask ourselves a few questions here. 1. How long was this product actually tested? 2. How often was this product used over a certain period of time? 3. How well was this product maintained by the reviewer? If he could honestly answer these questions, his review is probably pretty good. I've grown suspicious of reviews that rave about how great a certain reel is. The same goes for someone who claims it's horrible junk, while others give good reviews. The horrible junk is many times user error. Before I buy a new rod or reel, I like to see a seven out of ten score for positive reviews. This usually means the product is pretty good, regardless of price. In some ways were all fortunate, to have these reviews available. It's a good way to at least compare products, and see what others have to say. But, it pays to be a little suspicious of them also. Do you read reviews on fishing gear before you make a purchase?

I met Harold Ensley a few times at the KC Sportshow. I think he marketed the Reaper through Mar Lynn bait company in Blue Springs Mo. I also know Raytown Mo very well. My uncle Don Brink owned Raytown Recreation, the pool hall. His son Doug runs it now. I worked in Raytown for a realty company that owned apt houses there.

I get it Cart. I've used up all my likes here!

I think a lot of this started to change in the 1960s. More women started working outside the home. My mom was a stay home mom until around 1967, and she got a part time job. Mike, same for me. My wife's family was Sicilian also. I never once saw Mr. Angotti doing any house work. He took care of the yard, the car, the basement etc. The kitchen was the domain of my mother in law.

I do. We had four children. Laundry was constant thing. I now wish I had one dollar for every jug of laundry soap,and every gallon of milk I bought. I'd be driving a new boat

My wife loves the riding mower. I handle the weedeater

Yea, I worked with a Hispanic guy who's wife could cut accurate all day with a heavy skilsaw. I dont know about they're housework. I'm thinking she made him do it all.

I worked around carpenters all my adult life. Some were a bunch of roughneck guys. They expected dinner on the table when they walked in, and never helped out around the house. I always kind of felt bad for they're wives. But, if they were happy I guess it worked for them.

Agree A-Jay. It works both ways. I've known many guys over the years who don't see it this way.

You'll need to pick up an apron, toilet brush, scrub pads, and some cleaning spray. The local dollar store will have everything you need. Cheap too...

Years ago when I was much younger, I started helping my wife with chores around the house. I still do this now. I realized that between the kids, laundry, dishes, and general housework, she was wearing herself out. She never complained, but she was always grateful for the help. The old saying" a women's work is never done" is 100 percent true. And, here's a tip for you young newlywed guys: If you want your wife to be happy, help her out with these chores. After all, you live there too. You create your share of laundry, dirty dishes, etc. This is especially true if your wife works outside the home, and, you have young children. Trust me on this. Your wife will appreciate this help. Do you agree? Do you help your wife with household chores?

One thing I'll always remember about Bull Shoals. My brother and I made a trip down there in the late 1980s. Our intentions were to fish for LM bass. The LM fishing was slow, but the white bass were running. We switched up to light spinning rods and white plastic grubs. That day I caught 50 white bass, and I think my brother caught more. The white bass saved the trip for us. It was some of the fastest fishing I've ever had.

In many ways I can see a longer rods having benefits. Casting distance, slack line etc. The thing for me is that most 7ftrs I've handled have felt unwieldy and tip heavy. As WRB has said, long sticks can be a pain for bank fishing in some locales. My all around fave is a 5'9 Fenwick. It's considered way short by today's standards. But, it comes down to your own preference and style. I recently ordered a Charlie Brewer 50th anniversary rod. It's only 4'9 and made of fiberglass. I fished a friend's last season and liked it. It's a cool stick also.

I like soup, especially in the winter. Favourites are vegetable beef, chicken and clam chowder

Sounds like a good idea. I'm sure you remember our old favourite Guido Bug was originally made with a live craw and plaster paris mold. Guido's son Dion made this for a high school science class.

I seem to do best with a shorter spinning rod.6 to 6'6 is my favourite.

I don't have a Static or Vanford, but have a newer Sahara 2500 reel. I believe the stem may be shorter on my reel also. It doesnt bother me, but have heard other guys complain. My Sahara works great so far.

I live in north central Mo and have fished Bull Shoals few times. It can be a tough lake to fish at times. We always did best on lighter line and smaller baits. And best of luck on your tackle shop.

I sometimes wonder how many BR members have done this? When your cleaning and servicing one of your reels, you drop a very small part, then, have to crawl around on the floor trying to find it. I have done this. So far, I've been lucky and have been able to find the part. Has this ever happened to you,?

Yes

I use the Brewer Crappie Slider plastic baits. Chartreuse, Pearl White, and chat/ blue have been good colors

Last spring, I watched a young boy and his dad fishing for crappie. The crappie were ganged up around a big fallen tree, in shallow water. The kid had a cane pole and live minnows. Every time he dropped a minnow near this tree, he would pull out a crappie. His dad helped him re bait, and he'd do it again. The kid was having a blast. I often target crappie at ice out. We use light action spinning rods and jigs. Tube jigs have been a great producer for us. We usually jig vertically right near the canoe. I've realized that I've caught many over the years by dropping the jig down, and holding it motionless. As the water warms, the crappie move more shallow. I like to use a weighted float made by Comal Tackle which has a pear shape, and helps with casting distance. Slowly reel this rig in. It's caught scores of crappie for us over the years. The Charlie Brewer Weedless Crappie Slider is another good one. For these, I like a rod with a little more backbone.You can throw these over all sorts of cover. 4 or 6 lb mono lines are all I've ever used. Color combos with chartreuse have always been good. Crappie can be finicky, and it pays to carry a few different styles of jigs. Tubes, grubs, and small minnow styles can all work good, and I've found that throwing a changeup bait will often catch a few more. I'm my state of Missouri, when the crappies move into shallow water, everybody goes crappie fishing. The shorelines are lined with folks of all ages, with minnow buckets everywhere. It's a good time to be a fisherman. What are your rigs for spring time crappie?

It might be the best thing for him. It seems like there's a lot of young guys that do this anymore. I don't know why?

Agree. I was so mad when he quit this job, I could feel the hair on the back of my neck start to stick out