Tackleholic

Enough cholesterol there to plug a fire hose; just sayin'. Enjoy!

We've had an unusual run of warm weather in north central Arkansas; air temps up to 80 degrees have warmed the lake back up to high fifties. Fish are gorging off shore on shad balls, causing shallow water bites to be few and far between.

I didn't get bent up, didn't even mention a brand name; just voicing my opinion from personal experience. There was a time when my tackle was some of this and some of that, but not anymore; most of the better known rod, reel, and line manufacturers can cover all the bases for a bass fishing enthusiast. Personally, I've been loyal to Daiwa, Loomis, and Seaguar for quite a while, no reason to change.

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Just my opinion here : an angler is more efficient on the water when using one brand of rod, reel, and line than he would be with 2 or 3 from different brands. That same angler would have a more efficient assortment of rods, reels, and line if he purchased them all within the same parameters, instead of making guesswork purchases from assorted brands he is less familiar with.

I was a regular with them; now deleted from my go to sources.

Could have been a publicity stunt, staged by the Chamber of Commerce. Probably attracted a lot of tourists/bassheads.

No screw locks for me either; big PIA.

100% A-Jay! Adding to your advice : There is no excuse for not exercising or controlling one's diet; today's gyms have something for anyone who can walk thru the door, regardless of their impairments. I see people enter the gym with canes, crutches, oxygen tanks, and whatever those bags are called for containing body waste. Where there is no gym, it doesn't cost much to gather some weights and other equipment at home; if one can move their limbs, those limbs can be exercised. In closing, a home gym like A-Jay's does require a substantial investment.

I lived the bodybuilding lifestyle for 35 years; both training and a super clean diet. At age 77 I decided it was time to accept and act my age; with that, I didn't set foot in a gym for the next two years and let my diet slip. Huge mistake, I developed an old man's body and headed back to the gym but found it impossible to become even a faint replica of what I left behind; forget muscle memory. Bone grinds on bone, strength disappeared as well as endurance, and loose skin hangs where muscle once was. I've been training again now for four years, but results are disappointing although I am much more mobile and visibly in better shape than others my age who I know. My father, who refused to exercise or eat anything that wasn't greasy, once said to me that all I was doing wouldn't make me live one day longer. I replied "maybe so, but I would like to remain mobile and self dependent". He called me a dumb ass for doubting him. Incidentally, for those of you who commented on stretching before the workout should understand how often injuries are caused by stretching a cold muscle; always warm up first.

To do that, I would spend more time with my computer than my Vexus.

Duckett Pro Series.

I did so well with smallmouth on swim jigs that I just placed an order with Siebert for 45 more; IMO they are the best, and I especially like the wire tied skirts.

Looks like a discontinued 6th Sense.

Fun to catch, major pain to remove trebles from.

Year 'round, nearly every day, if I don't go fishing I hit the gym at 5:00 in the morning; followed by an hour and a half dedicated to exercise and reviewed training for my Border Collie.

I'm 83 and know what day of the week it is when the neighbors put out their garbage. I keep about 20 combos in the boat and constantly switch with about 20 more from home, but I know them all like a momma hen knows her chicks.

Whoever you select as a supplier or installer should be able to determine the size unit needed. Run additional supply lines to the fireplace, kitchen stove, and barbeque grill; it is best to complete installation during construction, not after.

Anybody like those Jawdroppers? I didn't.

Over 1,000 miles of shoreline at normal pool, water levels may fall 15 feet below or rise 35 feet above; ain't no way to learn it well. Keeps the boredom at large.

My opinion is opposite of yours, but every shoe does not fit everyone. I have given away, sold, or laid to rest all my Shimano reels except for two Calcuttas and one Sustain, which see very limited use; Curado was the most disliked. I'm a Daiwa fan all the way and keep adding more; any problems I've traced back to operator error. I do believe that anglers are more efficient by sticking with one brand rather than spending time and $ experimenting with others, regardless of the brand.

The two smaller sizes were top producers for me when I wade fished for Smallmouth; one color shined above the rest, don't remember the name. Probably have at least a dozen asst. in the garage; not used since I relocated.

No one has mentioned the loss of depth perception. As a teen ager I worked in a trucking garage for a large paperboard manufacturer; serviced, fueled, made minor repairs, and backed full size semi trailers two deep into narrow stalls, broke off a few rear view mirrors during the learning process, but got to be really good at it. The years have robbed me of depth perception, no cure or aids for it. Today I have a dual cab truck, 21ft plus boat, and it takes me forever to back down an empty ramp or into my own garage; there must be others like me.

I had a Generac whole house unit added to my former home in Northern Illinois; hooked up to natural gas and it kept me from flooding several times. Now in Arkansas, I had a Generac installed and purchased a 500 gal. propane tank to fuel it. Recommend the brand, but you should have the same person or company install it as who will provide annual checkups and repairs. If that someone is not Generac certified, he will probably not have access to parts or warranty service. A backup generator is like insurance : costly, but worthwhile when needed. Buy a unit larger than actually needed, both of mine were 22,000 watt; he will need more than 22,000 watt unit if he includes the garage.

There are 2 Tatula XT BFS rods; Small Plug Rod and Vertical Master. They are entirely different, I have both, matched with different Daiwa BFS reels; love them both. The Small Plug Rod is for just what the name implies, and the Vertical Master is intended for video games/minnow shaking. I will probably add a second Small Plug Rod this year, it's a hoot with Smallmouth and Brown Trout.