Jimzee

You should see what I have to go through to get my boat in the garage. I first pull down the hill into my driveway and then back straight up and then turn the boat down the hill. Then I pull the truck back up the hill to straighten the boat out. I then back into my main driveway, which is an S-turn around spruce trees, rail fence, and flower beds. The grand finally is a 90 deg. turn into the garage over the hill from my house. I unhook the boat, drop the wheel jack, and the push it manually the last six feet into the garage. Don't feel so bad. This took lots of practice and I still mess it up sometimes. ;D BTW, I have found for my situation it is easier backing the boat when the truck is out of 4WD. This may help if your situation allows.

WOW!!! I was actually thinking of getting a large tank and catching a small bass and a few bluegills and keeping them over the winter. I have learned a few things I didn't know from some of the responses on this thread. I was a biology major in college and we kept one in a 55 gal. aquarium in the biology lab and fed it twice a day, The tank did get real dirty and had to be cleaned once a week. I think I have changed my mind on keeping a bass in captivity now. Thanks!!!

Happy soon to be Birthday!! Take some time to practice when you get it. Who knows, you may be a natural? Start out with small controlled casts in your yard with your spool set to high. You'll get it in less than a few days I bet. Don't get frustrated with it. If it starts to bug you put it down for a hour or so and come back to it. Good luck and good choice on the new combo!!

They weight less ( 1.2-1.4 oz ) and come with cold forged handle, the Type F comes with 2 extra bearings u der the knobs. Sorry Raul, you beat me to it.

Bighead, The only real difference between the Sol and the stock Alphas is the weight. The Alphas is 1 oz. lighter than the Sol and also has corrosion resistant ball bearings which allows it to be used in saltwater. The Alphas-F is 1.2 oz. lighter than the Sol and also offers more bearing support on the knobs but can only be used in freshwater. IMHO, the stock Alphas (purple-blue) has a more durable finish and is a heck of alot sexier than the Alphas-F. Besides, you can always upgrade to a 4 bearing knob in the future. That's part of the fun of it. The one in the picture on the first page is the Alphas-ito which is super-tuned by Ito Engineering, the founder of Megabass. This reel is in another class beyond the Sol IMHO. It weighs 5.9 oz. and will spool the reel on a cast with a 3/8 oz. bait. These things are wicked. They are half aluminum, half lexan, and all muscle. I now have two of these and they are still my favorite reel to use while pitching and flipping. They are absolutely effortless. I HIGHLY recommend them.

RW, The bait monkey is still strong in the Shimano line-up for spinning reels. Just now starting to experiment what Daiwa has to offer in their high end spinning line. Looking real hard at this right now: TD Aoi 2506R I love this reel!!! 8-)

mike bat, nice fish and pics. Good lookin' combo too.

Same here. Mostly fish on one or three depending what I am throwing and move with five to next good spot.

I read this same thing somewhere about leaving it on was harmful to the machine, but like Cart said, I have left mine on before and no damage. I also read that some of the more powerful units can cause severe pain to your hand by putting it under the transducer while under water. I don't know about that one either?

I remember those days........Isn't technology a great thing? Or, is it the devil (baitmonkey) in disguise? ;D

Here's what I think. I think you have a liking to fishing tackle like many of us on here and if your job allows you to purchase $6,500.00 in tackle then go for it. You only live once so live it to enjoy it. Don't sweat the small stuff. Besides, I would hate to think how much I have spent this past year on fishing rods and reels alone. But you know what, I like to do it. That's all that matters....

Those are probably some of the biggest spots I have ever seen. Beautiful colors on those fish. Good job man, and on a swimbait!! WOW!!! 8-)

That is absolutley awesome CJ!!!! Great win and way to represent yourself. Some pretty dang nice prizes for first and second place. 8-)

I literally laughed out loud!!! Thanks man, I needed that.

I think that's a nice smallie in anyone's book. Beautiful fish man. Congrats!!!

Came home a little early today and found two small packages with funny writing on them and then I knew it, the Japanese monkey had stopped. All is well now with the monkey.....until next time. :-/ The JDM monkey sees a new spinning reel in the future. :-[

I'll say in WV a lunker for LMB would be 8 - 9 lbs. SMB would be 6 - 7 lbs. Spot would be 2 - 3 lbs. 10 lb. LMB bass are not that rare here in the mountain state but I have yet to catch one. :-[

x2 ;D ;D

Just came across this topic and I am very interested. I fish jigs all the time and have always wanted to build a jig my way. Thanks!!! 8-)

I have lost so many big fish this year it is becoming second nature to me. I got frustrated in the beginning of the year but when it happens now I just think what I can do next time to prevent it. Sometimes it can't be prevented.

Looks like somebody has a new avatar pic to put up. Congrats on the PB!! 8-)

Try these out, I think you'll like them. http://www.imakatsu.co.jp/products/pro_a003e.html

If they cost that much then $7.00 is a steal. BPS gets a little wacked out sometimes. I think the person that updates their web pages has a few flashbacks from the 60's now and then. ;D

Take them apart guys and dry them like Dan said. They will work. I went upside down under water on a 4 wheeler (ATV) and had my phone in my pocket. I cleaned all the mud and water out, now it's good as new.

That's what it's all about right there. Good stuff!!