Bill P

Over the years,I've realized the amount of use dictates dependability. Lesser expensive equiptment doesn't usually hold-up to extensive use....I don't believe it's supposed to. I like shimano reels because you can get them in a wide price range. I have an Ardent baitcaster,and I like it. I've recently bought a Johnny Morris MX10SHA baitcaster,and I like it also. I use Sahara spinning reels,not very expensive,but decent. I should upgrade my spinning reels. As far as rods go,I try to buy made in USA,because there are a number of them. I use mostly Falcon, and a few assorted StCroix,AllStar and older USA Quantum Tour Edition. I'm always trying different rod/reel/line/lure combos,and when I find one that feels really good,I stick with it. Current preferences...... 6-6 MH Falcon lowrider spinning with Sahara 2000/2500 reels. 7'6 lowrider med baitcaster w/Shimano Chronarch. 7'0 med lowrider baitcaster w/Shimano Curado. Falcon 'Eakins jig special' with Ardent reel. 7'6 StCroix ML spinning. I switch rods and reels,as I have alot more rods than reels. It's a blessing AND a curse!

I have,over the years,committed many boat-related embarassments. They are few and far between now,but I won't jinx myself by claiming 'never again'.I've always thought about making,and marketing, a video tape called'Boat Dock Blunders'. Memorial day and Fourth of July are all you'ld need for plenty of tape. I figured most boaters have been on the embarassed side,and would have no problem dumpin a few bucks to watch someone else put on a show! The wife will be in Chicago Memorial Day weekend,so I just might take the lawnchair and a cooler to a busy ramp. I would think the 'departers' would offer the best shows. BTW,don't ya just love being behind the guy that spends 30min IN the ramp,boat on the trailer, getting his boat ready to come or go? I hate when that happens.

I try to avoid being on the water with those I call 'idiots'. I have,in the past,followed a few and 'introduced' myself. We know they have no brains,and I haven't met one with any balls,either. Is there a stupidity test you need to take before getting on a jet ski,or behind the wheel of a ski-boat?

Don, you have shown how guiding is a business,and that means work......lots of it.

I don't feel so bad about MY poor yesterday. I wonder if dropshot nightcrawlers would have helped. Saw plenty of fish suspended in 40+ ft.

If anyone can give me a brief description.....I may have seen a few while floating the James last Friday. We were flipped,and knocked out of canoe by a foolish decision. Yeah,I got the underwater beating I deserved. THAT won't happen again. BTW, I NEVER let go of my paddle or spinning rod! Canoe was emptied,but all was recovered except my wife'e paddle......

I believe if someone intentionally buzzes me,and flips me off,I'd have to follow and 'meet' him. At the least,find out where he's docked......

Didn't really start buggin me till about 10:30. Thought I was back on up on Sturgeon Bay.......we'll..... not that rough. Guess that's because I was next to open water around the mouth of Aunt's Creek. Busy place there. Guess you need to be away from any access areas to get some morning peace.

Went out from 8-11 am. Lower James, Aunts Creek. Caught 9 or 10...3 keepers. Lost BIG smallie at boat. Dragging browm/purple spider jig caught a couple,started swimming it off bottom and caught bigger fish. Most just felt like the jig hung-up. Few hard bites. All were smallies except for a couple LM. No spots. Jet skiers and pleasure boaters ran me off.

Smooth water bothered me too. It was good for breakin in the Skeeter. PM me when you plan to go out again.

Two spots on mag wart today. My big jig bass......... was a CARP! Took my D*&M jig too! Maybe next time..........

Zoom lil critter craws look almost identical. ....and cost alot less.

Fished the lower James yesterday. Zero on stick bait,zero on jig and finesse plastics. Caught 5 on #37 warts. 3 SM on mag wart. 2 shorts-3 legals. All close to bank,less than 5-6 ft deep,near deeper sides of points.

Used to stay at Holiday Hideaway,on Aunt's Creek. holidayhideaway.com Not bad,and the rates were good. They had a fishing package that fit my 5-day trips.

@47 degrees today....point 10,Jackson hollow area. Left at noon.

37-brown craw 38-green craw

My wife actually believes that if I do poorly...everyone else is probably doin the same! Ha!

Never after one,probably after two,but I'll definetly switch. I have no problem watchin my wife best me,and she usually does it draggin a finesse plastic when I'm not! She too,likes to go fishin without having to 'fish'! It's cheaper to let her drag a bait,she's happy doin it,and she catches her share. Sometimes her 'share' is more than mine! Picked up new boat yesterday,and she just wondered where she could lay down and 'soak up the sun'......

Would water run-in areas need to be close to deep water,points w/ cover,or other structure preferable at this time of year? Timbered ,transition areas,etc?

Where are they located?

Looking for TR(and other area lakes) map chips for Lowrance 480M. Any suggestions? What-where-etc. How bout creating your own cards from CD-ROM? Worth it?

Thanks,guys I'm gonna break out the airbrush,and do em. Color preferences welcome.

Anybody fish em like stickbaits,or other specific ways? Plan on maybe airbrushing a few. Any suggestions for colors,or where/how to fish them. These are the no longer made warts.

Gone.....Boat was traded in today 2-13....for an Skeeter ZX190.

Probably around $7000