Feathers and Fins

360 is nothing new (Furuno ) has had it for decades, the new is freshwater fishermen are finding out about it. As far as trolling motor sidescan there has been a few units you could mount on the side of your boat for several years now BP and Cabelas use to have them for sale. If you want to see whats coming watch the Southern California sport fleets and the North East Fleets combined with commercial fleets. It takes about 10 to 15 years to get the cost down on the high end electronics for recreational use. Its like downriggers and outriggers or Kite fishing, they all took the "industry" by storm but if you search the roots they were in salt water fishing for a long time. Some of you will even remember when the Giant swim bait craze hit and how everyone was all googoo over these new baits when in fact they had been in use for years in Southern California big bass circles or the Striper x Big Bass guys. Fishing is really about keeping up with the techniques that are up and coming. Use to be these new "End all be All" lures and gear were a super new fad but now with the net you can surf the forums from around the country and actually see and predict whats coming. Heck the A-rig is nothing more than a Spreader Bar that has been used in commercial fishing and saltwater sport fishing for years, someone just miniaturized it for lake bass.

Bigfoot would do a better job at picking the top 4 teams as the panel will is my fear. Just to much bias for a person to pick them! Computers are hackable and fallible. The only way I know to do it as I outlined. Lets face it Wayne is right to a degree they are their for education, but in truth they are there to when games and bring the schools money is the real truth. The college level is nothing but a Farm League for the NFL we all know it, the colleges know it and so does the NFL. How many of the athletes actually stay and finish off their degree in the college? Anyone have those stats? and how many finish it off after going to the NFL?

With 10 conferences plus the independents getting an accurate ranking is possible however to do that it would take more brains then the NCAA has ever shown. Simple is taking all 128 teams and place them in 8 conferences 16 teams to a conference. Have two conferences play each other (that’s 32 teams for you NFL Junkies} just like the NFL Play them exactly like a NFL year but instead of preseason the games count. Each year rotate what conference plays what conference so its constantly mixing it up. So you have 17 weeks of regular season 4 weeks of playoff and then the Conference championship game, then 1 more week of champion play to finally the National Championship. Total of 23 games or from start to finish 25 weeks. Septembers first weekend to second weekend in February. Sound familiar to anyone?

I must admit I have serious reservations about this new ( Play-off ) system. From the heads and tails I can make of it the teams will be selected by a panel. My fear is it WILL detract from the regular season, a panel to me just doesn't seem like a fair system for determining who goes to the NC. Example; right now we have 8 schools with a undefeated record, it is not impossible to think they could remain undefeated for sake of argument. So if there is 8 teams yet only 4 get in the play-offs how fair is that to the other 4? How will the panel say who is to play? It stinks. especially when there is a much better system to use and the time to do it between the last regular season game and the NC. I have serious reservations about play-offs under this format and bigger concerns about it detracting from the regular season.

Letter sent and as stated above they are suppose to ( stock public water ) this is why they in cooperation with UAPB list where to buy fish Where did I say managing hatcheries ( was not part of their job ) or assisting property owners ( I did say this ) was not the job of AGFC. In fact I pointed out it was part of their job to help property owners. But if you require more reason here is the short version. Wildlife such as and for example only; ( Deer, Turkey, Quail, Dove, Rabbit, Coons Squirrels ) can and often do pass between private and public property using those properties for purposes of breeding, feeding and sleeping. Wildlife does not recognize or even know who's property it is or even that property lines exist. Therefor it would be negligent on the part of any DNR not to aid property owners in better management practices for their properties as proper management practices will benefit the wildlife. In respect to fish hatcheries; Those facilities are needed to help augment natural reproduction in lakes where it is low and to promote outdoor activities and encounters. To aid in that practice AGFC has the Family and Community program as well as the Stocking of fish in public waters. Some of those species are used for bio-mass control as well as table fair and recreational activities. Both of the above listed programs fall within the jurisdiction and mission of the AGFC. Was that needed? As I already said I have sent in a letter ( Typed and signed in hand ) as those tend to get a response that is not form generated. If I get a reply I will post it. Your own Biologist in the original letter states he has to "BUDGET" for species. BV is not public there is no arguing it and you know it. So if he has to budget to purchase fish that I have no problem with. I do have a problem with getting freebies that are the property of the People of the State of Arkansas! You brought it up yourself ( TAX DOLLARS ). So answer my questions; Why should BV be given fish for free? Are there not public lakes in the region those fish could be stocked that ALL members of the public could use them?

You really don't get it do you... Are you not understanding those fish are ( PUBLIC PROPERTY? ) when they are placed in private lakes where only residents or guest can access them they are detracting from the public value of the property. If BV wants them then buy them its not that difficult to understand. Private land owners must purchase fish why should BV be given them? If your answer is they are "Surplus" that hold not water as I highlighted above there are many places that they could be stocked so anyone from the pubic has a chance to utilize them. Those surplus fish could be stocked in lakes /ponds that are part of the Family / Community program for our region is would be Lake Atlanta and Murphy Park. That would be consistent with AGFC Mission Statement. Helping people properly manage their lands is part of the job of AGFC, That benefits the wildlife and the State, Mission Goal of AGFC and for that matter all states DNR Departments. Giving a private entity "surplus" anything does not benefit the public or state. Now selling that "surplus" would as the increased revenue will help generate more fish in the future. Why should BV be given fish for free? Are there not public lakes in the region those fish could be stocked that ALL members of the public could use them?

http://www.uaex.edu/wneal/pond_management/pdf/MP360final.pdf http://www.uaex.edu/wneal/DELETE-Pages/SportfishSuppliers2004B.pdf-DELETE

Wow strike a nerve did I? Ok First and not sure what part you are not getting about the difference between " PRIVATE " and " Public ". BV is Private, I cannot hook up my boat and go launch there without getting in trouble! Beaver IS Public I can buy my boat and go launch there right now... Heck lets do it one better. I can go stand on the shore in Prairie Creek and fish with no problem. I Cannot go stand on Bella Vistas shores without getting in trouble. Period! You want the fish from AGFC then BUY THEM! Hence the difference between private and public. Those fish are paid for by the people of the state and should be accessible to all the people of the state as they are PUBLIC PROPERTY. If you want them either open the lakes to the public or pay for them simple as that. Do you understand what the FEDERAL DUCK STAMP IS? And what it does? I doubt it or you wouldn't have said anything about it. Its not "MY" Striper fishing it is fish for anyone who wishes to fish for them and they are on a ( AGAIN- PUBLIC WATER ) Now if you don't like stripers that is a different story but then again you do not have to fish for them and the BV biologist for whatever good it means to you did say you need the large open water predators to keep gizzard shad in check. So it is obvious something is needed to do so. As to AGFC helping land owners with Habitat ( THATS THEIR JOB ) Duh But AGFC does NOT stock those private lands do they? NO THEY DO NOT! and Habitat improvement benefits wildlife which is the direct Job of AGFC. Private ponds are part of wildlife habitat. But guess what you have to PURCHASE with MONEY the fish to be stocked! CRP I have never supported one bit.

Beaver aint a "PRIVATE" Pond Quill it is open to the public. That means ANYONE who has a license can use it. Same cannot be said for BV now can it.

All fine and dandy for BV, HOWEVER I do have an issue with AGFC giving them the fish for free as those fish are paid for by ALL people who buy a license! If BV wants to get them free then open the lakes up to the general public without all the horse crap you have to do to fish them. If not then AGFC should charge them. Those "members" fish other state lakes as well that are stocked. Pay up or Shut Up BV.

Don't play him if he is playable? Really! You would let a QB sit by and get rust on him only playing in practice which is by no means game speed or hits. That is horrible, have him come on against Ole Miss or A&M being rusty is a good way to loose at best or him hurt at worse! Either he plays ready for game speed and hits or not. But "resting him" for two lesser opponents could get him hurt.

I listed the reasons, Coaching, Recruiting and competition. Yes competition I have seen it to many times in all sports to not believe in it to a degree. How many times have we seen an underdog step it up when playing a much higher touted team? It is a small piece of the pie but still part of it.

HUH ( 14 -11 ) Where you pull those numbers out? Combined two year total both schools is 28 -12

Actually NO Wayne. A&M in their first year was unreal and would have been in any conference yet this year the SEC has adapted to their style of play and is giving them fits. Mizz did as expected in their first year but second year they have stepped it up several notches. There is an old adage about good competition making people better! It is true the SEC is the top conference and either teams work harder or fail miserably no other conference eats itself alive like the SEC can. But look at how it does it, the top teams beat up each other and the bad or rebuilding teams get destroyed but can quickly rebuild. They rebuild because of several factors 1st is the coaching talent which also leads to the recruitment and that stems from the high number of NFL chances for SEC players. It is a big circle with Mufasa holding Simba ( player ) up for the NFL to see. It is not easy for other conferences to recruit out of the south, Southern boys like being close to home and that is just a fact. Yes some go but many more stay home.

Now Now Wayne. the 2012 BCS CG was the BCS way of proving an SEC team could be beat in the NC.

It will look like this when you are done Cove.pdf

Alabama still has two real possible losses, LSU and Auburn. Never count out LSU and the Mad Hatter and Gus is equally as capable and has a point to be made. Oregon has only one real possibility of a loss and that is to Stanford this weekend Florida has 2 possible losses Miami and the Gators. Ohio has the most real possibilities of a no loss season looking over their schedule Stanford has lost 1 already and still could loose to USC, Though USC has been flighty this year they still could be the second loss Baylor has a tough 5 games left against some serious opponents any year. Hate to be them. Miami has the possibility of a 11-1 season but must beat Florida this week to do it. This is the game of the week IMO. Clemson has 1 loss and has to face the Gamecocks If Conner is healthy they will win if not Clemson wins. Missouri should win the next two games but Ole Miss and ATM stand in the way and either can beat them. Now all that Ground Hog forecasting aside I would not be surprised to see OHIO V a Florida team in the BCS NCG. Yup you read that right, because you never know which way the BCS Farts will go... Most likely it will be Bama and the Ducks but the Ohio v Florida would not surprise me. Mizz is going to a bowl no doubts, But which one is in the air. I wouldn't be shocked to see a BCS bowl be in the tea leafs.

It is but require a bit of manipulation to make it fit, You are basically taking a PDF or JPG doc and fitting it to the excel spread sheet.

I had Mizz at 23rd for this week overall and 4th in SEC behind Bama, ATM, SC and LSU. So second in the SEC East. I knew the Defense was better than most people gave them credit for and they would have good rushing. Also their first 6 teams are not the best. I expected the first loss to be to FL and second to be to SC. I had SC as #1 in the SEC East and # 9 overall BCS and was telling people watch SC as THE coach had been building a team very quietly.

Yes I have, come to think of it one was a catfish even lol.

Hey Ducky look at the videos I posted today. MANY SPECIES and MASSIVE NUMBERS!

Unsportsman is when I drive past you and throw one on your deck.

Well SC just showed where MO is weak tonight. Short Screen and a dual threat QB. Ole Miss and ATM will see this and rip Mizz apart and what Bama will do seeing that is illegal in all but the deep south. I see a 9-3 season which could knock them out of the SEC Championship Game, ironically it could be SC that plays Bama because of tonight. On the Flip side Mo exposed SC tonight, Run it at Clowney with a 3 set receiver Florida could be the team to knock them out of the SEC Championship game. And this boys and girls is the SEC.

You will need bigger decoys lol... Specks and snows on the move tonight good.

May you catch 20 catfish and they slime your line