Question:

I dont think PETA realizes that if all of records smallmouth bass their wishes would come true, a few negative things would happen. 1.  ok, if fishing was illegal, people would still fish.  Prisions would be filled with fishing people and cost taxpayers way too much money. 2.  if everybody turned into a vegitarian, there would be millions of honest, hard-working farmers out of buisiness….mcdonalds would be no more, say goodbye to taco bell….our economy would go bye-bye…and the government would run out of money because they gave finantial aid to the farmers and restaraunt owners and the bait shop owners and the tackle companies records smallmouth bass and the boat companies and ohh yeah dont forget the millions of commercial fishermen who would lose their jobs.  If all the sudden it was illegal to fish or eat meat, cows would reproduce at an alarming rate and take over the world…a nuclear holocaust would take place since we arent allowed to buy sushi from the japs, so they would get pissed and bomb our asses, and we wouldnt be able to fight back because the government would be out of cash from all of the unemployed people living on welfare.  And if we arent killed when the japs bomb us, we would all die of protien difficiency.   3. so, in conclusion, PETA is the anti-christ. records smallmouth bass  their one and only mission is the complete distruction of the human race.

Response:

Mark Robinson “Fishing is like sex – doing it is better than watching it!”

Response:

I couldn’t agree more!records smallmouth bass  I think we as bass fishermen (fisherpeople?) are thinking too small. If we could enlist all non-vegitarians to our cause PETA would be laughed out of existence. If they can start by outlawing sport fishing and hunting with help from the uninvolved masses, who knows where they will stop? These are, without doubt, a lot of bleeding heart kooks, but look back in history how the kooks have organized to raise Hell with humanity! PETA has at least one good point. I, too, think it wrong to kill a wild leopard just to make a coat of its hide, but I see nothing at all wrong with making a jacket or shoes from the hide of a steer we killed for a barbeque! Which makes me wonder – records smallmouth bass- – - do the people who “had rather go naked than wear animal skins” wear leather shoes, belts, watch bands, etc.???? Don’t start laughing at the kooks too soon!!! records smallmouth bass I dont think PETA realizes that if all of their wishes would come true, a few negative things would happen. 1.  ok, if fishing was illegal, people would still fish.  Prisions would be filled with fishing people and cost taxpayers way too much money. 2.  if everybody turned into a vegitarian, there would be millions of honest, hard-working farmers out of buisiness….mcdonalds would be no more, say goodbye to taco bell….our economy would go bye-bye…and the government would run out of money because they gave finantial aid to the farmers and restaraunt owners and the bait shop owners and the tackle companies and the boat companies and ohh yeah dont forget the millions of commercial fishermen who would lose their jobs.  If all the sudden it was illegal to records smallmouth bass fish or eat meat, cows would reproduce at an alarming rate and take over the world…a nuclear holocaust would take place since we arent allowed to buy sushi from the japs, so they would get pissed and bomb our asses, and we wouldnt be able to fight back because the government would be out of cash from all of the unemployed people living on welfare.  And if we arent killed when the japs bomb us, we would all die of protien difficiency. 3. so, in conclusion, PETA is the anti-christ.  their one and only mission is the complete distruction of the human race.

Response:

Mike write: PETA has at least one good point. I, too, think it wrong to kill a wild leopard just to make a coat of its hide, but I see nothing at all wrong with making a jacket or shoes from the hide of a steer we killed for a barbeque! Which makes me wonder – - – - do the people who “had rather go naked than wear animal skins” wear leather shoes, belts, watch bands, etc.????

Peta has another good idea they are trying to enlist female super models for their naked demos. Al

Response:

(psssssssst, hey, you!  Wake up.  The proper, less biased, less racist term is Japanese!)

Response:

or slope, little monkey & gook…. oops that was when we were killing each other. I guess some thing’s are harder to forget before we can become politically correct – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (psssssssst, hey, you!  Wake up.  The proper, less biased, less racist term is Japanese!)

Response:

igmtur wrote, in part: I guess some thing’s are harder to forget before we can become politically correct. << I don’t think the issue is to become politically correct, but rather to become free from an old, no longer applicable or useful belief system. — -tran Oakland, CA

Response:

This kind of talk makes as much sense as resurrecting a bad flu virus and then playing with it. Some things should just plain be allowed to die.

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – or slope, little monkey & gook…. oops that was when we were killing each other. I guess some thing’s are harder to forget before we can become politically correct (psssssssst, hey, you!  Wake up.  The proper, less biased, less racist term is Japanese!)

Response:

Tran is correct… there is no room on this newsgroup or anyplace else for that matter for racist comments. We have members of the group from all over the world including Japan and other asian countries. I am a vietnam vet so don’t lay that excuse on me. It’s a matter of basic respect. Time to move on…if we really want to direct hate at someone lets give the politicians from our and other countries who decided to pit men against men so they could become more wealthy and more powerful. Just my two cents…not the place for it that’s all. Josh.

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – igmtur wrote, in part: I guess some thing’s are harder to forget before we can become politically correct. << I don’t think the issue is to become politically correct, but rather to become free from an old, no longer applicable or useful belief system. — -tran Oakland, CA

Response:

Don’t we wish we could do that with a lot of topics here! —  The RodMaker(aka)  The Shadow……hehehe

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – This kind of talk makes as much sense as resurrecting a bad flu virus and then playing with it. Some things should just plain be allowed to die. or slope, little monkey & gook…. oops that was when we were killing each other. I guess some thing’s are harder to forget before we can become politically correct (psssssssst, hey, you!  Wake up.  The proper, less biased, less racist term is Japanese!)

Response:

Which makes me wonder – - – - do the people who “had rather go naked than wear

animal skins” wear leather shoes, belts, watch bands, etc.? They may not wear leather or eat meat, but you can bet they never once think about the fact that the roads they drive on were paved over lots of little animal homes, and the buildings they earn their living in displaced bunches of animals, and the grains they eat at every meal are planted over & harvested over millions of little animal bodies.

Response:

Oh Oh! I’m afraid that you have just given those mental defectives more fuel for their phoney fires.

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Which makes me wonder – - – - do the people who “had rather go naked than wear animal skins” wear leather shoes, belts, watch bands, etc.? They may not wear leather or eat meat, but you can bet they never once think about the fact that the roads they drive on were paved over lots of little animal homes, and the buildings they earn their living in displaced bunches of animals, and the grains they eat at every meal are planted over & harvested over millions of little animal bodies.

Response:

Question:

Ditto! Our local Kmart looks as though it could close the doors at any time. The sales personnel rods for bass fishing (if thats indeed what they call themselves) are the worse I’ve encountered lately. Walmart here in Stockbridge, GA, just to the south of Atlanta has much more to offer even though the store has gone downhill since the passing of Sam Walton. I’ll stick to the Basspro and Cabela’s catalog and visit the Basspro shop in Duluth, GA (about 30 miles) to do my shopping. However, I MUST limit my visits to the latter due to the fact I’m “like a kid in a candy store” and never know when I’ve spent too much until I get home :”) But all seems OK when I dump all the goodies in the middle of the floor to begin showing my wife (who could care less) what great deals I’ve scored.rods for bass fishing  Moe wrote, in part: at our local Kmart they carry a larger varity than Walmart. They meet or beat Walmats prices Moe, I know you’re not a neighbor of mine, because here in the Rochester, NY area, Kmart is next to worthless. They have a poor selection of merchandise and some prices are outrageous. Example: Shad Rap at $6.89 vs. $5.39 other places. The stores look like they cater to the the fella that uses live bait and wants very moderately priced rods and reels.rods for bass fishing  They can’t come close to outfitting the typical spendaholic bass fisherman who wants decent rods/reels and a good assortment of lures. I might add that our Wal-Marts have a better selection, but still not very much, but their prices are good on what they do have. But they’re not the Wal-Mart you’d expect after watching the ads on Bill Dance.

Response:

Very True!!! But if your buying Name Brand Tackle, why not spend $3.00 instead of $6.00 for the same thing..rods for bass fishing. Again, Wal-mart does offer some Pluses if you can deal with the annoying minuses!!! Bart A, UglyBass.com

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Those who shop only price get what they pay for. — Bob Rickard SECRET WEAPON — World’s absolute finest spinnerbaits! All others are now obsolete . .rods for bass fishing . See for yourself at http://inetsa.com/user/secretweapon well walmart comes to an area and uaing below cost prices,  puts out of business everyone else. when thay are the only game left in town thay make up for that small early loss. if we trade there we get what we deserve.

Response:

I would have to agree.. It must be a location thing.. Our Kmart here has crap for Tackle, and our Wal-mart has a way bigger selection and better prices, then there’s always Gander Mountain, which is EVEN BETTER YET….   And if I can’t find it there, I can always drive the 40 minutes to the Cabelas Outlet!!! Location, Location, Location….. Bart A. UglyBass.com

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Another plus for Kmart. Hi Moe,  Sounds like you’ve had much better experiences with Kmart. Guess I’ll give them a try.  So far, my favorite of the local retail giants is Academy, but I have to drive an hour and a half to get to the nearest one. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

Moe, I know you’re not a neighbor of mine, because here in the Rochester, NY area, Kmart is next to worthless.

I know just from experience that some Wal-Marts are better than K-Marts, and some K-Marts are better than Wal-Marts.  It all depends on where you live.  I have checked many different K-Marts and Wal-Marts while on vacation in Florida, and I have found All-Star rods, Pinnacle Reels and Rods (Like Deadbolt Limited’s),  and other quality fishing gear.

Response:

Moe wrote, in part: at our local Kmart they carry a larger varity than Walmart. They meet or beat Walmats prices

Moe, I know you’re not a neighbor of mine, because here in the Rochester, NY area, Kmart is next to worthless. They have a poor selection of merchandise and some prices are outrageous. Example: Shad Rap at $6.89 vs. $5.39 other places. The stores look like they cater to the the fella that uses live bait and wants very moderately priced rods and reels. They can’t come close to outfitting the typical spendaholic bass fisherman who wants decent rods/reels and a good assortment of lures. I might add that our Wal-Marts have a better selection, but still not very much, but their prices are good on what they do have. But they’re not the Wal-Mart you’d expect after watching the ads on Bill Dance.

Response:

Moe, who makes the normal purchasing/stock decisions for each store? Does having a knowledgeable angler on the sales staff make it any more likely that a particular K-Mart will carry a better stock than one with Clarence at the register (who was assigned to Sporting Goods just because he can’t get along with Claire and Bernice in Home Furnishings)? Or are stocking decisions made by some mysterious home office accountant who has no clue what the local fishermen prefer and are coming in looking for? I’ve asked the clerks at WalMart and K-Mart to see if they can stock certain items, and up here they look at me like I have lost my mind. Is that because they’re thick, or they can’t order 3/0 HP hooks, or just don’t want to bother? I, too, have noticed a big difference in stocks at K-Mart in different parts of the country. TNBass

Like all stores, you can have a bad experience anywhere but, at our local Kmart they carry a larger varity than Walmart. They meet or beat Walmats prices and they will special order in merchendise, if than can, to carry for the locals.No, they can’t get everything and I still have to use some other sources, but when you buy worms, spinner baits etc,etc by the gross. I need to save every penny I can. — Why is it called “Common Sense”, when so few have it? Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service (Lake Okeechobee) – http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html

Response:

Those who shop only price get what they pay for. — Bob Rickard SECRET WEAPON — World’s absolute finest spinnerbaits! All others are now obsolete . . . See for yourself at http://inetsa.com/user/secretweapon

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – well walmart comes to an area and uaing below cost prices,  puts out of business everyone else. when thay are the only game left in town thay make up for that small early loss. if we trade there we get what we deserve.

Response:

Rob (not Norm writes): – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Al, Thanks for your information.  It sounds like you approach a shopping trip to WallMart with the same intensity that some of us approach a weed bed full of bass.  However, it’s obvious that the WallMarts where you live and the ones where I do business are somewhat different, e.g.  ”In a smaller store you maybe followed around by clerks thinking you are going scoff something.”  Clerks? Follow you around?  Around here statements like that can bring tears of laughter. I found several of your comments interesting: “-if you talk to clerks try to talk to them at their intelligence scale. That might depend of where you sit on the scale . . . no offense intended.”   I’m not sure exactly what you mean here, but it seems that you’re implying that WallMark clerks have lower IQs.   Actually, many WallMart clerks seem very intelligent.  I think many problems lie in the fact that the stores are very large, understaffed, and the organization itself is far more concerned with making money than it is with giving good service.   “-when dealing with the manager act like a joe blow customer not like an ace basser.”  Al, the fact is that I AM a “joe blow customer” — but the sort of “Joe Blow” who likes to bass fish.  Last title in the world that I would claim is “ace basser.”   Fact is, the few “Ace Basses” that I know, also act like ordinary, every-day, run-of-the-mill “Joe Blow” citizens when they are in public.  By contrast, some of the guys I meet, who strut around puffed up with their own importance, are in fact, legends only in their own minds. By the way, Al — where did you get the idea that my name is “Norm”?

Rob Okay some clarification is in order. The type of store where the people are suspecting you of scoffing is the smaller tackle shop not wallmart. As far as calling you Norm, Rob, I had to use my memory since i could not go back in my writing the reply. Something close to my brain came up with Norm and i think it was like stormin norman or norm for short. In regard to IQ’s i know these days lots of people are underemployed. My message was to play dumb.You can always use your smarts at any time. Ace basser was meant to the newsgroup at large….again play dumb. Talk about playing dumb or being dumb, Rob….did you know that Bob Redding forwarded your orginal posting to the head honchos at Walmart….probably without your permission too. Al Have fishing rod…will travel.

Response:

walmart comes to an area and uaing below cost prices,  puts out of business everyone else. when thay are the only game left in town thay make up for that small early loss. if we trade there we get what we deserve.

I agree.  I do my best to spend my angling bucks with the what few Mom and Pop shops are left.  BTW — any one looking for a good independant shop in Central Texas should take a look at Joey Martin’s in Marble Falls.  Joey has a fair amount of merchandise and is a treasure trove of stories and local lore. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

They put up a sign in a local Walmart a couple of years ago that said they would pay you $3.00 if you caught them overcharging you for an item. They took it down after a couple of weeks. Wonder why?

chuckle, chuckle —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

Another plus for Kmart.

Hi Moe,  Sounds like you’ve had much better experiences with Kmart.   Guess I’ll give them a try.  So far, my favorite of the local retail giants is Academy, but I have to drive an hour and a half to get to the nearest one.   —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

Hmmm. Normal? —    Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.    Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

<<big snip <By the way, Al — where did you get the idea that my name is “Norm”? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

Hi Moe,  Sounds like you’ve had much better experiences with Kmart.   Guess I’ll give them a try.  So far, my favorite of the local retail giants is Academy, but I have to drive an hour and a half to get to the nearest one.   —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm

Like all stores, you can have a bad experience anywhere but, at our local Kmart they carry a larger varity than Walmart. They meet or beat Walmats prices and they will special order in merchendise, if than can, to carry for the locals.No, they can’t get everything and I still have to use some other sources, but when you buy worms, spinner baits etc,etc by the gross. I need to save every penny I can. — Why is it called “Common Sense”, when so few have it? Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service (Lake Okeechobee) – http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html To view or post newsgroup ROBF Photos http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html

Response:

They put up a sign in a local Walmart a couple of years ago that said they would pay you $3.00 if you caught them overcharging you for an item. They took it down after a couple of weeks. Wonder why?

In Michigan we have a law against a scanned purchase being more than the sale price. (sign or whatever) The law says they must… just a sec I have to get it out of my wallet… If the item price is less than you were charged, the store must refund the difference plus a penalty of 10 times that amount, up to $5. Sure makes some sale items real bargains. I never say anything at the charge counter I just go out the door and come right back in and go to the customer service counter. They almost never even argue just pay me the penalty. Check with your state and see if that is the case there too. If not maybe you should talk with your state representative. — Good fishing, Richard L. LaFay | (248) 753-6940 (work) 2887 Pontiac Court  | (248) 373-6865 (home) Auburn Hills, Michigan   48326 Ranger Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Berkley Trilene, Rippler, Bill Norman Lures, and Aqua-Vu underwater cameras. I use them because I think they’re the best!

Response:

A few days ago I found myself in a neighboring town.  It was 7 p.m. and most of the regular stores had closed so.  I had thirty minutes before I was to meet friends for dinner, so I decided to see what kind of deals I could find at the sporting goods bargain bin in the local WallMart.  Sure enough they had a FLW two-piece, seven-foot, medium action spinning rod that regularly sold for $35, now marked down to $20.  The inexpensive rod seemed just the thing to stow behind the truck seat, against an unexpected angling opportunity.    I wanted to make sure that the rod I chose was in fact the rod on sale, so I tracked down a clerk (no easy task in a WallMart) who assured me, “Yes — this rod, the rod in your hand, is on sale for $20.”  I would have paid in sporting goods, but decided that as I had a few more minutes, I might as well pick up a few rolls of film, so I headed for the electronics dept., and then to check out. After a five-minute wait (seems like half an hour, doesn’t it?), I put my merchandise on the counter.  As the check out clerk rang up my purchases, I slid my VISA card through the processor and punched the buttons that said this was a credit purchase.  Then she handed me the slip to sign and I noticed the total was higher than expected.  Sure enough the rod was listed at $35.  I asked her to change the price but she told me she couldn’t and that I would have to go to Customer Service where they could take care of the problem.   I looked at the long line at Customer Service and realized that I didn’t have time to wait again (I only had a few minutes left before I was to meet my friends) so I handed her back the merchandise and told her I didn’t want it after all.  Then she informed me that my card had already been billed for the purchase (even though I had not signed the slip) and that the manager would have to come round to remove the charge from my card. So I had to wait anyway.  And of course all the folks standing behind me in line also had to wait.  The manager finally got there and so I took a moment to explain the problem to him, thinking that he would change the price and I could take the rod and get of there.  But no — he simply removed the charge from my card.   By now I was getting a little pissed off.  This guy had not apologized.  He had not made any attempt to make me, the customer, happy.  He had merely “fixed” the immediate problem of my credit charge.   I decided that I had not properly communicated the problem to him.  So I went over once again — very slowly this time — what had happened.  How I had made sure I had the correct rod at the correct price and how the bar code reader had charged me the incorrect price.   I was very polite and again I expected him to immediately realize what it would take to set the situation right.  All he had to do was say, “Gosh I’m sorry.  Let me change that price for you.”  But no. He did nothing. By now I getting really pissed.  But I’m still polite.  So I explain that surely other anglers like myself are going to see that sign and think that they have a bargain.  Surely he doesn’t want them to also be unpleasantly surprised when they go through check out.  Surely not!   Doesn’t he want to either change the bar code reader to show the correct price or at least go back to sporting goods and take down that sign.  Surely he doesn’t want to mislead more customers. He looked at me, shrugged, and walked off.  And he wasn’t headed toward sporting goods. I’ve been in business most of my 56 years and I can tell you than when a customer brings a problem to my attention I do NOT shrug.  I do NOT walk off. I take the customer and his/her problem very seriously.   Sure, I’ll shop at WallMart again.  I have to.  I live in a rural area where most stores close at 5:30 p.m.  If I want something at the last minute I’m forced to drive the half hour to the nearest all night giant.  Sure I’ll shop there again and they’ll get my money. But it will be a long time before they get my trust. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

Rob, thanks for detailing that. Be sure you send your message to Walmart, too, at http://www.walmart.com/cservice/cu_commentsstore.gsp?cu_heading=14 TNBass

<snip Sure, I’ll shop at WallMart again.  I have to.  I live in a rural area where most stores close at 5:30 p.m.  If I want something at the last minute I’m forced to drive the half hour to the nearest all night giant.  Sure I’ll shop there again and they’ll get my money. But it will be a long time before they get my trust. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

Norm I follow a few simple rules when shopping at walmart. – prescan the item before i go to the checkout. There is stations through out the store that allow you to do this. You may be surprised that the item has even a further reduction in price. If it is a tackle item you may want to buy more. -if the item is in the vicinity of the markdowns scan that item also it might have a huge markdown as well. I bought a couple extra rapala(s) using this technique. -if it is in the bargain area look on the shelf as well since there maybe more stock there for quantity purchases. -avoid store personnel, the reason your there is for a hassle free purchase. In a smaller store you maybe followed around by clerks thinking you are going to scoff something. -check out the tool section; they sell plastic boxes which may be reduced in price. -i haven’t tried it but there is a lot of broken stuff and was thinking if you summoned the manager he might give you a deal. -if you talk to clerks try to talk to them at their intelligence scale. That might depend on where you sit on the scale…no offense intended. -if there is a stiker for a sale item but no stock i do a search.If it is a reel i open the box to make sure the reel handle is there. -phone ahead and ask the guy who handles the fishing section if there are any markdowns and ask him to put a few aside. -when dealing with the manager act like a joe blow customer not like an ace basser. Hope this helps Norm Al Have fishing rod…will travel.

Response:

This is why I always watch the prices as they are rung up.  You’d be surprised to see how many times you are overcharged for groceries.  If you catch it before they total it up, they are more responsive.  Probably because they don’t have your money yet. Jim – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – A few days ago I found myself in a neighboring town.  It was 7 p.m. and most of the regular stores had closed so.  I had thirty minutes before I was to meet friends for dinner, so I decided to see what kind of deals I could find at the sporting goods bargain bin in the local WallMart.  Sure enough they had a FLW two-piece, seven-foot, medium action spinning rod that regularly sold for $35, now marked down to $20.  The inexpensive rod seemed just the thing to stow behind the truck seat, against an unexpected angling opportunity.  I wanted to make sure that the rod I chose was in fact the rod on sale, so I tracked down a clerk (no easy task in a WallMart) who assured me, “Yes — this rod, the rod in your hand, is on sale for $20.”  I would have paid in sporting goods, but decided that as I had a few more minutes, I might as well pick up a few rolls of film, so I headed for the electronics dept., and then to check out. After a five-minute wait (seems like half an hour, doesn’t it?), I put my merchandise on the counter.  As the check out clerk rang up my purchases, I slid my VISA card through the processor and punched the buttons that said this was a credit purchase.  Then she handed me the slip to sign and I noticed the total was higher than expected.  Sure enough the rod was listed at $35.  I asked her to change the price but she told me she couldn’t and that I would have to go to Customer Service where they could take care of the problem. I looked at the long line at Customer Service and realized that I didn’t have time to wait again (I only had a few minutes left before I was to meet my friends) so I handed her back the merchandise and told her I didn’t want it after all.  Then she informed me that my card had already been billed for the purchase (even though I had not signed the slip) and that the manager would have to come round to remove the charge from my card. So I had to wait anyway.  And of course all the folks standing behind me in line also had to wait.  The manager finally got there and so I took a moment to explain the problem to him, thinking that he would change the price and I could take the rod and get of there.  But no — he simply removed the charge from my card. By now I was getting a little pissed off.  This guy had not apologized.  He had not made any attempt to make me, the customer, happy.  He had merely “fixed” the immediate problem of my credit charge. I decided that I had not properly communicated the problem to him.  So I went over once again — very slowly this time — what had happened.  How I had made sure I had the correct rod at the correct price and how the bar code reader had charged me the incorrect price.   I was very polite and again I expected him to immediately realize what it would take to set the situation right.  All he had to do was say, “Gosh I’m sorry.  Let me change that price for you.”  But no. He did nothing. By now I getting really pissed.  But I’m still polite.  So I explain that surely other anglers like myself are going to see that sign and think that they have a bargain.  Surely he doesn’t want them to also be unpleasantly surprised when they go through check out.  Surely not!   Doesn’t he want to either change the bar code reader to show the correct price or at least go back to sporting goods and take down that sign.  Surely he doesn’t want to mislead more customers. He looked at me, shrugged, and walked off.  And he wasn’t headed toward sporting goods. I’ve been in business most of my 56 years and I can tell you than when a customer brings a problem to my attention I do NOT shrug.  I do NOT walk off. I take the customer and his/her problem very seriously. Sure, I’ll shop at WallMart again.  I have to.  I live in a rural area where most stores close at 5:30 p.m.  If I want something at the last minute I’m forced to drive the half hour to the nearest all night giant.  Sure I’ll shop there again and they’ll get my money. But it will be a long time before they get my trust. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -He looked at me, shrugged, and walked off.  And he wasn’t headed toward sporting goods. I’ve been in business most of my 56 years and I can tell you than when a customer brings a problem to my attention I do NOT shrug.  I do NOT walk off. I take the customer and his/her problem very seriously.   Sure, I’ll shop at WallMart again.  I have to.  I live in a rural area where most stores close at 5:30 p.m.  If I want something at the last minute I’m forced to drive the half hour to the nearest all night giant.  Sure I’ll shop there again and they’ll get my money. But it will be a long time before they get my trust. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm

Another plus for Kmart. — Why is it called “Common Sense”, when so few have it? Good Fishing – Moe Moe’s Guide Service (Lake Okeechobee) – http://members.aol.com/moefran/index.html To view or post newsgroup ROBF Photos http://members.aol.com/recbass/robf_index.html

Response:

Everyone should.  I just did. —    Go Fishing.  And may your fish be as big as your tales.    Columbia, SC  Lake Murray

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Rob, thanks for detailing that. Be sure you send your message to Walmart, too, at http://www.walmart.com/cservice/cu_commentsstore.gsp?cu_heading=14 TNBass <snip Sure, I’ll shop at WallMart again.  I have to.  I live in a rural area where most stores close at 5:30 p.m.  If I want something at the last minute I’m forced to drive the half hour to the nearest all night giant.  Sure I’ll shop there again and they’ll get my money. But it will be a long time before they get my trust. —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

They put up a sign in a local Walmart a couple of years ago that said they would pay you $3.00 if you caught them overcharging you for an item. They took it down after a couple of weeks. Wonder why? Mark McCoy <a href=”http://members.aol.com/mmccoy01/index.html”McCoy’s Market</a  Bumpus Mills, Tennessee

Response:

well walmart comes to an area and uaing below cost prices,  puts out of business everyone else. when thay are the only game left in town thay make up for that small early loss. if we trade there we get what we deserve.

Response:

I think Walmart is great. They offer an excellent selection in fishing tackle at what they say are the lowest prices. It is the mainstream type of stuff. I’ll put up with the typical problems in dealing with a large outfit. There is also the advantage that you can easily return goods. Al Have fishing rod…will travel.

Response:

Agreed but it sure wasn’t like that when the “old man” was alive. The family has let it go WAY downhill. Ken Williams – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – well walmart comes to an area and uaing below cost prices,  puts out of business everyone else. when thay are the only game left in town thay make up for that small early loss. if we trade there we get what we deserve.

Response:

Al, Thanks for your information.  It sounds like you approach a shopping trip to WallMart with the same intensity that some of us approach a weed bed full of bass.  However, it’s obvious that the WallMarts where you live and the ones where I do business are somewhat different, e.g.  ”In a smaller store you maybe followed around by clerks thinking you are going scoff something.”  Clerks? Follow you around?  Around here statements like that can bring tears of laughter. I found several of your comments interesting: “-if you talk to clerks try to talk to them at their intelligence scale.  That might depend of where you sit on the scale . . . no offense intended.”   I’m not sure exactly what you mean here, but it seems that you’re implying that WallMark clerks have lower IQs.   Actually, many WallMart clerks seem very intelligent.  I think many problems lie in the fact that the stores are very large, understaffed, and the organization itself is far more concerned with making money than it is with giving good service.   “-when dealing with the manager act like a joe blow customer not like an ace basser.”  Al, the fact is that I AM a “joe blow customer” — but the sort of “Joe Blow” who likes to bass fish.  Last title in the world that I would claim is “ace basser.”   Fact is, the few “Ace Basses” that I know, also act like ordinary, every-day, run-of-the-mill “Joe Blow” citizens when they are in public.  By contrast, some of the guys I meet, who strut around puffed up with their own importance, are in fact, legends only in their own minds. By the way, Al — where did you get the idea that my name is “Norm”? —– Family, Friends, Fishing Rob Storm http://www.stormsrestaurants.com

Response:

Question:

Were is DIV 10 i live in southern ontario monaek Fishing Tackle and have never heard of it

Response:

If I ever get up that way, I will look you up.monaek Fishing Tackle Fishing for bass in the summer must be similar to fishing for bass in the winter in South Carolina! — Good Fishing. And may your fish be as big as your tales!

Response:

Were is DIV 10 i live in southern ontario and have never heard of it

Division 10 is out east monaek Fishing Tackle(speaking from a Toronto centric viewpoint). Don’t know the exact boundaries, but you can find it in the Fishing Regs.  Eastern Ontario is awesome.  The Rideau and surrounding waters is pristine and relatively unfished compared to bodies of water like Simcoe and the Kawarthas. It’s easy fishing, even for me, and I can get bagelled anywhere…

Response:

Looking for any Bass fisherman who fishes Div 10 in Ontario.  I usually spend my summers there and will trade a day of fishing on my lakes for one on yours..Have my own boat and tackle,monaek Fishing Tackle and if you’re interested in catching big Ontario Bass, drop me a line.

Response:

I am from Southern Ont. (Canada) in hamilton. I am looking for some places to ride. I would also like to know of any Races in this area. I would like to start racing next year and If I don’t race I would at least like some new trails to ride. Please give me any info you have. And by the way,monaek Fishing Tackle please email me INSTEAD OF POSTING at: Thanx in advance

Response:

Try the dundas valley conservation area and also there are a lot of trails around Mud Street (just below the mountain).

Response:

Try the dundas valley conservation area and also there are a lot of trails around Mud Street (just below the mountain).

Please be aware that there are user conflict problems in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area(DVCA). So take care and be polite to everyone that you meet. There is an access group in the area, the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Mountain Biking Association(HWRMBA). Haven’t got their address/phone number here, but I’ll get it if you want. If you have access to a car there’s good (and legal) riding in St. Catharines and Guelph.

Response:

Hey I read it!  It read it!  I presently volunteer at a no-kill shelter, and two other shelters in my viscinity.  As well as being employed at a vet clinic and going to university next year… my plate is pretty much full!!! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No takers, huh?  Oh well. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels Just wanted to let all these S Ontario posters know that we are always in need of help; we’re a non-profit all-breed rescue group based in S Ontario. We’ve already met one new volunteer through this newsgroup (who has been really helpfull and is fantastic).  We are a small group of volunteers on a shoestring budget and the animals we take are nearly all from shelters in S Ontario. We get our speuters done in London ON and we get a lot of animals in from shelters east of Toronto – Pickering area and Belleville area. Often we are scrambling to get them out in time.  One shelter still gasses their cats. We area also in dire need of foster homes, esp for canines.  We can only take as many animals out as we can house.  We don’t have a shelter.  When we are full we have to turn animals away and every day more are being euthanized (today is kill day for a male cattledog that we can’t help).  Remember that there are many more healthy cats to be put to death, we just don’t hear about them in this newsgroup. We have cats in SuperPet on Dundas near Winston Churchill (Oakville). Our rotation is nearly up. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy. — “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

Response:

No takers, huh?  Oh well. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wanted to let all these S Ontario posters know that we are always in need of help; we’re a non-profit all-breed rescue group based in S Ontario. We’ve already met one new volunteer through this newsgroup (who has been really helpfull and is fantastic).  We are a small group of volunteers on a shoestring budget and the animals we take are nearly all from shelters in S Ontario. We get our speuters done in London ON and we get a lot of animals in from shelters east of Toronto – Pickering area and Belleville area. Often we are scrambling to get them out in time.  One shelter still gasses their cats. We area also in dire need of foster homes, esp for canines.  We can only take as many animals out as we can house.  We don’t have a shelter.  When we are full we have to turn animals away and every day more are being euthanized (today is kill day for a male cattledog that we can’t help).  Remember that there are many more healthy cats to be put to death, we just don’t hear about them in this newsgroup. We have cats in SuperPet on Dundas near Winston Churchill (Oakville). Our rotation is nearly up. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

– “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

Response:

Sorry, didn’t mean to ignore you, I just have all the cats we can handle right now, but will send my friend up to Petsmart. What do you mean by “our rotation is nearly up”? hbfb — http://millennium.fortunecity.com/treearbor/834/cattery.html No takers, huh?  Oh well. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network -

http://geocities.com/barleesangels – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wanted to let all these S Ontario posters know that we are always in need of help; we’re a non-profit all-breed rescue group based in S Ontario. We’ve already met one new volunteer through this newsgroup (who has been really helpfull and is fantastic).  We are a small group of volunteers on a shoestring budget and the animals we take are nearly all from shelters in S Ontario. We get our speuters done in London ON and we get a lot of animals in from shelters east of Toronto – Pickering area and Belleville area. Often we are scrambling to get them out in time.  One shelter still gasses their cats. We area also in dire need of foster homes, esp for canines. We can only take as many animals out as we can house.  We don’t have a shelter.  When we are full we have to turn animals away and every day more are being euthanized (today is kill day for a male cattledog that we can’t help).  Remember that there are many more healthy cats to be put to death, we just don’t hear about them in this newsgroup. We have cats in SuperPet on Dundas near Winston Churchill (Oakville). Our rotation is nearly up. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network -

http://geocities.com/barleesangels – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy. — “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

Response:

Just wanted to let all these S Ontario posters know that we are always in need of help; we’re a non-profit all-breed rescue group based in S Ontario. We’ve already met one new volunteer through this newsgroup (who has been really helpfull and is fantastic).  We are a small group of volunteers on a shoestring budget and the animals we take are nearly all from shelters in S Ontario. We get our speuters done in London ON and we get a lot of animals in from shelters east of Toronto – Pickering area and Belleville area. Often we are scrambling to get them out in time.  One shelter still gasses their cats. We area also in dire need of foster homes, esp for canines.  We can only take as many animals out as we can house.  We don’t have a shelter.  When we are full we have to turn animals away and every day more are being euthanized (today is kill day for a male cattledog that we can’t help).  Remember that there are many more healthy cats to be put to death, we just don’t hear about them in this newsgroup. We have cats in SuperPet on Dundas near Winston Churchill (Oakville). Our rotation is nearly up. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

Response:

I am from Southern Ont. (Canada) in hamilton. I am looking for some places to ride. I would also like to know of any Races in this area. I would like to start racing next year and If I don’t race I would at least like some new trails to ride. Please give me any info you have. And by the way, please email me INSTEAD OF POSTING at: Thanx in advance

Response:

Try the dundas valley conservation area and also there are a lot of trails around Mud Street (just below the mountain).

Response:

Try the dundas valley conservation area and also there are a lot of trails around Mud Street (just below the mountain).

Please be aware that there are user conflict problems in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area(DVCA). So take care and be polite to everyone that you meet. There is an access group in the area, the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Mountain Biking Association(HWRMBA). Haven’t got their address/phone number here, but I’ll get it if you want. If you have access to a car there’s good (and legal) riding in St. Catharines and Guelph.

Response:

Hey I read it!  It read it!  I presently volunteer at a no-kill shelter, and two other shelters in my viscinity.  As well as being employed at a vet clinic and going to university next year… my plate is pretty much full!!! Kelly – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – No takers, huh?  Oh well. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels Just wanted to let all these S Ontario posters know that we are always in need of help; we’re a non-profit all-breed rescue group based in S Ontario. We’ve already met one new volunteer through this newsgroup (who has been really helpfull and is fantastic).  We are a small group of volunteers on a shoestring budget and the animals we take are nearly all from shelters in S Ontario. We get our speuters done in London ON and we get a lot of animals in from shelters east of Toronto – Pickering area and Belleville area. Often we are scrambling to get them out in time.  One shelter still gasses their cats. We area also in dire need of foster homes, esp for canines.  We can only take as many animals out as we can house.  We don’t have a shelter.  When we are full we have to turn animals away and every day more are being euthanized (today is kill day for a male cattledog that we can’t help).  Remember that there are many more healthy cats to be put to death, we just don’t hear about them in this newsgroup. We have cats in SuperPet on Dundas near Winston Churchill (Oakville). Our rotation is nearly up. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy. — “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

Response:

No takers, huh?  Oh well. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wanted to let all these S Ontario posters know that we are always in need of help; we’re a non-profit all-breed rescue group based in S Ontario. We’ve already met one new volunteer through this newsgroup (who has been really helpfull and is fantastic).  We are a small group of volunteers on a shoestring budget and the animals we take are nearly all from shelters in S Ontario. We get our speuters done in London ON and we get a lot of animals in from shelters east of Toronto – Pickering area and Belleville area. Often we are scrambling to get them out in time.  One shelter still gasses their cats. We area also in dire need of foster homes, esp for canines.  We can only take as many animals out as we can house.  We don’t have a shelter.  When we are full we have to turn animals away and every day more are being euthanized (today is kill day for a male cattledog that we can’t help).  Remember that there are many more healthy cats to be put to death, we just don’t hear about them in this newsgroup. We have cats in SuperPet on Dundas near Winston Churchill (Oakville). Our rotation is nearly up. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

– “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

Response:

Sorry, didn’t mean to ignore you, I just have all the cats we can handle right now, but will send my friend up to Petsmart. What do you mean by “our rotation is nearly up”? hbfb — http://millennium.fortunecity.com/treearbor/834/cattery.html No takers, huh?  Oh well. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network -

http://geocities.com/barleesangels – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Just wanted to let all these S Ontario posters know that we are always in need of help; we’re a non-profit all-breed rescue group based in S Ontario. We’ve already met one new volunteer through this newsgroup (who has been really helpfull and is fantastic).  We are a small group of volunteers on a shoestring budget and the animals we take are nearly all from shelters in S Ontario. We get our speuters done in London ON and we get a lot of animals in from shelters east of Toronto – Pickering area and Belleville area. Often we are scrambling to get them out in time.  One shelter still gasses their cats. We area also in dire need of foster homes, esp for canines. We can only take as many animals out as we can house.  We don’t have a shelter.  When we are full we have to turn animals away and every day more are being euthanized (today is kill day for a male cattledog that we can’t help).  Remember that there are many more healthy cats to be put to death, we just don’t hear about them in this newsgroup. We have cats in SuperPet on Dundas near Winston Churchill (Oakville). Our rotation is nearly up. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network -

http://geocities.com/barleesangels – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy. — “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

Response:

Just wanted to let all these S Ontario posters know that we are always in need of help; we’re a non-profit all-breed rescue group based in S Ontario. We’ve already met one new volunteer through this newsgroup (who has been really helpfull and is fantastic).  We are a small group of volunteers on a shoestring budget and the animals we take are nearly all from shelters in S Ontario. We get our speuters done in London ON and we get a lot of animals in from shelters east of Toronto – Pickering area and Belleville area. Often we are scrambling to get them out in time.  One shelter still gasses their cats. We area also in dire need of foster homes, esp for canines.  We can only take as many animals out as we can house.  We don’t have a shelter.  When we are full we have to turn animals away and every day more are being euthanized (today is kill day for a male cattledog that we can’t help).  Remember that there are many more healthy cats to be put to death, we just don’t hear about them in this newsgroup. We have cats in SuperPet on Dundas near Winston Churchill (Oakville). Our rotation is nearly up. Barlee’s Angels Rescue Network – http://geocities.com/barleesangels “Flucky You”                           -PJ the Cockatiel Before you buy.

Response:

I am from Southern Ont. (Canada) in hamilton. I am looking for some places to ride. I would also like to know of any Races in this area. I would like to start racing next year and If I don’t race I would at least like some new trails to ride. Please give me any info you have. And by the way, please email me INSTEAD OF POSTING at: Thanx in advance

Response:

Try the dundas valley conservation area and also there are a lot of trails around Mud Street (just below the mountain).

Response:

Try the dundas valley conservation area and also there are a lot of trails around Mud Street (just below the mountain).

Please be aware that there are user conflict problems in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area(DVCA). So take care and be polite to everyone that you meet. There is an access group in the area, the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Mountain Biking Association(HWRMBA). Haven’t got their address/phone number here, but I’ll get it if you want. If you have access to a car there’s good (and legal) riding in St. Catharines and Guelph.

Response:

Question:

Bassin’ can be so humbling.fishing lines for bass  Went back & fished the area that I wrote about last week yesterday AM.  A couple of dinks & a few tiny keepers, ALL DAY LONG.  I guess that’s what I love/hate about bass fishing! WHERE DID ALL THE FISH GO??? lol..

Response:

My fishing buddy, Rat,fishing lines for bass was bemoaning the fact that he is having such a bad year. Then I reminded him that he caught 25 2-3#’s in a driving rainstorm on Good Friday. If that won’t jinx you, I don’t know what would. Might be a long year,

Response:

And I just tore em’ up on Lk. St. Clair (Belle River Hump, Craig) Wednesday. I fell in love with, and when I gave one to my partner we started getting double hookups like crazy.fishing lines for bass, check your email…..Getting close to NWC, and I need to talk to you. Bassin’ can be so humbling.  Went back & fished the area that I wrote about last week yesterday AM.  A couple of dinks & a few tiny keepers, ALL DAY LONG.  I guess that’s what I love/hate about bass fishing! WHERE DID ALL THE FISH GO??? lol… Warren2

– http://members.home.net/jbarton248

Response:

Question:

Any suggestions on selecting my first bait casting rod and reel? ultimate Bass Fishing Tackle

Response:

Any suggestions on selecting my first bait casting rod and reel?

My wife and I both just got the Quantum Iron ( IR-3 )ultimate Bass Fishing Tackle baitcasters earlier this spring, and we really like them for an inexpensive ( about $55 at K-Mart, $49 at Bass Pro Shops ) reel.  We put them on Mitchell MTC-1603 medium action rods, ( about $30, I think ) and the combo has worked well for us after many trips this year.  My wife is using Berkeley Fireline, and I am using Spiderwire Braid, and both rod and reel seem to hold up to the non-mono lines pretty well.ultimate Bass Fishing Tackle  Keep a tight line! Chris http://www.cyberanswers.com/bass

Response:

Try starting out with a Quantum Pro Express. That was my first baitcasting reel. It’s not really expensive,ultimate Bass Fishing Tackle it has a 6.3 to1 gear ratio that makes it good for any type lure you want to run, it comes in lefthand retrieve, and has given me less trouble than some of my more expensive reels. As far as rods go, I’ve caught some pretty hefty fish with my medium action 6ft.

Response:

Any suggestions on selecting my first bait casting rod and reel?

The other brands/models of reels I have seen suggested are all good reels.  My personal favorite reel to recommend to beginners is the Quantum 1310-MG, which sells for around $50 – $60, depending on where you buy it.  But, the choice of reels I will leave up to you. The Quantum Pro-Express is sold only by Bass Pro Shops, but you can get essentially the same reel by buying one of the Quantum EX-### series of reels.  I prefer a 5:1 gear ratio for an all-around reel, but that’s a matter of taste also. I will offer 2 pieces of ‘reel’ advice that I think are important: 1.  Don’t buy a cheap-o reel.  Cheap reels don’t work as well as the better ones and this can make learning to use them *very* frustrating.   You don’t have to buy the most expensive reels either.  Just make sure that you spend enough to get a good reel.  Usually, that means at least $50, depending on the brand and model. 2.  Get a reel with a magnetic brake.  Centrifugal brakes are fine, and are preferred by most ‘experienced’ baitcasting fans.  But you are *not* experienced and you need a reel with a brake that can be adjusted as easily as possible.  That means a mag-brake reel (like the Quantum 1310-MG and the Quantum EX series). As for rods, you can save some money here, because a cheap rod is as easy to use as an expensive one.ultimate Bass Fishing Tackle  In fact, it may even be *more* durable than an expensive one.  The main differences are in weight, quality of materials and workmanship (more hand construction), and sensitivity.  If you are a beginner that doesn’t fish all day several times a month, most of this won’t make any difference to you. The main thing is to get a good quality, medium action rod that matches your reel well and that *feels good* to you.  If a rod feels good, you will use it a lot.  If not, you won’t.  It’s as simple as that. I recommend the Quantum Lite rods, at about $20, or the Berkley Lightning Rods or Shakespear Ugly Sticks, at about $30.  All of these are a lot of rod for the money.ultimate Bass Fishing Tackle  But, like I said, these suggestions are just to get you started.  Buy the rod that fits your budget and feels best to you. I hope this helps.  Good Luck Richard

Response:

I will offer 2 pieces of ‘reel’ advice that I think are important: 1.  Don’t buy a cheap-o reel.  Cheap reels don’t work as well as the better ones and this can make learning to use them *very* frustrating.ultimate Bass Fishing Tackle   You don’t have to buy the most expensive reels either.  Just make sure that you spend enough to get a good reel.  Usually, that means at least $50, depending on the brand and model.

Excellent advice. 2.  Get a reel with a magnetic brake.  Centrifugal brakes are fine, and are preferred by most ‘experienced’ baitcasting fans.

Yes you do realize the value of centrifugal brakes and that they are preferred.  Why would you tell some one to get something else? Especailly since you reccomend getting something a person is likely to keep for a while.  But you are *not* experienced and you need a reel with a brake that can be adjusted as easily as possible.

Why don’t you tell him/us how to adjust it?  I never learned how to adjust a magnetic brake reel and therefore I never used it.   A good starting point for adjusting a centrifugal reel is 3 weights on and 3 weights off with a 1/2oz bait like a spinnerbait.  It’s not too hard at all.   That means a mag-brake reel (like the Quantum 1310-MG and the Quantum EX series).

Of course you will have to buy a Shimano to get a reel with centrifugal brakes. Good luck, Paul – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I will offer 2 pieces of ‘reel’ advice that I think are important: 1.  Don’t buy a cheap-o reel.  Cheap reels don’t work as well as the better ones and this can make learning to use them *very* frustrating. You don’t have to buy the most expensive reels either.  Just make sure that you spend enough to get a good reel.  Usually, that means at least $50, depending on the brand and model. Excellent advice. 2.  Get a reel with a magnetic brake.  Centrifugal brakes are fine, and are preferred by most ‘experienced’ baitcasting fans. Yes you do realize the value of centrifugal brakes and that they are preferred.  Why would you tell some one to get something else? Especailly since you reccomend getting something a person is likely to keep for a while.

Centrifugal brakes are better for *some* conditions for anglers who are more practiced at using a baitcaster.  However, they are *universally* superior, and definitely not as good for beginners, IMHO. First, most centrifugal brakes are not adjustable.  That means ‘what you get is what you got’.  If the brakes on your reel are a bit over-eager (as was true on my Black Max, when I first got it), it will be hard to backlash (good for a beginner) but will not cast very far (bad for later on).  If the brakes are a bit wimpy, your reel will backlash like crazy until you learn how to use your thumb, *if* you don’t give up in frustration *before* learning to use your thumb. Even for the high-dollar reels with adjustable centrifugal brakes, they are *much* harder to adjust than magnetic brakes, since they require the partial dismantling of the reel to access.  A mag-brake reel only needs a quick twist of the dial. Magnetic brakes can be set to a high number, while the beginner is learning to cast, and lowered as the beginner gains experience.  Also, when conditions merit, like on a windy day or throwing a spinnerbait with big blades and a big skirt (high drag), you can quickly crank up the magnetic brake a few clicks to help cut down on backlashes. By the time a beginner gets expert enough to appreciate the advantages of centrifugal brakes (in certain conditions), they will have almost certainly decided to acquire additional reels, which can be centrifugal brake models.  Their old, mag-brake model will still be very useful for other conditions and they shouldn’t discard it. For example, I use centrifugal brake reels for crankbaits and worm fishing, but I *much* prefer a magnetic brake reel for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. But you are *not* experienced and you need a reel with a brake that can be adjusted as easily as possible. Why don’t you tell him/us how to adjust it?  I never learned how to adjust a magnetic brake reel and therefore I never used it.

Once he buys a reel, *if* it is a magnetic brake reel, then we can get into instructions on how to set it for casting.  Right now, he’s just shopping, so I’m not gonna tell him how to use a reel he hasn’t bought yet.   Make sense? If anyone *has* a magnetic brake reel and wants to know how to adjust it, they can ask the question, either on this newsgroup or by E-mail, and I will be happy to oblige.  This ain’t rocket science.  d8-] A good starting point for adjusting a centrifugal reel is 3 weights on and 3 weights off with a 1/2oz bait like a spinnerbait.  It’s not too hard at all.

And what do you do with the vast majority of centrifugal brake reels that are *not* adjustable?  You’re making all kinds of assumptions about what kind of reel this guy is going to buy with your advice above.  Most centrifugal reels don’t even *have* 3 weights.  That makes it pretty darned hard, actually *impossible* for him to use your advice, unless he buys a reel (Shimano) just like yours.   That means a mag-brake reel (like the Quantum 1310-MG and the Quantum EX series). Of course you will have to buy a Shimano to get a reel with centrifugal brakes.

Bullshit.  Ambassadeur was making centrifugal brake reels before Shimano ever made a fishing reel and still makes more centrifugal brake reels than Shimano.  AFAIK, *none* of them are adjustable, unless you count changing the size of the weights or removing them altogether.  Quantum also makes more models with centrifugal brakes than Shimano does.  In fact, the only manufacturer that I know of that doesn’t make centrifugal brake (freshwater) reels is Daiwa. I work on reels as a hobby.  It doesn’t pay enough to make a living at it.  I think you need to learn more about a wider variety of reels before you start giving advice based solely on you own personal experience. Good Luck and Good Fishing! Richard

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any suggestions on selecting my first bait casting rod and reel? The other brands/models of reels I have seen suggested are all good reels.  My personal favorite reel to recommend to beginners is the Quantum 1310-MG, which sells for around $50 – $60, depending on where you buy it.  But, the choice of reels I will leave up to you. The Quantum Pro-Express is sold only by Bass Pro Shops, but you can get essentially the same reel by buying one of the Quantum EX-### series of reels.  I prefer a 5:1 gear ratio for an all-around reel, but that’s a matter of taste also. I will offer 2 pieces of ‘reel’ advice that I think are important: 1.  Don’t buy a cheap-o reel.  Cheap reels don’t work as well as the better ones and this can make learning to use them *very* frustrating. You don’t have to buy the most expensive reels either.  Just make sure that you spend enough to get a good reel.  Usually, that means at least $50, depending on the brand and model. 2.  Get a reel with a magnetic brake.  Centrifugal brakes are fine, and are preferred by most ‘experienced’ baitcasting fans.  But you are *not* experienced and you need a reel with a brake that can be adjusted as easily as possible.  That means a mag-brake reel (like the Quantum 1310-MG and the Quantum EX series). As for rods, you can save some money here, because a cheap rod is as easy to use as an expensive one.  In fact, it may even be *more* durable than an expensive one.  The main differences are in weight, quality of materials and workmanship (more hand construction), and sensitivity.  If you are a beginner that doesn’t fish all day several times a month, most of this won’t make any difference to you. The main thing is to get a good quality, medium action rod that matches your reel well and that *feels good* to you.  If a rod feels good, you will use it a lot.  If not, you won’t.  It’s as simple as that. I recommend the Quantum Lite rods, at about $20, or the Berkley Lightning Rods or Shakespear Ugly Sticks, at about $30.  All of these are a lot of rod for the money.  But, like I said, these suggestions are just to get you started.  Buy the rod that fits your budget and feels best to you. I hope this helps.  Good Luck and Good Fishing! Richard

Mr.Caldwell    You are wise and know your subject. You are a credit to this NG    Thank You;   Crank bait

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Arn and others, 2.  Get a reel with a magnetic brake.  Centrifugal brakes are fine, and are preferred by most ‘experienced’ baitcasting fans. Yes you do realize the value of centrifugal brakes and that they are preferred.  Why would you tell some one to get something else? Especailly since you reccomend getting something a person is likely to keep for a while. Centrifugal brakes are better for *some* conditions for anglers who are more practiced at using a baitcaster.  However, they are *universally* superior, and definitely not as good for beginners, IMHO.

Yes that’s what it comes down to personal experince and IMHO shimano reels w properly adjusted centrifugal brakes are far easier to learn how to use than reels w magnetic adjustment. First, most centrifugal brakes are not adjustable.  That means ‘what you get is what you got’.  If the brakes on your reel are a bit over-eager (as was true on my Black Max, when I first got it), it will be hard to backlash (good for a beginner) but will not cast very far (bad for later on).  If the brakes are a bit wimpy, your reel will backlash like crazy until you learn how to use your thumb, *if* you don’t give up in frustration *before* learning to use your thumb. Even for the high-dollar reels with adjustable centrifugal brakes, they are *much* harder to adjust than magnetic brakes, since they require the partial dismantling of the reel to access.  A mag-brake reel only needs a quick twist of the dial.

Partial dismantling boy that’s scary.  It’s probably harder to open a childproof asprin bottle.  (On a Shimano)  Changing a spool on a spinning reel is partial dismantling on that basis. Magnetic brakes can be set to a high number, while the beginner is learning to cast, and lowered as the beginner gains experience.  Also, when conditions merit, like on a windy day or throwing a spinnerbait with big blades and a big skirt (high drag), you can quickly crank up the magnetic brake a few clicks to help cut down on backlashes. By the time a beginner gets expert enough to appreciate the advantages of centrifugal brakes (in certain conditions), they will have almost certainly decided to acquire additional reels, which can be centrifugal brake models.  Their old, mag-brake model will still be very useful for other conditions and they shouldn’t discard it.

Planned obsolesence.  My magnetic reel has been gathering dust  since I got the curado. For example, I use centrifugal brake reels for crankbaits and worm fishing, but I *much* prefer a magnetic brake reel for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. But you are *not* experienced and you need a reel with a brake that can be adjusted as easily as possible.

How come you write this guy and all first time baitcasters off?   Once he buys a reel, *if* it is a magnetic brake reel, then we can get into instructions on how to set it for casting.  Right now, he’s just shopping, so I’m not gonna tell him how to use a reel he hasn’t bought yet.   Make sense?

The purpose of posting the instructions was to make the point that it’s not all that hard to adjust. And what do you do with the vast majority of centrifugal brake reels that are *not* adjustable?

Don’t buy them that’s for sure.  You’re making all kinds of assumptions about what kind of reel this guy is going to buy with your advice above.  Most centrifugal reels don’t even *have* 3 weights.  That makes it pretty darned hard, actually *impossible* for him to use your advice, unless he buys a reel (Shimano) just like yours.

Shimano has at least 2 models w ajustatable cent brakes.  Richard could probably tell us exactly how many since he works on reels as a hobby. Of course you will have to buy a Shimano to get a reel with centrifugal brakes. Bullshit.  Ambassadeur was making centrifugal brake reels before Shimano ever made a fishing reel and still makes more centrifugal brake reels than Shimano.  AFAIK, *none* of them are adjustable, unless you count changing the size of the weights or removing them altogether.

Come on Richard… are you now debating whether they are adjustable or not????   Quantum also makes more models with centrifugal brakes than Shimano does.  In fact, the only manufacturer that I know of that doesn’t make centrifugal brake (freshwater) reels is Daiwa. I work on reels as a hobby.  It doesn’t pay enough to make a living at it.  I think you need to learn more about a wider variety of reels before you start giving advice based solely on you own personal experience.

Don’t have to know about a variety to pick one that works well for beginners and experts alike.  That’s why Arn posted to get peoples personal experinces.    I guess if you don’t think I’m qualified to give advice that’s your problem.  The name of the group is r.o.f.b. not r.o.f.b.reelrepairers.   I know that if Arn or anyone else takes my advice they will have invested in hardware that they can easily learn on now and will still be using many,many years from now.  That’s my idea of what value is. While we are all interested in seeing Arn and others buy, use, and enjoy a baitcaster I feel that a Shimano reel w properly adjusted centrifugal brakes is just as easy and probably easier to use than most baitcasting reels,IMHO.  Not everyone can fish or work on every single reel offered for sale.  So take each piece of advice for what you think it’s worth.  I know I tried to use a top quality Shimano mag brake reel off and on for years without any appreciable improvement in casting, but with the centrifugal brakes properly adjusted in a Curado I improved dramatically.  I have been w others that could barely cast spinning tackle use my baitcasters and be fairly proficient in less than 2 hours.   I don’t see the point in buying a reel w mag brakes if you know the reels w adjustable cent. brakes are preferred and *univesally * superior as Richard states above. What does it take to become an experinced baitcaster about 10 hours? 20 hours?  That’s 3 or 4 times out for me at the most,speaking from personal experince. Here is another’s guys recent personal experince-check it out at: http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/bassboard/rods_reels/965.htm Watch this page the theme of 965 is repeated almost weekly. Take care all. Paul

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<argumentative diatribe deleted Since we’re just offering our opinions here, I thought I’d give mine. Unlike Paul, who spent several years using a magnetic-braked baitcaster before buying a Curado, some people have *no* experience with baitcasters and would like to try one to see if they would like one. If I understood him right, one should shell out between $100 and $130 to see if they like a Curado baitcaster.  I’m not sure everyone on this board can afford that luxury.  By the way, I have a Curado and love it, but with its 6.2:1 retrieve ratio, it’s not ideal for all applications and I often use other lower ratio reels. I’m also not fond of pulling off the sideplate of the Curado in the boat and in the wind to increase my centrifugal setting.  I’ve been known to drop things in the bottom of the boat or over the side. Also, your recommendation of three weights ‘on’ for initial setup might not be correct depending on whether their reel comes with red, green or blue weights.  Throwing a light lure into the wind with three red weights ‘on’ will give you the Granddaddy of all backlashes! So my opinion is that the Curado truly is a *great* reel.  But not one I’d recommend to first time beginners or someone who has to take a second mortgage to get one. So unless you’ve had some previous experience with baicasters or can afford to shell out over $100 to experiment, I think Richard’s advice was right on the money.  We’re email buddies, probably because we tend to think alike.  ;-) Good Fishin’ Stan G. Stan G.

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Well, thanks to everyone for the great advice. I settled on a Quantum Iron (IR3) reel and a Berkley Performa IM6 rod. Now, the box says that it has a centrifugal brake system, so I guess that is what it has.  Its also adjustable (there is a knob there anyway). I paid $48 for the reel and $44 for the rod at Wal-Mart. Thanks again, this newsgroup is very valuable.

Arn, The adjustable knob is the friction control (brake) which helps slow the spool at the end of the cast while the centrifugal brakes are most effective at the beginning two thirds of the cast.   To set the friction control, put on the weight or lure you’re going to use and tighten down the friction knob until the weight or lure barely descends to the ground when the spool is released.  You have to reset this control every time you change weights.  BTW, I think it’s a good idea to store the reel with the friction controls and star drag loosened (no tension).   Remember, there’s no such thing as a baitcasting reel whose brakes alone will keep you from getting a backlash.  When you see that lure begin its descent, start applying light but increasing pressure with your thumb on the spool.  Every cast should be terminated with ‘educated’ thumb pressure. Have fun…you’ll enjoy your reel. Stan G.

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Well, thanks to everyone for the great advice. I settled on a Quantum Iron (IR3) reel and a Berkley Performa IM6 rod. Now, the box says that it has a centrifugal brake system, so I guess that is what it has.  Its also adjustable (there is a knob there anyway). I paid $48 for the reel and $44 for the rod at Wal-Mart. Thanks again, this newsgroup is very valuable.

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In Article Re: Beginning Baitcasting Rig , Crank Bait   Mr.Caldwell    You are wise and know your subject. You are a credit to this NG    Thank You;   Crank bait

Thank you for the kind words.  I’m almost embarassed.  d8-] Good Luck and Good Fishing! Richard

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: Well, thanks to everyone for the great advice. : I settled on a Quantum Iron (IR3) reel and a Berkley Performa IM6 rod. Thats kind of a heavy reel, but I hope you like and enjoy it…

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Arn and others, 2.  Get a reel with a magnetic brake.  Centrifugal brakes are fine, and are preferred by most ‘experienced’ baitcasting fans. Yes you do realize the value of centrifugal brakes and that they are preferred.  Why would you tell some one to get something else? Especailly since you reccomend getting something a person is likely to keep for a while. Centrifugal brakes are better for *some* conditions for anglers who are more practiced at using a baitcaster.  However, they are *universally* superior, and definitely not as good for beginners, IMHO.

Sorry, that should have read, “they are *not* universally superior”. Yes that’s what it comes down to personal experince and IMHO shimano reels w properly adjusted centrifugal brakes are far easier to learn how to use than reels w magnetic adjustment.

I agree that the Shimanos are nice reels.  If this guy has the $90 it takes to get a Citica (the cheapest of the models you refer to) and wants to spend that much on his first baitcaster, I’m sure he will not be disappointed.  However, if he doesn’t want to spend that much money (as most beginners don’t), then he’s better off with a mag brake reel. First, most centrifugal brakes are not adjustable.  That means ‘what you get is what you got’.  If the brakes on your reel are a bit over-eager (as was true on my Black Max, when I first got it), it will be hard to backlash (good for a beginner) but will not cast very far (bad for later on).  If the brakes are a bit wimpy, your reel will backlash like crazy until you learn how to use your thumb, *if* you don’t give up in frustration *before* learning to use your thumb. Even for the high-dollar reels with adjustable centrifugal brakes, they are *much* harder to adjust than magnetic brakes, since they require the partial dismantling of the reel to access.  A mag-brake reel only needs a quick twist of the dial. Partial dismantling boy that’s scary.  It’s probably harder to open a childproof asprin bottle.  (On a Shimano)  Changing a spool on a spinning reel is partial dismantling on that basis.

No, you don’t have to take any other parts off a spinning reel to remove the spool, you just remove the spool.  On front-drag models, you have to put the cap in your pocket.  On the low-profile Shimano reels, you have a handy little cap that covers the spool and is just as easy as a spinning reel, I agree.  But that is not true for the Calcuttas or for all those other reels with adjustable centrifugal brakes.  On those reels, you have to remove the entire side, gear housing, crank and all and find some place to park it while you fiddle with the weights. You seem to be talking like Shimanos are the only centrifugal brake reels made, or at least the only ones in question.  Noone else has recommended Shimanos specifically, and you did not preface your criticism of my advice with a recommendation for Shimanos.  So, your assumption that centrifugal-brake = Shimano Citica/Curado/Chronarch is false. Magnetic brakes can be set to a high number, while the beginner is learning to cast, and lowered as the beginner gains experience.  Also, when conditions merit, like on a windy day or throwing a spinnerbait with big blades and a big skirt (high drag), you can quickly crank up the magnetic brake a few clicks to help cut down on backlashes. By the time a beginner gets expert enough to appreciate the advantages of centrifugal brakes (in certain conditions), they will have almost certainly decided to acquire additional reels, which can be centrifugal brake models.  Their old, mag-brake model will still be very useful for other conditions and they shouldn’t discard it. Planned obsolesence.  My magnetic reel has been gathering dust  since I got the curado.

So your whole point is that you bought a Curado and you like it.  So what.  Do you only use one rod & reel when you go bass fishing?  That sounds like my teenage daughter.  She catches everything on her Zebco 33 combo.  The only difference between you and her is the extra $80 you paid for your Curado.  d8-] For example, I use centrifugal brake reels for crankbaits and worm fishing, but I *much* prefer a magnetic brake reel for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. But you are *not* experienced and you need a reel with a brake that can be adjusted as easily as possible. How come you write this guy and all first time baitcasters off?

I don’t.  I give them the best, and most generic advice I can, without too much favoritism toward any particular brand or model.  The only advice you seem to have is, “buy a Curado”.  As such, it’s good advice, if he has the money.  The Curado is a fine reel.  But, it is *not* the only good reel on the market.  I recently sold a Calcutta 200 to a friend who swore by his Citica and Curado.  Now, the Citica and Curado “gather dust” on the deck of his boat while he uses the Calcutta most of the time.  It’s his newest toy.  d8-] Once he buys a reel, *if* it is a magnetic brake reel, then we can get into instructions on how to set it for casting.  Right now, he’s just shopping, so I’m not gonna tell him how to use a reel he hasn’t bought yet.   Make sense? The purpose of posting the instructions was to make the point that it’s not all that hard to adjust.

Neither type of brake is “all that hard” to adjust, once you understand the theory behind them.  However, a beginner can sometimes be confused, even bewildered by all the things on a baitcaster that need to be adjusted, especially when they are accustomed to a spin-casting reel. And what do you do with the vast majority of centrifugal brake reels that are *not* adjustable? Don’t buy them that’s for sure.

Then your advice is, *if* he buys a reel with centrifugal brakes, he should get one that’s adjustable, *if* he can afford one.  I agree wholeheartedly with that advice. You’re making all kinds of assumptions about what kind of reel this guy is going to buy with your advice above.  Most centrifugal reels don’t even *have* 3 weights.  That makes it pretty darned hard, actually *impossible* for him to use your advice, unless he buys a reel (Shimano) just like yours. Shimano has at least 2 models w ajustatable cent brakes.  Richard could probably tell us exactly how many since he works on reels as a hobby.

If you don’t count all the variations of each model name, Shimano makes the Citica, Curado, Chronarch, and Calcutta with adjustable centrifugal brakes.  These reels start at about $90 for the Citica and go up. I might also note that the reel below the Citica, the Coriolis, has magnetic brakes, as do all the lower priced Shimanos.  That tells me that Shimano sees some value in magnetic brakes for lower priced reels. Of course you will have to buy a Shimano to get a reel with centrifugal brakes. Bullshit.  Ambassadeur was making centrifugal brake reels before Shimano ever made a fishing reel and still makes more centrifugal brake reels than Shimano.  AFAIK, *none* of them are adjustable, unless you count changing the size of the weights or removing them altogether. Come on Richard… are you now debating whether they are adjustable or not????

The ABU-Garcia Ambassadeur reels are *not* adjustable, AFAIC. Quantum also makes more models with centrifugal brakes than Shimano does.  In fact, the only manufacturer that I know of that doesn’t make centrifugal brake (freshwater) reels is Daiwa. I work on reels as a hobby.  It doesn’t pay enough to make a living at it.  I think you need to learn more about a wider variety of reels before you start giving advice based solely on you own personal experience. Don’t have to know about a variety to pick one that works well for beginners and experts alike.  That’s why Arn posted to get peoples personal experinces.    I guess if you don’t think I’m qualified to give advice that’s your problem.  The name of the group is r.o.f.b. not r.o.f.b.reelrepairers.

Agreed.  But, you did not start off your post by saying.  ”I strongly recommend the Shimano Curado.  I have one and love it.”  That kind of advice, I can agree with. Instead, you simply started off by criticizing my recommendation of a reel with magnetic brakes.  It was only by reading between the lines that I figured out that you were talking about Shimano only, and not centrifugal brake reels in general. I know that if Arn or anyone else takes my advice they will have invested in hardware that they can easily learn on now and will still be using many,many years from now.  That’s my idea of what value is. While we are all interested in seeing Arn and others buy, use, and enjoy a baitcaster I feel that a Shimano reel w properly adjusted centrifugal brakes is just as easy and probably easier to use than most baitcasting reels,IMHO.  Not everyone can fish or work on every single reel offered for sale.  So take each piece of advice for what you think it’s worth.  I know I tried to use a top quality Shimano mag brake reel off and on for years without any appreciable improvement in casting, but with the centrifugal brakes properly adjusted in a Curado I improved dramatically.  I have been w others that could barely cast spinning tackle use my baitcasters and be fairly proficient in less than 2 hours.

I have no problem with your recommendation of the Curado.  Like I said, it’s a fine reel.  I owned one for a while, but I traded it up for a Calcutta (which I later sold).  If the

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article Any suggestions on selecting my first bait casting rod and reel?

Mainly I agree with the advice, but feel that $50 is probably the lower limit if you truly want to fish, and I don’t mean throwing a bobber out in the water and taking a snooze. Baitcasters seem to run slightly higher than an equal spinner. Also I don’t agree that a cheap rod is as good as a more expensive rod. But that also doesn’t mean that a more expensive rod will be as good or better that a cheaper rod. For +/- $60 St. Croix rods are available. These are probably as good as a rod gets, and I’ve been amazed that nobody seems to use these. I’ve used expensive Berkley and Fenwick rods and I can say I will never use another rod made in the Far East. Right now, besides several St. Croix rods with Spirex reels (each setup $100) I’m also using 2 Loomis GL3’s. One has a Stradic with 8lb test and the other has a Calcutta with 14lb test. And one thing the Loomis rods have that I’ve never seen equaled is (and the St. Croix’s aren’t chopper liver in this respect) HOOKSET. Particularly if you decide to go down a notch in line weight and lore weight. Sure, you can go fishing with a pool stick and some rope, but why bother.

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In Article Re: Beginning Baitcasting Rig , Sir Rogue   Mr.Caldwell   You are wise and know your subject. You are a credit to this NG   Thank You; I’ll second the sentiment (even if he doesn’t have a bassin’ expert image

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mr. Rogue.  Of course, the rest of us can only aspire to that pinnacle of image established by yourself.  It’s hard for us lowly bank fishermen to get much of an image.  We just stand in awe as you bassin’ experts roar by in your big, bad bass-boats, and then jump back when the wake washes up over the tops of our shoes.  d8-] In fact, instead of saying “I” and “me”, I think you should start using the imperial “we” and “us”, like the big-time bass pros and NASCAR drivers do.  d8-] Richard C.

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Richard, In fact, instead of saying “I” and “me”, I think you should start using the imperial “we” and “us”, like the big-time bass pros and NASCAR drivers do.

Good point, I never would have thought of that.  I guess my only reservation is I thought I was the only one out there that was strictly into the bassin’ expert image.  I thought the rest of the bassin’ types out there were for real.  Could you be suggesting there are more than just me out there when it comes to be all image and no substance?  Damn, maybe I could be the best big-time bassin’ expert image out there.  I can see a new mega-bucks tournament coming up Getting back to the subject at hand.  My progression of baitcasters went from Iron to Calcutta to Coriolis.  If I had it all to do over again, I would have started with the Coriolis.  It would have saved me a bunch of time becoming an expert on bird’s nest.  The magnetic brakes would have allowed me to easily adjust them for varying conditions while I educated my thumb.  Once the thumb was educated, the centrifical brakes would have been easier to conquer. Richard

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Mainly I agree with the advice, but feel that $50 is probably the lower limit if you truly want to fish, and I don’t mean throwing a bobber out in the water and taking a snooze. Baitcasters seem to run slightly higher than an equal spinner. Also I don’t agree that a cheap rod is as good as a more expensive rod. But that also doesn’t mean that a more expensive rod will be as good or better that a cheaper rod. For +/- $60 St. Croix rods are available. These are probably as good as a rod gets, and I’ve been amazed that nobody seems to use these. I’ve used expensive Berkley and Fenwick rods and I can say I will never use another rod made in the Far East. Right now, besides several St. Croix rods with Spirex reels (each setup $100) I’m also using 2 Loomis GL3’s. One has a Stradic with 8lb test and the other has a Calcutta with 14lb test. And one thing the Loomis rods have that I’ve never seen equaled is (and the St. Croix’s aren’t chopper liver in this respect) HOOKSET. Particularly if you decide to go down a notch in line weight and lore weight. Sure, you can go fishing with a pool stick and some rope, but why bother.

I think this discussion has reached a mute point – the guy with the question when out and bought a rod and reel and he’s probably happy with it.  I’m sure he’ll have some fun and then get suckered into bigger and badder stuff.  At that time, he might find some of this “I know more about this stuff than you do” bantering amusing.  In the mean time, how about we drop the discussion. In the future, I think it would be real nice if all of us bassin’ expert images around here kept to the original question.  If somebody is just getting into bass fishing and he or she has a price range in mind, how about we try to give the best possible advise within that person’s constraints.  Personally, I find it somewhat nauseating to see some blow-hard in this newsgroup talking about Calcutta reels and G. Loomis rods to somebody who has $80 to spend on both.  And to insinuated that using anything less is like fishing with a pool stick and rope is truly crass.   Richard

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Any suggestions on selecting my first bait casting rod and reel?

One word…..ABU

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The Quantum Iron (IR3) does in fact have a centrifugal brake.  However, the brake is not adjustable.  The knob on the handle side of the reel adjusts the tension of the freespool.  It is not really a brake but it has an impact on how far it will cast and how easy it will backlash.  Every baitcasting reel has one as far as I know, to include the ones with magnetic brakes.  A good rule of thumb is to take the rod and reel, put the lure on it that you intend to use, then tighten the knob until the lure will not fall when you release the freespool by depressing the thumbar. Then, back off on the know untill the lure falls to the floor very slowly.   The IR3 is a good choice for an inexpensive reel.  However, expect it to become somewhat loose and noisy over time.  I now use mine for Carolina Rigs.  Gone is the day that it works well for light lures but it is still working and still catching fish after 3 years of hard fishing. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Well, thanks to everyone for the great advice. I settled on a Quantum Iron (IR3) reel and a Berkley Performa IM6 rod. Now, the box says that it has a centrifugal brake system, so I guess that is what it has.  Its also adjustable (there is a knob there anyway). I paid $48 for the reel and $44 for the rod at Wal-Mart. Thanks again, this newsgroup is very valuable.

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In Thread  Re: Beginning Baitcasting Rig ,  it was written: As far as I know they are, except for a few ‘tackle snobs’ that like to brag on their high-dollar rods & reels, but never have much to say about the big stringers of bass they catch every week.  d8-] Getting back to the subject at hand.  My progression of baitcasters went from Iron to Calcutta to Coriolis.

That’s a rather strange progression.  Most Shimano fans start out with the Coriolis and move *up* to the Citica, Curado, Calcutta, or Chronarch. You dropped back from a Calcutta to a Coriolis.  Veeeeery interesting. If I had it all to do over again, I would have started with the Coriolis.  It would have saved me a bunch of time becoming an expert on bird’s nest.  The magnetic brakes would have allowed me to easily adjust them for varying conditions while I educated my thumb.  Once the thumb was educated, the centrifical brakes would have been easier to conquer.

That’s exactly my point about a mag-brake reel being a good reel for a beginner.  You can use the mag-brake to ‘dampen’ down the spool when you’re first learning to use it, and then lighten up the brake as your expert ability improves to match your expert image 8-].  Centrifugal brakes, even with all 6 set on, don’t do as good a job of damping the spool as a good magnetic brake, and they are not easy enough to adjust so that you can change the setting before every cast, if you want to. Richard C. I found that when trying to learn a new skill, the fewer the variables, the better off I am. The settings for the mag-brake reels were too vague for me. With only one of four (balanced) settings to worry about, it was pretty easy, when beginning, to click in all six centrifugal weights and leave ‘em alone. Likewise, I used one heavy lure only until I started to get the hang of it. I bought a whole spool of cheap 14 lb line and would just cut it out and respool when a birds nest wasn’t real easy to get out. I was determined to learn to cast, not de-nest. Since my learning pond was the side yard, the line turned kinda grass-green after a while anyway. All that was left as variables were the friction brake and the training of the thumb. Since I checked the friction brake after every three casts or so the thumb got trained pretty fast, for me. After getting one setup down, I started changing lures. With that exper., it was easier to see what differences the settings of the centrifugal brake would do. My last need was for a left-hand-crank reel. One less variable since the spinning reels I’ve owned were…. Having already owned a Shimano spinning reel, I was impressed with quality of their products, so I went straight out and got a Curado. I’m by NO means well off but learned a long time ago that you don’t buy tools or toys unless you can afford either the mid-to-upper limits of either price or frustration. From my limited newbie view, there seemed to be about five classes of reels, not counting statosphere stuff in about 25 dollar clicks. When a newbie comes to the newsgroups with a “What should I buy?, question that is wide open on price, those of us that bought above a 50 dollar reel are free to offer an opinion that we believed saved us some frustration, hoping the newbie won’t go belly up with something so cheap or vaguely controlled that he has a lot of trouble with it. Maybe all your pro thumbs were easy to train or you’ve been doing it for so long, you don’t remember just how hard it might have been to learn a new skill. In the Shimano case, I still think it is easier to deal with 4 known settings rather than 10 *kinda* settings that you can get on a mag-braked reel. If you really need to fool around with the new toy, you can always start changing the brake pads to different weights. As far as adjusting the little brake pads w/o dropping the cover into the lake, use the pointy end of the cover to snap the pads on/off instead of setting it down somewhere. Once you have an Image, you won’t ever have any of the pads engaged anyway unless you cast into 50 MPH winds anyway, right? Did I blow my fishing budget for more than a year? Yup, but I got what was right for me. Canyonsales got what he thought was right for him, too. I REALLY doubt he was being an “equipment snob”, and I KNOW I wasn’t. We were just giving opinions on what worked for us. Instead of attacking someone elses opinion of a new toy, perhaps the question, “How much ya wanna spend?”, should be asked of the newbie? I was so happy with my learning curve, that my “old” Curado now has a new brother. Dualing Curados! Yes, I would recommend one to a newbie in a second. If my thumb can be trained that fast, WITHOUT frustration, anyones can be! I’ve tried friends reels several times that had magnetic brakes. I’ll keep the centrifugal braked reels, thanks. See, another opinion…… Bill Yes, I still always have at least two of the red brake pads on all the time. I’m not ready for the pros…….

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Question:

There is no possible end of bass fishing boats in texa a season with you around Al. Keep up the good posting budbass fishing boats in texa The season seems so short up here. The time between now and next is quite long Time to be used for buying and tuning tackle and postng to this group. Where are the bass,now ? Steve from Stoner lake should know. In the off season i suppose you can build rods and write about fishing or report somebody to their isp. It’s Indian summer here now, beeutiful. Yesterday, I almost smacked into a deer on the highway.bass fishing boats in texa I had to brake so hard the trailer did fishtail or i like to think it did. What kind of motivational things do you do to prep for next season.

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Don’t feel to bad! I am a Contractor and I just finished building a new house for our family. I only got to go out one time all this year, on my birthday, it was a sunday! Had to walk past the boat every morning on the way to the truck. Owell there is always next year! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The season seems so short up here. The time between now and next is quite long Time to be used for buying and tuning tackle and postng to this group. Where are the bass,now ? Steve from Stoner lake should know. In the off season i suppose you can build rods and write about fishing or report somebody to their isp. It’s Indian summer here now, beeutiful. Yesterday, I almost smacked into a deer on the highway. I had to brake so hard the trailer did fishtail or i like to think it did. What kind of motivational things do you do to prep for next season. Al

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Hey Al I just thought of something that you could do in the waiting period! I hope you live close to a bait and tackle store.  Try going there on Saturday mornings and talking about fishing, this has worked for me and the owners actually like this  because it sells more lures. Smart store owners promote this and have coffee on sale to keep people in the store to make a kind of “busy look” to their store and promote the sport! I have learned a lot in the off season this way.  Opinions will vary so be careful!  Minute details are often omitted so specifics are what cause the discussions! Take care Al! —                         Steve from Stony

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The season seems so short up here. The time between now and next is quite long Time to be used for buying and tuning tackle and postng to this group. Where are the bass,now ? Steve from Stoner lake should know. In the off season i suppose you can build rods and write about fishing or report somebody to their isp. It’s Indian summer here now, beeutiful. Yesterday, I almost smacked into a deer on the highway. I had to brake so hard the trailer did fishtail or i like to think it did. What kind of motivational things do you do to prep for next season. Al

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Yes there is Charles! I have two good reservoirs near the house here and a canoe with an electric, OOPS I left it up at the lake……hmmmmm, I think I’ll have to be extra nice to my wife she likes to paddle.  I am going back up to Stony for muskie and smallies though.Using the neighbors boat don’tcha know!  Looking to buy a place on Scugog for retirement!!! —                                 Steve from Stony

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Personally Al, just knowing they are there waiting patiently for me next June is enough! What kind of talk is this? there is plentyo season left! Couchiching Sat, St. Clair, sunday monday… Smallies are just heating up…  I bet they are on Stony too! Get those sticks and the boat out of storage, we ain’t even had any snow yet!!! Heck I bet Erie and lower Niagara is gonna be on until December, and there are powerplants on Lake Ontario too! Charles

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What kind of motivational things do you do to prep for next season. Al

`Hi, Al!         Welcome back! I usually prepare for the walleye run that occurs just after ice out on the Wolf River by pouring jigs and painting them in the winter. My wife’s kitchen oven works great for baking the finish on the jigs to a hard consistency. I clean up any found crankbaits at this time and put new Gamkatsu hooks on them.          Then, too, I do a little ice fishing. In March I start to get my bass arsenal in order… re-spool line, clean and lube reels, stock up on plastics and a few crankbaits, practice pitching from the picnic table…. and smoke any carp I’ve gotten thru the ice on the river over the winter…         Our local bass club usually fishes its first tournament on Lake Puckaway, which is part of the Fox River/Winnebago chain, and so, is open year round for bass fishing, sometime in April. Bass season doesn’t legally open on most waters here until mid May.         Bob– Robert E. Longshore

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The season seems so short up here. The time between now and next is quite long Time to be used for buying and tuning tackle and postng to this group. Where are the bass,now ? Steve from Stoner lake should know. In the off season i suppose you can build rods and write about fishing or report somebody to their isp. It’s Indian summer here now, beeutiful. Yesterday, I almost smacked into a deer on the highway. I had to brake so hard the trailer did fishtail or i like to think it did. What kind of motivational things do you do to prep for next season. Al

Try going to Walmart there might be good stuff in the clean out bin Al

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Personally Al, just knowing they are there waiting patiently for me next June is enough! I go south to bass fish in the winter. There are some bigguns south of here! I haven’t been able to do that for two years now though.  Somehow the anticipation is something that has started to appeal to me in the past years.  Self masochist in a way but I know June will come and bass will open and I will conquer STONY once more!  Then you get years like this one and you have to do some more schooling, I did learn a lot more this year!  You are right on one count though, June is the longest month of the year! I think it has a few more days than all the rest.  Look back on your last —                                Stoner from Stony

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The season seems so short up here. The time between now and next is quite long Time to be used for buying and tuning tackle and postng to this group. Where are the bass,now ? Steve from Stoner lake should know. In the off season i suppose you can build rods and write about fishing or report somebody to their isp. It’s Indian summer here now, beeutiful. Yesterday, I almost smacked into a deer on the highway. I had to brake so hard the trailer did fishtail or i like to think it did. What kind of motivational things do you do to prep for next season. Al Try going to Walmart there might be good stuff in the clean out bin Al

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I am far from expert Al but I am learning the art of pitching in my back yard. I have six buckets set up and flip at em  all winter.  Occassionally the weight I pitch goes thru piles of Labrador retriever doo-doo.  Anyone know the proper solvent to get doo outta a Quantum 500? Tommy Rilee

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Personally Al, just knowing they are there waiting patiently for me next June is enough!

What kind of talk is this? there is plentyo season left! Couchiching Sat, St. Clair, sunday monday… Smallies are just heating up…  I bet they are on Stony too! Get those sticks and the boat out of storage, we ain’t even had any snow yet!!! Heck I bet Erie and lower Niagara is gonna be on until December, and there are powerplants on Lake Ontario too! Charles

Response:

The season seems so short up here. The time between now and next is quite long Time to be used for buying and tuning tackle and postng to this group. Where are the bass,now ? Steve from Stoner lake should know. In the off season i suppose you can build rods and write about fishing or report somebody to their isp. It’s Indian summer here now, beeutiful. Yesterday, I almost smacked into a deer on the highway. I had to brake so hard the trailer did fishtail or i like to think it did. What kind of motivational things do you do to prep for next season. Al

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Question:

You guys have been great in answering my ?Bass Fishing Tackle and tricks so far, so heres another. Just got serious about fishing this year and see all types of can’t miss lures and gimmicks, I’m a worm bass fisherguy  now but i would like to try a new way. I saw a t.v. show where a guy used a lizard(fake) and one of thoses sonic clicker devices.Bass Fishing Tackle and tricks 1.  Are those sonic clicker thingys any good? 2. Are they available at a tackle store or only mail order like on that fishing show you guys(and girls) are making me the fisherman i am today

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See my PRE use  product report … I spent  $50 for this kit ..Bass Fishing Tackle and tricks..  some glass n brass  would do the same thing, but admittedly,it’s nice to have noise without having to leave the zone.

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Question:

I like to use a #3 Mepps Aglia spinner when I fish for bass,amallmiuth Bass Fishing line and they worked well when I lived in Minnesota. Now I live in North Carolina and fish in a small lake with steep banks and an occasional fallen tree which presumably provides cover. There are few weed beds or extensive shallows.amallmiuth Bass Fishing line There are big bass living in this lake. Others catch them; I don’t–yet! I would be grateful for suggestions how to use the Mepps to best advantage, especially as to retrieving techniques. Also, which Mepps Aglia spinners are recommended?

The first thing I’d do is try a smaller size, like a #1 and see what happens. Vary your retrieve speed.amallmiuth Bass Fishing line  Heck, I’ve heard of people even having success jigging a Mepps!

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There are big bass living in this lake. Others catch them; I don’t–yet!

well..maybe because your fishing idiot trout lures.amallmiuth Bass Fishing line..that will only catch “trout-sized” bass or stupid bass.

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I would be grateful for suggestions how to use the Mepps to best advantage, especially as to retrieving techniques. Also, which Mepps Aglia spinners are recommended? Many thanks amallmiuth Bass Fishing line Put these things back in your tackle box and use them when nothing else will work, then try them. Not putting them down but if it’s big bass you want! Den  yer  gonna  hav’ ta brakes some nem eggs!   Do you copy that big body?  If it’s big bass you want  then post that question on the N.G. and we will be glad to get you more than confused

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I like to use a #3 Mepps Aglia spinner when I fish for bass, and they worked well when I lived in Minnesota. Now I live in North Carolina and fish in a small lake with steep banks and an occasional fallen tree which presumably provides cover. There are few weed beds or extensive shallows. There are big bass living in this lake. Others catch them; I don’t–yet! I would be grateful for suggestions how to use the Mepps to best advantage, especially as to retrieving techniques. Also, which Mepps Aglia spinners are recommended?

Response:

You might want to try a spinnerbait,amallmiuth Bass Fishing line  especially around the fallen trees. The spinnerbait will produce more flash and vibration than the Mepps, and will also be less likely to get snagged on the trees.

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like to use a #3 Mepps Aglia spinner when I fish for bass, and they worked well when I lived in Minnesota. Now I live in North Carolina and fish in a small lake with steep banks and an occasional fallen tree which presumably provides cover. There are few weed beds or extensive shallows. There are big bass living in this lake. Others catch them; I don’t–yet! I would be grateful for suggestions how to use the Mepps to best advantage, especially as to retrieving techniques. Also, which Mepps Aglia spinners are recommended? Many thanks, Tom Buell

Response:

If you must use a Mepps. ( I too like them in the right situations) and others are catching bass and you are not, I would have to guess that size is the problem.  I’d simply  get three or four sizes and if you are not getting any hits with the threes then go smaller.  I have great luck with mini-spinner baits in spots where I know the fish are there; and have fished them with larger spinner baits to no avail. Simply going down to about half the original size seems to draw the strikes.  It’s a “match the hatch” – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I like to use a #3 Mepps Aglia spinner when I fish for bass, and they worked well when I lived in Minnesota. Now I live in North Carolina and fish in a small lake with steep banks and an occasional fallen tree which presumably provides cover. There are few weed beds or extensive shallows. There are big bass living in this lake. Others catch them; I don’t–yet! I would be grateful for suggestions how to use the Mepps to best advantage, especially as to retrieving techniques. Also, which Mepps Aglia spinners are recommended? Many thanks, Tom Buell

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Question:

smallmouth bass fly fishing The boss may be sending me to Austin, TX for a week or so in Feb.  There’s not much bass fishing going on in Ohio in Feb., so I’m hoping to arrange a little side trip.  Can anyone recommend any lakes, guides, etc. within a short drive of Austin.  The sound of slipping drag would really cure the cabin fever. smallmouth bass fly fishing I’m from this area and I have to tell you that Austin has some pretty good bass fishing within an hour.  Lake Travis is known for large numbers of smaller largemouth and Guadalupe bass.The best-known guide is Allen Christiansen.  (I don’t think I spelled his name correctly, but I’m sure you can find his card at such tackle shops as McBride’s on Lamar St. or Ace Tackle on Parmer Lane. Lake Austin and Town Lake are both in the city limits of Austin and in February can offer exceptional fishing for larger bass.  Females should be about prime in Feb. But perhaps your best bet is Fayette County Lake -smallmouth bass fly fishing a small powerplant lake about an hour east of Austin on Hwy 71. Warmwater discharge keeps the water fishable in almost any weather, and slot limits, vigorous management, and a strong catch’n'release ethic have helped this lake sustain an excellent fishery for medium-size (3 – 5 lb) bass.  I wish I could recommend a guide but next best thing is to smallmouth bass fly fishing

The current issue of the TPWD magazine has an article on Fayette. I’d recommend picking it up to anyone that’s going to fish there.

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The boss may be sending me to Austin,smallmouth bass fly fishing TX for a week or so in Feb.  There’s not much bass fishing going on in Ohio in Feb., so I’m hoping to arrange a little side trip.  Can anyone recommend any lakes, guides, etc. within a short drive of Austin. smallmouth bass fly fishing  The sound of slipping drag would really cure the cabin fever.

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Ron, it’s been a while since I’ve been through Austin (love that city) but if I remember correctly, there is a river which runs just to the west of the city (a mile or so) and is “dammed up” to create Lake Travis.  Some of you TX guys can better answer this than I, but it seems to me I’ve read about some pretty good fishing on Lake Travis. ?smallmouth bass fly fishing The boss may be sending me to Austin, TX for a week or so in Feb.  There’s not much bass fishing going on in Ohio in Feb., so I’m hoping to arrange a little side trip.  Can anyone recommend any lakes, guides, etc. within a short drive of Austin.  The sound of slipping drag would really cure the cabin fever.

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Ron, it’s been a while since I’ve been through Austin (love that city) but if I remember correctly, there is a river which runs just to the west of the city (a mile or so) and is “dammed up” to create Lake Travis.  Some of you TX guys can better answer this than I, but it seems to me I’ve read about some pretty good fishing on Lake Travis. ?smallmouth bass fly fishing?

Travis is the one just west of Austin, Lake Austin is the next one down river from Travis. Austin has some nice bass in it. Tough to fish in the summer with all the recreational boating & skiers, though. I’ve never been able to get big fish off Travis, but I can catch the heck out of Guadalupe Bass all 10-12″ long.  Alan Christenson or Mike Hastings are the top local guides. If you want travel a little over an hour away, Fayette County Lake is a good power plant lake. Haven’t been there in over a year though.  I fished with Alan in ‘95 when I first moved here, he’ll put you on fish, but I think he only fishes Travis. Hastings will fish other lakes as well as Travis, as far as I know.  Alan’s number in the latest Yellow Pages I have here at work is (512)441-6682. Don’t know Hastings number. Another guide that will fish Fayette as well as Austin, Bastrop, and Travis is Philip Walker (512)272-9105. Never heard good or bad about him.  *Dislcaimer* I’ve only fished with Alan, and I have no association with any of the guides listed above.  Have fun and hurry out, were having amazing weather for January, just wish I didn’t have this nasty cold… –

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Give Mike Hastings a call at 512-280-2861. Brian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The boss may be sending me to Austin, TX for a week or so in Feb.  There’s not much bass fishing going on in Ohio in Feb., so I’m hoping to arrange a little side trip.  Can anyone recommend any lakes, guides, etc. within a short drive of Austin.  The sound of slipping drag would really cure the cabin fever.

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Also checkout… http://www.gitbitfishing.com Brian – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The boss may be sending me to Austin, TX for a week or so in Feb.  There’s not much bass fishing going on in Ohio in Feb., so I’m hoping to arrange a little side trip.  Can anyone recommend any lakes, guides, etc. within a short drive of Austin.  The sound of slipping drag would really cure the cabin fever.

Response:

The boss may be sending me to Austin, TX for a week or so in Feb.  There’s not much bass fishing going on in Ohio in Feb., so I’m hoping to arrange a little side trip.  Can anyone recommend any lakes, guides, etc. within a short drive of Austin.  The sound of slipping drag would really cure the cabin fever.

Ron — I’m from this area and I have to tell you that Austin has some pretty good bass fishing within an hour.  Lake Travis is known for large numbers of smaller largemouth and Guadalupe bass.The best-known guide is Allen Christiansen.  (I don’t think I spelled his name correctly, but I’m sure you can find his card at such tackle shops as McBride’s on Lamar St. or Ace Tackle on Parmer Lane.   Lake Austin and Town Lake are both in the city limits of Austin and in February can offer exceptional fishing for larger bass.  Females should be about prime in Feb. But perhaps your best bet is Fayette County Lake — a small powerplant lake about an hour east of Austin on Hwy 71. Warmwater discharge keeps the water fishable in almost any weather, and slot limits, vigorous management, and a strong catch’n'release ethic have helped this lake sustain an excellent fishery for medium-size (3 – 5 lb) bass.  I wish I could recommend a guide but next best thing is to ask at Ace Tackle or McBride’s.   Other good lakes in the area would include LBJ — an hour west near Marble Falls, Lake Long  (AKA Decker Lake) in east Austin (better known for catfish, but also a good bass and hybrid striper fishery), Lake Bastrop, 45 minutes east of Austin on 71, and Canyon Lake, an hour south on IH35 near New Braunfels.   There’s more, but these ought to keep you busy. I live on Lake Buchanan about an hour and a half northwest.  Buchanan is well-known for striped bass, especially this time of the year.  As I’ve written in other posts, stripers are not my favorite fish, but I have to admit that lots of other anglers have a blast catching them.  If you’re interested in stripers, drop me a note and I can give you guide names and telephone numbers. Another good connection for both stripers and black bass is Joey Martin’s Sporting Goods in Marble Fall.   A useful web site might be the Texas Parks and Wildlife Fishing Site: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/cgi-bin/fishrept.pl?curr

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Question:

smoky mountain pro Bass Fishing  Introduction Welcome to rec.outdoors.fishing.bass.  This Usenet newsgroup was approved in February 1996 for information about freshwater bass fishing.  The following guidelines will help you share your bass fishing information, questions and experiences.    A)  Definitions        a)  Commercial Posts: Posts designed to sell products or services            for profit.        b)  Flame: Comments designed to insult or offend another person.        c)  Primary Internet Service Provider (ISP): The company that gives            you access to the Internet.        d)  Second-tier Internet Presence Provider: The company that gives            your primary ISP access to the Internet.        e)  Sig: A signature block placed at the end of a post.  For this            newsgroup, a .sig may contain up to six lines with no more            than 76 characters in each line.  A .sig begins with a line            that contains only “– ” (dash dash space).            For 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significantly changes the topic of a message, change        the subject line to reflect the new topic.    H)  It is sometimes difficult to express the feelings that go along        with our words.  The following symbols (read sideways) may be used        to express those feelings:        a)  :) or means a smile or a grin.        b) smoky mountain pro Bass Fishing( means a frown.        c)  : or :- means a confused look.        d)  :| or means a blank look.    I)  To save time and space, certain abbreviations may be used:        a)  AFAIC – As far as I’m concerned.        b)  AFAIK – As far as I know.        c)  FWIW – For what it’s worth.        d)  IMHO – In my humble opinion.        e)  OTOH – On the other hand.        g)  WRT – With respect to. 3) Posting Restrictions This section explains what to avoid when posting.    A)  Spam is not allowed in this newsgroup.    B)  Flames are not allowed in this newsgroup.    C)  Commercial posts are not allowed in this newsgroup.  Commercial        advertisements may be posted in rec.outdoors.marketplace.    D)  Advertisments are not allow in this newsgroup.  The following is        not considered advertisement and is permitted:        a)  Commercial information placed in a .sig.        b)  Internet site information, including links, placed in a .sig.        c)  Commercial information provided in response to a request for            information.  The provided information must be limited to the            specific request.        d)  Directions (link) to another Internet site provided in            response to a request for information.  A summary of the            information to be found at the other site should be provided as            a courtesy.        e)  Directions (link) to another Internet site if the site has            specific information that would be suitable for posting in            this newsgroup.  A brief summary of the specific information            must be provided along with the directions.        f)  Private parties sales of bass fishing items.  These may be            posted one time.  FOR SALE or FS must be placed in the title of            these posts.  The post must state that replies must be by means            other than the newsgroup.    E)  Binary files (pictures or programs) are not allowed in this        newsgroup.  Picture binary files may be posted in alt.binaries.        pictures.fishing and then referenced from this newsgroup. 4)  Enforcement This section explains the actions to be taken to keep rec.outdoors. fishing.bass consistent with these guidelines and the charter.    A)  Inappropriate posts are generally the result of somebody not        understanding these guidelines or the charter.  Efforts to limit        inappropriate posts will be based on that premise.    B)  Enforcement actions will graduate based on the number of similar        offenses:        a)  First and second offense – the poster will be notified of the            specific infraction in e-mail and referred to these guidelines            and the charter.        b)  Third and fourth offense – the poster’s primary Internet            Service Provider will be notified of the specific infraction            and provided with copies of these guidelines and the charter.        c)  Fourth and subsequent offense – the poster’s second-tier            Internet Presence Provider will be notified of the specific            infraction and provided with copies of these guidelines and            the charter.  A copy of these correspondences will also be            provided to the primary Internet Service Provider. C)  Enforcement actions will be performed by an elected official. END POSTING GUIDELINES

Response:

POSTING GUIDELINES – rec.outdoors.fishing.bass 1)  Introduction Welcome to rec.outdoors.fishing.bass.  This Usenet newsgroup was approved in February 1996 for information about freshwater bass fishing.  The following guidelines will help you share your bass fishing information, questions and experiences.    A)  Definitions        a)  Commercial Posts: Posts designed to sell products or services            for profit.        b)  Flame: Comments designed to insult or offend another person.        c)  Primary Internet Service Provider (ISP): The company that gives            you access to the Internet.        d)  Second-tier Internet Presence Provider: The company that gives            your primary ISP access to the Internet.        e)  Sig: A signature block placed at the end of a post.  For this            newsgroup, a .sig may contain up to six lines with no more            than 76 characters in each line.  A .sig begins with a line            that contains only “– ” (dash dash space).            For example:              –              John Johnson              Tiger Lure Manufacturing, Inc.              The only lures you’ll ever need!              http://www.tigerlures.com        f)  Spam: Comments, generally cross-posted to many newsgroups, with            no value to this newsgroup.    B)  Notifications        a)  This document, along with the charter, will be posted weekly to            the rec.outdoors.fishing.bass newsgroup.        b)  An addendum to this document will be posted on a periodic            basis, listing all enforcement actions.        c)  Modifications to these guidelines can be proposed and subjected            to vote by the group.  No modifications may be proposed within            three months of the most recent vote. 2) Posting Guidelines This section explains how to write an acceptable post.    A)  All posts in this newsgroup should be related to freshwater bass        fishing.    B)  This newsgroup is family-oriented.  All posts should be written        with that in mind.  Profanity is considered inappropriate.    C)  This newsgroup has a diverse membership.  Derogatory comments about        gender, age, sexual preference, economical status or ethnic        background are considered inappropriate.    D)  When posting, use plain text.  Newsgroups are based on plain text.        If you use HTML or MIME encoding, your post will not be readable        by part of the membership.    E)  When asking for advice, be specific.  General questions either get          ignored or receive general replies.  For example, if you want        advice about buying a reel, give a price range.    F)  When replying to a post, do not include the entire text of the        original post.  Keep only what is relevant.  By selectively        deleting unnecessary parts of the original text, you will make your        reply easier to follow.  To show where you delete text, the <snip        notation may be used.    G)  If your reply significantly changes the topic of a message, change        the subject line to reflect the new topic.    H)  It is sometimes difficult to express the feelings that go along        with our words.  The following symbols (read sideways) may be used        to express those feelings:        a)  :) or means a smile or a grin.        b)  :( or means a frown.        c)  : or :- means a confused look.        d)  :| or means a blank look.    I)  To save time and space, certain abbreviations may be used:        a)  AFAIC – As far as I’m concerned.        b)  AFAIK – As far as I know.        c)  FWIW – For what it’s worth.        d)  IMHO – In my humble opinion.        e)  OTOH – On the other hand.        g)  WRT – With respect to. 3) Posting Restrictions This section explains what to avoid when posting.    A)  Spam is not allowed in this newsgroup.    B)  Flames are not allowed in this newsgroup.    C)  Commercial posts are not allowed in this newsgroup.  Commercial        advertisements may be posted in rec.outdoors.marketplace.    D)  Advertisments are not allow in this newsgroup.  The following is        not considered advertisement and is permitted:        a)  Commercial information placed in a .sig.        b)  Internet site information, including links, placed in a .sig.        c)  Commercial information provided in response to a request for            information.  The provided information must be limited to the            specific request.        d)  Directions (link) to another Internet site provided in            response to a request for information.  A summary of the            information to be found at the other site should be provided as            a courtesy.        e)  Directions (link) to another Internet site if the site has            specific information that would be suitable for posting in            this newsgroup.  A brief summary of the specific information            must be provided along with the directions.        f)  Private parties sales of bass fishing items.  These may be            posted one time.  FOR SALE or FS must be placed in the title of            these posts.  The post must state that replies must be by means            other than the newsgroup.    E)  Binary files (pictures or programs) are not allowed in this        newsgroup.  Picture binary files may be posted in alt.binaries.        pictures.fishing and then referenced from this newsgroup. 3)  Enforcement This section explains the actions to be taken to keep rec.outdoors. fishing.bass consistent with these guidelines and the charter.    A)  Inappropriate posts are generally the result of somebody not        understanding these guidelines or the charter.  Efforts to limit        inappropriate posts will be based on that premise.    B)  Enforcement actions will graduate based on the number of similar        offenses:        a)  First and second offense – the poster will be notified of the            specific infraction in e-mail and referred to these guidelines            and the charter.        b)  Third and fourth offense – the poster’s primary Internet            Service Provider will be notified of the specific infraction            and provided with copies of these guidelines and the charter.        c)  Fourth and subsequent offense – the poster’s second-tier            Internet Presence Provider will be notified of the specific            infraction and provided with copies of these guidelines and            the charter.  A copy of these correspondences will also be            provided to the primary Internet Service Provider. C)  Enforcement actions will be performed by an elected official. END POSTING GUIDELINES

Response:

Warren, I’ve been spending a lot of time chasing down spammers lately. Unfortunately I’ve been remiss in posting the updates that are required by the guidelines because I simply don’t have that kind of time these days (Thrusday/Friday I worked 38 hours straight). At any rate, be sure that I’m chasing these folks down as fast as I can. As for the flame war currently filling up the group, to be honest, there’s nothing I can do about.  These people all know what the rules are and know they are breaking them.  Unfortunately it’s gotten to the point now that everyone has managed to flame everyone else so I can’t go to someone’s service provider saying “look what this guys doing, could you stop it” when that person can say, “Hey, I was just defending myself.”  I’ve taken a couple of hits lately for not stopping this but as far as I’m concerned that’s not my job anyway.  I said several times when we were drafting the guidelines that the purpose was _not_ to limit what folks could say here. I have no interest in playing big brother or NetCop. I fish, I enjoy fishing and I enjoy talking with folks that enjoy the same thing.  People that post useless spam and ruin the group are my number one priority.  The rest of the fluff will hopefully go away soon enough.  If not you can always ignore the thread… most news readers allow you to do that. With all of that said.  I do consider protection of the newer folks here part of my “job”.  So if you flame someone for asking a “stupid” question God save you. As for nietzsche…. like most famous authors, he was a nut. Thanks, Tommy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Tommy, I hate to ask this, but IMHO, it’s time for you to get out the whip. The last time I opened the rofb group, 10% of the posts were straight out-and-out commercial posts.  Lures, belt buckles, and tackle were the primary sales items.  I read this (and occasionally post) to get and share information about bass fishing.  Web sites advertised are probably 20% of the posts.  And of this last batch, almost a third were still going on about the terrible indignities suffered at the hands of others.  C’mon guys, we’re all adults here (well, most of us and so what if someone says something you don’t like?  You should be used to it by now, things like that happen most of our lives.  For Heaven’s Sakes, let’s clip off this last thread and stop the flaming, and get back to bass fishing.  The RodMaker was so P.O.d, he left, although he told me he would probably stay in the background until we settled down, then *maybe* would come back.  We don’t need to be irritating people who have talent like his to offer the rest of us so badly they leave. A lot of years ago, a famous philosopher (Nietzsche) said “That which does not kill me makes me stronger.”  To my knowledge, none of the flaming or spamming or anything else killed anyone, so live up to Nietzsche’s philosophy and get stronger, and get over it. Warren Funk POSTING GUIDELINES – rec.outdoors.fishing.bass (snip) 3) Posting Restrictions This section explains what to avoid when posting.   A)  Spam is not allowed in this newsgroup.   B)  Flames are not allowed in this newsgroup.   C)  Commercial posts are not allowed in this newsgroup.  Commercial       advertisements may be posted in rec.outdoors.marketplace.   D)  Advertisments are not allowed in this newsgroup 4)  Enforcement This section explains the actions to be taken to keep rec.outdoors. fishing.bass consistent with these guidelines and the charter.   A)  Inappropriate posts are generally the result of somebody not       understanding these guidelines or the charter.  Efforts to limit       inappropriate posts will be based on that premise. (snip) END POSTING GUIDELINES

– Tommy W. Jinks               | Senior Web/IRC Engineer      | Perot Systems Co             | (312) 554-5436               |

Response:

Tommy, I hate to ask this, but IMHO, it’s time for you to get out the whip. The last time I opened the rofb group, 10% of the posts were straight out-and-out commercial posts.  Lures, belt buckles, and tackle were the primary sales items.  I read this (and occasionally post) to get and share information about bass fishing.  Web sites advertised are probably 20% of the posts.  And of this last batch, almost a third were still going on about the terrible indignities suffered at the hands of others.  C’mon guys, we’re all adults here (well, most of us and so what if someone says something you don’t like?  You should be used to it by now, things like that happen most of our lives.  For Heaven’s Sakes, let’s clip off this last thread and stop the flaming, and get back to bass fishing.  The RodMaker was so P.O.d, he left, although he told me he would probably stay in the background until we settled down, then *maybe* would come back.  We don’t need to be irritating people who have talent like his to offer the rest of us so badly they leave. A lot of years ago, a famous philosopher (Nietzsche) said “That which does not kill me makes me stronger.”  To my knowledge, none of the flaming or spamming or anything else killed anyone, so live up to Nietzsche’s philosophy and get stronger, and get over it. Warren Funk POSTING GUIDELINES – rec.outdoors.fishing.bass

(snip) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -3) Posting Restrictions This section explains what to avoid when posting.   A)  Spam is not allowed in this newsgroup.   B)  Flames are not allowed in this newsgroup.   C)  Commercial posts are not allowed in this newsgroup.  Commercial       advertisements may be posted in rec.outdoors.marketplace.   D)  Advertisments are not allowed in this newsgroup 4)  Enforcement This section explains the actions to be taken to keep rec.outdoors. fishing.bass consistent with these guidelines and the charter.   A)  Inappropriate posts are generally the result of somebody not       understanding these guidelines or the charter.  Efforts to limit       inappropriate posts will be based on that premise.

(snip) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -END POSTING GUIDELINES

Response:

RodMaker, Thank you Roguester for that superb explanation, By the way did anyone ever get Tommy that copy of the F.A.Q ? If not let me know, I found a copy skulking on the H/D.

I think Marcus was looking for them, not Tommy.  Why not post what you got and let whomever wants them copy them. Richard

Response:

POSTING GUIDELINES – Rec.Outdoors.Fishing.Bass 1)  Introduction Welcome to rec.outdoors.fishing.bass.  This Usenet newsgroup was approved in February 1996 for information about freshwater bass fishing.  The following guidelines will help you share your bass fishing information, questions and experiences.    A)  Definitions        a)  Commercial Posts: Posts designed to sell products or services            for profit.        b)  Flame: Comments designed to insult or offend another person.        c)  Primary Internet Service Provider (ISP): The company that gives            you access to the Internet.        d)  Second-tier Internet Presence Provider: The company that gives            your primary ISP access to the Internet.        e)  Sig: A signature block placed at the end of a post.  For this            newsgroup, a .sig may contain up to six lines with no more            than 76 characters in each line.  A .sig begins with a line            that contains only “– ” (dash dash space).            For example:              –              John Johnson              Tiger Lure Manufacturing, Inc.              The only lures you’ll ever need!              http://www.tigerlures.com        f)  Spam: Comments, generally cross-posted to many newsgroups, with            no value to this newsgroup.    B)  Notifications        a)  This document, along with the charter, will be posted weekly to            the rec.outdoors.fishing.bass newsgroup.        b)  An addendum to this document will be posted on a periodic            basis, listing all enforcement actions.        c)  Modifications to these guidelines can be proposed and subjected            to vote by the group.  No modifications may be proposed within            three months of the most recent vote. 2) Posting Guidelines This section explains how to write an acceptable post.    A)  All posts in this newsgroup should be related to freshwater bass        fishing.    B)  This newsgroup is family-oriented.  All posts should be written        with that in mind.  Profanity is considered inappropriate.    C)  This newsgroup has a diverse membership.  Derogatory comments about        gender, age, sexual preference, economical status or ethnic        background are considered inappropriate.    D)  When posting, use plain text.  Newsgroups are based on plain text.        If you use HTML or MIME encoding, your post will not be readable        by part of the membership.    E)  When asking for advice, be specific.  General questions either get          ignored or receive general replies.  For example, if you want        advice about buying a reel, give a price range.    F)  When replying to a post, do not include the entire text of the        original post.  Keep only what is relevant.  By selectively        deleting unnecessary parts of the original text, you will make your        reply easier to follow.  To show where you delete text, the <snip        notation may be used.    G)  If your reply significantly changes the topic of a message, change        the subject line to reflect the new topic.    H)  It is sometimes difficult to express the feelings that go along        with our words.  The following symbols (read sideways) may be used        to express those feelings:        a)  :) or means a smile or a grin.        b)  :( or means a frown.        c)  : or :- means a confused look.        d)  :| or means a blank look.    I)  To save time and space, certain abbreviations may be used:        a)  AFAIC – As far as I’m concerned.        b)  AFAIK – As far as I know.        c)  FWIW – For what it’s worth.        d)  IMHO – In my humble opinion.        e)  OTOH – On the other hand.        g)  WRT – With respect to. 3) Posting Restrictions This section explains what to avoid when posting.    A)  Spam is not allowed in this newsgroup.    B)  Flames are not allowed in this newsgroup.    C)  Commercial posts are not allowed in this newsgroup.  Commercial        advertisements may be posted in rec.outdoors.marketplace.    D)  Advertisments are not allow in this newsgroup.  The following is        not considered advertisement and is permitted:        a)  Commercial information placed in a .sig.        b)  Internet site information, including links, placed in a .sig.        c)  Commercial information provided in response to a request for            information.  The provided information must be limited to the            specific request.        d)  Directions (link) to another Internet site provided in            response to a request for information.  A summary of the            information to be found at the other site should be provided as            a courtesy.        e)  Directions (link) to another Internet site if the site has            specific information that would be suitable for posting in            this newsgroup.  A brief summary of the specific information            must be provided along with the directions.        f)  Private parties sales of bass fishing items.  These may be            posted one time.  FOR SALE or FS must be placed in the title of            these posts.  The post must state that replies must be by means            other than the newsgroup.    E)  Binary files (pictures or programs) are not allowed in this        newsgroup.  Picture binary files may be posted in alt.binaries.        pictures.fishing and then referenced from this newsgroup. 3)  Enforcement This section explains the actions to be taken to keep rec.outdoors. fishing.bass consistent with these guidelines and the charter.    A)  Inappropriate posts are generally the result of somebody not        understanding these guidelines or the charter.  Efforts to limit        inappropriate posts will be based on that premise.    B)  Enforcement actions will graduate based on the number of similar        offenses:        a)  First and second offense – the poster will be notified of the            specific infraction in e-mail and referred to these guidelines            and the charter.        b)  Third and fourth offense – the poster’s primary Internet            Service Provider will be notified of the specific infraction            and provided with copies of these guidelines and the charter.        c)  Fourth and subsequent offense – the poster’s second-tier            Internet Presence Provider will be notified of the specific            infraction and provided with copies of these guidelines and            the charter.  A copy of these correspondences will also be            provided to the primary Internet Service Provider. C)  Enforcement actions will be performed by an elected official. END POSTING GUIDELINES

Response:

POSTING GUIDELINES – Rec.Outdoors.Fishing.Bass 1)  Introduction Welcome to rec.outdoors.fishing.bass.  This Usenet newsgroup was approved in February 1996 for information about freshwater bass fishing.  The following guidelines will help you share your bass fishing information, questions and experiences.    A)  Definitions        a)  Spam: Repeated posting of similar comments.        b)  Commercial posts: Posts designed to sell products or services            for a profit.        c)  Flame: Comments designed to insult or offend another person.        d)  .Sig: A signature block placed at the end of a post.  For this            newsgroup, a .sig may contain up to six lines with no more            than 76 characters in each line.  A .sig begins with a line            that contains only “– ” (dash dash space).        For example:            –            John Johnson            Tiger Lure Manufacturing, Inc.            The only lures you’ll ever need!            http://www.tigerlures.com        e)  Primary Internet Service Provider (ISP): The company that gives            you access to the Internet.        f)  Second-tier Internet Presence Provider: The company that            gives your primary ISP access to the Internet.    B)  Notifications        a)  This document, along with the charter, will be posted weekly to            the rec.outdoors.fishing.bass newsgroup.        b)  An addendum to this document will be posted on a periodic            basis, listing all enforcement actions.        c)  Modifications to these guidelines can be proposed and subjected            to vote by the group.  No modifications may be proposed within            six months of the most recent vote. 2) Posting Guidelines The information in this section explains how to write an acceptable post.    A)  All posts in this newsgroup should be somehow related to freshwater        bass fishing.    B)  This newsgroup is family-oriented.  All posts should be written        with that in mind.  Profanity is considered inappropriate.    C)  This newsgroup has a diverse membership.  Derogatory comments about        gender, age, sexual preference, economical status or ethnic        background are considered inappropriate.    D)  When asking for advice, be specific.  General questions either get          ignored or receive general replies.  For example, if you want        advice about buying a reel, give a price range.    E)  When replying to a post, do not include the entire text of the        original post.  Keep only what is relevant.  By selectively        deleting unnecessary parts of the original text, you will make your        reply easier to follow.  To show where you delete text, use the        <snip notation.    F)  If your reply significantly changes the topic of a message, change        the subject line to reflect the new topic.    G)  It is sometimes difficult to express the feelings that go along        with our words.  Use the following symbols (read sideways) to        express feelings:        a)  :) or means a smile or a grin.        b)  :( or means a frown.        c)  : or :- means a confused look.        d)  :| or means a blank look.    H)  To save time and space, certain abbreviations may be used:        a)  IMHO – In my humble opinion. 3) Posting Restrictions The information in this section explains what to avoid when posting.    A)  Spam is not allowed in this newsgroup.    B)  Flames are not allowed in this newsgroup.    C)  Commercial posts are not allowed in this newsgroup.  Commercial        advertisements may be posted in rec.outdoors.marketplace.    D)  Advertisments are not allow in this newsgroup.  The following are        not considered advertisement and are permitted:        a)  Commercial information may be placed in a .sig.        b)  Internet site information, including links, may be placed in a            .sig.        c)  Commercial information may be provided in response to a request            for information.  The provided information must be limited to            the specific request.        d)  Directions (link) to another Internet site may be provided in            response to a request for information.  A summary of the            information to be found at the other site should be provided as            a courtesy.        e)  Directions (link) to another Internet site may be provided if            the site has specific information that would be suitable for            posting in this newsgroup.  A brief summary of the specific            information must be  provided along with the directions.        f)  Private parties sales of bass fishing items may be posted one            time.  FOR SALE must be placed in the title of these posts.            The post must state that replies must be by e-mail only.    E)  Binary files (pictures or programs) are not allowed in this        newsgroup.  Picture binary files may be posted in alt.binaries.        pictures.fishing and then referenced from this newsgroup. 3)  Enforcement The information in this section explains the actions that will be taken to keep rec.outdoors.fishing.bass consistent with its charter.    A)  Enforcement is to be completed with as much leniency as possible        without adversely affecting or allowing the poster to adversely        affect the newsgroup.  Please let someone elected by this group        handle these matters.    B)  First offense will be met with a reply to the poster asking the        poster to refrain from posts of an unacceptable nature and        informing them of these posting guidelines.    C)  Second offense within 30 days and of the same nature will be met        with notification of the poster’s primary Internet service provider        with copies sent to the poster.    D)  Third and further offenses will be met with notification of        second-tier Internet Presence Provider, the posters Internet        Service Provider, and the poster.  All means necessary will be made        to stop further posts by the poster.

Response:

Why are these  guidelines continually posted on this ng?  I spend most of my time on newsgroups and this is the only one I have seen “guidelines”. When an obnoxious post occurs just ignore it so it falls off the board quickly.         Karl Marx

Response:

Thank you Roguester for that superb explanation, By the way did anyone ever get Tommy that copy of the F.A.Q ? If not let me know, I found a copy skulking on the H/D. The RodMaker http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/2865 http://members.tripod.com/~therodmaker/index.html

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Karl, Why are these  guidelines continually posted on this ng?  I spend most of my time on newsgroups and this is the only one I have seen “guidelines”. When an obnoxious post occurs just ignore it so it falls off the board quickly. They are posted weekly because people keep asking for them.  The people who want them are the people who try to stay within the boundaries.  The people who don’t ask for them are the people you are talking about.  Plus, a lot of people wander into different newsgroups and really don’t know how to join in.  The guidelines are suppose to help out there. Richard

Response:

Karl, Why are these  guidelines continually posted on this ng?  I spend most of my time on newsgroups and this is the only one I have seen “guidelines”. When an obnoxious post occurs just ignore it so it falls off the board quickly.

They are posted weekly because people keep asking for them.  The people who want them are the people who try to stay within the boundaries.  The people who don’t ask for them are the people you are talking about.  Plus, a lot of people wander into different newsgroups and really don’t know how to join in.  The guidelines are suppose to help out there. Richard

Response: