Thanks all for the well wishes. I am indeed happy to be celebrating this holiday with family and we are thankful for the friends we have on both sides of the boarder.
Art
I would try to see if you can be a mate for a season in the area that you are close too and hopefully the Captain will share his wisdom with you. I think you will find that the amount of planning is very high if you want to have a chance at it as a career.
Art
A secret (no longer) is when the surfcasting competitions people would degrease/clean their reels and then lube up the bearings with lighter fluid to give them just the right oil but not the drag of a heavy lube. The downside is it has no rust or corrosion prevention so after the contest they would oil the reels till the next time and then degrease and lighter fluid them again....
Art
Very nice work she has a hand /eye coordination that I do not see often but I am in awe of whenever I see it. I hope that when the Tyler event comes up she would offer up a piece for the cause I am sure it would be a real money maker.
Art
I almost had a great fishin shirt but that Fuzzy Canook won't send it to me. (yes T.J. it's you I am hollerin about).
It says OFC on it with a collar and pockets and it would make me look official but if T.J wants to continue breakin my heart and sending me to the tournaments looking unprofessional I guess I have to live with it........
A very sad member of the Southern Contingency...
Art
try here craigslist use the right side to pick a state and city that is close to you. Be aware it is people dealing with people so make sure you get all of the info and paperwork needed to get your prize home.
Art
Gee and that is before you figure that The rocker was a full blow alternative lifestyler (not that their is anything wrong with that)(just so I can be politically correct).... but man could he sing.
Art
My thoughts and prayers to both Big Cliff and Sue I am sorry to hear trouble like this for such a great pair of people. While we are far away if their is anything that we can do Cliff give Roy a call he has our number.
Art and the Southern Contingency
You should look at the Tica Reel series it is a great bang for the buck. They are available from tica reel at all american outdoors .This reel I have 4 of for 3 years and have pulled in over 1000 lbs of catfish some as big as 56 lbs with no issues. Chris has one that is 2 series higher and he so far has been very happy with them. They also are Canadian friendly and was/is a sponsor of OFC.
Art
They are a most excellent site. I have purchased reels from them over the last few years and never had an issue with them. I how ever can not address the shipping question but can vouch for their integrity.
Art
Since the gun was free why not go ahead and treat yourself to a good lookin over by a gunsmith. He can check the bore and see what choke is if any is in the gun. He can also check the trigger and other parts for wear and lub it up for a fraction of what a new one would have cost you. When you fire it you should shoot it from the hip in a safe area to keep any injury if it malfunctions but after the gunsmith I would not be worried about issues.
Art
I am not sure how this applies but when using chunks of shad (6") plus for catfishing the hook of choice is a 7/0 to 9/0 circle with anything from 8 lb to 56 lb being caught. I would be thinking the 2/0 or3/0 a good choice to begin. Don't be afraid of the bigger #'s the mouth on the bass is more than enough to inhale the larger hook.
Art
Sorry to hear Joey, While I did not get a chance to sit down and talk with your dad the love and guidance that he put into raising you shines thru and puts him into a category of men I wish I had known.
Art