• Snapshots

I am toying with the idea of using Snapshots (http://www.snap.com). The blogger at Rattletrap Ramblings uses them and I have seen these little previews all over the net. I'm sure you have too. I know my blog is already overloaded with add-ons, but I have a very specific purpose in mind for snapshots if it is possible.

Apparently Snapshots has something called Mapshots. If I can integrate Google Maps into snapshots, I will be able to reference specific locations on the lakes I fish. My readers will know exactly what I'm dealing with or at least know where I fished. So far, I am only able to load a preview of the map page I see and not a map similar to what Mapshots resembles.

I will be trying to integrate snapshots using Google Maps in older fishing reports. It will take a while, but I think it will be a worthwhile project. I think I can start marking spots in my own Google Maps and use those as snapshots.

When you see this icon, next to a link, hover your mouse over the link or the icon to see a snapshot of the spot I fished using Google Maps.

• Added Slide Show for Spooling a Baitcaster

I uploaded all of the photos to my Myspace photo album. Then I created a slideshow using Slide.com. The slide show has been added to the post titled "Back To Basics: Spooling A Baitcaster" and I added some instructions to help visitors.

• Some Upcoming Posts, Star Ratings

I've been thinking about what else I could write about in the near future. My list already includes a look at Bandit 100 Series crankbaits, Revenge jigs, how to repair LFT Pig Claws, and a post on the Gander Mountain Guide Series rod. Those posts are currently works-in-progress. I do have two more photos I could post. One is of a cormorant and the other is of a leaning tree one of the hurricanes left behind.

I recently added the Pflueger Patriarch to my arsenal, so I may put up a post giving my first impressions. I swapped out the hooks on my Bandit cranks with Gammy EWG trebles and once I catch a few fish with them, I'll share my thoughts. With my recent post on buzzbait techniques, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss how to follow up after a missed strike on a buzzbait.

I'm not using the Blogger designed star ratings. Instead, I signed up with Outbrain and use theirs. There have been a few bugs. For instance, sometimes they do not load. Other times, the widget which lists the top rated posts does not load. I am a bit miffed that a few select posts have been victims of abuse. One user visits a post and in a matter of seconds, gives that post one star and moves on to another post. Most visitors don't even rate posts at all, so I'm not sure how helpful the ratings will be.

• Made some minor edits

I added a photo of a brush hog to the Zoom Brush Hogs post.

I added a photo of a swimblade to the Swimblade Commentary post and added the Related Posts links to the bottom of both swimblade blog entries.

I made some minor edits to the Pflueger Summit WLP review.

I also added a new label called baitcasters

• Fixed another typo

I do a lot of editing here, so it's very easy for my mouse to stray and accidentally mess something up in a post. From time to time, I recheck posts people visit frequently and notice a typo or mistake. I fix what I can find. Should you ever come across a typo, let me know by posting a comment under that particular post. I'll be sure to fix it. Even proofreading isn't always a fail-safe.

The typo I caught today was in my Shimano Callisto review. For some reason, a space did not get put in after a sentence. There wasn't even a period. Not sure how that one slipped by me, but as I said, I do a lot of periodic editing.

Thanks for your understanding.

• More posts coming, MD in the mail

Later this morning, a post is scheduled to show up on my blog. The Shallow Shad Rap is a fairly new lure in my tackle box, but I have used it enough to write a review. A few days ago, I posted a photo of an egret standing in a cypress tree. I have more photos on deck ready to be posted in the coming weeks. I took them on my last outing in the boat. I do have some video of eight to ten catfish swimming near the pier, but I'll have to compress it down to a smaller format. I'm new to video editing, so when I make a version that isn't pixelated too much, I will post it.

The Residency Match is in full swing right now and interview season is upon me. Forgive me for not posting as often as you might want, but my career has to come first. By the way, my degree is being sent out today in the mail from my medical school and I should have it before the end of the week. Looks like I will need to go out and buy a frame for it soon.