OK, please school me on fishing

[DaleGribble]

The dangerous part of noodling isnt the catfish itself but more the snakes/turtles/alligators/etc that may lurk in or around their lairs

[Crazy Wolf]

Noodling is actually illegal in most states IIRC

And foolish in all of them. What's worth more to your survival, a hand or a catfish?

Noodling may seem foolish but Native Americans have fished for catfish in this way long before white man ever set foot on American soil and they HAD to do it for SURVIVAL to FEED themselves AND their families. Besides... catfish in this country don't have teeth that can rip a whole hand off... their gums are lined with raspy pads that are suited for grabbing and holding onto their meals so your knuckles are gonna get scraped up like you rubbed them rough on a piece of sandpaper, but they aren't going to rip your hand off like a bull shark and 5 yards! They may take a finger, that is possible if you have a big enough one on hand, and if they are good fighters and stronger than you are and you aren't smart enough to know when the hell you should let go then they could drown you... yes... but that is where you have to remember to noodle responsibly and know when to hold um and know when to fold um like Kenny Rogers would say in the Gambler

http://crazyhorsesghost.hubpages.com/hub/Noodling_What_Is_It_And_Is_It_Legal

http://www.welcomefishermen.com/index.php/pages/noodlingcatfish.html

First off: catfish aren't the only things that like to live in hollows in the riverbanks, some of which *can* take your fingers off or envenomate you, resulting in you being both horribly injured and hungry, and secondly, just because the natives did it doesn't mean it's a wise decision (see: counting coup, although IIRC that's a more Plains thing). However, you did mention that it was a a "survival" method, which would allow for you to recognize that it has some utility while admitting that it isn't the best idea to do if you have other options (see: having a Bear Grylls martini).

[Blitzen2k5]

First off: catfish aren't the only things that like to live in hollows in the riverbanks, some of which *can* take your fingers off or envenomate you, resulting in you being both horribly injured and hungry, and secondly, just because the natives did it doesn't mean it's a wise decision (see: counting coup, although IIRC that's a more Plains thing). However, you did mention that it was a a "survival" method, which would allow for you to recognize that it has some utility while admitting that it isn't the best idea to do if you have other options (see: having a Bear Grylls martini).

Sorry Crazy Wolf but I have to disagree. Mainly because I think you just have the media's take on noodling and not the real story. I have extended family that are noodlers. Some 30 or so Oklahoma hillbillies that all noodle every chance they get. Yah they get hurt from time to time. Its usually just strains or sprains more then anything else. Every so often, once a year or so, you hear about one of them getting snake bit or turtle snapped. Yet they havent died and I have yet to see a single one of them missing a finger or hand. Decades and generations of noodlers and hardly any serious accidents, that is a pretty good track record. Better then some other food gathering methods in a survival situation.

However there is a rub. There is always a rub. And the media seems to always miss this part. They talk about the possibilities of snake bite, losing fingers to turtles, etc. But they hardly ever mention the real true danger of noodling. The catfish themselves. It is not a solo survival thing. Do not do it alone. Why? Because catfish, the bigger ones, can pull you down and keep you down til you drowned. Always have a partner to help pull you out of trouble.

So solo I agree its a risky method for getting food. But with another person that also knows how to noodle, its not only a good method its a great method. Those guys would come home with huge catfish. Enough to feed an entire survival group.

You have to look at survival as a risk versus reward situation. Because you are now in nature's backyard and that is how things work. You might think deer hunting is a better way to get food. Yet you have pretty much the same risk of getting snake bit, depending on your area, as you do noodling. And the chance for getting catfish while noodling is a hell of a lot higher then getting a deer IMO. So look at as a risk vs. reward thing. Look at how much energy your going to expend and the REAL risks then compare it to the food or items you might acquire. And I mean the REAL risks. The media spins stuff so badly people dont know what really goes on.

I have noodled before as a kid and I hate it. Not because of the danger. Because I dont like catfish. I hate cleaning them, I hate cooking them, and I hate the taste of them. But I do know how to do it. So if I am in a survival situation and I need food. I will noodle if I got someone with me that can at least listen to and follow instruction. Yah there is a rare chance I might get snake bit or turtle bit. But you know what? I can probably survive a snake bite or turtle snap. No one in the history of man has survived starvation.

[tookieblueeyes]

First off: catfish aren't the only things that like to live in hollows in the riverbanks, some of which *can* take your fingers off or envenomate you, resulting in you being both horribly injured and hungry, and secondly, just because the natives did it doesn't mean it's a wise decision (see: counting coup, although IIRC that's a more Plains thing). However, you did mention that it was a a "survival" method, which would allow for you to recognize that it has some utility while admitting that it isn't the best idea to do if you have other options (see: having a Bear Grylls martini).

I have to agree with Blitze2k5 who has a very smart take on noodling in regards to your statement Crazy Wolf

Sorry Crazy Wolf but I have to disagree. Mainly because I think you just have the media's take on noodling and not the real story. I have extended family that are noodlers. Some 30 or so Oklahoma hillbillies that all noodle every chance they get. Yah they get hurt from time to time. Its usually just strains or sprains more then anything else. Every so often, once a year or so, you hear about one of them getting snake bit or turtle snapped. Yet they havent died and I have yet to see a single one of them missing a finger or hand. Decades and generations of noodlers and hardly any serious accidents, that is a pretty good track record. Better then some other food gathering methods in a survival situation.

So many folks are under the impression that the media creates for them concerning noodling.

I am not saying it isn't dangerous, because it is, and Blitzen2k5 pointed that out as did I.
You can drown if you don't know when enough is enough and you insist on holding on to the "big one", it is especially so if you are out there on your own without a partner who can drag your ass back up if you aren't willing to let go of the fish or if you get wedged in the rocks and can't pull yourself back up. It is always a better and safer venture for food if you have a partner with you, even if they don't noodle themselves but are just there to haul you back up to the surface if something should go wrong.

As far as the creepy crawlies you are concerning yourself with associated with the idea of noodling... that threat doesn't just go with noodling, it goes with crossing rivers, swimming, hiking, hunting, trapping, fishing (with rod n reel) anything that brings you down to waters edge really. And snakes aren't confined to rivers and lakes, they crawl across land all the same, so saying you can get envenomated while you are noodling is a risk yes but its a risk just to camp out under a tarp! My dad's hunting buddy was bitten by a Eastern Diamond Back Rattle Snake as he slept under a tarp in his sleeping bag because he rolled over on top of it... so if people are going to be scared of noodling because of snakes then you might as well be afraid of snakes period and just lock yourself inside and never come out into the bush! And even that is ridiculous because I once had a patient who was bitten by a prairie rattler while she was sitting in her recliner! She put her feet down to get up and get something to eat and the thing struck her in the ankle. It crawled into her house somehow and was coiled up under her chair for who knows how long. TRUE STORIES.

So the risk is everywhere at all times day or night noodling or not. There is no way to escape the dangers of the animal kingdom.

I have noodled plenty of times and still have all my fingers and toes and haven't run into any creepy crawlies living in catfish holes except catfish.

If you feel that noodling is so dangerous don't do it but for the thousands of people today and throughout time who have noodled to feed themselves, their families or for sport... they weigh the risk with the benefit and often the benefit far outweighs the risk so noodle on.

[DaleGribble]

Noodling can give you more of a chance of encountering snakes/turtles/drowning than other fishing/hunting/gathering methods. Does that mean that you can't get bitten by a snake shore fishing? Of course not. Does that mean noodling is safe or a good idea? Double nope. Besides, hook and line, especially for catfish, is a more productive and easier way to fish anyways. If you have some sort of bait, a hook, and some line, you can likely catch a catfish eventually. No need to put your hands into holes.

Perhaps we'd here of more noodling injuries if anyone outside of Oklahoma did it, dont ya think?

[Crazy Wolf]

After getting snakebit or turtle-snapped, do these relatives of yours go to a hospital, or does the problem resolve itself without the aid of medical professionals?

[Blitzen2k5]

After getting snakebit or turtle-snapped, do these relatives of yours go to a hospital, or does the problem resolve itself without the aid of medical professionals?

Sometimes they did go to the doctor but a lot of times they use more "country" methods.

Crazy

You dont want to hunt or fish for survival either huh? Dont want to grow food either? Cause I hate to break this to you bro.... In nature anything can get you hurt or killed. I know of people got snake bit while tending a garden. One dude got mauled by a bear just checking his mail. A nice safe thing like that in nature and wow there are risks. Who knew?

Really if your scared of getting hurt in a survival situation I dont know what to tell you. Avoid nature. That is all I can say. Just in my state we got all sorts of ways to die or get seriously injured just a few feet from a camp site. Bears, boars, mountain lions, copperheads, rattlers, cottonmouths, coyotes, alligators, 5 different kinds of spiders, a couple of types of scorpions.... Heck we even got a few plants here that just brushing bare skin up against them can make you seriously ill.

So my advice, if a PAW happens just dont leave the city. Stay away from nature. Cause if you got a fear of getting hurt while noodling as a food gathering source.... Well you dont want to be out in the bush at all. Everything you do can risk serious injury. I grew up in the woods of Oklahoma. I know a lot of those places like the back of my hand (Oh when did that wart grow there?). And I am not 100% safe out there. You could know exactly what you doing. Been doing it all your life. Had more training then a PhD in doing it and your still risking getting hurt while doing it.

Think about this. Dont just dismiss it. If your scared of getting snake bit while noodling... Well fishing from a shore here can get you snake bit at about the same ratio. Hunting small or large game can get you attacked by all sorts of things with college degrees in people killing. Setting traps as well. Dude you can get all sorts of nasty injuries just gathering wood for your fire a few feet from your camp. Nature is not to be dismissed or trifled with. You gotta respect it. Watch where you walk. Dont set up camp near game trails. Stay alert. Listen to it. And above all else follow the rules. Even then there is risk.

[Evan the Diplomat]

I don't noodle, I do fish. I won't deny that noodling can be effective.

However, I've never seen anyone noodle in a gin clear trout stream. It is muddy murky water.

You are entering the water. That is the fishes environment, not yours. You have the disadvantage. I do not doubt that the biggest threat in hand fishing is drowning, because water is a naturally hostile environment to our species. It can drown us, sweep us away or rob us of our body heat.

If the choice is noodle or starve, I'll noodle like Chef Boyardee. But I would choose lure, fly, worm, spear, net, bow or trap before I would noodle.

[SCBrian]

I've been reading the discussion, and I've seen noodling done (on TV) but it's a mostly 'northern' thing. Is it possible it didn't develop as well down here due to the presence of Alligators?

[DaleGribble]

After getting snakebit or turtle-snapped, do these relatives of yours go to a hospital, or does the problem resolve itself without the aid of medical professionals?

Sometimes they did go to the doctor but a lot of times they use more "country" methods.

Crazy

You dont want to hunt or fish for survival either huh? Dont want to grow food either? Cause I hate to break this to you bro.... In nature anything can get you hurt or killed. I know of people got snake bit while tending a garden. One dude got mauled by a bear just checking his mail. A nice safe thing like that in nature and wow there are risks. Who knew?

Really if your scared of getting hurt in a survival situation I dont know what to tell you. Avoid nature. That is all I can say. Just in my state we got all sorts of ways to die or get seriously injured just a few feet from a camp site. Bears, boars, mountain lions, copperheads, rattlers, cottonmouths, coyotes, alligators, 5 different kinds of spiders, a couple of types of scorpions.... Heck we even got a few plants here that just brushing bare skin up against them can make you seriously ill.

So my advice, if a PAW happens just dont leave the city. Stay away from nature. Cause if you got a fear of getting hurt while noodling as a food gathering source.... Well you dont want to be out in the bush at all. Everything you do can risk serious injury. I grew up in the woods of Oklahoma. I know a lot of those places like the back of my hand (Oh when did that wart grow there?). And I am not 100% safe out there. You could know exactly what you doing. Been doing it all your life. Had more training then a PhD in doing it and your still risking getting hurt while doing it.

Think about this. Dont just dismiss it. If your scared of getting snake bit while noodling... Well fishing from a shore here can get you snake bit at about the same ratio. Hunting small or large game can get you attacked by all sorts of things with college degrees in people killing. Setting traps as well. Dude you can get all sorts of nasty injuries just gathering wood for your fire a few feet from your camp. Nature is not to be dismissed or trifled with. You gotta respect it. Watch where you walk. Dont set up camp near game trails. Stay alert. Listen to it. And above all else follow the rules. Even then there is risk.

You're missing the point. As one of the stars of one of my favorite survival shows, Cody Lundin of Dual Survival, says, "You don't go after something that can put a hurt on you." Now I do understand teh limitations of this statement, but the principle stands... Noodling isn't the best method as far as survival in a PAW, to catch a fish. Especially a fish that is notoriously easy to catch with the simplest of tackle.

[Blitzen2k5]

You're missing the point. As one of the stars of one of my favorite survival shows, Cody Lundin of Dual Survival, says, "You don't go after something that can put a hurt on you." Now I do understand teh limitations of this statement, but the principle stands... Noodling isn't the best method as far as survival in a PAW, to catch a fish. Especially a fish that is notoriously easy to catch with the simplest of tackle.

The problem with Cody's statement, and I love the guy too, dang near anything can put a hurt on you out there. Again we got plants that just brushing up against them with bare skin can make you seriously ill.

Yah you could get hurt noodling. I agree 100%. But IMO really its no less dangerous then fishing from shore. Seriously I think its a little safer. Why? Because you wont come in contact with near as many snakes in the water as you would on shore. Also on a shore you got other baddies just waiting to inject their love in you for being dumb enough to step on them. Aint ever heard of anyone getting bit by a spider, stung by a scorpion, etc while noodling. Just walking along shore moving over and around logs and rocks to find that sweet fishing spot can have you tripping and breaking your neck.

Let me give you an example of this from my own personal life. This has nothing to do with fishing but does show you just how easy it is to get slammed. When I was a young lad I used to gather stuff like wild onions, berries, bull snakes and such. There was a field about a mile from my grandmother's farmhouse that I would always go to. Back when a kid could go out alone and only deal with animal predators and not pedo ones as well. Anyway I had gone there so much. I knew everything about the place. If I saw a copperhead I would give it a wide berth and keep walking. scorps, spiders, and other nasties the same thing. It was no big whoop honestly. But in that county and neighboring counties we had one huge issue. Wild dogs. Sometimes in packs and sometimes solo they were roaming around. They went after livestock and sometimes even people. Never seen a single wild dog in that field all the times I had went there. Until one day.... I was picking some onions and I hear this barking. I look up to see a torn up german shepherd headed my way fast. I started to run but it caught up to me quick. I just curled up into a ball and tried to protect my neck and face. It tossed me around by my pack a bit then grabbed a leg. I was crying and screaming. In the tossle I had grabbed a red clay rock and slammed its face. It ran off. I got up and started limping home. All the while this damn dog was following me barking and yelping. When it got close I tossed rocks, sticks, etc at it and it would back off. I was blubbing like a little baby. Big snotty blubbing I might add. When I finally got the mile to the farm I was yelling for my grandmother at the top of my lungs. She came to the porch and saw me limping to the house. She went inside came back out. A bang later with her rifle and one more dead dog. She jumped in the truck, drove to me, through me in the cab, tossed the dog in the bed and off we went to town. It didnt have rabies but for a week or two I was laid up thanks to a torn calf muscle. A few weeks later guess where I was? Back out in that field hunting bull snakes.

Just out gathering in a place that didnt have anything really bad in it and I get hit by a wild dog. That is the nature of nature. Your never 100% safe. But that is survival. If your not willing to take the chance you wont get the reward. Now would I noodle again? In a survival situation if my tackle is gone, and I cant hunt or forage what I need, I would. But I know people who would do better noodling then fishing with tackle. I wouldnt. I know how but I aint that good. I got relatives that would catch more fish noodling with just two of them then 10 people actively fishing with tackle. I went fishing with them one time, they were noodle up the river a piece and 2 other people and myself were using rod and reels. We got about 10 fish that day 5 pounds and less each. They came back with 5 catfish. Not one of them was under 10 pounds. One was 30 pounds.

Its all about risk versus reward and about using what you know and what your good at. Your skills. The more skills you got the more chance you got to get food on the table. I know how to hunt (firearm), hunt (bow), trap (small game), fish (tackle), fish (noodle), forage, etc. If all I know is just how to hunt then I am falling short. If I only know foraging I am falling short. And I want to expand these. I want to learn how to hunt with a slingshot. I want to know how to fish with trout lines. I even got a yo-yo reel and am going to learn how to use it next time I am out in the woods.

[Crazy Wolf]

Blitz, your tone seems rather condescending. You are advocating popping into an environment where you have vastly decreased visibility (a sense that's quite important for humans), vastly decreased mobility (a trait that's quite important for most mammals), and where you can't see what you're hunting or what's attacking you. You advocate this, because if you are successful in noodling, then you get a giant catfish, an animal which could most likely be retrieved with a fishing pole and line, from a position where you can see and move. To me, the risks of noodling far outweigh the reward of "don't have to carry around a fishing pole!".

[Blitzen2k5]

Blitz, your tone seems rather condescending. You are advocating popping into an environment where you have vastly decreased visibility (a sense that's quite important for humans), vastly decreased mobility (a trait that's quite important for most mammals), and where you can't see what you're hunting or what's attacking you. You advocate this, because if you are successful in noodling, then you get a giant catfish, an animal which could most likely be retrieved with a fishing pole and line, from a position where you can see and move. To me, the risks of noodling far outweigh the reward of "don't have to carry around a fishing pole!".

What I am saying, and you seem to be missing the point is this.... Everything in nature is dangerous. And anything can happen. I dont care if your hunting. foraging, fishing from shore, noodling, or just sitting in camp.

Its all about risk versus reward. That is all. Do you want the reward? You gonna have to take risks. I dont care if your hunting, fishing, or whatever. And I for one like knowing that I have that skill if the need arises. I like knowing I have other alternatives should something happen. If I am caught without any gear (Yes that could happen) and there isnt any food around on land I will be in that water and luck with me I will be eating catfish.

And as for your remark about catching a big catfish with pole instead of noodling.... Last year on a boat ramp in Lake Texoma there were several people fishing. They were putting their baits, lures, etc right at the base of that boat ramp. Caught nothing. Not a sausage. After several hours of this fishing three "good ole boys" jump in the water and noodle the base of that ramp. They pulled up 3 catfish using the base of the ramp as their home. One was a damn hog of a fish. Sucker was at least 50 pounds if it was an ounce. And that isnt an isolated incident. I have seen it play out many times on area lakes and rivers.

Again I dont like noodling either. But not because of danger. Because I dont like eating catfish. Its one of my last resort skills. And I will do it if I have too. I wont like it. I will most definately hate it. I hate catfish with a passion. I hate cleaning them, cooking them, eating them.... I cant stand the things. But if its the only food I can get and the only way to get it is to take a dip and stick my hand in a hole then so be it. I would rather do that then starve. Because I will most likely survive the noodling. No one in the history of man has ever survived starving to death.

That is what I am trying to say. Dont rule out something just because you think its dangerous. Because nature is dangerous. If your going to turn your back on that skill because it could be dangerous you might want to look into a nice urban BIL and stay out of nature because its all dangerous out there. That is all I am saying.

Not to mention if you take precautions it aint that dangerous anyway. Worried about getting bit? A nice pair of gloves helps. Worried about getting pulled under? Bring a friend. (that is like rule number one of noodling). Worried about getting snake bit or losing a finger? Get a piece of PVC pipe and put a large treble hook on the end of it. Use it instead of your hand.Its considered pansy by my clan but it works. In survival your kinda SOL on the PVC pipe thing but still its a possible solution.

Got it now?

[DaleGribble]

I think the point being missed here is that noodling is MORE dangerous for the risk and not really necessary. No one is saying it doesn't work or that fishing isn't "dangerous", the point is, which is a better danger:reward ratio for the effort?

[Evan the Diplomat]

Let's get back on topic. Oh SilverSnake, have you gone fishing yet? Did you catch anything beside a case of poison Ivy?

[DaleGribble]

Friend of mine was out yesterday, caught another snakehead. Anyone familiar with these or caught them before?



disclaimer: this wasnt his fish, just a pic from google

[SCBrian]

Ehhh. I've heard they are getting bad in Florida. Top tier predators and kill off all the native species...

[DaleGribble]

From what I understand they really aren't doing that much damage to native species up hear in VA. I''m not too sure really, there are groups that go around electrofishing them out as well. No release policy and these things used to have a bounty on them. TOo many were being caught though.

Fun to catch and they taste good too!

[silversnake]

Friend of mine was out yesterday, caught another snakehead. Anyone familiar with these or caught them before?

I'm familiar with those. Used to sell them in a pet store in northern Virginia just outside the beltway in the late 1990s. There was a large pond/reservoir somewhere near Alexandria that was pretty famous locally for being full of pacu, oscars, snakeheads, and other tropical stuff.

@Evan - I've actually carved out some "me time" a week from tomorrow to do a bit more than just practice casting in the back yard. Will update everyone with tales of all the weeds and boots I catch. Wish me luck.

[Crazy Wolf]

From what I understand they really aren't doing that much damage to native species up hear in VA. I''m not too sure really, there are groups that go around electrofishing them out as well. No release policy and these things used to have a bounty on them. TOo many were being caught though.

Fun to catch and they taste good too!

They're a pretty bad invasive species. I'm not if they're legitimately delicious, or it's just ecologically-conscious gourmets who are insisting that they are as pretty much the only way to even *think* of curbing their numbers. But either way, catch them, kill them, eat what you want.

[Visionz]

This is funny...

If I told you I was into extreme motocross, I doubt I would catch shit, and in fact I might be considered "cool".
If I tell you I noodle, I'm a dumb fucking hillbilly.

One does not feed you and statistically gives you a better chance of serious injury or dying.
The other puts food on the table and if done properly is relatively safe.

[DaleGribble]

From what I understand they really aren't doing that much damage to native species up hear in VA. I''m not too sure really, there are groups that go around electrofishing them out as well. No release policy and these things used to have a bounty on them. TOo many were being caught though.

Fun to catch and they taste good too!

They're a pretty bad invasive species. I'm not if they're legitimately delicious, or it's just ecologically-conscious gourmets who are insisting that they are as pretty much the only way to even *think* of curbing their numbers. But either way, catch them, kill them, eat what you want.

I know they're an invasive species, Ive just read and heard conflicting reports on just how much "damage" they're doing. Andthey do in fact taste good, ive eaten plenty.

This is funny...

If I told you I was into extreme motocross, I doubt I would catch shit, and in fact I might be considered "cool".
If I tell you I noodle, I'm a dumb fucking hillbilly.

One does not feed you and statistically gives you a better chance of serious injury or dying.
The other puts food on the table and if done properly is relatively safe.

Did anyone call anyone a hillbilly here? Or were we just suggesting, in this analogy, that a moped is a safer and more efficient way to travel than doing backflips on a dirtbike?

[Crazy Wolf]

Actually, I think motocross is a pretty poor use of resources, not cool, and a bad idea, so bad analogy to defend your position. I don't recall "hillbilly" ever being used in one of my posts.
If done properly it might be safe, I just don't know how you can identify a catfish-inhabited hole as opposed to the home of a snapper or something that's more bitey. Please, tell me how; if the only risk of the activity was a catfish gumming the shit out of you and making it hard for you to swim, then I reckon it'd be a perfectly safe group activity. As is, I'm leery. Please tell me more about how you can do so safely, instead of just saying "you folks don't know anything about how to safely noodle, it's perfectly safe, it's no more dangerous than fishing with a rope or net, you folk's don't know anything about noodling, it's perfectly safe."

Tell us more. How do you do noodling safely?

[ninja-elbow]

Structure. Points, drop-offs, bush piles, river channels, rock piles, and grass beds, find structure and you will usually find the fish.

This! Best advice in this thread.

Many here on ZS have heard my "I'm the worst fisherman" tales. In nutshell:
Fished with buddies in the 80s when I was a kid. Joined Navy and did very little fishing. Got out in 1993 and started fishing in 1994 as an adult. Quit in 2001 as in that period of time I caught a total of 1 blue gill and that was by accident.

Now, 11 years later this summer, my old school buddy Don took me out trout fishing. He wanted to teach me to do it good and catch trout. He said he felt bad he never taught me good when we were kids. I told him to act like I never touched a fishing rod before. We did some river wading and then a lake. I caught 2 trout that day and even reeled them in all by myself under Don's instruction. He said I was doing everything right except knowing structure. He taught me some basics about it and and told me when, how and why. My knots were good as were my rigs. My casting was done well enough as well as my spinning. I just didn't know where to aim my stuff

ETA: MOD HAT ON
This thread is to help out someone who has never gone fishing before ... not on the variances in opinion and shit about noodling. Thanks for the info on it y'all but quit arguing about noodling in a thread about a newb fisherperson as I am assuming we are not advocating that someone asking about how to go fishing for pan fish and trout for the first time go noodling are we?

You may start a thread about noodling or wait for some one to start a thread asking how does one noodle but do not shit up this thread by arguing about noodling, invasive species and who called who a hillbilly. Thanks.