A-Jay

Every lake has structure and taking the time to learn it is often The Only way to get bit and definitely improves ones chances of getting on the better bass on that body of water. There are a few keys factors I like to know in advance of getting on the water that can often help out quite a bit. Knowing where the fish may be based on seasonal pattern and having an idea what bait is “in season” as well as where it might be, is a quite beneficial. Both of those are lay-ups in the spring but become progressively more challenging as the season progresses; and they change from year to year – this year was all out of whack. Another factor that has helped is knowing the wind direction & speed from the past several days. Predicting when fish may turn on is tough, but knowing the wind’s deal can often help out with the where part. I do take quite a bit of time & effort prospecting deep structure as I do believe the fish hold by, travel through and suspend in & around it; especially during non- feeding periods which, let’s face it, is a huge majority of the time. I do not have much success catching fish on these waters deeper than say 40 ft or so, and even then that’s almost always a drop-shot. So rather than going down after fish that seems to be “sleeping just over the thermocline”, I prefer to look for active fish in predictable areas / spots. One of my most productive approaches in bass fishing especially, as it relates to “Deep Structure” is to find The First deep water Break (coming from deep to shallower) that has the bait the bigger bass want. I believe these key spots are often as far (or as shallow) as the bigger bass prefer to go. Many of my best fish on these waters have come from these spots, both at night & during the day. The size of the break often dictates how many fish are on it and how long they’ll stay there. The duration of the bite seems to be totally unpredictable; ranging from lasting a few minutes to on & off for a few days. So being at the right place, at the right time, with the right bait, is a good thing – and really hard to do. Clearly not a tactic for the impatient or during a “timed event” but it works for me. I'm hoping to read more here about this subject. A-Jay

I have not ever owned or fished that reel. The few I've seen on ebay we're going new for $65 - $75 And the reviews (check link below) look fairly decent. A-Jay http://daiwa.com/Reel/detail.aspx?ID=194 http://reviews.cabelas.com/8815/121574/daiwa-procaster-rojo-reviews/reviews.htm

Team9nine ~ Thank you for taking the time to post that up ~ Those illustrations are telling. Now if it would only appear that clearly on my graph - I'd be a Bass Catching Ninja ~ A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I would love mine too ~ If'n I had one . . . . I especially like how you guys use them to routinely sling casts well beyond my fruitless efforts . . . A-Jay

Depends on the bait, rod & application. Generally, this applies for me. Glass rod, deep baits - Braid Graphite or Composite rod, shallower baits - Mono A-Jay

Good Deal. My printer croaked a few months back and I purchased the same machine from the same vendor. Could be more satisfied either. A-Jay

Nice write up. Congrats on the PB. A-Jay

btw Goose - when you get tired of that lousy low quality rig in the picture there - I'll be happy to take it off your hands . . . . . A-Jay

Nice work Goose - And even the bass look cold . . . A-Jay

That's double trouble After Two Root canals I'd want to shoot myself - But guess what ~ No new rifle Hope you feel better soon Stitch A-Jay

I'm watching you ~ A-Jay

Temps here fairly seasonal and are hanging around the zero mark (cooler with the wind chill). No Go Pro but we snap off shots when we can. A-Jay

No Offense Sam, but I hope this guy doesn't read my letter and if he does, I hope he doesn't call me back . . . A-Jay

Hello Hudson and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I've played around with the rod balancing over the years. For bottom contact & drop shot applications, I prefer a neutrally balanced (or even tip up) posture. For cranking, top water and most all moving baits, a neutral or tip down "balance" works for me. Wildly out of balance (tip up or down) feels unnatural and if I can't over come it - the stick is headed to the BR Flea Market. A-Jay

We're between 5 & 10 below today and the wind chill is making it quite a bit colder - The dogs don't care - must be nice. A-Jay

Once caught in a tournament, carried to the weigh in and then released, the male bass will Never and I mean Never, ask for directions . . . This thread has taken a sudden and unexpected turn, but I like it. A-Jay

Better shots of the "New Guys" A-Jay Brody Gunner

For standard wire worm hooks it's Gamakatsu For Beefier Worm hooks it's Owner & Trokar Drop shots are VMC & Owner Trebles are Mustad & Gamakatsu A-Jay

Thanks but I'm hoping for a serious Upgrade this season or as soon as possible. As far a swim bait bass go, I'll admit - that's a dink. A-Jay

All Day, Every Day & Every Which Way ~ A-Jay

Well if it went on "backwards" - I'm willing to bet that's at least 1/2 your problem. A-Jay

1. This one 2. Customized Huddleston 68 ROF 12 3. An unnamed Northern Michigan "Trout" lake A-Jay

Which ever mono you choose - be sure to spool the line on the reel correctly. There is a right & a wrong way to do it. It involves having the line come off the spool of line the same direction (rotational speaking) as it's going on your reel. The wrong way will fill your spool with line that is very twisted and seriously unmanageable. There's plenty of info every where how to do it right. If you already know how, then please use this post as a friendly reminder. A-Jay