A-Jay

Sounds like you already have a good idea on the importance of layering and keeping moisture off your skin. I've done a ton of wading in cold water (both fresh water and in the ocean/surf). Under Armour cold gear was the way to go until recently. Now it's Columbia's Omni-Heat line. It's lighter, more comfortable (no compression) and most importantly WARMER. Makes a great base layer. The coats, vest, pants. shirts, gloves, hats and boots are also very good. (I guess you can tell I'm a fan). A-Jay http://www.columbia.com/search?q=omni-heat%20base%20layer#prefn1=genderGroup&q=omni-heat%20base%20layer&prefv1=Men%27s

Nice ~ Simple, economic, & perhaps most important looks effective. Thanks for sharing it. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to BR ~ Congrats on an excellent catch. A-Jay

I'm still having trouble - do they make a Rosetta Stone for this ? A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to BR ~ And I'm betting there's a lot of wishful thinking going on right there. A-Jay

THE BEST retrieve (if you can call it that) with a blade bait 99% of the time is a very small hop of the bait with the bait resting on the bottom between hops. The water temps often dictate how long the pause is - sort of like jerk bait fishing. The fish will pick this up off the bottom - so at least half the strikes you never feel - they are just there on the next hop. This video is excellent. A-Jay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLOoWcoPIK4

Many of my spot names are so designated by what the bait used to initially take fish there was ~ The Drop-shot humps Sub-walk Island Frog Land Swim jig alley Also places that we no longer visit as they have been found to have no or small fish. The Dead Sea Dinkville Barely Keeper city The Void A-Jay

When I talk to myself, the guy in the other stall flushes twice . . . . . . A-Jay

Got out yesterday; conditions were marginal with a brisk NW wind. Water clarity was still very good which always bodes well. The approach on this day was three fold, blade baits, followed by blade baits & then you guessed it, more blade baits. I got into the smallies right off (first cast) and it was a steady bite all afternoon. Never got that 5 plus this lake often gives up however this was the best numbers day I’ve had here all season; not uncommon for the fall. Ended by being a 40 plus fish day (when you throw in the dozen & a half walleye). I switched back & forth between silver & gold baits ~ silver buddies, Buckeye Jiggin Blades and the Damiki Vault were all sharing the work load. Might be the last day out this season; if so, it was a good one to go out on. A-Jay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDfJQjacSYE

I used to feel the same way but I have since changed my tune. Now I hope for windy conditions (within reason of course) Flat calm is often though sledding. I hope you can keep at it and find out what works for you on your home waters because believe me when I tell you, once you learn which techniques & baits to present in these conditions, you'll be glad you did. Good Luck A-Jay

Once the water temps dip below 55 here ~ It's all about the Blades Baits. They all seem to work ~ Sliver dominates in the sun and gold rules when it's cloudy. A-Jay

Would most likely be a rather fast & epic FAIL ~ A-Jay

Congrats on the new boat. If you've never done any maneuvering with a truck, boat & trailer, before you hit the boat ramp a little practice somewhere else will help. Find a large, open, and preferably lined space (empty parking lot) and practice every maneuver you can think of - especially backing in a straight line. And if you've not done it, you'll soon find out that backing with an empty trailer is different than doing it with the boat. A-Jay

Very Nice Bass ~ She's every bit of 5 1/2 lbs and maybe even more. Those feelings of excitement, imagination, anticipation, and accomplishment during your "Journey" to this bass, is precisely why I love this sport. Congratulations A-Jay

A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to BR ~ You'll be glad to know there's quite a robust Daiwa following here . . . A-Jay

Nice ~ You're Welcome. A-Jay

Hello Rob and Thank You for your Service. Welcome to BR ~ I went through a similar re-acquaintance with bass fish a few years back after a military retirement as well. My advice is make a modest initial investment until you can update yourself on the newer stuff and can then purchase with confidence. Handle as much different types / brands as you can. TW has a reel DEMO program that allows you to "try before you buy" which is pretty cool. Good Luck A-Jay USCG (Ret)

I think you're going to need a Bigger Boat A-Jay

Nice fish ~ PB's are Always a Blast. So which hook & rig did you end up going with ? A-Jay

Yesterday I was out on a lake I haven't fished in while and was dragging a blade bait deep. It was an overcast, wet & kind of nasty day with only a few bass to show for my efforts. I had gotten snagged a few times and my plug knocker was getting more use than the net, never a good sign. However, on this one particular retrieval attempt, besides getting my bait back, I also got a surprise. A-Jay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icYqGaEqmDY&feature=youtu.be

A-Jay

This is The Short List ~ A-Jay

That's a Big Time Centropomus undecimalis otherwise know as a wicked good Snook ~ ! Congrats Capt Shane . . . . . A-Jay

I certainly understand the sentiment but really hope this is not the case. It's just way too early . . . . . A-Jay