A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ I also fish for smallmouth. My 7' MH/F sticks are rated for 3/8-1 oz baits and 12-20 lb line. I find 15 lb works for me when fishing with bottom contact baits. I like FC or Mono depending on the application. If your tackle is similar, this might be the way to go. Good Luck A-Jay

I'd say that each type of line has it's own characteristics. Like so much in bass fishing, each basshead might prefer the way a certain type line performs in a given situation. When it comes to line stretch in my own fishing, there are some deals that demand a type of performance where one line might out shine another. One example is when I'm throwing soft plastics for plus size bass with single hook baits. Could be brown or green bass, just Big. Baits include but might not be limited to Big Swimbaits for LMB, and just about anything plastic for SMB. Out on the end of a long cast (or deep) when the bass can completely engulf the bait and get it far enough back into it's crushers, it can be a futile tug of war trying to get that bait to move in it's mouth enough to get a good hookset. So in this deal, I often feel like FC & Mono do 'stretch' at least a little. Still never makes me switch to braid (hate braid on a casting reel anyway) but I also dislike having my bait thrown back in my face. Happens though. My solution has been LONG LASTING SWEEPING HOOKSETS where I keep max pressure on the fish for as long as I can. The theory (insert hope) is that the bass eventually releases the bait just enough for that hook to find a good home. Finally, those of us who used mono on glass rods for a couple of decades in advance of the invent of braid and graphite - might feel differently than a newer bass angler who has only fished braid on graphite sticks and then switches to mono or FC. Different world. Finally , and this is something not talked about much, but I believe in some scenarios when fishing mono/fc, it's possible to out cast my hook setting abilities. So I'm at least aware of the possibility of some line stretch. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. YMMV A-Jay

08 Oct 2024 ~ Update Past couple of weeks have been mostly uneventful health wise for Lynn. This is most often a good thing. She continues to have Chemo once every two weeks, and dialysis twice a week while having her blood drawn & tested prior to both of those procedures. Also waiting in the wings is her eye surgery scheduled for next week. And so like I said, none of that is really new. But what is new and quite the phenomenal turn of events, Lynn's last two kidney function blood test results indicate that Lynn NO LONGER REQUIRED DIAYSIS ! I dropped her off for her scheduled procedure this morning and not 5 minutes later, she called the truck and said "come pick me up, I'm coming home." After almost putting my rig in the woods banging a U-ey, I may have fractured a few posted speed limits getting there. Either way, we're both walking around in a daze, while counting our blessings. Clearly we don't how long this will last, but it's a sign of slightly better health and that can never be taken for granted. Stay healthy & Safe. Thank again A-Jay

Workout Day 3 today. This one felt pretty good and I hope to keep that going. Local weather is going to be fisherman friendly next two days, so you know where I'll be. Hard water will be here soon. Expect to train again on Friday. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Nice Bass A-Jay

I use 10 Tatsu quite a bit myself for my jerkbait needs: especially deep divers. @AlabamaSpothunter is spot on IMO. For 10 lb FC I use a San Diego Jam or a Pitzen knot. Both work well for me. A-Jay

First, I am a total novice in this area. That said, I've re-guided a few of my favorite sticks over the years and it's usually gone well. I'm still using a few today. So I don't think there is any point where replacing guides is not worth it. The materials are priced reasonably and the process is pretty easy. There are a few items you can either make or buy that can make the job go a little smoother. However they are IMO, not totally necessary and decent results can be had with the most basic set up. Plenty of info out there too. Mudhole.com is my go to for how video's as well as materials needed. Good Luck A-Jay https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/223182-re-wrapping-guides-on-an-old-rod-diy/ https://youtu.be/S_Owp6ZVN0U?feature=shared&t=2023

Are these trick questions ? I am not in the habit if sharing info regarding overpriced garbage. And I believe you already know that. A-Jay

Amazon . Got a 1000 yds of 12lb yesterday for $125. Really good prices all year usually. A-Jay

Thanks. But underneath all those hats my hair is a complete mess. A-Jay

After a full day of running all over town and then knocking out some yard work, I needed to unwind a little and what better way than to try and get my string pulled a couple of times. The wind was still blowing but not too bad. So I headed to local Lake Menderchuck for a sunset deal. Water was 60 degrees and mostly stained from the past several days of unstable weather. My standard move in this mess is to fish mostly right on the bottom. Went with old reliable ~ Rage Bug on a swinghead. Had to work a bit for it but eventually this fatty took a poke at the bait. Missed it on the first tap, but luckily I got a second chance. (thank you Megastrike) I didn't jack that one up put a pretty 4 lb fish in the net. The included pic & video really shows what a difference a few minutes in the live well can make in the basses appearance. A-Jay

Thanks - You called it. I'm writing up a short report post now that includes a very brief video of this particular catch. A-Jay

I am addicted to a wide open jerkbait bite. Past few years, I've done OK fishing a jerkbait in windy conditions. https://youtu.be/W2jqCf7BVAE?feature=shared But calmer conditions have been pretty good too. https://youtu.be/k3Z48BqFWuw?feature=shared&t=586 A-Jay

Swing heads at sunset today ~ A-Jay

The Best of my sunset swinghead bite today ~ A-Jay

A-Rig & a Spinnerbait came through for me ~ A-Jay

I live & fish in northern lower Michigan. 95% of my fishing involves chasing Smallmouth bass, mostly in open water type deals. So I'm not flipping much and rarely do I throw a frog. But I'm good with that. My topwater rigs are all similar to this ~ A-Jay

Workout Day 2 today. The benefits of living this life style are many and can not be over stated. If you're not exercising regularly, I sincerely hope you'll consider making it a part of your life. It's never too late. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Besides jerkbaits in the spring, Fall topwater is my jam ! I really look forward to it. And that 'pause' rules. A-Jay

5 https://youtu.be/-yyTutHFUlg?feature=shared A-Jay

Tough to beat a Stihl Farm Boss. This MS290 20" bar has done some cutting. Keep it tuned, the chain sharp and not much slows it down. A-Jay

I am fairly particular when it comes to my line selections, because IMO, it matters. I've had some decent lines and leader materials come & go. My preferences have change a bit over the years. I use all FC mainline casting reels. Braid & leader for all spinning reels. Leaders are either FC or Mono depending on the application. A couple of years ago, on the advice of @WRB (Thanks Tom) I switched from Big Game (green) to Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo for my mono leader needs. Smaller diameter for the same test, good arbasion properties and supreme Knot strength. Especially when connected to thin Braid. I like it. Big Game was good but I think this is better. Maxima Ultra Green is very good as well, just has a bit bigger diameter for it's test. A-Jay

From Minn Kota Web site ~ SHAFT LENGTH RECOMMENDATION: Choosing the proper shaft length is important; if it’s too short, the prop won’t be sufficiently submerged. We recommend submerging the center of the motor section at least 12 inches. (*See below for a few exceptions to this recommendation) *Add 5" to waterline measurement for fishing in rough water. Optimal operating mode is with the engine trimmed all the way down. *Add 9" for bow-mount Hand Control motors. *We recommend that the propeller tip is submerged at least 12" below the water line to avoid churning or agitation of the water surface. Remember these are just 'recommendations'. As @Dwight Hottle noted above, fishing big water often requires a longer shaft length to compensate and account for the rise and fall of your rig over a decent swell. Especially if the waves are close together. I use a 62 inch Fortrex, which is a bit longer than 'recommended by Minn Kota for my rig. But there are times when my prop is still grapping air half the day. Not Ideal but it's the longest shaft they made at the time and the new ones are even shorter. BOW TO WATERLINE (IN) RECOMMENDED SHAFT LENGTH (IN) 0" to 10" 36" 16" to 22" 42" to 45" 22" to 28" 48" to 52" 28" to 34" 54" to 60" 34" to 52" 72" to 87" 52" to 72" 100" Good Luck with your purchase A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay