A-Jay

Can't be certain, however that one just may be from a little known company called Studmuffin Baits I think it's called ~ The Gurgulator. A-Jay Sorry.

I’ve been very fortunate here the past few seasons to have some very memorable days on the water. At least half of it has to do with being able to get out on the water a bit more and the other is directly attributed to where I’ve been fishing and who I was with. But back before I’d started floating the sweet water again, every spare moment I had (and some I didn’t) was spent chasing striped bass off the east coast. A Coast Guard career helped put me in some killer spots from Maine down to the outer banks of North Carolina and most everything in between. The last several years were on the southern tip of the New Jersey shore. May not be common knowledge but the “Locals” know – very good fishing. This is where my efforts went nocturnal and it all clicked. The fishing became more like hunting. By combining the right tide, moon phase, season and with a little luck, the right weather, there were some epic nights on the beach & rocks. It was a little hairy at times but I was addicted. I didn’t often stay much after grey light for a couple of reasons. One, the big fish bite was usually over by then & two, I didn’t want others seeing the spot or the method. So I’d split just as most were getting to the beach. The fish pictured was the first of many plus size stripers and most memorable as it came after sunrise. After a very satisfying night, I decided to hang just a little longer; just a few more wicked long casts and Boom; there she was. The fish offered a fantastic battle and rather than “using the force” to land it in the dark, I actually got to see the event. Nice. Since the retirement and subsequent relocation to northern Michigan, there’s no salt water on these lips any more. I do miss it. However, 11 pound green bass & 6 pound brown bass work wonders to help ease the burden. A-Jay

I think that the characteristics that mono displays on a spinning reel is why they invented braid. Fish will eat both baits - but on a long cast, you'll get a better hook set with the braid. Braid. A-Jay

Reflection is good and often strengthens each day going forward. It often helps understand the true reality of just how fleeting every day, every love & every breathe really is regardless of how long each may last. The gift of appreciation is a powerful stabilizer for many. I am one as well Doug. A-Jay .

Probably more than I should but not as much as I'd like. A-Jay

Welcome to BR ~ Congratulations of your Retirement & your new boat. A-Jay

Your post caught me off guard and made me make the "Ouch Face". Here's to you and a speedy & comfortable recovery. And stay off the trampoline . . . . . A-Jay

Interesting ~ It told me I should Move ! A-Jay

X2 When it comes to "working" the drop shot, Less is More and often times Nothing is Better. Try thinking of your drop-shot rig like it's live bait - the Action is built in - however subtle. A-Jay

Welcome to BR Rick ~ A-Jay

"In youth we ran into difficulties - as we age difficulties run into us." A-Jay

Welcome to BR ~ A-Jay

Yup - but still we can use the guides more ~ A-Jay

I just finished one. Needed a new travel rod case. Done. A-Jay

Yes I know - and I feel bad about that - sorry. In the future, I think it would be a good idea to hold a brief picture / photograph session with our guide and utilize his talents for this. Let the other guy fish. I'll just need you to verify "the Weight" A-Jay

Cool - and although these are not Bronze . . . Back to Back Casts at sunset . . . An 11-11 & 9-8. A-Jay

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." Happy Holidays A-Jay

Sounds like you need an additional box. A-Jay

Nice ~ But I thought you we're going to fish big baits ? Don't forget your fighting belt & Gaff. A-Jay

X2 ~ It's the "Why" that my allow us to reproduce the results on other areas of the same and perhaps different bodies of water. A-Jay

You Know - I really didn't need one. Buy The act of imposing humility upon another person is called "humiliation". A-Jay

My only expectation is that I'm going fishing. Everything after that is determined by fish. A-Jay

I have and there's quite a bit of winter left to figure out what's next. Something's got to be change. As I look back and think about some of my previous angling adventures, when you consider the time / effort spent on this last one, the lack of results here were disappointing to say the least. A-Jay

I have a couple of Supreme XT's - very nice reel - And you can get them for a decent price too. Check it out ~ A-Jay http://www.fishusa.com/Product/Pflueger-Supreme-XT-Spinning-Reels

I committed this season to learn "Stitching" - only one way to describe my results ~ Epic Failure. Haven't decided if I'm going to revisit it again or not. On a much better note, and using more conventional methods, I was able to improve my smb & lmb PB's this year. That's always nice. A-Jay