A-Jay

Our trip post is up in the reports thread. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/127409-magic-in-mexico/?p=1402784 A-Jay

We just got back from five amazing days of bass fishing on Lake Baccarac. Once again fishing with my good friends and BR members Dwight Hottle and 00 mod (Jeff) was a blast; both very good sticks and a ton of laughs. This second trip seemed especially sweet as it was a make-up job for one we had planned back in September. Unfortunately Hurricane Manual put an end to that one. Living up to their reputation of excellence the lodge accommodations were top notch. Great food & drink, a friendly attentive staff and the best bass fishing guides in Mexico make these trips ones to be treasured. We were blessed with favorable weather conditions on our four travel days and plenty of warm sub-tropical sunshine on all but one of our fishing days. The last day we fished in a stiff mountain wind and some rain. After catching the first few bass we were reminded of just how well-fed these fish are and when pinned to the end of your line they seemed supercharged. Virtually every bass we caught was fat & healthy and pulled like a fish twice their actual size. Total numbers of bass caught each day were not kept, there were just too many. As we were mostly interested in the “grande” bass Lake Baccarac is famous for, we decided instead to only track, weigh and photo the fish at and over 7 pounds. So how’d we do? Fishing each day from 6am to 6pm with a 90 minute break for lunch, we spent the first day and a half fishing several different baits at various depths attempting to locate the bigger bass while hoping to put together a pattern. By the afternoon of the second day’s fishing, the stable warming weather seemed to help position the big gals on main lake and secondary points in 10-20 feet of water. Spinner baits, Rattle baits and a Scrounger / Fluke Combo were drawing the strikes we were hoping for. By the third morning and straight on through the fourth day, it was on like Donkey Kong; the Big Bass were biting and we were hanging on for dear life. Man, these big fish pull hard. As a group, our best 5 fish bag went 50 lbs 5 ounces ! That is by far my favorite stat of the trip. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate my friend Dwight on his first Double Digit Bass. A 10lb 2.5 ounce beauty of a Personal Best Beast that crushed a 3/4 ounce SK Redeye Shad off a main lake point in 20 feet of water. You fished long and hard for that big girl and definitely earned it, nice job. As usual Jeff was making it happen as well, landing several in the Big Fish category topped off with a 10lb 1 ounce Toad of his own. Though not a PB for 00 mod his string of Double Digit Bass on every trip remains intact; impressive. The capper of the trip for me came on the third day late in the afternoon. While fishing a ¾ ounce SK Redeye Shad (Sexy Shad) in front of some bushes on a “nothing” bank, I hooked what eventually turned out to be a new PB. The fish hit like a freight train and immediately ran for the bushes, I managed to turn her. Next she went way under the boat attempting to get free, I managed to foil that one. Then in a last ditch effort she went straight for the trolling motor, but my man Dwight had my back. With cat like reflexes and lightning speed, he snatched that baby up and out of the water leaving this now less inspired Trophy bass nowhere to go but in the net. Once our guide Manual placed the net bag onto the deck, with my heart just about pounding right out of my chest, the bait fell from the fish’s mouth. Wow, lucky for sure and quite a rush. This fish weighed 11lbs 11 ounces was caught on Nov 11th (11-11) ~ now that's going to be a hard one to forget. After getting a weight, photos and successful release, I had to take several minutes to collect myself – I had a bit of the shaky hands thing going on. It was cool. By now the sun had just about set and once I could no longer feel my pulse in my face, I went back to fishing. The magic continued on my very next cast. An 8lb 14.25 ounce bass sucked down that redeye shad and the fight was on. To tell you the truth, I don’t really even remember the fight. I was still numb from the previous events. Somehow the fish ended up in the net, there was a weight and some pictures taken in the dark and then she was released. That’s 20+ lbs in two casts. It was like dream – the good kind. It’s only been a couple of days and I’ll admit that the discussions on the trip home did mainly revolve around our next trip in March, but looking back that was one heck of a bass fishing adventure. The pictures & videos from our trip are still in the collection and editing process but will be posted ASAP. Additionally, I’ll be adding a brief video narrative to this thread discussing the rods, baits, line and terminal tackle; what worked and what didn’t. A-Jay

The Three Amigos just got back - great trip - details is a day or two . . . . . A-Jay

I live & fish in Northern Michigan. The Hudd 68 works up here. A-Jay

It's like the night before Christmas ~ ! Sleep ? Sleep ? How can I sleep ? A-Jay

Like so much of this sport, it comes down to personal preference. I use glass cranking rods and 10 - 20 lb. Braid. A-Jay

Old Town Predator Square Back Pictured here. A-Jay

Thanks Shimmy - It's coming - The Drift HD Ghost - perhaps a Black Friday Purchase. Fishing from the Old Town presents some real "Production Challenges" But we'll figure it out. A-Jay

Thanks - That looks like it would work well. I chose that travel rod as much for the action as for the convenience of the 3 small sections for air travel. Also, I use it to throw a Hudd 68. A-Jay

Fall Bassing at it's Finest - Congrats. A-Jay

LOL ~ More like Goof Ball. A-Jay

I figured that out . . . .eventually A-Jay

Good Word. A-Jay

Check this one out ~ A-Jay http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/74966-welcome-doug-hannon/

I was excited on this trip as you'll see in these fairly "raw" videos. A-Jay http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KgN097Wmmo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y0Eh95JBY0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYeLeTIhI8s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A73ysDYBtc

That is a classic display of Negligent Operating on the part of Both vessel Operators. In general terms Negligent and Reckless Operation of a Vessel is operating a vessel in disregard of careful and prudent operation, or in disregard of careful and prudent rates of speed that are no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into account the amount and character of traffic, size of the lake or body of water, freedom from obstruction to view ahead, effects of vessel wake, and so as not to unduly or unreasonably endanger life, limb, property or other rights of any person entitled to the use of such waters. In other places it's defined as Operating at speeds that are not reasonable and prudent based on boating traffic, weather conditions, visibility, or other potential hazards. If no limits are posted, you should operate a vessel so that it does not endanger others and so that it can be stopped safely. As mentioned, this is common practice. There is really only one way to travel these areas safely & legally and that's to slow down. Clearly a tall order during a tournament where time is money. However, the alterative could be serious bodily injury, and or Jail Time. Be Safe & Smart out there. A-Jay

We'll be fishing the 10xd in a couple of days down on Lake Baccarac in Mexico. There are some real brutes there who we're hoping will chew these baits up good. I'm throwing it on a St Croix Tidemaster Inshore Travel Casting Rods 7-6 heavy, A Calcutta 200D, and 20 lb Big Game. http://www.tackledirect.com/st-croix-tis76hf3-tidemaster-inshore-casting-travel-rod.html Any decent results will be posted. A-Jay

Thanks Guys ~ I have some video I'll post once it's loaded. It's a little wacky but I'm going to put it up anyway. A-Jay

Went out today after cleaning up the last of the leaves in the back forty. With my bags packed for Mexico, I grabbed a few baits and a couple of rods and hit one of my favorite smallmouth factories. Started out sunny and almost 50 degrees (A/T) but as the afternoon wore on, a bit of a breeze came up and a few clouds moved in. It got a little cooler. Water temps were right at 45 which is just about right for the fatties I was after. A swim bait on a jig head worked up and down a few drop offs usually gets bit here. Had exactly two hits; hooked, fought and landed them both. I was very happy. A couple of very respectable Bronzebacks and I do mean bronze. Almost twins, both were just short of 20 inches, healthy, fat and gave a great account of themselves. Photo & Release; it was a good and most likely my last day of this season. If it is, that's a very satisfying way to end it. A-Jay

My Training is going well. I'm doing this old school program call Longevity. Perhaps you're heard of it. It consists of smart, safe resistance training, combined with moderate cardio, Plenty of off days, Good Nutrition, and I do it consistently for my entire life. Seems to work. A-Jay