A-Jay

I had not been able to get out on the water for a while now. And reading everyone’s reports and seeing all the PB’s and videos wasn’t helping any. I couldn’t take it any longer, so instead of hitting the rack last night, I loaded the “Night Ops” gear into the Truck and headed out. I was on the water around 10:30 pm and fished through the night. It was a calm cool evening. W/T was low 70’s and the A/T was low 50’s. There was a heavy wet fog/mist in the air that made everything damp. And the Bass, they were a chewing; single bladed spinner bait mostly with a decent topwater bite at first light. I hadn’t had a night like this one in a while. Smb and Lmb were being very cooperative and the average size was up a bit too which is always a good thing. I took several photos but the fog/mist made for mostly bogus pictures. I’m not complaining. I was glad to be out there and even happier to keep getting bit. My approach this night was no different than most summer night trips. I focused on wood and weed lines and the places that have both usually give up the better fish. It’s funny how when the fish are up and feeding, and I manage to stick a few, it makes me feel like I might have a clue . . . . . A-Jay

Trips where a Scale and a Camera are put to use are usually "Good Days" (or Nights). A-Jay

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Excellent ~ I was going to say Ghost White Spook. A-Jay

If you want to prevent that fishy smell in the first place ~ Just come fishing with me . . . . . . A-Jay

A-Jay

I have this and live it ~ http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Waterproof-Digital-Camouflage/dp/B008JI0R8U/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1375299854&sr=8-6&keywords=cool+pics+nikon+100 But I'm going to get this as well - The remote and "video Tagging" feature is a game changer for me. http://www.amazon.com/Drift-Innovation-HD-Ghost-Waterproof/dp/B00A48RMKE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375299802&sr=8-1&keywords=drift+hd+ghost A-Jay

Such a Fantastic shape on that Bass ~ She's the epitome of "Stout"; bulky in figure; heavily built; corpulent; thickset; fat: Synonyms: big, rotund, stocky, portly, fleshy. A-Jay

Congratulations Captain Shane ~ ! Your hours and hours on the water have be reward and it's well deserved. I know you're proud. A-Jay

So That's why they call it a Flipp'in Stick . . . . A-Jay

Swinging fish over the side and into the boat is a relatively "new" method of landing bass. I say new because bass fishing as a sport, has been around for a long time. Growing up and fishing with my Dad (mid 1960's) we were using the tackle of the times: Fiberglass rods and monofilament line. No one was swinging 3 lb. bass into the boat. First, that tackle made it tough to actually do, and second, it was considered, lazy and disrespectful to the sport. I would have received a quick dummy cuff to the squash if I did it even once. We weren't standing while fishing from a bass boat either. Being seated in a small outboard boat also does not lend itself to the effective bass swing tactic. I'd not seen an angler swing fish with any regularity (not including panfish) until Fishing tournaments first appeared on TV. With the advent of graphite rods, a whole assortment of new less stretchy fishing lines and the time constraints of tournament fishing, the use of a landing net went by the way side. So people do what they see on TV. I get it though. I don't like the tangled mess that a bass on a crank bait or jerk bait can make out of a nylon net either but I like a broken rod less. I will admit it, I've done it. I've also broke a rod doing the "High Stick" land job; A schoolie striped bass off a jetty as I recall. One busted pole was enough for me - I do like the boga grip quite a bit. A-Jay

Congrats ~ ! What Great Bass. It just so perfect it almost look fake. A real Beauty. A-Jay

Simply put - No. A-Jay

Sound advice right there. Appears as it's time to make a choice. Either spend the money on the repair (and I'd go to a dealership but that's another whole thread entirely) or use the $$ for a down payment on another ride - new or pre-owned. There is no right or wrong answer here only opinions. And the only one that matters is Yours. Finally, where safety is a concern I'll put it to you like this: would you jump from a plane with a parachute that is guaranteed to open 70 % of the time ? Good Luck A-Jay

Ditch the crankbait ~ Fish a jig & craw. A-Jay

That's a Big O Bass ~ So you both like your morning coffee - She's telling her friends you interrupted her coffee . . . . A-Jay

Congrats on all the Big Bait Bass ~ It's going to be hard to put that big bait down now . . . . . A-Jay

Fishing mostly after dark during the warmer months, organized tackle is not really optional. Daytime trips are occasionally followed by some re-organization; especially when I'm not getting bit and I'm rifling through my gear all day. A-Jay

I know - I don't know what got into me - See what happens when I can't get out on the water . . . . . . . A-Jay

Thanks Jeff - Right Back at Ya ~ ! A-Jay

I thought for sure yours would be a giant chocolate longjon from Thornton's . . . . . A-Jay

I was feeling creative this morning . . . . A-Jay The PB We fish so very hard all season long, Cast after cast from dusk til dawn. Dredging the bottom, out in the rain, Our backs ache, we ignore the pain. Bugs in our eyes, hooks in the hand, We spends more time on the water Than we do on the land. Our lawns need cutting, the dog needs a walk, We ignore all the chores to flip the next dock. Other can’t see it, our life long quest, We are forever searching for a Personal Best.

A 3/4 to 1 ounce, double willow blade, white on white spinner bait. Burned just under the surface at warp speed out over long, deep water Wind Blown Main Lake Points is a Blast. A high speed reel and slightly reduces blade sizes can help keep the speed up and improve ones stamina. This is not for the faint of heart - the strikes are ferocious. . . . Oh and a trailer hook a good add on as well. A-Jay

So a guy, who is fishing alone, catches a PB and realizes that he forgot his scale - When he screams - does it make a sound ? A-Jay

Truck Keys. A-Jay

Lynn & I will Both be thinking of you Stitch. You Can Stay Strong through this. One Step at a Time. A-Jay