A-Jay

What Do You Throw When You Hit Your "panic Button?" The Anchor ~ A-Jay

I'm currently running Pfleuger, Quantum and Shimano reels ~ Guess that makes me part of the PQS Patrol . . . . A-Jay

I'd recommend utilizing the TW Demo program. You could actually fish both reels for a week - Tough to beat a try before you buy side by side comparison. I'll warn you in advance however, last time I did this, I eventually bought both reels . . . . A-Jay

Exactly - great point J. So this is where Mr. McKinnis needs to adapt. Think of it this way - how do you and your sponsors reach the largest tackle buying audience ? I say it is not by catering to the few hundred spectators that follow the anglers around, which are more of a nuisance than anything else. I know the waters they fish are public and there is no way around it - but it's like having fans on the field during a ball game - PIA. Nothing wrong with watching the take off or the recovery / weigh-in but the encroaching seemed especially bad this year for whatever reason. Fans can and should continue to attend these events as the Boost to the local economy is nothing to sneeze at. I believe some of the consideration as to where these events are held must involve an updated and more current media profile. There is almost no way around it. By reducing the number of anglers there could be a camera boat with each competetor with a "B.A.S.S" official on board who could monitor the spectator boats. Although there would be no legal authority to make boats move away - I bet if fans were politely asked to stay at least as far away as the BASS official, most would comply. But leaving the anglers to fend for themselves is just asking for trouble. Almost had some this year and it's only going to get worse. Perhaps the MLF events were like a mini test run to work out the bugs before the BASS makes it's move that way. I certainly hope so. A-Jay

I used them with some success last year. I was looking for something with a different profile. The large one works nicely on a Jika Rig. The smaller one makes a unique drop shot bait that the smb here like quite a bit. A-Jay

As you already know in advance of this purchase how when and how you'll be using your new boat, perhaps making a list of; 1) feature you simply must have, 2) features that would be nice to have, and 3) items that are completely optional. Of course your budget will also guide your decision. This will give you a place to start and help you weed out / sift through the huge volume of used boats a bit quicker. Then it's a matter of try before you buy. Good Luck A-Jay

A 1/4 oz black tungsten weight that's Texas rigged in front of 10 inch Black Berkley Power worm - I call it "The Man in Black" and it's pretty close to a sure thing. Get the net. A-Jay

Might as well consider the methods used by the angler who is at least partially responsible for the lure's design. A-Jay http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPage?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&template=video.cfm&cat=Fishing&subCatID=26&connectionSpeed=hd&videoID=854&startRow=0&videoType=prodcutdemo&option=2&cmid=OLPHVIDEO_854_HD

I've been looking as well but with out any luck I'm sorry to report. The most recent info is still the same stuff that was released back at the first of the year. I'm hoping to get in on the initial batch . . . A-Jay

Uni-knot or Alberto Knot or whatever, it's all a matter to preference and what you have confidence in. Virtually any new knot presents challenges - you need one thing and one thing only - Practice. Speed, confidence and routine will all come with lots a practice. And I know that there are several of us ~ but I am a member of the Uni-Knot Ninjas . . . . A-Jay

Can't decide between the: Strike King Pro Model 6XD Silent Crankbaits in Chartreuse Sexy Shad ~ And the 6th Sense Crush 300DD Crankbait in either Wild Blueback Herring or Live Baby Bluegill A-Jay

You said it . "Win A Million" Or Actually get like $1,400 bucks a month - Nice - but so not the same. Might pay for a new Corevette though. A-Jay

Hey Mustad - I bet that didn't work out like you planned. Maybe you should have advertised the winnings in a fashion that actually reflected your intentions. If it's $20,00 a year for 50 years, then just say so up front. Your very generous offer now appears somewhat disingenuous. Perhaps it's in the small print on the reverse side of the offer, does anyone read that? A-Jay

I'm trying two different models; a 2/0 Mustad KVD short shank on one bait and a 2/0 Owner stinger 36 - hope to be feeding them to a few Brutes next week. When you look at it like this - it's not THAT big . . . . (this was before the hook replacement) When compared to a 5 & 6xd it looks quite sizable. Next to the 6 inch Bull Shad - not so much. The photo is - Top to Bottom: 5XD - 6XD -10XD - 6inch Bull Shad - 10XD - 6XD A-Jay

You've received several fantastic suggestions so far. All of them proven winners by anglers presented with conditions similar to yours. A small, clear, deep and highly pressured lake is one of the most challenging bass angling situation out there. The increased water clarity combined with the constant human invasion often pushes the fish deep and out of reach of common tactics, especially during times when most of the anglers are on the water. The pressure will also affect the basses food/prey too. This might mean that the fish could routinely feed most when there is less activity on the water to disturb the environment or if and when they do feed, this time might be very brief so anchoring on a good spot and waiting them out might be an option. When an angler moves from spot to spot, along with contributing to the fishing pressure, the chances of hitting it just right are reduced. Very early or late in the day might be the ticket; Night fishing is a proven way to even the odds, if that's an option. Positioning your boat differently than the masses to make your presentation could help. Approach your favorite spot quietly, even using the wind to help you drift in and then anchoring works well instead of going on/off the trolling motor. One of my favorite and most productive moves is to approach your spot / the bass from the shallows. This may mean fishing and positioning your boat right off the bank and casting out to the fish; the important part here is you're not sitting on the fish and most of the pressure the bass are subjected to comes from the other direction. Often this single tactic of fishing "up-hill" is worth a couple of bites. As others have mentioned, lighter line and smaller more natural presentations are effective here. But I look at it like this, just because the bass live in a smaller, clear water environment does not mean they only eat small size prey. If you fish at a time when the bass are active/feeding and not put off by anglers (and/or other PWC), and you're using an approach and a technique that does not alarm the fish to your presence, down sizing may not be needed. You just might fool a Big Girl with a full size offering. Good Luck. A-Jay

Congrats ~ ! On an excellent outing & that Fatty ! A-Jay

Dan - I know that A-Jat guy - he's Clueless . . . . . A-Jat

- And I believe that one can't go too off track using this mindset for any breed. Like toddlers - they depend on us for proper nutrition and hydration - they thrive in a safe and well balanced environment - and they will generally return the same level of love and respect that they receive. A-Jay

I think you'd be OK as long as you invite him too . . .. Tell him you wouldn't think about taking it out for the first time without him - that should do it. A-Jay

Congratulations ~ Best of Luck with that Sweet Ride. Won't be long before we start seeing some TrapperJ caught TOADS posted up in here . . . A-Jay

The Obsessed Kind ~ A-Jay

Look it you - a social media ninja ~

For me versatility is a means to an end - and in the end I want to get bit. If what I'm using works them I don't switch. As anglers, we all know that nothing works all the time. So, I've read, learned and "become more versatile". Once I run into a spot or a situation where what I know does not produce, I have to add something to my game. Either a different / new bait, technique or perhaps a presentation. I'm not traveling all over the country and although fishing my local water does provide some diversity, there are limitation there. But that's the great thing about this sport, a man can take it as far as he wants and then some. One thing that I've learned over the years is every time I think something is "too" anything; whether is too big, small, fast, slow, deep, shallow, early, late, hot, cold, windy or rainy, too weedy or too open - some one proves me wrong. So I try not to do that as much. A-Jay

Nice Bass ~ ! And that photo is cool - looks a lot like a "Dream" I have most every night all winter long . . . Congrats. A-Jay