A-Jay

Now wouldn't that be something - what if say KVD went all "Orvis" - busted out the new Quantum fly rod and say . . Won the Classic ~ tossing nothing but the newest Strike King Sexy Streamer - Worlds would collide and icast 2013 might be quite different . . . . A-Jay

They're all good in one way or another but this is definately one I'll always remember . . Posted April 22 2012 - 09:20 AM I had the distinct fortune of spending last week on Lake Erie with BR member Dwight Hottle. We fished for smallmouth in the Presque Isle Bay area. This was my first chance to fish these waters and I am definitely looking forward to an oppurtunity to do it again. Right off the bat, I must thank Sue, (Dwight’s wife) and Dwight of course, for their gracious hospitality. Delicious food and great company after an epic day of fishing made for many great memories, thanks again. As is often the case, the weather played a large role in where we fished. Fortune was on our side as we were able to get out on the water every day, Saturday thru Friday. That’s not to say we didn’t earn our time on the water. A few days it was blowing over 20kts with waves 2-4 feet but the fish were still fairly cooperative most every trip. We fished in rain, wind and sun and I managed to fry my face up the first sunny day, forgot the sunscreen, so I walked around with the raccoon face for most of the trip. Dwight offered me two options in reference to the type of fishing we could do: (1) high numbers of smb with a few bigger fish mixed in or ( 2) Fewer fish but with a bigger average size smb and perhaps a better chance for a new PB. As I saw it, there was really no bad choice here and a new PB is always a tantalizing thought. So I chose option (2). I needed a smb over 5-2 for a PB and Dwight seemed more than confident that this was possible. He was right – Twice ! And then there was the fishing. Dwight knows his home waters intimately. It was fun to watch, better to experience and He took me to SCHOOL. I learned a lot. Truth be told, I do not believe I can accurately describe the fishing here. Any attempt on my part to put it into words would actually be insulting – it’s that good. Instead, I will simply pass on the numbers, which may tell the story best. Each day we fished between 9:30am – 6:30pm. Each day we had between 15-25 fish. Most days every 5th smb was over 5lbs. For two days every 4th smb was over 5lbs. The 5th day, I took a 5 lb 9 oz smb – a new PB. The 6th day, Dwight’s first fish was a 6 lb 1 oz smb – not a PB for Dwight. The last day, my first fish was a 6lb 4oz smb – Definitely a New PB ! The photo’s below represent some of the better fish taken on this most memorable trip. Every fish shown is over 5lbs – I dink dropped more 4 & 5lb smb on this trip than I’ve landed in a long time. And there is no doubt that – Dwight Knows Jerkbaits ! ! ! A-Jay ~ This is the link to the photos . . . . http://www.bassresou...k-on-lake-erie/

I'm on my 3rd Denali - 2 Sierra's and now a Yukon XL - Big Fan of that line. Don't feel bad about not driving it much. I'm sure you'll be able to get re-acquainted with it whenever it needs maintenance or needs to be washed . . . . Nice ride either way ~ Congrats. A-Jay

Looks like the "Buff" is popular and catching on. It can be worn in several different ways, providing a little warmth on a cool morning and then decent U/V protection later on in the day. It also is a bit of a bug barrier when needed. Like mentioned above, Buff and Sun Gloves are a good combo - skin cancer is no joke. A-Jay

The U/V Buff ~ It does it all . . . A-Jay http://www.buffusa.com/sports/collections/filter/fishing/tubular

TW sells the Pro Locker Rod Bag ~ I don't own one but have read some decent reviews - sounds like it could be just what you're looking for. A-Jay

You can still practice outside. Just wear boots & a hat . . . A-Jay

Here you go - this is what I'd fish if I wanted one bait to do what your asking - A Texas Rigged Jig & Plastic. What I do like about this rig over a Standard Fixed hook jig: First and fore most, the fish eat it. The hook-up ratio is the same as a standard Jig or maybe even a bit better. It comes through cover better. I can modify / customize the rig any way I want. By switching the weight, the skirt color or type, the hook size or type and the plastic trailer of my choosing - the options are endless. With very little chance of hanging up, I Fish it over and through lily pad fields, milfoil patches, cabbage patches, stump/log jams, and open water ~ All on One Cast ! So, instead of carrying a ton of different color and size jigs, I can be ready for anything (including punching through the slop) with a hand full of weights, skirts, hooks and a small assortment of plastics. Beavers, Beasts, Grubs, Craws and creature baits have all taken fish. Here's the rig, from the main line to the hook: -A stopped knot (I use a double uni-knot made from left over braided line) - A small bead to keep the knot from slipping through the weight. - A 1/2 oz tungsten weight - a Boss Punch Hub - this is placed inside the skirt collar - The skirt of your choice - A parasite clip (optional, but does help prevent the plastic from sliding down the hook) - A 5/0 Owner wide gap plus EWG hook (#5139 - very stout, I love this hook) - Your favorite soft plastic - pictured is a Power Bait Beast Hope this helps A-Jay

Any time you're working any crankbait through a type of cover where the bait is prone to getting hung up, some type of lure retriever is a good idea. This new bait is projected to go a bit deeper but the current baits all go beyond arms reach as well. That being the case, this new bait may really only change my deep cranking techniques in a couple of ways; 1). The baits sheer size may require a bit beefier set up to fish effectively - what that will be is yet to be determined, at least for me. And 2). Though I don't expect this to be magic, I'm hoping to reap the benefits of what is essentially a "swimbait" sized deep crankbait and we already know that the those bigger baits do routinely end up hung in the face of some of the larger fish in the system. A-Jay

LOL ~ I've played and Lost that game more times than I'm willing to admit. A-Jay

That's good Jeff - because I'm border line Tech-no - Illiterate . . . . . A-Jay

Thanks for the tip - the Float Wrist Strap will be attached - can't be too careful. A-Jay

I'm All Over It ~ ! Complete AUTO - MODE for Me AND The Thumb Buddies, especially those that "no hablo inglés" A-Jay

The Nikon CoolPix AW100 compact digital camera (in camo of course) will replace the old Pentax Optio W20. Waterproof, Shock proof and Freeze proof which came in handy today as I've been putting it through the paces. Very nice; Takes Great photos and HD video (1080). Especially easy to use, even for a knucklehead like me. Now the shots of all those dinks I catch will be even better. A-Jay

I'm not a big Fly bass guy. But each June there is a couple of Big Fly hatches here that are just too good to pass up. It's strictly a surface bite and almost any Big Mayfly imitation will get slurped . . . . . Mostly brown bass but there are times when the green bass are mixed in along with a few bonus walleye that inevitably end up as dinner. A St Croix Bank Robber 7wt works for me - it has no problems delivering the bulky offerings and then pinning and landing anything in my area - at least so far. Sometimes if it's windy I'll go up to an 8wt line. A-Jay

Still some very solid memories and Good Times there. Double Digit LMB ~ they are so special . . . . . . Here's to next Year Jeff - Lets make it a Great Year all Around . . . . I'll even let you net the Lake Record bass for me in Mexico ~ A-Jay

Congrats ~ ! Very nice Fatties . . . . A-Jay

Yes - I fish braid and a knot-able leader made by American Fishing Wire. I usually fish the 20lb brown/camo color and it works perfectly. My home waters are Loaded with fish with teeth and they all seem to love frogs. The Leader does little to keep the baits from getting shredded, but at least I get to sore lip them a little for their troubles. Here's the info. A-Jay http://www.afwhiseas...-x-7-s/2261.htm

Last week we got two feet in one night - and they didn't even think about closing the schools. If they did those kids would be going to school year round . . . A-Jay

This is worth watching ~ A-Jay http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/adjust-baitcasting-baitcaster.html

Happy Holidays to you ~ And I'm jealous regarding your latitude . . . . . . . . A-Jay

Thank you - I have been on the fence about adding a few of these to my arsenal. I may still give one a try later but for now, guess I'll just put this on hold - but the 10XD ~ that's getting Pre-Ordered ! A-Jay

1. A Life Jacket that you are actually going to wear. Everything else is a luxury and a matter of personal preference. A-Jay

You Have Friends ? A-Jay

On a Flipping / Pitching / Casting Jig ~ Rage Tail Lobster, Xcite Baits Raptor Tail Craw On a Swim Jig ~ Rage Tail Eeliminator, Berkley Havoc Bobby Lane's Grass Pig Swimbait, Reaction Innovations Skinny Dipper, and the Berkley Powerbait Thump Worm. ~Note: have had nice results with Berkley's Powerbait Hollow Belly Swimbait & the Powerbait Flatback Shad Swimbait as trailers but they are a little pricey ~ A-Jay