A-Jay

Nice job guys ~ So what's your bass fishing handicap ? A-Jay

Your leader length might not have been as much of a problems as the water temps. Mid 50's water temps could lead to a more favorable jerkbait bite though you can get them to go when it's 10-15 degrees cooler and warmer. But 70's is not usually considered Jerkbait water. Perhaps you could get on Erie a little earlier in the spring. A-Jay

I didn't read that - The only mention of electronics I found was this : "GPS STORED WAYPOINTS: No pre-determined, user-generated GPS waypoints will be allowed. Waypoints may only be marked during competition hours." and this ~ "GRAPHING: Graphing between periods in order to locate fish is not allowed." A-Jay http://www.majorleaguefishing.com/news_details.aspx?id=1244

Ok - I just finished watching this latest Extended Cast broadcast. I did enjoy it. But now that all the competitors have fished and the first round of eliminations to chop down the field of 24 has been completed, here's a few thoughts . . . . . I've had enough of the dock fishing dink fest. I hope that at least one of these holes is dock-less and will require the anglers to look for and find fish that are not all drawn to obvious man made shore line cover. Maybe fire up that side imaging or the down scan and even put the Hydro wave to work. I was looking forward to seeing someone use their electronics to find fish and put together a couple of different patterns. Those of us who fish northern lakes know so many are often void of docks or have very few, so you have to come up with something else; especially if you want something other than a 15 ounce bass. I do realize that because of the format and the brief period that the anglers have to actually find/catch bass, they'll go with whatever is available, and a show where no one catches wouldn't work but these guys have skills - so lets see them . . . . A-Jay

Nice Job Man ~ ! What'd she eat ? A-Jay

I did - I even doubled up on them ~ A-Jay

Over the years I have Not been a fan of using snaps on crankbaits - But Over this past season, I have been converted. A fellow angler (who shall remain nameless) has shown me the light - they work and if the correct model is used - there are few negatives to be had. Every Jerkbait the man uses goes over the side on a snap - (that probably gave it away). Recently, I've been testing a new version snap; one put out by Spro - Check out the attached link below . . . . A-Jay http://www.spro.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SSPSB%2DALL

Congrats Jeff to you and the Misses ~ ! What a Dynamite collection of Trophies right there . . . . Please bring as much of that Good Mojo as you can with you in March . . . . . And how is it you're obviously angling savvy wife is letting you head south alone ? ? ? A-Jay

This may be one of the few (if not the only) square bill bait designed to run at these depths. I was immediately intrigued by the idea and did pick up a few. Unfortunately, open water season is still a ways off for me . . . . . . Have any of you Bomber Bait Fans and / or other crankbait aficionados had a chance to work this bait enough to be able to form an opinion as to when and where this lure would be at it's best ? A-Jay

Hey Look at that - Things are looking up ~ ! The Philadelphia Eagles will name Oregon coach Chip Kelly as their new head coach, reports ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on Twitter. A-Jay

I usually fish spinnerbaits one of two ways - 1). Burning just under the surface - and I do meaning smoking fast - small double willow white blades and bait - always use a trailer hook here but never a trailer. 2). Slow rolling a larger / heavier spinnerbait deep - always use a trailer here (recently a mid-size swimbait) but never a trailer hook. A-Jay

Silent / non-rattling DD crankbaits work - even in less than clear water conditions. I found that little longer handle on a cranking rod (behind the reel seat) helps reduce the angler wear & tear on an all day crankbait trip. Distance casting requires less effort and I find the under arm tuck of the rod during the retrieve is quite comfortable. I added 5 inches or so to my Lamiglas rods. And finally I love glass rods and thin braid for cranking. A-Jay

Oh yes - I had to re-arrange my entire Man cave / sports bar area repeatedly so to make enough wall space for all the Championship memorabilia . . . . . .very disappointing. A-Jay

I hear that - looking in from outside the playoffs is never fun - as a long time Pats fan I too am haunted by childhood memories of The Boston Patriots who were REALLY BAD EVERY YEAR ! My son is spoiled. As a Pats fan he only knows of this recent version of the team where post season participation is the norm. Our day will come. Once The current QB and Head Coach depart, the dreaded "Rebuilding" will commence and we all know what that's like - brown bags on the head are often involved at some point . . . and don't even get me going on the Red Sox. A-Jay

Man your right - it has been that long hasn't it - that's quite a Dry spell for both of us. But they told me there'd be no math . . . A-Jay

I've always thought of a drop shot as a "finesse" type presentation. It's one I use mostly in a clear water situation where the bite might be tough or the fish are a bit spooky - or worst case scenario - both. There are a few less than common times when a beefed up drop shot is a good choice when you want to keep your bait suspended and out of any bottom weed, slime or other goop. This is usually in a sparse to medium cover situation and I do not use an open hook rig here though. Water color / clarity with this presentation plays less of a role on the tackle choice. A-Jay

Hey Man- Have you considered an Intervention ? ? ? Might be time - It's been almost six years . . . . A-Jay

I would recommend that when using a braid and flouro / mono set up regardless of what size braid or leader you choose, it's important to fish it on a set up geared toward the breaking strength of your leader. (providing that your mainline is the stronger of the two.) Sometimes anglers forget that even though the size of a particular braid and a leader might be similar there is often a large disparity between the two (like 30lb braid and 10lb flouro) regarding breaking strength. When the low stretch properties of braid & flouro are combined with the shock of a solid hook, your knot doesn't stand a chance no matter which one it is. The best knot tied at 100% is still the weakest link and the stronger braid will pop it almost every time. As mentioned, the right rod and / or a properly set drag is just part of "the system". I learned this the hard way, not so much with treble hook baits as I was using a softer rod, but when fishing single hook contact baits, especially on a short line, there was a period there where I was donating way too many baits to the fish gods . . . . A-Jay

So what you're saying here is - you're a Big Patriots Fan and plan on attending the Super Bowl Victory parade through the streets of Boston in February . . . . . . . .Me too. A-Jay

Crazy Game ~ ! Matty Ice pulled it out in the end . . . . . . Big Time Kick too . . . . . A-Jay

Try Live Bait ~ A-Jay

X2 When I have the same reel (or one with similar line capacity) this is what I do - When I do not, I use the methoded I post above. A-Jay

X3 - and I have 3 of them - One on the boat, one in the tackle shop and one hanging on the tackle bag. A-Jay

Fill your reel with the mono backing of you choice - Go where you can make some casts (lake, ball field, back yard) - Make casts, get an idea of what your average cast distance is - Next, make one final cast and cut the line there, discard or save the mono for net time - Then pull off a bit more (whatever you feel comfortable with) - Now fill the rest of the spool with the braid of your choice. A-Jay

I've always liked Jeff Kriet - His perspective on fishing and just about anything else always makes me smile - A-Jay