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

If you don't mind sharing . . .What was it about the Dredger that you did not like ? A-Jay

A braid to mono leader is about as versatile as it gets. You can use a fairly wide variety of leaders on the same braid main line. For the application you mentioned, I used a 30lb braid main line and then attach my leader; 10-17lb. If a stronger leader is required, I might not use one. I use this type of leader line set up for several rigs. A-Jay

Initially sent as a pm - and now posted here ~ OK – so swim baits – The thing I wanted to pass on was fishing hollow body and solid body swim baits on a jig head. Really a super effective way to catch brown and green bass as well as walleye and pike. I first read about this method/presentation which was written by In-Fisherman editor Doug Stange who is a fanatic about this presentation. I think it started back in the Oct/Nov 2003 issue. He has written several articles about it and I’m certain if you google it, you’d find quite a bit to read. If you subscribe to the magazine then you might already know all of this. Since 2007 I've been really doing very well with this and there are a few times a year when fish will tear these baits up. The rig is simple and there are several baits you can use but the two I’ve had the most success on are the Berkley hollow body swim bait (4,5 and 6 inch size) and the Berkley Power Bait Flatback Shad. The jig head of choice is an Owner Saltwater Bullet in ½ & ¾ ounce. The hook is good and these baits fit this jig head well. Others might work also. The baits are always rigged “flat” or sideways rather than the standard method. The baits have more action this way. Don’t worry how it looks – as long as it’s rigged straight you’ll be happy. Tackle is nothing special – any med to med-hvy casting or spinning tackle will work. The line choice is whatever you like but these baits are a bit beefy so keep that in mind. I use 20lb braid on a spinner and 30lb braid on casting tackle. 6ft – 7 ft rods seem OK. How to fish it; Cast it let it go to the bottom and reel it in – fish it like a crank bait. Strikes come on the move and on the drop. An occasional pause is good. It will allow you to stay in contact with the bottom and will often times induce a strike. The 1/2 oz is good down to 15 ft or so and anything deeper the 3/4oz bait works well as it will stay deep and still allow you to keep the bait moving. As for where to throw this rig; It really excels as a search bait. So search; along the inside and/or outside of a submerged weed line, down a drop off, up a drop off (my personal favorite) and across a deep or shallow flat. Once you find some fish you can repeat what you did to get bit and maybe zero right in on them. There is no mistaking the strike – fish eat these baits so you’ll know when to set the hook. And this is not necessarily a Big Fish method; you’ll get into different classes of bass but very few real dinks. And so there you have it – hope this helps you get on some fish. A-Jay

My 15' 3" Old Town Predator square back weighs in at 113 - bare hull. They rate it at being able to carry 1700lbs people & gear - I've never actually weighed all my gear but it supports the load well and stability has never been a concern. Gear includes - 2 mod 29 batteries, 55lb thrust minn kota, cement block at bow for ballast (when alone) and way too much tackle and rods. (plastic baits really weight a ton) A-Jay

I haven't tried that one yet. But if you place a slice of Bologna into each one of your shoes . . You'll feel funny all day. A-Jay

Glad you're OK friend - That must have been quite a scare. A-Jay

I'd go if I could ~ but it doesn't look good . . . . A-Jay

After rigging a hollow body or solid body style swimbait onto a jighead, insert a toothpick all the way through the bait, right against the hook where it starts to bent upward (directly in front of the hook bend). Then trim the excess off closely. This is quite effective at helping to hold the bait onto the jighead. A little super glue at the head helps too. A-Jay

Nice Zonker Mod ~ A-Jay

While I can respect everyones stand on this matter - I'd say we are perched precariously on "The Line" here. A-Jay

Exceptional post Chuck - loaded with info. Thanks for taking the time. btw - nice rig. A-Jay