A-Jay

Will not directly affect my fishing other than possibly keeping me a bit close some but it does affect the rest of the economy at least up this way. : A-JAy

A step down but used by the all-time money winner on the Bassmaster Tournament trail, who has earned more than $5 million beginning 2011, captured four Bassmaster Classic titles (2001,2005, 2010, and 2011) and six Toyota Tundra Angler of Year titles (1992, 96, 99, 08, '09 and 10). He has earned berths in 21 consecutive Classics since he turned full-time pro in 1992, the longest running Classic qualification streak of any active pro. In 222 career Bassmaster events, he's won 20, finished second 11 times and landed in the top 10 an amazing 91 times! After all that, how does one have a perception that this tackle is in any way inferior to anything ? :-? A-Jay

The subwalk has been a good bait for me almost exclusively for SMB, although I have caught a fair share of LMB and Pike with it. This is NOT the magic lure - it's just a bait that not many guys throw so the fish don't see it and accordingly I have quite a bit of confidence in it and it's fun to fish. As for "walking the dog" with this bait - I have found that there was no need to be concerned with trying to make the bait do the "classic" side to side walk the dog action underwater. Since the first time I threw the subwalk I was hoping to get a reaction type strike. (which makes this a good search lure). Using the water temp, season, and fish activity level as a guide for how quickly to work the bait and how long the pause should be. The cooler the water, the slower it's worked and the longer the pause - as it's warming up I speed up the retrieve and shorten the pause - just like a jerkbait. Early this spring I took many fish as the bait laid motionless - I think it just ticks the SMB off so much that the bait doesn't try to flee they just Can't stand it and they smash it ! So it's a short jerk reel pause, short jerk, reel and short pause. Don't worry about how it looks along the side of the boat, just heave it out there and use a erratic stop and go and if there are SMB around - you'll know it I have also found that by using a shorter casting rod I get the best action on this bait. Short is relative to your particular build I guess. I'm like 5-10 so by using a 6 foot medium casting rod (lamiglass actually) I can stand up in the boat and work the bait TIP DOWN with a quick short side jerking motion while immediately taking up the slack with the reel and then pausing as mentioned previously. A fast reel helps when you're moving the bait faster- I use a 7:1 ratio. The clearer the water the better. I fish some really gin clear lakes and I have taken fish on this bait fishing at the edge of drop offs that were over 20-25 feet deep early and late in the day. Certainly water in the 5-15 feet is best. The fish will sometimes come a long way for this bait. I have heard stories of fish coming to a Zara spook in these same conditions- though I have not done it. I think the SMB are more willing to commit to this bait because it is Not on the surface. And a follow is almost as good as a hit because at least they showed themselves and I can go back with another bait (tube, senko or whatever) and might get a few that way. Hope this helps. A-Jay

Two words ~ Hair Jig Ask Dwight, oh wait never mind . . . . A-Jay

Yes I am Dwight, (wise guy 8-) my boots are covered in snow and may be that way for quite some time. The dogs like it a bit more than I. A-Jay

;D Be careful what you ask for, puppies are addicting. As for the third pup, Cookie-the little black and white female - we re-homed her to a well know malamute show/breeder home in Chicago. She was just to perfect not to be shown and we are not able to do the traveling that goes with it. Cookie has a bright future in the show ring. Besides ever try to take 5 Malamutes to the Vet ? Wow, we did it yesterday and talk about bedlam ! A-Jay

First off, good for you noticing the heart. The answer is I haven't the faintest idea. My wife has shared these photos with our family and on facebook and no one mentioned it. That road we walk the dogs on is nothing more than a 4 mile long two-track dead end in the woods. And the funny thing is there were several of these hearts on trees spread out down the road. It's the reason my wife wanted to stop and photo right there. A little weird. A-Jay

Good Call. A-Jay

I knew it was only a matter of time for that one. ;D A-Jay

Almost everything Martens is involved in is a "train wreck" - I like how they had to put sub-titles in so you knew what he was saying part of the time. Mr. Martens is a phenomenal angler but I often wonder if He knows what he's saying part of the time. . . A-Jay

A-Jay

Between trips and during the "hard water" season they hang in my garage. I do remove and service the reels over the winter, which in where they are right now . . . . (bumming) A-Jay

Now that's Funny ! ;D A-Jay

No, you don't have to leave them at home, just give them to your wife. Tell her that every time you ask for one of them, she can get another puppy! ;D ;D Dude - we're at 6 now - but my wife is in love with your idea ~ A-Jay

I started fishing Spinning back in the day. My first bc reel was right hand retrieve and so has every one since. I can see where when pitching/flipping the inability to be able to set the hook or detect a strike when changing hands could be a reason to miss fish. Last year I picked up a mid level left hand retrieve casting reel specifically to see if I could adapt to it when flipping/pitching. I was too lazy/chicken to try it. This year I'm vowing to give it a go. I may have to leave All the other rigs home though . . . . . A-Jay

WTG guys ! And that Southern Sunshine seems to be agreeing with you Dwight . . . . . A-Jay

Nice job ! Crank-bait fish in Feb Cool ~ Any idea what the water temp was ? A-Jay

I thought this was pretty interesting. A-Jay http://www.network54.com/Forum/451309/thread/1296928404/This+is+just+to+

Nice job Shane. Can't ask for more than that. What a way to start the new year. Must be nice, open water in Feb in NH and you gotta love that no closed season on bass there. Congrats A-Jay

Wow, you must really hate Alabama. I don't think I hate anything That much . . . A-Jay

I am very spoiler regarding angler proximity. I fish smaller lakes that are less than 500 acres and many are less than 250. I rarely even see another angler let alone get close enough be concerned about it. A-Jay

Just random thoughts... potassium Gandhi lawn chair A-Jay

Here's some of it ~ Enjoy A-Jay http://www.anglerschannel.com/content/2011-bassmaster-classic-post-victory-press-conference-kevin-vandam

I had the oppurtunity to see that entire broadcast. I think that press conference was the highlight of the Classic coverage so far. KVD did answer a few questions but for the majority of the time he stood at the mic and gave a very detailed and thorough briefing. In typical KVD fashion he controlled his time in the spot light, discussing what he chose to and plugging away for his sponsor in whole sale fashion. As Bassnajr mentioned he did go into detail regarding his decisions, techniques, presentations and baits. It was impressive and I'd watch it again, I'm sure I missed stuff. A-Jay

Good thing about ROF with lipless baits - you can control it somewhat with your line choice - braid, fluorocarbon and mono. A-Jay