A-Jay

Serving in the Coast Guard for 28 years taught me many things, this is one of them. Every trip on the water is a potentially life threatening situation and it must be treated accordingly. A-Jay

I used braid on all but a few reels that are technique specific (cranking, topwater). I actually prefer the qualities of braid after it's got at least 1 season on it. After several seasons I'll end for end it and the process starts all over again. Moral of the story ~ Braid gets better with age - like us. A-Jay

As the weather warm (and that sure ain't today) I'll start making my daily rounds to check for access to the lakes and to see if there is sufficient open water to make a launch. I know that I'm not alone when I say - I've been know to carry a maul to assist with the launching evolution. A-Jay

That's a wacky little bait if there ever was one. Looks like it's given us "the stink eye". A-Jay

This should cover it. Media coverage is at the bottom of the page in the link below. http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/news/story?page=b_news_2010classic_media_schedule A-Jay

I am not a fan of the bright colored gear- ie. orange, gold. It's like I'm fishing with a toy (regardless of the cost). I am sure that the gear is high quality and performs well but I'm more inclined to go for the camouflage or even better fishouflage. A-Jay

BigEbass wrote (on another thread) "I have my first child on the way - we will see how that alters my best list" My wife and I had not read the above information prior to adding to this thread. That particular detail is REALLY going to change things quite a bit. I'm sure you realize that your priorities are about to change. You are going to be two very busy people for a while. Congratulations and best of luck to you both. A-Jay

Going fishing is one of the very few things I loved as a boy that I am still loving as a man- and it's just as good now as it was then. A-Jay

I have been fishing with my wife for two years now. It's the best. We plan days and trips around what will bring us the best fishing. Rather than pass on to you what "I Think" helped my wife get into fishing with me, I'll just let her tell you ~ Hi BigEBass, I am excited to answer your post. My husband and I moved to northern MI three years ago. Before we moved, we lived on the east coast and he was an avid striped bass fisherman. Once we found out we were moving to the Midwest, he began switching his tackle to freshwater bass. This is where I came in. He included me in the articles he read online and in the online shopping. This was before I ever even considered that he wanted me to go fishing too. But he was luring me in with the "bait monkey". We had moved in the fall, so we experienced our first, 6 month long, 17 feet of snow winter. April, still under snow, was my birthday. A-Jay bought me my first rod & reel. Now this was important. He spent a good deal of time ensuring it was the perfect size and weight for me. I am also an out-doorsy girl, so he made sure it was not one of those Barbie pink rods. Next step, we bought both of our fishing licenses. We had a couple weeks until the season opened so we took this opportunity to drive around together to look at the local lakes, check the ramps and their facilities. If you take your wife along to see the lakes with you in advance, it builds up the anticipation for her too. Fishing day is finally here. We pack our truck, lunch and off we go. Something to take into consideration before you set out on the water is the "outhouse" situation. Is there an outhouse? Does your wife mind "going" behind a tree? Is there enough privacy for that? All needs to be considered before the boat is in the water. Don't wait until she has to go. When she does, don't make a big deal about it and bust her chops. Just say OK and take her to the nearest oak tree or outhouse. (Always be sure to have toilet paper in your boat) Now that that is taken care of... I am/was a newbie to fishing. A-Jay bought me a spinning rod and reel. He very patiently taught me how to cast correctly and perhaps more importantly how to fight a fish correctly. He talked me through fighting the fish until it was securely in the net. He kept his voice calm the entire time, no matter how big the bass was. When we set out on the lake, he had usually already fished it, knew where to go and where the structure was. So when we went, he always put me on THE spots and let me cast first. Always. He acts more as a guide. Believe me, he is not missing out on fishing. He still has the "Family Angler of the Year" title and "Big Bass of the Year", both species, both years running. We have little tournaments every time we go. It's fun. I have even won a couple times. Something else that is very important is, your time on the water is fishing time. It is not time to chat about home, work, problems, money, etc. Your time fishing is a time to relax, get into the moment and escape. Enjoy your time with each other and don't worry about the stress of the world on your shoulders. All that stuff will be there when you get back to shore. Personally, I have my chemo on Wednesdays. Usually miserable days. As are Thursday & Friday. But A-Jay looks me in the eyes and convinces me to get up and go fishing. You know what? Every time, I am thankful I did! I am on the water with my husband fishing and it is AWESOME! A-Jay and I also read BR together. Keeps us sane through these long days of winter as we look out the window and see nothing but piles of snow. My husband showed me that bass fishing can be fun, but I have actually become a "husband junky". A-Jay's wife - Lynn

Tripp Weldon, the B.A.S.S. tournament director and Official Weigh-master wears The xtremeglove. He has stated that he is a big fan of it. I have the glove also and do like it, but Mr Weldon handles more 5 bag limits of fish in a season with it than I ever will. A-Jay http://www.xtremeglove.com/home/

I did a double take! I thought it was KVD. LOLLOL!!! ;D I keep Telling ya ~ THAT IS KVD - ! His wife Sherry posted this picture the other day while he was ice fishing with Zona here in Michigan. A-Jay

Good job just getting out there in those conditions. Whenever I find the fish someplace strange or doing something really different or unusual it often means I'm fix'in to learn something new. A-Jay

Obtaining parts and service for Quantum gear is no more of a challenge than it is for any major brand of tackle. Here is the manufacturers link to parts (including diagrams) and service. A-Jay http://www.quantumfishing.com/CustomerService/ReplacementParts.aspx

I use one (actually 2) from Cabelas. Using the larger 3700 model I have stick baits in one and Finesse baits in the other. It has additional small storage for hooks and assorted rigging gear. I purchased extra pouches for each bag to increase the capacity a bit. Leaving the baits in their original bags and placing them in the pouches lend for easy location, works nicely ~ but they do fill up fast. A-Jay http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20166-cat600036_TGP&id=0036308120691a&navCount=1&podId=0036308&parentId=cat600036&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true

Sorry PF, The Supreme was sold and the seller has not listed another so I do not have that reel, yet. My spinning reels are Quantum pti's and Pflueger Presidents that I've had for a while. The excellent performance and prices of the Pflueger is what prompted me to take a look at the Supreme. A-Jay

THAT IS KVD - ! His wife Sherry posted this picture the other day while he was ice fishing with Zona here in Michigan. A-Jay

Agreed, This will be an interesting event. As for a realistic test of the fishing ability of each angler, well maybe. But how many of us actually would select those weather conditions to head out in ? I know I'd wait for another day. So for those who actually catch, I'd say well done and congrats. This might be a good way to prepare for this years event ~ A-Jay

I put in my address and got this message. 'Street level photos are not available for this point' x2 ~ In my case it would have be a "North Woods level" photo. I'm looking at this as a Good Thing. A-Jay

This vendor has a nice selection and it looks reasonably $$$ A-Jay http://stores.ebay.com/SIMMONS-SPORTING-GOODS_GAMMA-LINE_W0QQ_fsubZ6928322QQ_sidZ223902033QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322

I am a big fan of this bait. Very excited to try the new smaller 3/8 size. btw - a little sale action going on here. A-Jay http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0053133122448a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&No=54&Ntt=rapala&Ntk=Products&sort=all&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1

Very insightful. I have both reels and the pt reels perform a bit better. Whatever you do do not get a Revo or Curado/Citica. All of the ones I've had suck balls, but that's just my opinion... I had to do it . . . . A-Jay

I think I was watching that same reel last night on e-bay ~ I decided to wait until later today to pull the trigger, I just came in just a few minutes ago to pick it up and it was sold - It looked like it was a sweet deal and the only one they had. Sounds like there was a bit of misrepresentation going on. A-Jay

I've been fishing them for the last 2 seasons. As previously mentioned they must be fished very slow, just a notch up from dead sticking and are good for beds but hard to see well once casted as the colors are muted. Durability has not been an issue. It's a fairly small bait, all the lmb and smb I've taken on them have swallowed the entire bait so the bait usually returns intact. The colors are very realistic. This bait requires a fairly light line presentation. With such a small hook, there is no real hook set. It's more like a drop shot. Just put a bend in the rod and start reeling. I prefer to throw them on medium spinning gear over a fairly weed free bottom. The bait seems to get lost in weeds but excels in clears water with rocks/logs. Since you really have to crawl the bait (with some pauses) I usually break it out after I have covered an area with another bait and feel that there may be a fish or two still willing to have an easy crayfish snack. A-Jay

Catt wrote ~ "Learning what structure is, how to truly identify it, interpret it, and then fish it effectively" K_Mac wrote ~ "I would concentrate on seasonal techniques." Paul Roberts wrote ~ "fish the water you have, not the articles or catalogs you own." And that's what make this site so valuable and unlike any other. Many years of on the water experience pasted on willingly as time tested advice. A-Jay

x2 ~ I've been using the uni-uni knot successfully since Power pro first hit the scene in the late 90's. Tried many other knots over the years but kept coming back to the uni. Knots are a big confidence thing, you need to go with what you are most comfortable with, both in tying the knot correctly and that the knot will hold. There is nothing more final than broken line - after the cursing that is. A-Jay