A-Jay

Hey Shawn, Welcome. There is a pretty good chance you too will become an addict to this site - there is just so much great information here . . . . . Come on SPRING ! ! ! ! A-Jay

No question - My Dad gave me his "favorite topwater bait" some where around 1970ish (I'll let you do the math - I'm in denial The cool thing is, it Glows in the dark - a few minutes in front of my headlamp and I have some crazy exciting night bass action. I am also a big fan of the black model as well, and I think the black one is the more consistant producer, but there is something seriously wild about watching that eary green glow crawl it's way along. On those very calm dark nights you can see it for most of the entire retrieve. It just kills me with anticipation all the way back to the boat. Every bass on this vintage bait always reminds be of my Dad. He started it all. Thanks Dad. A-Jay

You mean like this? I'll tell ya one thing, a malamute will really test your drag. . . The northern Michigan snow belt is in rare form this year. A-Jay

I have purchased a couple of baits from this vendor and there is No doubt he does awesome work - but is $150 plus for one bait getting a little mental ? I guess if you're willing to pay it . . . . . . . If it means the difference between winning and losing the Classic maybe but for a regular Joe - seems excessive. That's all - I won't keep going but I want to - - - - come on spring . . . . . http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Custom-Painted-Spro-BBZ-1-Shad-Swimbait-Crankbait_W0QQitemZ350150998085QQihZ022QQcategoryZ7300QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262 A-Jay

And don't forget your discount coupons available at the link below - "weekdays only" http://www.showspan.com/Coupon.aspx?showcode=UFD Drive safe A-Jay

I lived in NJ (Cape May County) for the last 15 yrs or so - retired to God's Country The striper fishing around me was really under rated by many. I DO NOT consider myself any kind of expert - I just know that when I figured a few things out - there were more fish around. If you are were willing to put in the time and go at the right time you can catch some very respectable fish. This means that you are usually not out there when every one else is . . .meaning it's almost always better at night. Saying that, you have to be smart about it - you have to know the area, have the right equipment, and don't take unsafe risks to catch a fish - going with a buddy is smart but I found out there are only a few hardy souls who are willing to stand on the end of a jetty or in the surf, with a stiff northest wind in your face on a cold November night. For me, when I was there - was almost more important than - what I was throwing. I see you're in NJ - I sent you a PM with the link to two great striper sites. Both have an INFINITE amount of knowledge being shared by some REAL experts - guys who have been on the sand half a century or more. I learned so much there - I encourage you to register/join the forum/message board and do a search for Whatever - you'll find TOO MUCH of just about everything there is on the subject. If you're already registered - then I would say you have the most valuable resource you could find already. I'll add this regarding your question on lures - If you are not fishing moving water - Find some - If it's moving - and there is bait around - that's a decent place to start - my Go To bait was a Bucktail - they are very versatile and a great hooking bait. Just as important and often overlooked until you're bleeding, it's a Very safe bait- meaning that when you are perched on a slippery rock jetty or being thrown around by powerful waves that you can't see, and then reach down to land a thrashing 25 lb fish at night, with a face full of treble hooks - this is a recipe for a trip to the emergency room - been there :-[ - with a bucktail, the one hook is in the fish - making it less likely that it will end up in your hand - which is a good thing . Colors and size and trailers are mostly predicated on the location you're fishing and the current conditions and are often times just a matter of personal preference. Good Luck and Stay Safe A-Jay

"Nothing quite like wading out to a rock, and standing up to your behind in the Atlantic. 8-)" Man - you are making me long for days gone by . . . . . A-Jay

This girl is painted up nicely A-Jay

Congrats on the PB ! And a "Honorable Mention" on all the extra efforts to ensure her survival with a successful release - Way to ensure you have a healthy fishery in the future ! A-Jay

well shux... Maybe I'll find my pants north of Crawford County one of these fine days? Nice Smallie!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT ~ I repeat ~ DO NOT come up here without yer pants ! A-Jay

misfit1III8 - I would really like to get down your way and get it to a wide open fall bass blitz - However - I am not quite as excited to look fer yer pants - I'm mean - what if we Actually find them I'll keep an eye on the weather ~ let me know when might be good - It will have to be soon I think. A-Jay

Check it out- apparently there are Smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu, were first introduced into California in the Napa River in 1874 from Lake Champlain , New York . Historical records indicate that anglers "fished out" the first plant and the introduction was considered unsuccessful. An introduction a few years later into Crystal Springs Reservoir, a water supply reservoir south of the city of San Francisco , was successful and provided an abundant source of smallmouth bass for additional stockings throughout the state. Most trophy-sized smallmouth bass from California have been caught in northern California waters. The California state record smallmouth bass is 9 lbs 13 oz and was caught from Pardee Reservoir in 2007. here a couple of links too ~ http://www.dfg.ca.gov/fish/Resources/BlackBass/history.asp http://www.californiagameandfish.com/fishing/bass-fishing/CA_0506_02/index.html A-Jay

FYI - Just remember - There are NO SMB in any of the lakes north of Crawford County See - What'd I tell Ya A-Jay

I think I could go either way on the relocation - As an ex- New Englander - I had some fantastic SMB days and nights on more than a few NH lakes ~ Winnipesaukee and Winnisquam to name just two. It's been more years than I'm willing to cop to since I've been over that way but I bet it's still excellent ! A-Jay

It is fun - almost more fun than a man should be allowed to have - legally But No - not Otsego Lake - Most of my better fish are coming from another little local hole I have been floating around this season . . . . . A-Jay

Day time Air temp here in Otsego County (very northern lower penninsula) have been in the mid 50's and the nights are in the lower to mid 30's. But on the sunny less blustery days the SMB have been up on the bars "sunning themselvs" 8-) Water temps on the lakes that turn over are 55-59 and the lakes that don't are already down to the low 50's almost high 40's. Yesterday I nailed this hawg . .more like she nailed me.... Almost 22" and a full 5 pounds - my biggest SMB yet. This has been a great fall. And I love hunting season - even though I do not hunt - but the lakes are DESERTED ! My new favorite Go To Bait has been a 5 inch paddle tail plastic bait on a swimming jig head - weight depends on the water depth. It has been KILLER - on everything - LMB - SMB - Walleye and both of the long Toothy Critters as well . . . . . . This weekend is forecast to be unseasonably warm - Looks like I'll be living in the canoe for a few days . . . . . Sorry the photo isn't the best . . . but you know what it's like trying to get a good shot when you're on a solo trip. It's hard to tell from this shot but this fish (as well as most of the SMB this fall) was a TOAD - really fat and thick and just plain well fed ! A-Jay

Nice fish with even nicer camera work. It's like the best kind of reality show there is ! A-Jay

Thanks ! and BTW, I'm a relocated Masshole myself. So this is good ! A-Jay

" Nothing better then catching them from canoe or shore!" Nice Smallmouth ! And I'm right there with ya on the Canoe catches A-Jay

Log in Thanks A-Jay

My first Fall in God's country has been everything I'd hoped for and more ! Just like clock work - as the leaves started to turn and the nights got cool (more like cold - the SMB fishing has really heated up, and the fish have all been Really FAT ! This hard-pulling 20 inch, 4.5 lb. beauty gave a very good account of herself especially on ultralight tackle. Hope the weather holds up through Thanksgiving . . . . . . A-Jay

Congrats ! Nice Brownie . . . . A-Jay

I hear Ya ! ~ Looks Like this is not a very popular spot But Good News - ~ - I found your Pants and I will be bringing them to your house tomorrow - See ya @ noon A-Jay

Just wondering if anyone has been out on this little lake, what did you think ? Thanks in advance A-Jay

How do you "glue the rattles" I've never heard of this and fish a lot of very clear lakes ~ Please share . . . A-Jay