A-Jay

I picked up some of these a few of weeks ago. I've been a Rat-L Trap fan for many years. But I've been fishing several baits from XCaliber this season and I'm liking the quality and the catches. And the One Knocker has really surprised me. It's been producing some very decent fish. A couple of times I fished it behind a Rat-L-Trap and it took fish. Is anyone else having success with it ? A-Jay

Thanks - a Strikeking Spinnerbait that is now Very close to retirement ! A-Jay

Check this out - Some of the waters named here should be a good place to start ~ and the fall is always Prime time A-Jay http://www.michigansportsmanmag.com/fishing/bass-fishing/mi_aa072503a/ http://www.michigansportsmanmag.com/fishing/bass-fishing/mi_aa062504a/ http://www.michigansportsmanmag.com/fishing/bass-fishing/MI_0605_01/

OK, I'll see your two pike and raise you two more nice pike We caught several nice bass but these were two bonus fish that somehow didn't cut me off. You know where we went ~ but we'll keep that to ourselves. . . . A-Jay

misfit1III8 "Thats all I threw out there last night" I hear ya- -what did you end up putting on the back of that buzzbait to replace the twintail grub ? A-Jay

Has anyone happened to see my pants??????? Anyone???? Wow - this is weird - looks like this missing pants thing is a real problem in several places . . . . . A-Jay

Cool - you got out on a Monday night - nice. . . . . . Bummer you lost a possible PB - I know the feeling too well. We'll be getting out the next two mornings - thinking about switchoing it up a bit and fishing a buzzbait all day - A-Jay

Just got back. Lack of rain didn't help the fishing. The bite was totally shut off from yesterday. Managed a handful of dinks and a nice pike. Tomorrow is another day. Retirement is pretty good. A-Jay

Heading out again today - got out yesterday - wind and rain - pretty crappy day as far as the weather goes - but the fish were in a chewing mood and my better half and I put a hurting on them ! ! ! Including her personal best LMB . . . . . Headed out again this morning - looks like it might not be as windy but the same raw rainy deal as yesterday - ah - summer in Northern Michigan - it's so lovely and 43 degrees . . .nice . . . . .. . . . . . A-Jay

Check your e-mail . . . I been throwing the Deps Frog (see Link) it's by far the BEST frog bait I've ever seen - - It has a great action that is very different than everything else out there !!! It's a little high $$$$ for a stupid little hunk of plastic but it's a really sweet bait - I was throwing it in both vegatation and open water and bass were hammering it - I think the pike might like it too which might not be too good . . . . . . . http://www.***.com/descpageDEPBAIT-DBF.html# A-Jay

Got out today for the mid-day bite - The frog was see'in some action - A-Jay

SSSSSShhhhhhh . . . . . . . . . A-Jay

I FINALLY have water temps that are reaching the 60's - it's been a slow warm-up for sure - - but the SMB seem to like it . . . . . A-Jay

For those who recently bought a Tour Edition reel for $240 to see them going for $130 has got to be like a punch in the head A-Jay

Cool I was looking for some Hawg gills myself - I think your right - it won't be long though - A-Jay

Last night didn't pan out as I had hoped - so I got right back in the saddle today with a SMB FEST ! A change in scenery made a major difference. I has one of those days that makes Winter in northern Michigan Almost with it . . . . A-Jay

Funny you should ask - I'm hoping to stir up a few more SMB right before dark. Then after twilight, My "plan" is to connect with Ol' Marble eyes - I picked up a new cooler today at Jay's and would like to fill it up - I mean break it in - with in legal limits of course. . . . . . I'll be sleeping in but will post a report right before I head out again tomorrow afternoon to hook it up again . . . . . A-Jay

Heading out for my first "night operations" of the year - conditions are looking favorable - Oh Boy . . . . A-Jay

Very Nice ! Really enjoyed sharing the trip - some very sweet shots of the hotel too. And of couse there were several great big bass smiles. A-Jay

I have not used that model - but have been a Shimano fan for years. I have several versions of the Clarus both spinning and casting - they are a very good quality blank with decent components. Comparing them to a G Loomis is debatable and might not be fair. I have a couple of G Loomis salt water surfcasting rods they are very nice and sort of in another catagory. For those who have the $$$ for a G Loomis the Clarus and the Crucial might not even be a consideration. But for the $$$ and what you get, they should be. The spinning rods are on sale at the link below for a very decent price - with the extra $$$$ you could get 2 rods ? Of course, then you'd need reels as well http://www.***.com/descpageRDSSHIMANO-SHCLSR.html A-Jay

Looks nice Good Luck A-Jay

Sharkbite - maybe this could be the way to go . . . . ? Check it out. http://www.ahoycaptain.com/shop/tx_sut250s.html I use this unit and really like it. (I'm using the model for a canoe) A-Jay

Did the sunset cruise tonight - the smallies were ready willing and I was able to get a few of them to the boat and in the net. Water temps at 55. Sub-walk is making me a believer. A-Jay

misfit1III8 - I hear ya - you know I did my time working for the man. So now it's fish, fish, fish, and then go fishing again. . . . Good Luck today - Throw the sub-walk A-Jay

On the lake today - Cold wind - water temps dropped to 51 - but - and this is the good part - it was a SMB slam fest - Rapala sub-walk was the bait of the day - first time I've fished this bait - it's a keeper-- targeted flats on the north end - boat docks and beds - fish were surprisingly aggressive for such a chilly day - man that was a very good time - hoping for more tomorrow - A-Jay