A-Jay

Yup ~ But it was cool because it matched that Strike King Cap perfectly. #fashionista 😎 A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ And here's to continued good health A-Jay

I've had a few crazy catches over the years but this is one of my favorites. I posted this clip up right after it happened and a few times since, But I never gets old - at least not for me. While fishing for smallmouth bass in northern Michigan, I caught my personal best Musky. The fight and especially the landing of this mutant, (my line broke) was quite an adventure. After a measurement and the giant fish photo op, this beauty was released and swam away strong. So glad I was able to capture this very special memory on video. A-Jay while fishing for smallmouth bass in northern Michigan, I caught my personal best Musky. The fight and especially the landing of this mutant, was quite an adventure. After a measurement and the giant fish photo op, this beauty was released and swam away strong. So glad I was able to capture this very special memory on video

Might not be a gains vs loss type deal. Perhaps more of a full cork and effective action situation. Just the way I like it. A-Jay

Hi Mike ~ I do a bit of jerkbait fishing for smallies, much of it is with a spinning rod. I think I get what it is that you're looking for, as much of what you've described in blank characteristics, falls in line with what I prefer. In the past 15 years plus I've fished many different sticks looking for the right one. And after a fairly long search, I do believe that I have found "The One". At least for me. So much so that I bought three of them right out of the gate. St. Croix Avid Series Spinning Rods ~ 7 ft Medium Handle length is listed as 14 3/4 inches. I prefer mid priced gear, and this one MSRP is $ 235. I realized that it's more than you want to spend, but for the price of a few gallons a gas, you'll have what you're looking for. Been fishing them hard and they take it all and seem to be looking for more. Good Luck with your search. A-Jay

I became a big fan of the EXO reels just as they were on the way out. Light, strong, smooth, good consistant casters with great line capacity. Managed to scoop up several both new & Used. 100 and 200 size. They have accounted for some great fish for m me. Stiil going strong. A-Jay

btw @The Baron First I know I catch a bit of flack for this and it's been a running joke here for a while but; If you want the fish to look their very best in your pictures, hold then very close to the camera. I use a couple of goPro mods including a wide angle lens on my cameras which is a huge help when capturing as much as the fishing action as I can. It also allows me to get a close up of the fish and still have some background to work with. https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/mounts-accessories/max-lens-mod/ADWAL-001.html https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/mounts-accessories/camera-media-mod/ADFMD-001.html Here what the whole mess looks like on my rig A-Jay

Depending on what PC editing software you have, there's almost always a way to take screen shots out of the video. It's super easy even an A-Jay can do it. It's actually pretty cool as it allows one to really zero in on the exact perfect shot & angle. Admittedly, I take all this into consideration when I hold up a big fish for the camera. I use different views and different angles because it's hard to tell which one will be 'the one, until I start editing it. However in every case, if there is sunshine IT NEEDS TO BE IN YOUR FACE AND LIGHTING UP THE FISH. Anything else offers a fairly poor photo. So I will either turn the boat around or, relocate the camera or sometimes both to get the lighting right. So it's easy to see that not much of this happens by accident and planning ahead is helpful. Good Luck.

@Bluebasser86 Here's a 4 inch https://www.providertackle.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=66_69 and a 5 inch https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/soft-baits/dry-creek-5-inch-maxi-tube/p/1413900 Hope that helps A-Jay

This has been good for 3 seasons now ~ My ProXS asked me for it by name. She's fairly demanding btw. A-Jay

Tomato Tahmata ~ Good one. I totally agree with the 'do whatever they will bite' mantra when it comes to vibrating jigs. Low & slow, High & Fast and even stop & go retrieves all seem to work for some one, at some time, some where. Took me a while to figure this bait out - like two seasons. I thought I had 'tried' everything I could; no bites. Turns out, not everything. For the places I fish for brown bass, it's all about being around the right cover. SURPRISE - I know right ? A total revelation right there ! But seriously, the bait excels for me when I can get it to 'hang up' in the cover a bit, pause there, and then keep moving. How fast of a retrieve, how long of a pause and what type of cover (and depth) is always seasonally dependent. The Jackhammer has been such a big fish producer for me that when the conditions are right, at least in my mind, it's hard for me to throw anything else. So cooler water early and later season, it's a lighter 3/8 oz bait fished low & slow. Warmer water- late summer- it's a 1/2 oz bait moved a little faster and higher in the water column. Some of that is because the grass is taller by then as well. Cooler water catch ~ https://youtu.be/o9xew3tWuuU?feature=shared&t=1013 Warmer water catch~ https://youtu.be/sITpRNLz_04?feature=shared&t=192 Fish Hard A-Jay

Completed some much needed yard work on my off day yesterday then it was right back in the home gym early this morning. Workout Day 5. #borninfiftynine https://youtu.be/XZDr0him2Yw?feature=shared A-Jay

I think I'm up to 4 pairs now (put a pair in the truck). Most are several years old. Did need to replace one pair under warranty a while back for a nose piece replacement (one fell off) but the lenses have held up well. I always purchase them straight from ONOS so the warranty remains intact. I will admit that if they these shades are not on my face, they are in the case; Always. Yup, I'm that guy. A-Jay

Which, in my mind, makes you the right man for the job. A-Jay

Mostly because it seems so small in my hand, it feels like a toy to me. A-Jay

I have some 7 ft ML spinning rigs and I prefer 2500's but will use a 3000 at times. The rest of my spinning rigs are 7 ft M and I do prefer 3000's on those. ALL deep spools though. If possible, I also replace the stock 2500 handles with the 3000 T-type handle knob. A-Jay

Very Clear, clean water can be a double edged sword. Fun to see everything, but fishing it successfully often requires a specific approach. A-Jay

Nicely Done ! You make it look it easy but we both know that whole deal is a GRIND. Congrats #notahasbeen A-Jay

After my scheduled off day plus a killer day chasing fat brown bass out on Lake Menderchuck, I was back in the home gym. Workout Day 4 today. #borninfiftynine https://youtu.be/TLJsw2kbhiI?feature=shared A-Jay

My Dad's side of the Family is Italian. His Mom made everything from scratch. She taught my mother how to 'cook'. I like to eat so I hung out with Mom, and she taught me. I was happy. I still have her 'cook book'. (like gold Jerry, Gold) My wife's Uncle Jerry tells everyone he learned to cook in self defense. "Cooking is the gift you give yourself and those you love.” A-Jay

I have a peanut head and these guys make frames for 'small faces'. So happy I don't have to get my sunglasses from Toy 'R' Us any more 😎 A-Jay

Are Polarized Fishing Glasses Just Hype When It Comes To Seeing Through Water ? IMO, No, not hype. My rig sits pretty high off the water, I fish standing up, I fish mostly super clear water, add a quality pair of shades and there's plenty to 'see' in the water and on the bottom. I wear Onos with 'readers'. Invested in Amber lens (low light) Blue mirror lens (Brightest conditions) & a pair of black/grey lenses; decent for just about everything else. 🤓 A-Jay

Nice ~ I get it. I have actually shoveled the last few piles of snow off the lawn in early May, so I could apply weed & feed Fertilizer later that same day. #crazyperson 🤓 A-Jay

Thanks. If you haven't already, turn the video volume All the Way Up and rewatch this one. Specifically LISTEN to the outboard RPMs during the whole ride. I was working that ProXS pretty hard to keep the boat on plane, while not spearing or Running over waves. So my speed over ground was changing every 2 seconds or so. The boat 'handled' fine and that 25 inch transom makes a huge difference. The boat has a V hull which is usless if it's not in the water. But the motor and the operator did ALL the important work. A-Jay

I think I came through it OK ~ A-Jay