A-Jay

I fish clear water for smallmouth. And love a wide open topwater bite. The baits pictured have been producers for me. A-Jay

Welcome to my nightmare ~ 🥶 A-Jay

Yesterday was really nice, at least for here. Air temps almost 60. I put up the snowblower for the season. Always a risky move. Also started all the lawn equipment. Good to go there. Did I mention there's still quite a bit of snow on the ground? Either way, I pulled the driveway markers and topped off the boat trailer tire PSI. Then, at the end of the day, a local Ice fisherman posted a picture on FB of one the Lake Menderchuck's ice thickness. Might be a while yet. A-Jay

This life is the ultimate challenge. From the very beginning and all the way through to the very end. A-Jay

@thediscochef What a Tank ! And on Topwater to Boot. Congrats on the new PB. A-Jay

I have never been able to gain any confidence in the straight hook / snell knot-rigged bait. No question it's an effective approach, but I'm a gumby man. So for that reason alone I skip right past it. Big EWG user with the exception being a light-wire straight hook drop shot rigs. A-Jay

If I had to pick a "Favorite" Big Bass bait for Lake Baccarac, these would be very close to, if not at the top of, the list. It's a custom A-Jay deal. I call it "estúpido." 177 Days and a Wake - Up And that wake-up deal is really BS. There's no way I'm actually sleeping night before we fly out. A-Jay

I've also only used the Original for bass fishing. I did hear the crayfish scent is pretty good on a Ritz cracker though. 🤓 A-Jay

What is that strange but attractive GREEN colored matter on the ground in the background? A-Jay

I started this thread four years ago during a season of deep fear and desperation. So much has happened since then, but the strength of this community has remained a constant anchor for me. I find myself returning to these words often—especially today. It’s a powerful reminder that there is an entire community of incredible people navigating this same path. Each of you is truly special. Understanding the reality of "this deal" helps me to keep moving forward. I recently came across this, and it captures the truth of our journey far more honestly than I ever could: "Being the primary caretaker for a spouse is a profound act of love, yet it often initiates a difficult transformation that blurs the lines between partner and caregiver. This shift can be emotionally devastating, as the romantic dynamic is replaced by one centered on nursing, managing medications, and navigating complex medical systems. Caregivers frequently deal with the "G" word—guilt—experiencing it when they take time for themselves or, conversely, when they feel resentment at the loss of their own autonomy and freedom. The 24/7 nature of this responsibility can lead to severe isolation, as friends and family may not understand the depth of the burden or because the caregiver no longer has the energy for social interaction, leading to emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. The trials are deeply personal, involving the grief of watching a loved one’s health decline while simultaneously mourning the loss of the companionship, intimacy, and shared future the couple once had. It is a "marathon" that often requires the caregiver to become a patient advocate, nurse, housekeeper, and emotional anchor all at once, leading to a state of being "burned out," similar to a candle that has lost its wick. Despite the profound love involved, the caretaker often faces the hidden, painful feelings of anger and exhaustion, sometimes struggling with the resentment that comes from being trapped in a life that is, as many feel, "not fair." Balancing this demanding role while attempting to maintain a loving, non-caregiver relationship with their wife remains one of the hardest challenges, often requiring professional support to survive." A-Jay

Probably not the best week to clean up the truck. But I can already hear Lake Mendechuck melting away from here ! A-Jay

Congrats on continuing to head in the right direction. Attitude is everything. Good Luck with those crazy Brown Bass . . . A-Jay

Posted in the wrong thread.. Sorry, carry on. A-Jay

Bringing this one back because I have been contemplating adding it to my rig. However, after a little research, I learned that if & when the trolling motor shear pin breaks (not a completely common occurrence, but it does happen), removing the T-H Marine G-Force Eliminator Prop Nut can be a little tricky. The G-Force Eliminator is designed to be hand-tightened and usually eliminates the need for tools. If the pin breaks, the prop and nut may spin together, making it impossible to hold the shaft with a screwdriver. Potential Solutions: Cut the Prop: Many anglers report having to cut the propeller off to gain access to the nut. Use a Pliers/Socket: Some users suggest using an oil filter wrench to attempt removal, according to. Drill/Cut the Nut: In extreme cases, drilling out the prop nut or using a reciprocating saw is necessary. All of this sounds like a giant PIA for a repair job that normally takes 2 minutes to complete. Has anyone run into this deal yet ? Thank in advance A-Jay ***Edit*** I just answered my own question. Bob’s Machine Shop prop nut has an opening in the center to insert a screwdriver should you happen to shear a pin. Never mind. https://bobsmachine.com/product/bobs-trolling-motor-prop-nut/

Workout Day 4 ~ The journey continues. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Before the advent of the AT4, I drove 4 Denali pickups and one Yukon Denali XL. 3 years each . Denali is nice. Yukon is not my style; plus, it made all my dogs sick (#puke). I'm on my second AT4 and it's a totally different ride. Softer, especially on anything other than pavement. I'd never go back. Good Luck with the Dodge. A-Jay

Got "The" email from GMC today. The plan is coming together. I love being in the loop. A-Jay, from this moment on, your excitement only grows. Your customized 2026 GMC Sierra order has been scheduled for production, which means our GMC experts are getting ready to build your vehicle. We’ll deliver further updates as your GMC continues its journey to you. A-Jay

The GMC & I visited local Lake Menderchuck this morning. Once we got on the road, the snow flurries didn't exactly heighten my mood. Todays picture sort of reveals that we do live 100 or so miles north of Toronto, Canada. Pretty sure there's an access point over there somewhere. 🤓 A-Jay

Get yourself some Star Brite Ultimate carpet clean and go to work ! A-Jay

I picked up the Frabill Conservation Ultralight net last spring and have been really impressed. I went with the 21x24 inch hoop and flat-bottom net bag to handle larger fish, which I encounter a few times a year. Since I didn't need the full 48-inch handle: which is carbon fiber, btw, and wicked light, I trimmed it down to my preferred length and replaced the end cap. https://www.frabill.com/collections/landing-nets/products/conservation-ultralight-net A-Jay

Workout Day 3 ~ 160 lbs has always been my line in the sand—a threshold I hadn’t dipped below in a long time while training. Hitting the scale at 155 lbs this morning feels like a win. It’s less about the number and more about recognizing the mental and physical shift in my composition and strength. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

I have high expectations right here ~ "Burn, Burn, Burn, Pause . . . . " A-Jay

Well, it snowed off & on all day yesterday, and overnight air temps were in the single digits. So, in what can probably be best described as an act of desperation, I loaded the gear into the Pro-V Bass yesterday. Except for the rods, which I get to today after I train. The rest of the week is not too bad weather-wise. And I might take a RECON trip over to Lake Mendercuck in a day or two. But it is Tanker Tuesday, and this time I'm doing something a little different. Below is a screenshot of the video made when I caught my PB Brown Bass. This image captures the moment I realized what I had just netted. #holysmoke https://youtu.be/frJAlndpO7E?si=OCPFfqYHNQYNea59 9 Days & a Wake up. It's gonna be close. A-Jay

Another satisfied pre spawn customer. Good morning sir and congrats on that beauty. A-Jay

Just a reminder that many members who have responded here have 30 to 60+ years of experience, catching great bass long before modern electronics existed. The takeaway is that fishing has too many variables for anyone else to truly tell us what we might be doing right or wrong. Even expert anglers miss fine details, regardless of their gear. In my experience, we have to figure it out on the water ourselves. Keep at it—it will click eventually. It almost always does. A-Jay