A-Jay

The vast majority of all my fishing, regardless of the platform (canoe or boat) is done from an anchored position. Either with twin Talons or the traditional mushroom unit. I can't quote an exact percentage; however, history has shown that I am ridiculously more effective when anchored. And that includes when making the presentation (casting) , on the hookset, and playing/landing a spirited bass. Admittedly, it may be 'easier' to just drift around and allow the elements to dictate how my rig sets up on whatever structure/cover I'm fishing. But inevitably, I get the bite I fished all day for, and I find myself "out of position." Which can lead to an off-balance/ineffective hookset. Some type of long-distance releasing cover or structure between me and the bass, or the fish gets into the trolling motor. None of that is desirable, and most all of it can be avoided by not being lazy and properly positioning the boat right from the start. I do not have spot lock, so in deeper water deals, I'm running the Fortrex. Making some level of drifting unavoidable. A-Jay

We still have lots of snow on the ground but it's showing signs of warming up. Even though it's tomorrow, This week's Tanker Tuesday submission is happening tonight. It includes a pair of 6 lb Lake Erie mutants. Both made possible by @Dwight Hottle Thank you, sir. I think these were consecutive PB's for me at the time and the bigger bass choked a Lucky Craft 128 in American Shad. What are the chances ? 45 Days and a Wake Up ~ A-Jay

Megabass Destroyer F4-65X JDM model Paired it with a Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (6.2:1). Once I decide on the 10 or 12 lb. Tatsu. I will officially be giddy. A-Jay

I don’t often get ‘surprised’ by much. However, this one certainly falls directly into that category. First, a brief backstory. For the past, I guess, couple of years anyway, I have been on the lookout for a specific jerkbait rod. As much as I fish the bait (and I’m not getting any younger), I thought I might as well have ‘the stick’ that was designed to do it. The picture below will instantly and quite easily give it away. If you’re familiar with this particular JDM model, you might know that recently they have been hard to come by and are a little pricey. At least for me. So while I have been scouring the interweb, trying to locate one, I have also been sharing ‘the struggle’ with my wife. It’s all good, as Lynn does possess some of the same passion for bass fishing as the rest of us. However, as you can probably imagine, Lynn is routinely subjected to what could be described as the next level of my semi-addicted bassheadness. (Not sure that’s even a word). Like the true kind soul that she is, she seems to listen attentively and then takes most all of it in stride. And now for the payoff. While not really her style and something she has never done. This wonderful lady actually located and purchased the exact Megabass Destroyer F4-65X model I've been drooling over and thought I’d never be able to find. Well, it arrived from the motherland the other day. To say I was mostly blown away would be an understatement. I like her. In order to do this one justice, I paired it with a Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (6.2:1). Another first and no doubt the highest quality casting reel I’ve ever owned. Just stupid smooth & light. Once I decide on the 10 or 12 lb. Tatsu, I will officially be giddy. And just like that, the hardwater season got a little longer. A-Jay

You know I am a grass cutting fool. But only my own. I think this whole thing is a bad idea. You're not insured for this—and life's too short. No one has ever said on their way out of this world, "I wish I had cut more grass". Use the time to support your loved ones. Let this guy worry about his own grass. Do you really need the $50 bucks or would you rather fish more ? Just saying. Good Luck A-Jay

I do, and it's pretty easy. Just catch a 5 lb brown bass and hang her on the scale. Seriously though, I do not have an actual 'certified' accurate weight. So every spring I weigh a bunch of bananas at the grocery store and then use them to check the scale. It's always very close—within an ounce or so. Which is good enough for Lake Menderchuck standards. 🤓 A-Jay

The seasonal frostiness continues ~ 🥶 A-Jay

Since the start of 2026 I have been taking two recovery days after workout day 4. So training every other day for 4 workouts and then taking two days off has helped me recover from the systemic fatigue that inevitably builds up. Which keeps me fresh and motivated straight through the next cycle. So that was me taking the long way to say, I'm taking tomorrow off. #borninfiftynine. A-Jay

Remembering our boy Tucker in this one. circa November 2014 A-Jay

Which is decidedly more popular than the Foxtrot Uniform catagory. 😉 A-Jay

New state records always score in the plus 100 percentile. Very exciting. A-Jay

Nice ~ That's a bucket list fish for me. Good Luck A-Jay

Check out this 29.5”, 15.75lb largemouth caught on Nickijack Lake From freelance outdoor writer Richard Simms: “There is a likely new Tennessee state record largemouth bass under review right now. Sequatchie County angler Darren Nunley caught the 15.75-pound bass - weighed on certified scales - on Nickajack Lake Saturday morning (Feb. 28, 2026). If the huge fish is ultimately certified, it will best Gabe Keen's current state record by about a half-pound.” “Edgmon said the bass was 29.5 inches long. The Save A Lot scales were most recently certified just a month ago. Consulting with TWRA Biologist Mike Jolley, Edgmon helped Nunley download the necessary record application, and Nunley said he is scheduled to meet with Jolley on Monday to verify the species. “Jolley will likely take a sample from the fish for DNA analysis. If it is the same as Keen's record fish, the bass is likely to be an F2 hybrid, a bass that is the result of a true Florida bass spawning with a native northern largemouth, resulting in what biologists call ‘hybrid vigor.’” WHAT LURE DID HE USE? Saturday morning, about an hour after they got on the water, Hensley had given Nunley a half-ounce Z-Man Hammer bladed jig to fish with. "It was a green pumpkin color jig and I put a Hog Farmer tail on the back of it. I believe they call it a Spunk Shad," said Hensley. “It’s eyeballs were the size of a half a dollar, they were so big," said Edgmon. "I'm just glad I was able to help them and get them going in the right direction. (Biologist) Mike Jolly guided me and, of course, it is still only pending until Mike examines it and everything is officially reviewed." #infisherman A-Jay

Thanks ~ Yes. I put it together in 2009 at 50 years old. Honestly, it's the best investment in me I could have ever made. Being able to train at any time virtually eliminates ALL the excuses. The PowerTec Leverage Machine has been awesome. Completed one 'refurbishment' a few years back. Went with a new paint job and motivational wall coverings as well as upgraded the floor matting. A-Jay

Workout Day 4 ~ The smell of iron, tape, and matted floors, I shut out the world once I close that gym door. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

This is a canine PSA and something I wish I had shared here years ago. It's something many folks have been doing forever. However, in some instances, this does go unaddressed, and that's where and when problems can arise. The link below contains plenty on the matter and is from the American Kennel Club. It is for informational purposes only, and there's a metric ton of additional info available from any number of educated resources. There's a video at the top of the page that is not associated with this subject matter. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/wash-dog-bowl/ A-Jay

Congratulations to you Both ! Three decades and still going strong. So lucky to have each other all these years. Here's to many, many more . . . A-Jay

So here we are, the last day of February. Admittedly, we're not exactly sad to see this one in the rearview mirror. The stability that we crave was interrupted a few times by rides up & down that roller coaster hill. My view from the cheap seats indicated that the down runs looked a little rugged. As always, Lynn hung tough, but she was feeling it for sure. In an effort to help with pain & nausea management, the VA recently set us up with a palliative care team. These folks are rockstars in their field, and were all about it when it came to aiding in Lynn's ongoing care/treatment. All said & done, there were some medications added, some were deleted, and a couple were changed out to an updated version. No way I can correctly pronounce or especially spell any of them. However, we're hoping for good things, which in this case comes in the form of a bit of daily relief for my wife. So far it's slow to come, but we're being patient. Stay healthy and hug someone. A-Jay

Wow- that's so nice. Very similar to our place here right now. Just without all the snow & ice. 😎 A-Jay

Can't guarantee a win for you, but the Accu Cull Digital Scale 55 lb has been very good for me. I replace the scale stock hook with the 6" Rapala Fish grip. Domestically & internationally. It has a bright digital readout my Old Eyes can read easily. A-Jay

X2 ~ This just about covers it all for me as well. I consider all my gear as tools, just not a hammer. A-Jay

That's the Lake Baccarac I know and love. His bass fishing is ruined for life ! ❤️ A-Jay

Yea Buddy. I was waiting a couple of years to go full on about this one but....... Both sizes are just a little scarey. In a good way. Btw, has anyone figured out why bass eat shrimp ? A-Jay

Lippless baits are a lot of fun to fish, and when the bass are on them, it's fun times for all. I like to slow-roll them and burn them over soft cover. I use a few different baits depending on the usage. Perhaps my favorite way to fish one is in cooler water and to present one like a blade bait. So think clean(er) bottom and short hops. The Duo Realis Tungsten G-Fix is my go-to. It's a 3/4 oz bait but has a 1/2 oz profile and is very thin side to side. Great way to cover water and get latched on to late-season brown bass. https://youtu.be/E8UfnBPoH-M?si=xuc-TZCsEKarfrVb&t=274 A-Jay

Workout Day 3 ~ My POS GoPro didn't record any of the raw audio. Still kicked ass on the training either way. #borninfiftynine A-Jay