A-Jay

The 'Boston Patriots' were REALLY bad while I was growing up in Boston. Sort of like now. The 20 or so year run of winning all the time was a nice break. But now were back to what I'm used to. My son's pretty bummed out about it though. They've been winning just about his whole life. #backtoreality A-Jay

Nice Striper ! Congrats A-Jay

Well you know where I live - So I wouldn't feel safe not pulling for the Wolverines. Especially while I sleep. Should be a good game though. 🤓 A-Jay

Thank your cousin for his service for me. btw- Both my wife & I were CC's for 8 years each in Cape May. Such a satisfying assignment. As for the reels "bulk" I find them very palm-able but it might be hand size dependent too. A-Jay

Thanks ~ I am a total Amazon user and abuser for all kinds of items. The lower $$ usually seems attached to reels with the handle on the wrong side (left). I don't go that way, not that there's anything wrong with that. Either way I'm looking to replace several somewhat aging reels in my collection. When the time comes, the Elite might be it. I'll know for sure after one full season of use. I get a military discount from TW, so I use it. A-Jay

X2 ~ Late last season I picked up 2. A week later I added 2 more. Very nice unit for the price point IMO. (Pictured on the right) A-Jay

Few years ago I hooked what ended up being a new PB Musky while SMB fishing. Fish grabbed a jerkbait and then proceeded to put me and my woefully undersized gear through it's paces. After what seemed like forever for both of us, I got the beast alongside the boat. And as I made an ill advised attempt to 'net' the fish, my 10 lb FC finally failed. So I was no longer connected to what will not doubt for me be the fish of a life time. But she was really tired and rather than swimming off right away, there was just the briefest of seconds where she just sat motionless in front of me. In a last ditch effort, I managed to get enough of this fish into my net and drop her into the boat. Needless to say, I was pretty pumped. After a quick length measurement she was back in the lake and swam off strong. So that's my broken line net job story . . . This is what the final few minutes of that fairly hectic scene looked like . . . A-Jay

https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3626173/coast-guard-suspends-search-for-missing-kayaker-off-st-augustine-inlet/#:~:text=— The Coast Guard has suspended the search,of the North Jetties in St. Augustine%2C Saturday. A-Jay

Nice - did you use a Musky Rod ? A-Jay

I am not an A-Rig expert, but I fish them Like any somewhat different presentation, there's a bit of a learning curve. And with this deal there's a good bit IMO. The tackle for sure being one of them. The size and numer of jigheads and baits, as well as the type and size line used can help determine what rod would perform well. The more the A-Rig weighs the more rod I'd use. A lighter rig benefits from a lighter blank. Either way, rods at or even over 7'6" seem good. A rod rated for 4 o z is not what I'd select unless the rig was that heavy. For reference, I fish 5 baits, all with 1/8 oz heads. Total rig ends up something a bit over an ounce when you add in the plastics. A musky rod in this situation would seem to me like panfishing with a flipping stick. A-Jay

Sometimes we don't even need the net ~ #jumpingintheboat A-Jay

We've had some 'colder' air temps and a few inches of snow past few days. Not sure what's going on with the local lakes but I'm still in a holding pattern either way. Count Down is at 87 days - at this point that may not mean what it started out as. It's also 'Tight Line Sunday' ~ Going back into the private archives for this one. Includes my first MI SMB over 6 lbs. I was happy. A-Jay

@AlabamaSpothunter Heck of a way to start the new fishing year. You are dialed in on that bite for sure. With so many quality bass there, I know it must be hard to even think about launching any where else. Congrats and continues success. Time for a new PB I'd say. A-Jay

Rock Bass ? Looks like a Smallmouth Bass to me. And a pretty nice one at that. A-Jay

Ended some of 2023 on a new to me Lake Menderchuck. While I did catch a few, including one insane spinnerbait trip, most of my time spent there was used for 'scouting' in preparation of this next early season pre-spawn bite. This one's as Big as any water I fish, and a hike which cuts down on actual fishing time. So I'll be looking to maximize that deal. On a positive not, early season access is not ideal. IME, that is best case scenario for the kid. I have high expectations but the only way to know for sure, at least for me, is to commit to it. Can't be looking over my shoulder thinking about what may or may not be happening on different water; even though I have a pretty good idea what that probably is. Here's to finding Bigger and Browner pastures, while not running into any TV personalities on the same spots. #zona Trying to top this gal ~ A-Jay

Total Body Day 4 this morning. Went into this one feeling pretty good and came out the same way. Plan on taking a couple of days off and will be coming back with a different workout plan. Just to change it up. Going with a Legs-Push-Pull Double 3 day split. Used it in the past with decent results. I'll post the workout details in front of the 1st session on the 9th of Jan and each one there after. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

A-Jay

Story time with uncle Tank ~ #tankslife A-Jay

As this new year begins we are hanging in there. Lynn continues with the once a week blood test. The results/numbers recently are in the 'good' for her situation category. Her oncologist has weaned her off all the meds that were believed to be at least part of the problem. We were genuinely concerned with what the repercussions of this would be. They've been replaced with a brand new med, a monthly infusion takes 30 minutes to administer rather than than 6-8 hours she was enduring previously. It's early on, but so far it's doing it's thing. And we're both hoping that continues. Lynn's spirit seems much better and that's huge. When she's good, I'm mostly good. Clearly not in remission but is she's feeling a little stronger everyday. Even been out with the pups a few times. Stay Healthy and as always, Thank you very much for your support. A-Jay

IME, most folks wait too long to think about 'getting fit'. Results come and are far easier to keep, the 'younger' we are. Once you start, never stop. The below info is from The Mayo Clinic and is far from all inclusive. But it a decent place to begin. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/strength-training/art-20046670 Strength training: Get stronger, leaner, healthier Strength training is an important part of an overall fitness program. Here's what strength training can do for you — and how to get started. Want to reduce body fat, increase lean muscle mass and burn calories more efficiently? Strength training to the rescue! Strength training is a key component of overall health and fitness for everyone. Use it or lose it Lean muscle mass naturally diminishes with age. Your body fat percentage will increase over time if you don't do anything to replace the lean muscle you lose over time. Strength training can help you preserve and enhance your muscle mass at any age. Strength training may also help you: Develop strong bones. By stressing your bones, strength training can increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Manage your weight. Strength training can help you manage or lose weight, and it can increase your metabolism to help you burn more calories. Enhance your quality of life. Strength training may enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Strength training can also protect your joints from injury. Building muscle also can contribute to better balance and may reduce your risk of falls. This can help you maintain independence as you age. Manage chronic conditions. Strength training can reduce the signs and symptoms of many chronic conditions, such as arthritis, back pain, obesity, heart disease, depression and diabetes. Sharpen your thinking skills. Some research suggests that regular strength training and aerobic exercise may help improve thinking and learning skills for older adults. Consider the options Strength training can be done at home or in the gym. Common choices may include: Body weight. You can do many exercises with little or no equipment. Try pushups, pullups, planks, lunges and squats. Resistance tubing. Resistance tubing is inexpensive, lightweight tubing that provides resistance when stretched. You can choose from many types of resistance tubes in nearly any sporting goods store or online. Free weights. Barbells and dumbbells are classic strength training tools. If you don't have weights at home, you can use soup cans. Other options can include using medicine balls or kettle bells. Weight machines. Most fitness centers offer various resistance machines. You can invest in weight machines for use at home, too. Cable suspension training. Cable suspension training is another option to try. In cable suspension training, you suspend part of your body — such as your legs — while doing body weight training such as pushups or planks. Getting started If you have a chronic condition, or if you're older than age 40 and you haven't been active recently, check with your doctor before beginning a strength training or aerobic fitness program. Before beginning strength training, consider warming up with brisk walking or another aerobic activity for five or 10 minutes. Cold muscles are more prone to injury than are warm muscles. Choose a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions. When you can easily do more repetitions of a certain exercise, gradually increase the weight or resistance. Research shows that a single set of 12 to 15 repetitions with the proper weight can build muscle efficiently in most people and can be as effective as three sets of the same exercise. As long as you take the muscle you are working to fatigue — meaning you can't lift another repetition — you are doing the work necessary to make the muscle stronger. And fatiguing at a higher number of repetitions means you likely are using a lighter weight, which will make it easier for you to control and maintain correct form. To give your muscles time to recover, rest one full day between exercising each specific muscle group. Also be careful to listen to your body. If a strength training exercise causes pain, stop the exercise. Consider trying a lower weight or trying it again in a few days. It's important to use proper technique in strength training to avoid injuries. If you're new to strength training, work with a trainer or other fitness specialist to learn correct form and technique. Remember to breathe as you strength train. When to expect results You don't need to spend hours a day lifting weights to benefit from strength training. You can see significant improvement in your strength with just two or three 20- or 30-minute strength training sessions a week. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends these exercise guidelines: Aerobic activity. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. The guidelines suggest that you spread out this exercise during the course of a week. Greater amounts of exercise will provide even greater health benefits. But even small amounts of physical activity are helpful. Being active for short periods of time throughout the day can add up to provide health benefits. Strength training. Do strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. Aim to do a single set of each exercise, using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions. As you incorporate strength training exercises into your fitness routine, you may notice improvement in your strength over time. As your muscle mass increases, you'll likely be able to lift weight more easily and for longer periods of time. If you keep it up, you can continue to increase your strength, even if you're not in shape when you begin. Beyond all of that, the latest research regarding how beneficial exercise is to the aging brain, is staggering. A-Jay

Keeping myself 'in shape' has been a life long quest for my entire adult life. Started as a hobby 1980 and then became part of my job description in the service for the next 30 years. Somewhere along the line there I became addicted to the power I had over my own abilities. After retiring in 2007, I built a small home gym in my basement. I have been Hammering away down there just about every other day ever since and it has really paid off IMO. At 64 years old, I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was. Through it all, I'm looking to continue to be fit for life. And that includes everything that is involved with preparing, going & returning from fishing. By myself most of the time. Objectives are always maintaining a Lean body mass, possess at least average strength, be stable, Balance & Flexible. All of which feeds confidence. Past several years, I've posted my efforts here in this forum. (Almost every other day) https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/198637-working-to-stay-lean-~/ Not only does it motivate me to keep at it. But perhaps there's one or two folks who think that if I can do it, so can they. And they'd be spot on ! Here's 3 recent sessions ~ https://youtu.be/LvQ13sP90w8?feature=shared https://youtu.be/mA-P4wZH_yw?feature=shared https://youtu.be/MwRbG5lDADQ?feature=shared A-Jay

This is essentially a light punch rig. Excels when fishes in places with a super soft or mucky bottom where a standard bottom bait might sink into or pick up all types of gunk. I'll use a light LEAD weight (1/8 or 3/16 oz) and a trailer that 'glides' on the fall. Bait tends to 'sit' in the soft cover bottom rather than plunging into it. As for line to the hook knot, I am a uni-knot user & abuser. BTW ~ congrats on being the first member to solve his own thread. #madskills A-Jay

Total Body Day 3 today. Still riding the momentum of the new year. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Winter in Michigan can be a bear. But when it's over, my house is usually still there. A-Jay

I don't throw a jig or a Rigged plastic all that much any more, but how about a Texas rigged plastic with a skirt ? I'm a big fan of this deal and have been for a long time. Sort of the best of both worlds. Really comes through all types of cover very well and is a bank anglers best friend. I find myself throwing this in 'new to me' places. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/104025-best-jig-for-heavy-weeds-grass/?do=findComment&comment=1138729 A-Jay