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

I do not have one, but I've seen several of these Bubba Knives show up in video's where folks are doing work on full size fish; both freshwater & saltwater species. https://www.bubba.com/knives/?prefn1=bagRestType&prefv1=Fillet Knives Reviews are mostly positive as well. A-Jay

Same here and once we get some 'fishable conditions', I'm hoping we can both catch bass that are in the same category. A-Jay

Hard to tell from the pic but seems the distance between the two blades might be 'short'. Perhaps 3/4 inch or so of spacer tubing somewhere between them could help. https://www.jannsnetcraft.com/035610000003 A-Jay

23 Oct 23 ~ A-Jay

Fair enough. btw- I agree with you about the Coke being mostly rancid. A-Jay

But those HEADS are HUGE ! I like it. A-Jay

How about this ~ It's not about you. Sounds like your BIL is in the middle of a major lifestyle change. One that IMO, is totally for the better. Why he's doing it is his business and when he's ready, he might share it with you. Until then, how about a little support ? Showing up with a cooler at HIS HOME is weak salad IMO. Like smoking in the face of someone trying to quit smoking. Would it kill you to drink a Coke ? C'Mon Man. A HUGE aspect of human communication is unspoken. Your BIL is telling you that whatever he's going through, you are not helping him. In fact, you might even be part of the problem. Bass fishing is a hobby, this is real life stuff. To answer your question, perhaps mention to your BIL that if & when he might like to go fishing, simply call and see what you guys can work out. Really hope your BIL can get on the other side of this and never look back. That's my take on it. A-Jay

No leader on Pike but landed it. Turned into quite a circus act. But I got my bait back. https://youtu.be/S_Owp6ZVN0U?feature=shared&t=1359 A-Jay

Jerkbaits for me is done with Med Fast sticks for both Spinning & Casting. Moderate rods do not work for me for jerkbaits. A-Jay

I use this - MAJOR benefit is that it's KNOTTABLE Meaning no crimps. A double uni-knot to your line (any kind) and a simple uni-knot to the bait and I'm good. I use an 18 inch trace at a time, and it does make a 110 run a little deeper. But I get plenty of bass bites and don't lose the bait from being bit off. A-Jay

I bet you could. You might not like it, sort of like all the other stuff about living in Cali. But one things a common theme. Having only 1/2 a season certainty fosters a deep kind of different love for the sport. Happy New Year. A-Jay

After a few years there where we hit it about as right a one could expect (53 bass over 7 lbs with 6 over 10 lbs all in 6 days) We missed a couple of years, But have been in very close contact with lodge owner and managers just about weekly. In fact Big fish Jeff made brief trip in Sept. Reported that he did very good and believes it's getting better. I am making tentative plans to do a fall 2024 trp. A lot needs to go right but if it does, my passport will once again be put to use. The owner Terry Holland has made a major commitment to the improving the accommodations, food & customers service we get there. So that's pretty nice. A-Jay https://youtu.be/UYTzJHDCdMo?feature=shared

Started 2024 the same way I've started the previous 43 years. Fighting gravity. Total Body Day 2 was on tap and I was reasonably motivated for it. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

I've been flying all over Mexico looking for your kayak as well . . . No Luck. A-Jay

You're welcome ~ Also if you have Auto Chart - it's very interesting to chart out an area and then compare it to what's published. Many times it's right on the money. But every once in a while - there's an anomaly. I like those. A-Jay

This one's pretty good ~ https://usa.fishermap.org/depth-map/ Just zoom in on a spot on the map and you should be good. A-Jay

If you like the way a true fiberglass blank fishes, then I believe you will love that stick. If you've never fished a 100% glass rod, you may be surprised. My advice if that's the case is to understand & remember, that EVERYTHING happen slower. Especially the cast & the hookset. https://youtu.be/zvzjcAI4Fxg?feature=shared&t=142 A-Jay

OK ~ Define light. A-Jay

Best picture of the year for me. Although I'm not sure Tank would agree . . . A-Jay

I have & fish the St Croix LTB Power Glass Cranker Rod ~ I like it. More info here . . . https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/249928-st-croix-ltb-power-glass-cranker-review-video/ A-Jay

The 'Tank trying to get a photo experience'. We'll eventually get it but he certainly makes us earn it. #tankslife A-Jay