A-Jay

I hear ya ~ I just started that process as well. Usually do pace myself by doing 3 or 4 a week beginning mid December or so. Pic is just the casting reels but add in the spinners and I'm at it until at least the 1st week of March. Hasn't ever been a reason to 'speed' that up. Until now. Oh My. A-Jay

In light of this most recent development regarding open water everywhere up here this Late December, I set aside the entire morning to go check at least three of these places for myself. It was a cool partly cloudy morning with air temps in the low 30's. Totally enjoyed my ride in the new GMC and as I arrived at each lake, I enjoyed that much more. This wildly mild winter so far is starting to rub off on me. Unless we get a total deep winter weather pattern starting very soon, and lasting well into late April, I'm not certain these places will ever develop any significant ice. And the little that does show up might not take much to melt away. Feel like I should step up my off season gear prep schedule by at least a few weeks anyway. Either way, didn't see this one coming. A-Jay

Total Body Day 4 today. Still rolling with the less is more mantra. Appetite's good, I'm sleeping soundly and I'm ready for the next workout. Well, as ready as I can be. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

When it comes to pitching & flipping, especially in the traditional/conventional sense, I do very little of either over the course of an entire season. The bigger smallmouth I'm looking for rarely 'bury up' into anything that dense. At least on the lakes I fish most; and that includes docks. So my deal is a bit different. But I do fish quite a bit of hard & soft, non-visible cover, both shallow & deeper. Big smallies really seem to like to snuggle right up and into certain hard cover, both shallow and way deep. Electronics play a role and with the super clear water here, when the conditions are right, and the deal isn't over 15 ft or so, a good pair of polarized sunglasses trumps everything. Whether they are or not, I expect every trophy SMB to be wily, keenly aware and most of all, very spooky. Running my rig anywhere near where a few may be holding, is like driving a diesel tractor right to a deer stand. Just not helpful. According, every presentation I make is done at whatever the max distance is where I can still cast accurately. I'll often make 'practice casts' (on my approach) well before I get to where I'm planning on fishing to properly assess what the current casting conditions are. Knowing what type of distance/accuracy I'm getting in advance is helpful, because it changes. Seems better to jack up a few cast before I need to make The One that counts. When ready, I'm always looking to approach from either straight down or up wind. Cross fire is a tough deal. I'm often targeting fairly small spots or areas, and even just one hurried or hectic cast, especially one that lands right on their head, can turn a trophy right off or send it zooming to the depths. Might return, might not, ever. I prefer to cast past what I'm fishing and work the bait back to the cover. Often I'm casting into just a few inches of water to start. I do try NOT to get between the bass, and their 'escape route'. Especially early season when fatties are coming & going all day it seems. As for fishing the 'outside', I'll do it, but not at the expense of blowing up the spot on the spot. I'm more apt to do it at night as bass seem to be relating more 'loosely' to cover rather that getting right in it. Both of these fish catches came from a really small section of structure/cover. Took me several years to get on this deal. While making the first few cast of each trip here, during the right conditions, this basshead is pooping his pants. https://youtu.be/zIqCmH_52IQ?feature=shared&t=387 https://youtu.be/o9xew3tWuuU?feature=shared&t=1014 Fish Hard A-Jay

This causes me to make 'the face'. It's the one where I release the hounds and there's going to be screaming & attempted escape. (notice I said attempted). Among other things. Stealing from others can be risky business. A-Jay

We've worked this whole deal out a long time ago. A-Jay

Be careful what you ask for . . . . . Pike are the Bait Monkey's Minions. A-Jay

Is that a Bill Dance as a baby ? Looks like him. A-Jay

@NHBull has not logged on here since July. A-Jay

Depends who you ask. A-Jay

My unit is 5 years old - this is how it works. Newest models advertise the same level of accuracy. With three levels of integrated signal technology – GPS positioning, a powerful 406 MHz signal, and 121.5 MHz homing capability – the AquaLink™ View quickly and accurately relays your position to a worldwide network of Search and Rescue satellites, reducing search time and increasing your chances of survival. It’s reliable signaling technology that has saved more than 50,000 lives since 1982. The AquaLink™ View broadcasts a unique registered distress signal that not only tells rescuers where you are, but who you are. The onboard GPS can fix your position to within 100 meters and then utilizes a powerful 406 MHz signal to relay your distress call to orbiting satellites. As local Search and Rescue is deployed, a separate homing signal and integrated LED strobe light guide rescuers to your exact location. The AquaLink™ View sports a digital display that allows you to see all of the beacon’s operational activities. The screen displays GPS LAT/LON, operating instructions, usage tips, transmission bursts as well as battery power. The digital display also makes self-testing your beacon simple and easy to understand by visually walking you through the self-test step-by-step. No more relying on listening to beeps and looking for LEDs. The AquaLink™ View is small enough to be easily carried in a pack or pocket or can be worn on deck, at the helm, in quarters, or on a life vest and will float if accidentally dropped overboard. ACR Exclusive: Built-in GPS acquisition test mode allows you to test GPS functionality up to 60 times over the life of the battery. Tap into the same field-tested rescue technology used by the U.S. Military, U.S. Coast Guard, NATO Special Forces, and Arctic explorers. A-Jay

Drama makes me nauseous. Personally, this entire deal is like a double does of syrup of ipecac. A-Jay

Emergencies can and do take many forms . . . https://www.acrartex.com/survivor-stories/ A-Jay

I can usually get a very good idea of what the lake & bottom contours look like in advance. But regardless of reports or 'reputation', I always need to fish them to find out for myself. Some 'good' places have turned out to be really bad, and a few 'bad' places have been straight up money. Takes a lot of time, but I'm fishing. https://youtu.be/jOxHsuV83KA?feature=shared&t=13 A-Jay

While the cell coverage up here is better than years past and getting better all the time, the PLB is an entirely different animal. Folks who are tasked with responding to this distress are ready, willing and able to handle it all. Additionally they will not stop until I am located one way or the other. Aircraft are usually involved. Satellite signal in my mind is very reliable. Responding to these was part of my job description for a while. It works. https://youtu.be/qwd7bFNTKwo?feature=shared&t=681 A-Jay

Michigan has 11,000 inland lakes, more freshwater shoreline than any other state in the nation, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and more than 3,000 miles of water trails. There are over 370 lakes in the county we live in alone. When I first moved here in 2007, it was overload. Currently, I routinely rotate and focus my efforts on about 10 or so. Plan on adding at least one special place in 2024. Haved learned what types of places I prefer and why. Big fish drives most all of that. 👍 A-Jay

A-Jay

We have an over abundance of poplar, birch, maple and Oak trees on and around the property. We mulch the grass year round as well as much of the Organic matter from above. Most years the acorns are wicked bad. Shovels & a wheel barrel bad. A-Jay

Funny this comes up 2 days after Christmas. But I follow the Scotts Lawn care programs pretty closely. Including a grub killer application to help control the vibrant mole population. Four feedings a year including many many tree spikes, seems to work well. Application timing seems be an important consideration Stay Warm A-Jay

Crazy Mild temperatures prevail here, but will be accompanied by damp, drizzly, and foggy conditions. This will carry into tonight as well, with temperatures slowly beginning their downward trend as lows dip into the 30s. Still almost 20 degrees warmer than the average for northern MI. I'm thinking about getting ahead of the game and just going ahead and dropping my spring load of lawn fertilizer now ! #feedit A-Jay

@KSanford33 Glad you made it back safely. Not sure what you were thinking going out in reduced visibility without some way of knowing your position. Done my share of operating in super low vis, recreationally & professionally. This was from a couple of years ago. It was pretty thick. https://youtu.be/S_Owp6ZVN0U?feature=shared&t=79 A-Jay

Good For you @Tackleholic Your commitment & dedication is surely inspirational. Here's to a most excellent 2024 in & out of the the gym for us both ! A-Jay

Thank you my friend. Sorry to hear you've been having a tough time of it. Looking forward to hear how you turned it around. Hope you & yours have a most excellent Holiday season as well. A-Jay

Personally, I see this as a huge benefit . . . #gosouthdudes A-Jay

Seems someone's taking a stand . . . A-Jay