A-Jay

Truth be told my wife sets & snags 80 % of these noxious little critters. And takes great pride in it I might add. ? A-Jay

“Being persistent may lead us to the door but consistency is the key that unlocks it.” Boom (again) A-Jay

In the Pro-V bass, it's just over 90 seconds . . . . I stopped running I think 8 years ago now, maybe 10. Being fit for my life doesn't include any of that. But lifting stuff and putting it down does. And I barley have enough gas in the tank every other day to pull that off. A-Jay

Tank sure does love the truck game ~ #tankslife A-Jay

Nice bass ~ And don't worry @gimruis should be along shorty to address those flowing locks. A-Jay

Always a bummer ~ and here's one from the A-Jay archives. I have actually had to TOW entire lengths of docks - including the boats moored to them, in the Merrimac river when the anchors that secured them broke free due to massive lunar tides. So entire marinas were ripping down river at 7 knots. 25 to 40 unmanned boats at a time, all rafted together. Heading right for the ice breakers on the rt 95 bridge. Talk about a cluster. Nothing in the manual on that deal. So we were totally making that operation up as we went along. No one got hurt but there was 'property lost' that day. That little lizard was busy. Good Times . . . . A-Jay

This 'Article' was initially published Sept 2020. "Scientists" have been spewing out some version of either a tracking or catch & release 'study' for years. IMO, many seem like flavor of the month and have never offered anything tangibly useful. It appears very difficult to replicate what happens on a day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year basis, on any lake, river or reservoir we fish, in any type of a 'controlled' environment. Catching bass, draining ponds, sorting fish, re-stock fish, re-catch bass, resorting bass; how does any of this 'science' relate to what we do on the water ? One thought is, that it doesn't. It's fun to read though. In my basshead mind, those 'results' are like reading Tara cards. We can assume or come to whatever conclusion we want, especially if it sells. Or in this day & age, gets clicks and likes. If we think it's harder to catch bass, then it just might be. If we think that it's easier than ever to catch bass, maybe that will happen. In the end, fish have to eat. Being there when they do, seems very helpful. I am constantly hearing that 'bass are opportunistic feeders'. Not even sure what that even means. Some folks feel that bass will eat all day. I'll say that this train of thought might be one reason why bass seem 'harder' to catch. That was fun. A-Jay

Took my scheduled day off plus an extra one as yesterday we were on the road all day. (Long distance Dr's appointments) I was pretty toasted by the time we got home. Back at it this morning for Workout 3. Competed three working sets of six movements. Showing the last one of each here. This has forever been a work in progress and this one certainly felt like that. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

LOL ! Morale of the story may be that it's always better to be FIRST . . . ? A-Jay

@warefisher Here ya go ~ A-Jay

Most all of my ned rig presentations are done with a 7'6" ML Fast action stick. In the clip below (which starts right out with a hookset so you can see that) I'm using 10 lb braid with a fairly long 8 lb FC leader (like 20 ft) standard operations for me. The bait is a Z-Man Big TRD with an Outkast Tackle Perfect Ned Head 1/8 oz with 1/0 hook. Hookset's just a quick 'lift' Works for me. Fish Hard A-Jay

If'n I'm not quick enough, they turn into one bite Dog Treats #tanklife A-Jay

I'm a bit of a clean rig freak and do it whenever I can. Wheels & tires have been a challenge, especially trailer tires. Never could get a look & a system for cleaning, that I liked. I've used 303 products mentioned above and they are really good. But any tire dressing that 'lasts' . . . . doesn't. So I've gone a different route. No real need for me to expect my wheels & tires to 'stay' clean longer than the test of the rig. So I clean the wheels & tire together, and then apply a product that is super light. Meaning it doesn't last long but it does clean off easy. A clean tire is better able to accept the dressing and have that 'flat' natural rubber look I prefer. I use this to clean them (follow the directions) and this to dress them. Sort of unconventional, but looks right and lasts long enough for me. Super easy too because after the rig is clean & dry, the last thing I do is spray the Lucas on the tires, wipe the excess off the wheel (comes off easy) and let them dry over night. Done And it does a nice job on the interior too, but I wipe that stuff dry. Use the same deal on my truck wheels & ties. A-Jay

Signed on this morning and this is the first thing I read. Should have seen this one coming I guess. Was only a matter of time. Clearly not my style but the new kids on the block are probably going to buy these things. But "Intelligently Changing the way I fish" ? C'Mon man. The Kastking smart device (watch) better be water proof. That whole arm will be in the drink a lot trying to fish out all the phones that go swimming. No too sure about that line guide thingamajig either. Can't believe it doesn't tie an FG knot though. Nice price point too. Wow. A-Jay

A-Jay

I am totally on the other side of the fence from you on this deal. Hunting for trophy bass (Green Or Brown) most certainly IS exciting. In fact, it represents the very essence of bass fishing for me. May not match your style but it completely matches mine. Bass Fishing "Success" can be and is measured & perceived different by most all us. Doing whatever it takes, for as long as it takes to catch trophies, is how I measure it for myself. The hunt is EVERYTHING - the catches are the icing on the cake. So there's a different perspective. A-Jay

Guess who saved that ~ This is Bass fishing HISTORY people . . . @WRB WRB's 5 Biggest Bass Stories ~ Tom Young Simi Valley Ca Coming up on February 9th the day I caught my 1st bass over 18 lbs at lake Casitas 1981. Like this week it was very windy but Monday light rain was forecasted, mental health day from work! I decided to fish from my 14’ Lund to park near shore and fish uphill all day using hair jigs. About 9:30 after trying a few spots arrived at a major lake point with a saddle, the light wind and rain to my back made a very long cast watching feeling the line and nothing when taking up slack to move the jig. Kept reeling faster until a head shake then sweeping the back as hard as possible. The rod loaded then nothing until the bass jumped completely out of the water. I am thinking maybe a DD but the fish was moving very fast unlike a big bass and right at the boat, then turned and lucky the drag wasn’t too tight. Now the bass acted like a big fish running deeper looking for anything to wrap the line in. The bass came up to the surface about 10’ away, my heart nearly stopped at the size of the bass. Backed the drag off slightly and managed to hand land the bass using both hands. On my scale the bass weighed 18 lbs 11 oz. Put the bass in my cooler aerated “livewell” and run to the marina for an official weight. 3 weeks later Ray Easly catches a 21 lb 3 oz state record bass. Tom PS, to be continued. The Easly 21 lb 3 oz Casitas is the 1st 20 lb+ Bass caught outside of San Diego lakes and stirs a lot of excitement. Lake Isabella in north central California produces a 18 lb 13 oz and several other 18 lb class giants in 1984, fueling more excitement that California could break the world record standing since Perry’s 1932 record. Wednesday January 27th 1988 is another light rainy day time for another mental heath time on the water. Castiac has been producing some giant bass for the live bait anglers Crupi. Kadota, Samson etc and I have dialed in a good jig bite. The light wind is out of the NE with a drizzle. Every place I want to fish has a live bait angler anchored fishing crawdads. So decide to try Sharons rest area points, but need to cast into the wind, try it anyway. There is a center point off the middle of the ledge area drops into very deep water. I make a cast into the using my jig and miss where I wanted it to land and loose line to pull out. Turn the reel once after taking up slack the jig doesn’t move. Getting ready to shake the jig free and feel movement. Drop the rod tip and reel fast with rod sweep, strong heavy bass runs into deeper water. All I need to do is fight this bass nothing to get into. The bass doesn’t jump but stays deep until I try to land it, then it makes a head shaking surface run. This bass lets me open it’s mouth and grab it by hand without any fuss. Weigh it 17.4 lbs on the digital scale. 2nd giant bass takes 7 years after the 1st. Tom PS, to be continued. The 90’s at both lakes Casitas and especially Castiac starts the circus when Bassin Magazine offers 1 Million $ $$$ $$$ award for a new World Record LMB. March 6th 1991 is a Wednesday and decide to go to Castiac early and get in line for the lake to open. Arriving there is a line up over a mile long at 4:30A. Disappointed because Castiac fishing has been good. The lake is with limited parking so decide to drive up to Casitas instead. Haven’t been fishing Casitas that year and when I get there about 1/4 mile long line up is waiting to for lake opening. Casitas has 2 lanes, 1 for annual permits and the other day use. My tag is still good so get in right away. March Casitas Bass are in the spawn cycle, so decide to run up to the dam area cooler water hoping to find pre spawn bass and look for bed fish later in the day. 1st stop is the west end buoy line point and try my Huddleston wooden trout lure that been hot at Castaic and ready to go. Fish about hour catching 2 good bass. Move the east end of the buoy line make a casts and decide to try my hair jig casting over the buoy line parallel to the steep ledge wall where a tree is underwater. Make several casts trying to get the jig right next to the rocky wall and get a solid strike after retrieving about 10’, set the hook and pray the bass doesn’t run out into the tree. The bass comes up and stay up before diving back down but await from the tree. My 2nd 17.4 lb bass and 3rd giant. Tom PS, to be continued. March 4th 1992 is stormy rain and windy so I try Castiac knowing it’s a circus but the bad weather should keep the traffic down. Only about 30 boats in line but not opening do to wind. Some people leave! Around 8A they open the lake. The NE wind puts white caps sideways to the main ramp and we get redirected to the west ramp, normally closed week days. It’s around 9A before I get on the water. Decide to fish my favorite spot the “old folks home” up the ski arm. It’s a miserable day cold wind and rain and decide to detour into slalom bay to get out of the wind and regroup. Fishing is good in slalom and catch several good bass. Notice the wind sifted and white caps have laid down on the main lake. wet and cold decide to try the old folks home. I like to fish this spot up against a wall casting out into deeper water working the jig slightly up hill up and over big boulders. Fish about 30 minutes losing 2 jigs and move around to the opposite side the wind has been blowing in and easier to detect strikes with the wind and rain against my back instead of face, plus I am cold. Make a longer cast then planned do to the wind, reel in about 20’ of line and let the jig sink when slammed before hitting bottom. The problem now is the fish is on the other side of a rounded point in deeper water then me. Start reeling fast and on the TM to move out past the point and let the wind blow me down lake to fight this bass. It works and bass is away from the point in deep water. This bass isn’t coming up and making hard runs wearing it’s self out. Tried bass when I grab the mouth. 17.6 lbs, #4. Tom PS, PB is next. March 3rd 1993 lake Castiac. The Bassin Magazine circus isn’t at peak anymore but boat traffic is still high but not as crazy or anglers from every state with high expectations. I am back in line and watching the early bird launch and run. Up the Fish Arm to old outhouse bay and Elizabeth Canyon where Crupi and Kodata fleet of baits are located. The ski arm isn’t well know for giant bass, good for me?. The weather is good, no wind overcast with light showers. A little wind would be nice and it will come later. I run to the old folks home and fish awhile but nobody is home. Try a few other areas with no success. Ponder joining the Fish arm crowd but decide against. Run up to the forebay buoy line and cast my swimbaits, the breeze starts up and catch a swimbait bass. Better jig weather then swimbaits and return to the old folks home and plan to stay. Start on the wall side, make a half hearted cast getting ready to settle in. Take up the slack and turn the reel handle a half turn and shake it. The line jumps slack, I know what that means and reel fast sweeping the rod back setting the hook. This bass runs and jumps a full body length length out of the water and Runs straight under the boat out the other side. I push the rod tip down below the TM prop and swing around to fight the bass going fast away from me. I never had a LMB a 100’ run before. It’s all deep water along the walls and just need to keep in control. This bass doesn’t want anything to do with the boat and must net this fish. 19.3 lbs, short of my life long goal to catch a 20+. So many giant bass being caught I am still confident The 20+ or WRB is possible back in 1993. Tom Thank all for the positive support, really appreciate it. Just thought to tell my untold history behind the bass in my avatar. It’s hard to comprehend what Bassin magazine’s million dollar Circus caused for lake Castiac, you had to be there. Castaic is a V shaped lake, 2 arms; fishing and ski arms. The dam is nearly a mile long and 300’ high rip rap faced and off limits to fishing. The lake is small, each arm about 1 1/2 miles, steep rocky banks with a few 1/2 mile long creek arms. People came from several states with motor homes and boats to get in on the prize money. Castaic opens 1/2 hour after sunrise, closes 1/2 hour before sunset. The lake is maxed out with 300 parking spaces. The motor homes can park in a over look area, setting up spotting 200 power scopes to watch anglers and phone information to the boater. Catch a bass and boats show up. This went on everyday for nearly 3 years at Castaic. For these reasons I fished out of my 14’ Lund w/15 hp Evinrude with my older Lowrance paper graph and Hummimng Bird super 30 flasher. My Skeeter bass boat stayed home because you launch a bass boat and all eyes follow you. Castias wasn’t as easy to snoop or as pressured, but about the same size lake with a big island separating the lake into 2 arms. The big difference is Castias has camping areas to accommodate hundreds of anglers that can stay for months. The pressure was about equal for 3 years. Thanks again Tom. A-Jay

The money never makes it to my wallet . . . A-Jay

Workout 2 this morning. Had to dig deep and used plenty of guts & guile. #borninfiftynine A-Jay "We can ignore the signs that life is giving us, and in doing so shrink our perspective, capacity and abilities so that we don’t see a problem; or we can choose to move forward boldly to find the new path, with all its uncertainty, possibilities and potential. This requires us to open our minds and thinking, and to take bold action moving forward. "

Hello Paul and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

We both know who has the more impressive resume my friend. And it ain't me, especially when it comes to Night Operations. Thanks for letting me think I know some stuff . . . . ? A-Jay

Hello (again) and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Nice Intro A-Jay

@michiganoutdoorsman Bellaire is a little off the beaten path, but the local sharpies know that although it can be a tough nut to crack at times, it can also be sneaky good. Especially for big fish. Holds some decent by-catch as well. Good luck and don't get your arm broke. A'Jay

@Kirtley Howe Fair point ~ In my world, best ALWAYS means, actual real world opportunity to catch trophy class fish. 6 lbs and above. YMMV A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ I'm over in Otsego County but fish most all of the inland lakes north of rt 72 and up to the bridge. Elk & Torch are both gorgeous lakes that have a decent bass population. Mid July bassing can be tricky for a few reasons. And you probably know what at least a few of them are. My advice would be to be on the water early (think first light) and later (last light) if you can. You may still have company but between those times the circus comes to town. If it's calm enough, a topwater walking bait can get a few fatties. And with some wind and especially cloud cover (which it looks like you may have this week), I'm poking around a little shallower and chunking & winding something like a spinnerbait. Good Luck and have fun. A-Jay