A-Jay

My Ride or Die by Doc Raven. Could be AI not really sure. But I like it either way. https://youtu.be/RhpUOsfTdf8?si=7-J9kkwEKFvtyO04 A-Jay

It's 10 degrees and snowing again. But it's Tanker Tuesday up in here. So here's a full grown one over 6 lb. 121 Days and a wake up ~ A-Jay

Workout Day 4 ~ The way I see it is I have three choices. Give Up. Give In. Or Give it All I've got. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

I can almost feel the inevitable muscle soreness from here. Way To Go @Glenn A-Jay

OK - I get it. Most any type of fishing hiatus can be a downer, regardless of the cause. But here's a little heads-up from a very retired guy. Perhaps slow your roll a bit and enjoy what's going on now. Because 'retirement' often comes with its own set of challenges. Some of which might make anything you'd do to that goat seem pleasant. Just say'in. A-Jay

Lighted dog collars for night ops in the north woods work well. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17ZdSrUk7v/ A-Jay

Traded in yesterday's resistance training in lieu of snow removal operations. Plan on being back in the home gym today. Here we go. A-Jay

I can get with this. However, the fallout out of the 'experimental stage' for me usually results in a few presentations that work consistently, and then more of a percentage that do not. Perhaps consider planning to make room for that later deal now. You may need it. Good Luck A-Jay

Mid-December morning. Seems about right. A-Jay

Nicely Done ~ #hardcorehero Congrats A-Jay

We'll never 'feel' ready. Because ready is a decision, not a feeling. A-Jay

2025 Lake Menderchuck Year In Review ~ I did not get to put as many brown bass in the boat this season as in years past, but I got a few. However, I feel like I made up for that in other ways. https://youtu.be/_wG4qJB7pxc?si=VSUelDrWSuKC2Sy6 Fish Hard A-Jay

Now's the time. Check for the units ability to hold air, any rips, tears or deterioration and re-arm as needed. Stay Safe. A-Jay

Got It. We, IME, green bass can be pretty finicky right after ice out. May take a couple of weeks especially if there's a cold front or two that blows through soon after open water. A-Jay

I say you will land at least one new PB brown bass (if you fish for them) within your first 3 trips. Bank on it. Oh, I would encourage you to throw a jerkbait - a lot. Perhaps something from the vaulted Megabass Vision 110 line. Good Luck and don't get your arm broke. A-Jay

Stay Safe @Glenn Such devastation with zero warning is frightening. A-Jay

Workout Day 3 ~ I had to dig pretty deep to get through this one. But it's all good. Because my future needs me much more than my past ever will. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Early winter in Northern Michigan brings a breathtaking transformation. Where crisp, cold air turns forests into silent, snow-dusted cathedrals and the vast inland lakes begin to wear their glassy, icy armor, creating stunning scenes of white and blue, often with frozen lighthouses encrusted in glittering ice, reflecting a stark, serene beauty. The landscape shifts from autumnal hues to a palette of frosted pines, deep blue water, and brilliant white snow, offering quiet majesty and the promise of winter adventure on the frozen shores. All the Lake Menderchuckes become vast, undulating sheets of white, perfect for snowshoeing or ice fishing, with snowmobile trails crisscrossing the land and the air filled with the quiet crunch of boots on fresh powder. Sunlight glints off the ice, creating a dazzling spectacle against the deep sapphire of the lake, contrasting with the dark, snow-laden conifers, a truly iconic Michigan winter vista that embodies the region's rugged, tranquil charm. With that out of the way, I'm picking Friday, 17 April 2026, as my projected ice-out/open-water day. That put's it at 125 days from today. https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20260417T00&p0=5787&msg=A-Jay's+Annual+Ice+Out+%2F+Open+Water+Countdown+Thread+2025-2026+Edition&font=cursive As always, I expect to be organizing my tackle, changing line and hooks where needed, as well as performing any and all maintenance required on my entire arsenal. Once again, please feel free to add your local area's open water prediction along with comments, support, and yes, even the jabs; as I know they're inevitable & always quite entertaining. And for those folks that can & will get out on the water while I am chasing my snowblower around my property, don't forget to add a few pics of recent catches. All of which may help to pass the time while I daydream of doing this again as soon as possible. A-Jay

@casts_by_flySounds like you are well on your way. By the way,- a rigid program is simply making different choices. And IMO, more of a reward than anything else. Consciously undermining what is otherwise a healthy lifestyle seems counterproductive.. Taste has zero effect on longevity. In the past, I have made some choices I am not proud of. With more road behind me than in front, it's easier to choose a productive path. Either way, no one gets out alive. A-Jay

@Jigfishn10 That is AWESOME ! Somehow I've never seen that one. Despite living most of it (in what now seems like another life) Thank you. I needed that this morning. 😀 A-Jay

Long hard water periods are when I do the most. I like reading on topics that cover military history, health & fitness, dog training & behavior, and of course most anything that has to do with bass fishing, as well as boat, motor & trailer maintenance. A-Jay

My version of nutrition goes like this . . . I look at ALL of it like a mathematical equation. The more things that are in it and that belong there, the better chance I have at coming out with an answer that's close to what I'm looking for. Conversely, the more 'wrong' things I add and/or the more 'right' things I omit, the lower the chances I have of ending up with anything close to what I was looking for. So nutrition is huge, but so are rest & recovery (sleep) & hydration. To gain something, I must give something; discomfort is the price for progress. First, here's what I don't do—which, IMO, is as important as what does happen. On a routine basis I do not eat white flour or sugar. So no bread and no dessert-type deals. No alcohol. Quit many years back, and it has been a huge benefit. Can't emphasize that one enough. Totally toxic to every cell in the body. Including the brain. No processed food, no dairy, and nothing fried. I do not count calories but instead exercise portion control. I do not snack. What I do find has worked for me for a long time. Keep it simple. Three small, well-balanced meals spaced evenly throughout the day, plus a post-workout protein drink on training days. I used to eat up to 5 meals a day, but as I've aged, everything has slowed, including my ability to digest large amounts of food. So getting the most out of what I eat is important. Need to get the most bag for the buck. Protein for me comes in the form of whole eggs, chicken, turkey, fish, and some red meat, but not a ton. Fats come mostly from olive oil and avocado oil. The little carbs I do eat, and I do believe they are needed, come from oatmeal, brown & basmati rice, sweet potatoes, and whole wheat pasta, as well as fresh fruit & vegetables. I drink my body weight in ounces of water every day (I’m at 165 lbs). Yes, I keep track and pee a lot. I prepare all my meals in advance (except breakfast). For me, meal prep is the easiest and most efficient way to keep on track. My meal timing is critical to my success. I’ll whip up a few pounds of protein and a bucket of carbs and have fruits & veggies on hand ready to go when needed. I eat, drink, train, and sleep on a mostly regimented schedule. If I’m not at home for a meal (like when fishing or on the road), I bring my chow with me—always. Protein bars help here. Don’t like skipping meals and do not believe fasting has any benefits, at least not for me. Finally, anyone can do this—but if it were easy, everyone would. But do they? Look around. I'm just some old guy who works out and puts up sappy videos of himself doing it. I realize that my pasty, untanned image is mostly unappealing and doesn't look anything like the popular YT workout gods seen elsewhere—but who does? That's my point—we don't have to be or do anything special to get unbelievable benefits from all this. The improvement in self-confidence & self-image alone is worth it. OK—so I'm off the soapbox for today. Good Luck A-Jay

IMO, a sweet little home gym virtually eliminates any and all excuses. Do it ~ Start slow. A-Jay

The 6th Sense Crush Flat 75X Crankbait has been a staple on Lake Menderchuck for over a decade. However, over the past few seasons, the Megabass Sonicside Crankbait has been making a run for the top spot. A-Jay

Workout Day 2. I must admit, I like this one. Doesn't mean it's easy. More like basic, functional, and effective. #borninfiftynine A-Jay