A-Jay

@Joedodge Good Question. While I don't do hardly any of it, the only time I do the Hollywood Break Neck Drop the Boom Hookset, is frog fishing in the slop. Mostly just because I can, and it's a pretty good time too. Other than that, my hooksets are all almost identical, regardless of the gear (rod, line, hook type & size & terminal tackle) I may be using. I feel like the tackle sends the charge down the line and sets the hook. The heavier or lighter the tackle, the more or less impact will result at the end of the line. So I let the tackle do its job. Helps take the guesswork out of a sport that already has more than my little pea brain can process. YMMV 🤪 A-Jay

Guess I'll find out. Hoping there's at least one more. Last year was about as close to a big fish bust as I've had since the Pro-V bass came into my life. You gotta know that's been gnawing at me so far all this hard water season. If there was ever a time when I was going to Fish Hard, this open water season will be it. A-Jay

Nice ~ about the same up here too. You know we joke about this, and it's not really funny. But what else are we going to do? Complaining doesn't seem to help. And man, I've tried. Just ask my dogs . . . . 🥶 A-Jay

This might give some idea of what 3 days of Ice can do. https://www.gtlakes.com/ice-storm-information/ A-Jay

I think I'll wait a bit before clearing away the dumping of snow we got last night. 🥶 A-Jay

As mentioned above, there was a thread covering this topic not too long ago. Right off the bat, the chance of this happening for me is mostly like winning the Powerball twice in a row. #zero Despite the long shot, a little more than half a decade or so ago, I was pretty serious about completing the proper steps and documentation to cement my name & what would have to be a very special fish in the pages of history. Well, as time has past and my fishing has become even more trophy-hunter focused, I have completely abandoned that entire deal. I would still capture video, and weigh the fish on my totally un-offical scale, get several pictures that are way too close to the camera, and then record the healthy release. Most all of that would be for me and perhaps a few select bassheads who understand the significance. But at this point that's probably as far as it would go. Have to admit that it would be kind of fun to put the fish in the livewell, transport her to a different but a very well-known/popular location, and shoot some video of it including the release. And then enjoy the fallout. Oh, and there would be some fallout. Good Times 😉 A-Jay

Yes A-Jay

Been carrying the NOCO GB70 for going on 8 seasons now. Hold a charge for a significant period. I've never needed it for the boat motor. However, I have used it to start an assortment of 'other' units. Highly Recommended. https://youtu.be/qwd7bFNTKwo?si=zgIg-mMyxaKFtl_Q&t=1043 A-Jay

Prepared the Ready Service Under Spin box last night. 1/2 & 3/4 oz gets it done. Just ignore the 8/0 hook . . . . . . #likeagaff A-Jay

After a scheduled off day and a much-needed snow removal day, I was back in the home gym. Hammered out Workout Day 4. I felt pretty good. I realize I say that quite a bit here, but if I didn't feel this way, you'd hear about that as well. So far, besides the crazy snow & cold, this new year is treating me right. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

For the past several years I have been using the services of The Antzl Project to mark my more notable fish catches. I have posted about this previously, but IMO, it bears repeating. I'm not a mount or replica kind of guy, so a decent-sized digital print does it for me. I do like the 20 x 24 inch size on canvas, and I have several hanging in a stairwell affectionately named "Bass Alley." My latest addition is pictured below. We also have many of the dogs we fostered & placed hanging in the lobby at the local animal shelter. People have done everything under the sun, and many are completely amazing. The Antzl Project (run by Kevin Washburn) does excellent work at a reasonable rate and completes it in a timely manner. Considerably less (time & $$) in all respects vs. a mount or replica. There are 'several' sizes & types of material available, and these units last. He works exclusively through FB and email, and the process is super easy. https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=the antzl project If you're thinking about it, I say go for it. A-Jay

Have to admit that I do enjoy seeing posts from folks who are sharing in a full-on winter experience. And not the kind that 'melts' by lunchtime. I will be sure to remind you of this again when you post up your bass pics in a few months. You'll have earned every one you catch. #realwinter 🙂 A-Jay

Same. A-Jay

Same here. I store a small box anchor and 175 ft of 3/8" double-braided nylon anchor line in a heavy vinyl bag under my seat. Port side. A-Jay

I am going to start this reply off from the opposite direction. On many trips fishing on the local waters, I am blessed to fish in extremely perfect conditions. When the wind, water clarity, and air temps on a big body of water that's completely void of any other anglers are extremely pleasant. And it's Extremely perfect when plus-size brown bass slide into my net one after another. On the other side, a more traditional version of extreme, I routinely bass fish in air temps below freezing. Just part of the early season deal here. But the payoff is often well worth the frozen fingers. When I'm lucky, I am able to fish in the subtropical conditions south of the border. No wind and 108 degrees is a bear. Especially since I am never used to it until I get in it. All that said, perhaps what sticks out the most in my mind when it come to extremes, are some of the boat rides up, down, and across Lake Menderchuck. It's been know to get a little sporty. Fish Hard A-Jay

I have been waiting for a day where I could clean the eight inches of snow off of the property where the temperatures were not below zero without the wind chill. Looks like tomorrow will be the first time.It'll be in the teens with a little less wind. After that, it gets crazy cold again. Like really crazy cold. So I'm gonna forego my training and just clean the snow. And then hide the basement all weekend and watch football. A-Jay

A double like Double my pleasure & Double my fun ~ A-Jay

I get it - While I would do it - in a pinch on the water maybe, I'm not a fan of a knot in the middle of my braid main line. Seems dumb when I use a leader with no problem. But it's just something about a knot in that location. I know, I'm a creep & a weirdo. I do prefer bulk 832, and right now there's a killer deal on 30 lb. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sufix-832-Braid-30lb-Line-Low-Vis-Green-1200-Yds/34777397 Pretty much a career supply for cheap. A-Jay

Hello Alex and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Bringing back older threads can often inspire some discussion. The subject of bait color has been hashed over here a few times over the years. While I can respect your opinion on the matter, I don't exactly share it. I fish clear water SMB quite a bit and haphazardly selecting bait color would see me catching far fewer fish. I would agree that bait size, profile, presentation depth, and speed all come before my color choice. But once it's all dialed in, there can be carnage. A-Jay

Sure have - go back one page ~ 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. Good Luck A-Jay

Cold temperatures and continued brisk winds overnight resulted in bitter cold wind chills of -10°F to -24°F across northern Michigan this morning. And to be honest, it feels a lot colder. But this is a typical winter here, so most of us just take it in stride. Best part is, that it's Tanker Tuesday. Here's one of my all-time favorite Brown Bass doubles. It was a wide-open jerkbait bite that took place early in the season 8 years ago. These fatties came in at just under 12 lbs. 88 Days and a wake up. A-Jay

There may be several opinions regarding leader length, but proving that it's overrated seems like a stretch. On my boat, I routinely tie leaders in the 25-30 ft range, and I get a few fish now & then. Still don't use an FG knot though. YMMV A-Jay

If this is the place ~ https://www.lakefishingcenter.com/product-category/reels/?orderby=price-desc It's a complete sham. Prices are stupid and not cometitive. Thousand dollar reels for $200 bucks ? Ya- I don't think so. Move on; nothing to see here. A-Jay

Approaching frostbite-type stuff up in here ~ When the temperature is zero degrees Fahrenheit or below, it takes about 30 minutes for exposed skin to get frostbite. At 15 degrees below zero with even a little bit of wind, frostbite is possible within 15 minutes. 🥶 A-Jay

258 Days and a wake-up ~ But my reels are ready now ! A-Jay