A-Jay

Workout Day One. "Everybody's goin' nowhere slowly. We're only fighting for the chance to be last. There's nothin' wrong with goin' nowhere, baby. But we should be goin' nowhere fast !" #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Agreed ~ and I've been trying to dispel this myth for over 10 years. While there are what has to be considered an insane number of 3-6 lb bass in Lake Baccarac, if a basshead makes one of these trips and truly wants to catch a double-digit fish, deliberately fishing for them can seriously improve one's chances. There are a lot of ways to go about it. Fishing with the right gear & baits, in the right places and at the right times, cannot be overstated. However, IMO, your guide is key. On my first trip in 2013, the bigger bass were hard to find. I could have gone shallower and caught plenty of fish, but there was a good chance the bigger fish were deeper. And they were. The morning before, if memory serves, @Dwight Hottle landed 3 fish over 9 lbs. in one magic spot. Then at the end of the 4th day of our 5 day trip, I had ONE BITE All Day. One. But it was the right one. My first DD fish and, at the time, a new PB. https://youtu.be/YtFl-6Whtfk?si=PSXaB1riOMxvU4uN Since then I've made several trips (stopped counting after 10) Only one trip I didn't get a DD, but someone else always did. It just wasn't my turn. Like @king fisher mentioned, subsequent trips can improve one's odds. The great thing about that place is that when you put an average basshead on above-average waters, anything is possible. And I am living proof. Still planning to be back there in Oct or Nov of 2026. Fingers crossed. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Good call. 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