A-Jay

I'm good. Thanks for the reminder A-Jay

Aspiring to make every repetition count ~ A-Jay

This is the video that the pics two posts up came from. 20 degrees rarely looks like this much fun . . . A-Jay

Good one OK well stand by, Little used and like new Rods & Reels are next ! A-Jay

Tank got his first squirrel while heading out for his morning constitutional. A black one; they are everywhere up here. The deep snow along with the element of surprise tipped the scales in Tank's favor. A couple of wicked head shakes and it was over. Of course every trip out since has him on way high alert now. Yes, we have a prey drive. #tankslife. A-Jay

Vision 110 Treble hooks – I change them; as well as every other jerkbait I throw. #4 Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hook, #4 Gamakatsu EWG Treble Short Shank Magic Eye or #4 Owner Short Shank Treble Hook ST-35 all adorn my baits. Especially like that Owner ST-35 (Not for a tail hook though) as it features 150-degree Premium Point Position design, which splits two hook points out 150-degrees versus the typical 120-degrees between all three points. This allows the hook points to be positioned slightly farther out from your bait and help increase your hook up percentage. Opening the gap to 150-degrees also minimizes damage to your bait from the hook points, while keeping the hook points sharper over time as well. Note: Owner Stinger ST-35 Short Shank Treble Hooks are designed to be used with baits that have the hook hanger in line with the length of the bait. These will not hang correctly on lures that feature any hook hanger that is perpendicular to the length of the lure – some of the offerings from Megabass for instance. Had to include that because as great as these trebles are – they do not work in the situation described. Any & all questionable split rings are traded out for Owner Hyper wires. (including Line ties) A-Jay

I hear ya ~ Perhaps it's another one of my life's deals that benefits from 'working to stay lean'. Either way, the house does feel so good when that wood stove is doing it's thing. A-Jay

Most all of that happens for me in the 'comfortable weather'. And I almost always have at least one 'helper'. A-Jay

Ok, well good luck. Btw, I already know how they work. A-Jay

I think that's called denial. A-Jay

But with 4 dogs, a home gym and living in the snow belt, I always have something do. A-Jay

@bigspirit Just for starters, being physically able to present and then fish any bait effectively will always be a solid plan. Fishing any bottom contact bait, inculding jigs, from a constantly and relatively fast moving platform, like a kayak blowing in the wind, can be tricky and may not be your best bet. As mentioned, anchoring and fishing straight up/down wind can really help. Part of the secret to success with a jig is being able to detect the often subtle take of a big bass. This can be a touch and go proposition even in the best of conditions. A light craft in a big wind surely complicates the whole deal. IMO, while you are getting the hang of jig fishing, perhaps pick your spots. Meaning put the odds a bit more in your favor, especially in the beginning. Good Luck A-Jay @WRB beat me again Tom

A little reel maintenance always helps pass the time. #cleanme A-Jay

Creating successful habits, being accountable to someone, focusing on small victories and maintaining an insatiable hunger, helps keep me committed & inspired. A-Jay

Check these out. Been using that Swim jig head for a while not - very good IMO. The Stealth Swim Jig head (top link) comes through cover better than the other two. Comes with a screw lock that I do not use either. Just about Any hook will work here. A-Jay

OK Thank YOU Bet you think it's worth it though. Am I right ? A-Jay

Sweet bait Is that the soft blade Tranquil ? If so did you make the journey to the motherland ? Seem that's the only way to get your hands on one here . . . Asking for a friend A-Jay

I get it ~ But that's a very coveted spot and I'm waiting for one special bait to go on sale. https://www.ebay.com/itm/143210003618?epid=19022802963&hash=item2157fb3ca2:g:RCAAAOSw-GNcO-nv Might have to sell a couple of rods . . . A-Jay

It's only a matter of time ~ A-Jay

Thanks. Which one ? A-Jay

Which we both know is a whole different deal. Casting 'at nothing' Talk about using The Force . . . A-Jay

I'll be very happy to share my methods and perhaps more importantly my philosophy regarding the changing of hooks & hardware on jerkbaits. However, I think it's only fair to warn you that my ideas on the subject do vary quite a bit from 'common thinking'. First here's the jerkbait hook changing deal . . . I make NO ATTEMPT to ensure that the after I'm done changing hooks that the bait suspends perfectly level, or even suspends at all. I add weight to most baits to get them away from the boat more and to ensure they run DEEP; especially on silent baits that cast like a potato chip to start. Once I start working the bait, how it sits on the pause - in my mind does not matter. Nose up, Nose Down, whatever. Because when a bait fish if fleeing for it's life, it does all kinds of crazy stuff trying to get away. Bass Don't care - they'll eat it if they can catch it. That level/neutral suspending stuff IMO is more of marketing deal, and not something the bass have ever bought into, just us basshead. Does it get bites, of course, but IMO it's more about where the bait is & when, than whether it's sitting perfectly still or perfectly level. Some of my best baits, sink like a rock. So in the end, I want the bait to have quality hardware on it, cast well, especially in the early & late season winds that are often blasting me in the face, and stay deeper or closer to the bottom, where the bass I'm looking for are usually at. This approach works for me. YMMV. A-Jay

Stiff wind & single digit cold here today, going back and watching a few fish catches helps warm me up. This was a good day that ended with what might be my favorite 'quote' I got on video. A-Jay

Thanks I like it as well. However that was a pre-season pick from last year. Some of those baits don't look so good right about now. But that's a good thing. #allchewedup A-Jay

I sure hope so my friend. And this time around, I'll actually be wearing the right gear to fish on those 20 -30 degree mornings. Got a few toads early but I earned them. #ironballs A-Jay