A-Jay

The Physics of Resistance Exercise by Doug Brignole. Teaches a safe and productive alternative to high-volume resistance training, based on more appropriate exercise selection and more effective exercise performance Explains musculoskeletal biomechanics as well as the physics principles that are essential for optimal performance of all resistance exercises. Game changer for me. A-Jay

We're burning it all up in a Regency Wood Burning Stove. No Fumes just hotness. A-Jay

Me too. And from December to March My name changes to Getwood. A-Jay

Yup ~ I was not only a member of this group, I was the freaking Club President ! Actually had my guide in Mexico Yell at me for doing it. Took me a REALLY long time to break the habit too. Now I'm sort of stuck in the opposite zone. I get a few decent fish and good luck getting whatever bait that was out of my hand ! If there's a middle ground in this one somewhere, I'm still looking for it. A-Jay

Perfectly succinct ~ And with the advent of forward looking sonar, I can see this 'style of bass fishing', hanging around and perhaps even growing a little. A-Jay

We have made it a point to ensure that the USPS mail carries KNOW EXACTLY what those package looks like. Every since there is a Pride of delivery associate with every one. And we could not possible be any more thankful. A-Jay

No Doubt ~ My Wife receives ALL of her life sustaining Meds through The Mail. #bigdeal A-Jay

The last time gas prices were consistently this high in the U.S. was 2014. Not going to get into why. Holiday travel will no doubt be affected. Hope this is not the new norm. A-Jay

My wife and I are big time on line shoppers and get 'something' a few times every week. Sometimes more. Like the rest of the planet, this area is 'growing', however it's still a relatively 'small community'. One benefit of that may be that 'everybody sort of knows everybody'. Our mail carrier, UPS delivery person & even the FedEx humans have been the same 5 or 6 people for several years. My dogs are in their vehicles when they stop out front to get a 'treat'. If something like the OP happened here, it would get personal pretty fast. The local building for all three are 'right in town', just a few miles away. Can't see that going on though. Plus I prefer to smother those folks with kindness every chance I get. A smile & a kind word goes a long way. #goldenrule A-Jay

There Ya Go ~ ! You got Some Real Brutes Nicely Done my friend. Congrats A-Jay

While I have heard the term 'Junk Fisherman', I'll admit that I don't totally understand it. However I've not been exposed to very many 'Random Fisherman', or I suppose Fisherwomen in this case. Good on Her. A-Jay

Up to you I guess. Should you need it, a new one could increase the chances of it performing effectively enough to get you home. While there's always some I can not do much about, I am very willing to do whatever I can to eliminate risk, not 'manage it'. #peaceofmind A-Jay

I'll do some tackle & gear maintenance. Might even repair or re-build a rod or two if I'm feeling froggy. But I will most certainly take my time with it. Our hard water season can go a while. I'll also do what I can to stay in shape for the next open water opportunity. Although that happens year round. A-Jay

Been very please with this composite stick. The 7 MH and the 7'4" MH Quantum sponsored KVD's initial version of this line. That one's been discontinued. KVD"S now with Lew's and I'm betting Lew's deal is pretty close to the same thing. FYI, I do not have the Lew's. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Lews_KVD_Composite_Cranking_Casting_Rods/descpage-LKVDCC.html A-Jay

In my mind you got an extra season out of them - replace them now. Including the spare. You'll be glad you did. A-Jay

So here's a quick update / Review of the 22 lb Tatsu. After 5 1/2 days on Lake Baccarac this fall, I am happy to report, It's Really Good ! I've used and do like the 20 lb & the 25lb, so I couldn't imagine the 22 lb being anything but killer and it is. Like @txchaser noted above, it is definitely a powerful line. Not something I say often in regards to FC. Besides handing every bass quite confidently, I straightened out the rather stout hook on a swimbait getting it off a snag. Impressive, especially for it's diameter. As a Tatsu fan, this one displays all the positive characteristics I've come to appreciate. Fish Hard A-Jay

At 22 weeks now Tanks is a couple of Scooby Snacks over 55 lbs. A-Jay

For the sake of this discussion, I would like to eliminate the type of line used, as well as the 'line stretch' factor. While I do believe it plays a big role, let's just skip past it this one time. Mostly because IME, there are quite a few other factors that can effect a hookset, above & beyond line stretch. Here are just a few, in no particular order and with a few comments added. ~ The type & size craft one's fishing out of. Smaller, often manually propelled vessels have a tendency to move toward the fish on a hookset, especially if & when not anchored. Plays a role for me in the Old Town Canoe. ~The type & size wire gauge hook. Thin wire single hooks & trebles can usually find secure footing with considerably less force than say, a heavier gauge flipping hook. ~How about the length of a cast ? Remember we're skipping over the line type & stretch, but if there's a big sag in the line from fishing 'cross wind' that hookset can suffer, specially if and when at least some of the slack is not taken up first. ~Something that I believe some bassheads over look and perhaps might disregard, is the bite or holding power of a bass when she has our baits in her mouth & or down in her crushers. Big bass can really lock down on a bait. Might not be a big deal on smaller fish, or when heavy tackle is used. But when light gear is called for and a stout fatty clamps down on it, baits can and often do come flying back at me half way through the 'fight'. Usually means that fish never felt the steel, just played tug-o-war with me for a bit and then let the bait go. Not a fan. There's probably a few more factors that can effect a hookset, but I'm wrapping this up with this next one. ~The actual gear used; in particular the rod blank type, action & power. Oh there's a only a couple a Thousand separate threads on this gem of a subject. This is where what just might be the actual solution to it all lies. For me it's ALL about matching my tackle - rod, reel, and yes the line (didn't just say that) to my presentation. This is perhaps the main reason I carry a full arsenal of assorted rigs. If & when one or more of the situations mentioned above come into play, this can be even more critical. So for the most part, when my gear is matched and doing what I expect, my actually hookset is pretty close to the same. And that is a quick reel set or a snap set somewhere between 45 and 90 degrees. When it all goes as planned, my tackle / gear is doing the work for me. Meaning I don't have to compensate with more or less effort. I prefer that quite a bit. Surely we can go out and catch fish on any old deal. But there's enough threads on this forum to indicate that get this at least close, could be beneficial; especially when it come to getting a bite from the ONE BASS we've been fishing a life time to get. That's my story and it's still only November. Fish Hard https://youtu.be/1to6ti-tlZY?t=697 https://youtu.be/Z95g3H4qmp0?t=85 https://youtu.be/QB1VOTaQuvE?t=101 https://youtu.be/zIqCmH_52IQ?t=387 https://youtu.be/02fPoZHOri8?t=1013 A-Jay

For me this decision comes down to water clarity and where in the water column I'm presenting the bait. Any hard bait running mid-column, like a jerkbait, I like to mimic whatever the local forage is at the time. Most every other hard bait that I'm running close to cover and or the bottom, I like to select a color / pattern that comes sort of close to matching the color of the bottom and or the cover. I want the bait to appear like it's 'trying to hide'. Much like what's already happening down there with the real thing. Finally, in the spring, wildly brilliant baits, or sometimes just a 'splash of color' on an otherwise subtle pattern, can really be the deal. Either way, it's all about confidence. A-Jay

Strike King Rage Craw in Watermelon Meat ~ Got a (mistake) pack mixed in with a bunch of Green Pumpkin I ordered. Gave it a shot and it produced. Of course they probably all do. Picture isn't really how I see it in my hand or in the water. Not magic but I've had some good times fishing it. Besides, I like saying "They're on The Meat". A-Jay

Tranx 300 is a solid unit. A-Jay

This one can help ~ A-Jay

Heads weighing more than 3/8's I guess. I'll fish 1/4's & 3/8's down to 20 feet depending on the size of the swimbait, the rate of fall I'm looking for and the conditions. Fishing Deeper than that I'm always reaching for 1/2's and even 3/4's; especially when there's a 4.5 inch or larger swimbait involved. A-Jay

The Pro-V Bass offers suffient space to carry just about everything I have. When in the canoe, there's some bait concessions that need to be made, but I can still bring 'too much'; which is exacly how I like it. However, rumor has it, the inventory is about to be reduced. A-Jay

During what at this point, seems like a life time ago, for a couple of decades it was my (and my wife's) job to be on the water right in the middle of the busiest times and in some of the most congested boating areas. But we weren't fishing. (usually) Interestingly enough, we retired to what is pretty much the polar opposite. Like many places there has been a noticeable up tick in recreational boating even up here. Fortunately for me & my style of fishing, most all of that increase is happening during times I'm rarely on the water anyway. Peak of summer mostly. But when the bite for the big girls is the best, and there's a good nip in the air, early & late season, even with this most recent increase usage, the lakes I want to be on have been mostly empty. Especially before the docks go in and after deer hunting season starts. I am a huge fan of that and actually crave it at this point. Although I will still occasionally venture out into the delirium, it only takes a few trips of waiting in line to launch or recover my rig, before I'm fishing with a head lamp again. These type of pics tell the story well and are some of my favorites. Stay Safe A-Jay