A-Jay

Workout Day 1 ~ Completed 3 working sets of the 5 movements scheduled. Felt pretty good. Clarity. Commitment. Action. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Can you tie an FG Knot? Yes. Do I use it ? No. Compared to a few other connection knots, it's a giant PIA to tie, and there's no upside IMO. Been using a double uni-knot as my connection knot of choice quite effectively since Spiderwire & Fireline first gained mainstream popularity in the late 1990's. #30 years If it ain't broke, I don't fix it. (or complicate it). YMMV A-Jay

That's nice. I like when other anglers display my gear to their significant others. Maybe you should also share some of the pictures of the fish these baits account for. Might help your cause. A-Jay

Winter in January here is often pretty nippy We are seeing that play out this week. #longjohns 🥶 A-Jay

Size 2 oval goes on the nose of all my 110's and similar-sized stick baits A-Jay

Can not justify a diesel run rig. A-Jay

So in reference to the recall on my truck and a possible wonky crankshaft. I couldn't take not knowing any longer, so I took it in to the local GMC service department today. They ran 'the test' and my rig 'passed.' Part of that is they changed the oil/filter and used 0-40 instead of the 0-20 that came from the factory. Definitely a good thing. Doesn't mean that there may not be problems down the line. But at least I do not need an engine replacement now. My next new truck date is at the end of November, so I'll be trading this one in then. While I was there, I talked to the salesman to inquire about the new 2027 models. It seems there's going to be a body style change along with a few other things. Don't want to be part of that deal yet, so the plan is to order a new 2026 in the spring, switch the cap from the 2024 to the new rig and we'll be good to go. I'll be right up against GM's last 'new build date' if I wait too long, so the timing will be pretty important if this is going to work. We'll see how it all plays out. A-Jay

Since I am neither the latest nor the greatest, I generally don't lean that way. I would, however, enjoy the reintroduction of better vintage gear if it included some newer materials and slightly upgraded features. A-Jay

Thinking of warmer days ahead ~ A-Jay

Good times this morning, which includes a 'wintery mix.' Must be a meteorologist's way of saying 'sloppy mess.' Looking forward, I'm sitting on 93 days and a wake-up for the projected open water action. But it's also Tanker Tuesday ~ Jumping back to an early morning trip in May of 2022. Two SMB over 6 lbs before lunch had me pretty pumped up. A-Jay

Full grips for me. A-Jay

Just Got Real ~ The Commercial Air Flights Have Been Booked! No turning back now. Lake Baccarac Or Bust ~266 Days and a Wake Up ! And it looks like the Scrounga Club is making a comeback tour. Let's Go ! A-Jay

Workout Day 4 ~ Retaining muscle as I age requires consistent strength training, paired with adequate protein intake to combat age-related loss (sarcopenia), which is crucial for maintaining mobility, independence, and preventing falls. Focusing on compound exercises helps build strength, while regular activity beyond just workouts also supports overall muscle health and vitality. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Social Media: Have we come full circle? The first true social media platform, Six Degrees, was launched in 1997, followed by influential platforms like Friendster and MySpace in the early 2000s. It's hard for me to believe that this deal is anywhere close to full circle. It's not even 30 years old. I have socks older than that. 🧦 A-Jay

Pitbull split ring pliers are a little different design and work for me down to size 2 rings. https://pitbulltackle.com/pitbull-tackle-split-ring-plier/ A-Jay

No need for anything more than I have now. Plus it helps keep me in shape. A-Jay https://youtube.com/shorts/5iwFpbwvQ9s?si=zDttaDL_8u2OVJ71

Accumulating snow continued to spread across northern Michigan from Saturday into Sunday. Accumulations of 3-6” for most of the area and localized 7”+ possible with the heaviest snowfalls this evening and tonight directly on A-Jay’s roof. I'm logging some very respectable hours behind the snowblower so far this winter. Good Times. A-Jay

So often first-round matchups can be a bit of a formality. The first two games this time around were not that. Congrats to the victors. 🙂 A-Jay

Workout Day 3 ~ Somewhere between my pre-workout meal and when I do my first warm-up set, the noise in my head slowly fades away. The home gym doesn't rush me or ask me to explain myself. It just lets me breathe and be present. That's the part of resistance training I never forget. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

YOU are the MAN !!! I knew it was only a matter of time. Thank you. A-Jay

First, I would back up my home lake data to a separate card and name it for proper ID. Then use a new/different card for your tournament lakes. Then just plug and play as needed. Something of interest ~ After collecting 8 years of pins that were not stored with much of a plan. When I replaced my units recently, I chose not to bring those WPs with me Actually erased the cards so I couldn't double clutch. Since then I now mark 3 and only 3 specific targets. Boat access points. Hazards to navigation (prop eaters) My boat position to fish whatever structure or cover I'm fishing. Experience taught me that I will know where to cast when I get there. Some WPs are weather/wind specific, but so is the fishing right there. This has cut down on my screen clutter and all confusion as to what I'm fishing and where the boat should be without burning fish. Finally, and this is like the Law - ALWAYS trust the way points. Good Luck 🙂 A-Jay

Sweet ~Liking the Dark Mode Thank You 🫥 A-Jay

You Sir, are indeed a fortunate human. That must have been awesome. Congrats A-Jay

I am not an expert on fishing trips or travel. But I have been to Lake Baccarac Lodge 'several' times. Even have a trip booked for Oct. When it comes to big bass fishing, this place is where Jurassic Park meets Disneyland. As for the travel being a hassle—compared to some places, I would say it definitely is. Passports, flight plans, and hotel stays, not to mention it takes us 4 days of travel for 5 1/2 days of fishing. And it's not exactly inexpensive. However, all of that is part of what makes it special. If you're looking to just take a trip, and you want to relax while you do it, I totally get that. There are tons of very decent places with great fishing that fit the bill. The one caveat I've seen, and as a general rule, places that require a bit of a travel commitment, have the best fishing. Think about why that might be. I have always wanted to go Redfishing in Florida’s mighty Indian River Lagoon system. World-renowned, often referred to as the "Redfish Capital of the World". The region is unique because it hosts a year-round resident population of "Bull" redfish that do not migrate to the ocean to spawn, allowing anglers to catch trophy-sized fish in shallow water throughout the year. I might have to look a little more seriously at this one. #bucketlist In today's busy and more populated world, great fishing is getting harder and harder to find. Good Luck and safe travels. A-Jay

The older I get, the more my fishing begins to feel like time travel. A sunrise, a cast, a certain kind of bite and suddenly I'm back years ago, standing beside someone who shaped me in ways I didn't understand then. Those moments don't fade. They settle deep, reminding me that fishing has given me more than just stories. It gave me a pure passion I didn't know how to name. A-Jay