A-Jay

@papajoe222 I Couldn't Agree More ~ Been a member for a while as well. Since day one there have been three deals that have always rung true here with me. The Golden Rule. Good People attract Good People. This Forum's Foundation begins with it's Newest Members, not the other way around. Saying Thank You, doesn't seem like nearly enough. A-Jay

Thank you - And while agree it takes some effort, it's not too bad., Especially when you like to do it. Preparation may be the key. And The Memories ! As I get a little further & further down this road, they mean more & more. A-Jay

Clearly this entire thread reads like a who's Who and a Finesse Hall of Fame at the same time. So Good. By the time I was 'deep' into my bass fishing deal, I was (and still am) fishing mostly alone. Well ahead of the video age, my personal list has come and was built over the course of many years. In the beginning, mostly all second hand, while poring through books & magazine articles, periodicals as well as many hard to decipher pictures and drawings. Back then (and especially today) there was and still is, plenty of "advice". Perhaps more now than ever before. Either way, when it comes to how & where I fish, what was and has been very helpful throughout this entire process, has been learning to adapt what is useful, reject what is useless and most importantly perhaps, to add what is specifically my own. Might always come with a ton of trial & error, and I'm still working on it every trip. But that's fishing. A-Jay

I hear ya ~ I have been a GoPro user for many years and through every model since the 5's. The 7's locked up AND Over heated. Traded them in for 8's, which my wife likes but I do not. Real buggy. The 9's didn't come cheap and before the overheating shutdown deal, they were IMO, 'the best' version of an action camera that I had used from GoPro. The 5K video & 20 megapixel photos are stunning, the advanced Hypersmooth 3.0 stabilization has been unmatched to date, the front display is SO helpful, and the battery life seems quite good. All that said, none of that is worth a dime if the darn thing only works in a specific climate. While the local weather has only been hot enough for the occasional disruption, which I've been able to live with, but my trips south simply must have total coverage. Not sure what I'm going to do, but I've got 'some time' (insert hard water) to come up with and execute a new plan; which may or may not involve a couple of new and or different brand/style of cameras. Just not into this video stuff enough to justify 'next level' equipment. If I can't make it happen with point & shoot GoPro's I might bail on the whole deal. We'll see. A-Jay

Just dropping this one right here, from two days ago ~ A-Jay

I replace them with either Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hook or Gamakatsu EWG Treble Short Shank Magic Eye 110's, 110 plus 1's and the 110 Silent all get #4's. The 110 plus 1 Jr gets #6's Owner Hyper wires split rings are solid and I’ll always use the oval & or pear shaped versions at the line tie; which prevents the line from slipping into the ring itself. I hate that. #2's work for me. A-Jay

C'Mon man Don't encourage her ! ? A-Jay

I hear Ya J ~ I'm doing Total Body workouts so I'm getting it from all angles. Of course, after a listening to me sort of complain a bit this morning, my wife hit me with "Toughen up Buttercup !". A-Jay

After more than two weeks out of the gym, that actually seems much longer, I've started getting back into it; all be it slowly. First few workouts back are always just a little more than a warm-up. As my humanness re-acclimates to the process & the stress, I'll begin to turn it up. Yesterday was sort of a mid-level deal as far as intensity goes and it went well despite still staying on the safe side. As always, the dirty little secret that will forever be a part of effective resistance training is DOMS - delayed onset muscle soreness. And man am I feeling it this morning. Certainly not the first time and won't be the last. No way to avoid it really. Learning to recognize it and perhaps know it's coming while being willing to cope with it is all part of the commitment this deal takes. Still don't really like though. When added to just the everyday Old Guy body soreness, it certainly get's my attention. Stay Strong A-Jay

Had a nice dumping yesterday ~ Got a couple more inches overnight. A-Jay

As a prior Search and Rescue Professional, from both the planning and operational side, leaving an accurate float plan with at least one responsible adult every time we hit the water is Rule #1. Inculding accurate phone numbers of the emergency agencies you want them to call in the event you are overdue, saves valuable time you may or may not have. All of this is far less helpful if and when plans change, you don't keep them informed. Requires a bit of time and effort on your part but you need to ask yourself, am I worth it ? I know I am. A-Jay

Glad you're both uninjured. Bad stuff happens to good folks all the times. Can only be so prepared. Stay Safe A-Jay

For a little thump, flash and color, I'm thinking small Red Colorado on the inside and a Chartreuse Indiana on the end. #norules A-Jay

Just as a PSA ~ There is a Private Charter Plane option from TX direct to the air strip at Lake Baccarac Lodge. Besides making the customs experience incredibly painless and brief, you can take your full length sticks on the charter, no problem. It really IS the way to go. #novanride A-Jay

Hello Josh and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Nice Intro A-Jay

Might look something like this ~ My son was 12 years old here and Kodi was about 160. Slept like this for many years. #gentlegiant A-Jay

I'll see what I can do ~ No promises though. On a good timing note, I emptied out & clean up the storage compartments in the Lund today. Heading to the dealer after this mess blows through. ProXS is getting the 3 year and hull is getting new trolling motor batteries. Cha-Ching ! A-Jay

Getting ready for the chaos ~ A-Jay

I've done well with both of those. However my tackle buying flag is currently flapping in the opposite direction. Past few years I've dipped my toes (OK maybe more like the whole foot) into the "I can't believe I haven't tried that" pool more than a few times. And what I can't believe is how fast that collection grew. Liquidation is on the horizon. A-Jay

LOL ~ Mowers are up for the winter - Working on teaching him the Piggy Back so he can help me blow snow . . . A-Jay

Still Running Strong ~ A-Jay

I use the Outkast Tackle Feider Fly Marabou Jig Just two sizes for me the 3/32 and the 1/8 oz. Black, Brown & Shad cover most deals for me up this way. Not sure if it's the best but they get bites ~ https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Outkast_Tackle_Feider_Fly_Marabou_Jig_2pk/descpage-OTFFMJ.html As for a rod - I use ML also - just prefer a bit longer blank at 7'6". Helps get the bait away from the boat. Finally this video made me a much more successful Hair Jig user. Hope it helps Good Luck & Fish Hard A-Jay

Not really a surprise ~ Just a heads up: lake effect snow is on the horizon for the upcoming week, especially inland over A-Jay's house, as well as portions of eastern upper Michigan. Some generally accumulations are expected. Here we go. A-Jay

At 20 weeks now and just over 50 lbs, Tank is a little beefier than Kya just not nearly as fast. They love both love the ruff & tumble however. #tankslife A-Jay

Last Trip out onto Lake Menderchuck for this year was a stunner. Fish weren't very cooperative but ask me if I care. #grateful A-Jay