A-Jay

How to catch big bass is, IMO, a fairly massive topic and undertaking. Accomplished bass anglers/authors have and will no doubt continue to write entire books about it. One of my favorites by Bill Murphy talks about "the fascination and mystery" of catching giant bass. He also talks about how hard work, self-discipline, and a proven fishing system can be the most consistent game plan. His book, "In Pursuit of Giant Bass," convinced me to change my deal quite a bit. Adopting what I can has helped me in my quest for plus-sized smallmouth bass. With that in mind, here is my summarized version. At its very core, I break this down into three parts or aspects. Motivation - makes up 50 % Before beginning, I must recognize and understand that this task is similar to searching for hidden treasure. I must expect countless fishless days, weeks, and even entire seasons without progress. Therefore, I need to mentally prepare myself to endure this challenge ahead of time. Not doing so usually decreases my chances of success. In this context, motivation resembles an endurance event. This has always been the case and will continue to be so. This is just one aspect of my approach. Any shaky or wavering commitment here will be exposed in short order. #givingup Preparation -Makes up 25 % This includes 'everything' I need to do well before I get on the water. The preparation process can vary significantly for each basshead. I believe that I am only as strong as my weakest point. However, having confidence in this deal can serve as a powerful motivator and is preferable to worrying about my lack of preparation. Properly maintaining everything is the only way I roll here. Execution - Makes up the final 25%. This is where the rubber meets the road and if I'm fortunate, it all comes together. Extended drives, early mornings, long days on the water, precise boat positioning, and enduring frequent periods of inclement weather all contribute to being at the right place, at the right time, and doing the right thing. Hooking, playing, and landing plus-sized fish is rarely an accident. Although I understand that I can't land them all, I certainly do my best to do so. Preparation comes into play here again. Knowing how I plan on being successful in advance of doing it cannot be underestimated. Self-discipline and self-control with the fish of a lifetime doing everything possible to go free can at least even the playing field. I feel like I have a lot to learn. The positive aspect of this situation is that spending time on the water serves as the most effective teacher. Fish Hard A-Jay

OK, here we go Nope. So first off I appreciate all the efforts made to help resolve this. And if this is the worst thing that happens I am having a great day. But I would love to see a member who is not a Moderator or the Owner of this platform make this work. I will still feel foolish either way. A-Jay

Not so much. YouTube changed the PFP player permissions. Revolves around advertising and $$$$. This is the new normal. A-Jay

Test Failure

Nothing seems to work for me. I may just use the links moving forward. A-Jay

I have attempted this multiple times, but it has not proven effective for me. Another option is to simply add just the link to the video so your post doesn't appear so disjointed. https://youtu.be/W2jqCf7BVAE?si=ISrouFOcAl38jA1t A-Jay

No clue either. I've got a few hundred videos posted in this forum. Despite all initially loading here correctly, each and every one has gone to a black screen. We should ask @Glenn His videos seem to be unaffected by the black screen issue. A-Jay

I am definitely in the north, but not really in the east. Michigan is closer to the middle. Either way, I'm usually done for the year mid-October or so. This year is no different. Also, having suitable outerwear for the cooler & coldest days is standard operations here. I'm fortunate in that my rig offers sufficient storage to carry an assortment of rain and cold gear. When it comes to fishing very early or late in the season, the water temps are more critical to our safety than the air temps. Unless we're wearing a dry suit, going in the drink can be a big problem. This is particularly true when we are fishing alone or in remote locations. I mention this because it does play a role as to when I decide to stop fishing. Stay Safe A-Jay

Sounds like you could really benefit from a push pole. While usually not a typical deal on bass boats, shallow-water flats anglers have been using them for years. The one I use is telescopic from 6 to 12 feet. Plenty long & strong enough to get the job done and easy to store on deck out of the way. I use it several times a year to help maneuver my rig in skinny water. A-Jay

Are there any poop baitfish ? A-Jay

Something that I've come to believe over the years is that 'the bait the bass will eat' is priceless. Actual MSRP is meaningless when you can't get that deal anymore. #ebay A-Jay

I am not sad—I am grateful for what I had and have. I'll do what I can to be ready for my next opportunity. As for the canoe, yes, I still have it available. However, after 'many' years of service, my modest sonar, both batteries, as well as the trolling motor, all failed last spring. They are not going to be replaced. The craft is now truly paddle-only. That's not as much fun as it used to be because of the autumn weather in northern Michigan. A-Jay

In preparation for her deep, hard-water hibernation, the Pro-V Bass went in for winterization today. When she wakes up next spring, we'll be celebrating 10 years of good times together. A-Jay

My posts go red a few times a month. No biggie, and it's better than looking at spam all day. A-Jay

I have 3 Shimano Calcutta 200D's that I use locally and one 300D that makes the trip to Mexico. Both are mostly bulletproof. These Round Reels are what I reach for when I need true power and less inches per turn. So spinnerbaits, and big swimbaits. A-Jay

LOL~ ~ Each season, I get what always seems like more than my share. Occasionally I'll actually put on wire and target them. That's always a good time. Either way, the biggest ones inevitably come as bycatch. A-Jay

I've been known to dabble in that realm. New flash, Mr Jones didn't invent this. A-Jay

I'm with @Dwight Hottle Simply cannot take a fillet knife to the brown ones. However, the green ones are regular table fare when we venture south of the border. I've developed a bit of a liking for them too. So I'll knock the side off a few slightly bigger than keeper-sized green bass each season. I will admit they seem to taste better in Mexico. Maybe it's the view. A-Jay

Fantastic Smallmouth @Dwight Hottle ! That Brown Bass is a beast, and the pictures are top-notch. I had a good feeling about this trip to NY. Congratulations. #thelegend A-Jay

I have been fishing for almost 60 years. During that time I have developed my own 'style' if you will. Part of that is figuring out what I do best, which baits work for the waters I fish, as well as where and when to use them. Having a variety of options allows ample opportunities to broaden my bass fishing horizons. I am always learning. Finally, 'getting away with less' will never be part of anything in my life, especially something that I am so passionate about. YMMV A-Jay https://youtu.be/E8UfnBPoH-M?si=nANQhM6WqoShelkd

I've tried a few different methods over the years with varying levels of success. Most of that depended on just how tarnished the blades were at the start. These include toothpaste, a couple of different Metal polishes and clothes, as well as a few car care products. In the end, I've settled on simple toothpaste. It's the easiest to work with, always rinses completely away and does a decent job. When I can't get the results I'm looking for with that, it's time to replace it. I do carry a decent supply of spare blades & split rings just for that occasion. Good Luck. A-Jay

Like many baits that offer a variety of options, In my experience, each of these baits appears to have its own optimal time and place for use. For the longest time I only fished the dull painted blades. GP & Black. But have since ventured into the 'flashy' deals (silver & gold) and have been pleasantly surprised with the results. Unfortunately, pike are also big fans, especially when I don't use a wire leader. A-Jay

Workout Day 1. Starting and ending every set of the leg press from the bottom position is challenging and took me a while to acclimate to. On a positive note, it certainly has helped me maintain some decent flexibility. #borninfiftynine https://youtu.be/UP_bi_o9_zg?si=EUcYqc2E0KhjUA_e A-Jay

There's more in play on this than what's at the surface. There always is. Someone has an agenda. Derbies are held in May & June; the participants target fish on beds. It's ruthless. You've never seen a report of SMB catches from me in June. Early May on late ice-out years, but not beds. My choice. I read that a key player in this has a place on one of the listed lakes. He's trying to manipulate the season because he thinks he knows what's best for 'his' lake. I'm just going fishing, and he can do whatever it is he does. I'm done. A-Jay

Pretty sure hunting licenses work like that in Kentucky as well. Just pick one up and start shooting . . . . . . . A-Jay