A-Jay

We're getting some timely seasonal activity ~ ? A-Jay

Thanks ~ The SB 125 lives in the walking bait box and has slithered across Lake Menderchuck a few times. Killer bait but it has yet to connect with any bronze bigness. A-Jay

Clearly a solid decision. Besides, you wouldn't want to catch these scrawny dinks anyway.... A-Jay

I am only comfortable if they eat it and end up in the net. Which they do. A-Jay

This location in the middle of state seems to consistently be the coldest area up here. If you check the wx, see for yourself, Otsego county runs a few clicks down the mercury meter all year. Good in July, not so much in January. A-Jay

Ok, well I only have a year on you so you don't have far to go. Megastrike is like a clear gel when it is cooler and gets a little juicy when air temperature goes over 70 or so. I keep it in the cooler when I need to. It needs to be applied by hand and it makes both you and your bait slippery. I like it on the bait but there's always a rag handy. To me, it has a subtle odor, no stink though. I say it makes fish hold on and even take a second swipe at a bait they missed on the first attempt. I put it on everything all the time. You'll have to see for yourself I guess. A-Jay

I get it. It was like the here too for my first 10 seasons. Use to kill me sitting on the beach staring at open water. Especially knowing what the potential was. Once they finally opened it up, well you know. Hope they change it up soon for you. A-Jay

Here in MI, it's Catch and IMMEDIATE Release early season. Which I probably push a little when I weigh and photo/video plus size brown bass. This also means that IF a new state record is caught during this time, it can Not be registeted as such because the documentation process includes keeping the fish for a state biologists identification. So that's kind of bogus. A-Jay

I get it. Holding yourself accountable for ones actions is a concept that may not be embraced by some folks. Sort of like The Golden Rule. Follow your conscience, you'll be fine. A-Jay

118 Days & a Wake Up ~ Which doesn't actually sound that far off to me for some reason . . . . A-Jay

Thank you for your service. A-Jay

I got nothing but time until at least April. A-Jay

There's this one ~ https://www.amazon.com/Marine-Emergency-First-Waterproof-Case/dp/B0108VOU7E/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=first+aid+kit+in+waterproof+case&qid=1608746191&sr=8-5 You could also purchase a small kit not in a case and put it in a Plano 3700 Deep box yourself. A-Jay

Not sure there's actually a rule against it ~ A-Jay

I’ve been dragging my feet on this, but with 2020 about to come to an end, I finally decided to do it. My choice to mainly target Brown Bass hasn’t changed, nor will it in the immediate future. However, I have to admit that by my own standards, this wasn’t a particularly good season. Definitely the worst for numbers & size since I’ve been running the Pro-V bass boat. I had some decent trips early & mid Spring in 2020, but the summer and fall bite was mostly non-existent in my rig. Beyond the far too many days of truly unfishable wind & weather, that I battled anyway, I really can't explain it. In fact, I’m not even going to try. Instead, I’m putting the whole mess behind me and moving on. So back to the matter at hand – productive baits. As I’ve mentioned before in the previous versions posted (links below) I might not always use the ‘best’ presentation for the conditions I fish. So there’s a decent chance that some of the ‘most productive’ baits listed are simply my favorite baits that I caught fish on. I imagine that a thread entitled & containing “Baits I fished and zeroed with” would be entirely too long and seriously depressing. So let’s not even go there. As always, please feel free to add your own selections to this thread should the mood strike you. We like pictures too. Right away, it might be obvious to even the most casual observer that the overall list length might be smaller than in previous years; I think you can figure out why. Additionally many of the same players keep showing up year after year. There’s a reason for that as well. Either way, here it is: Jerkbaits My Jerkbait addiction continues to be as strong as ever. The Megabass ITO Vision 110 and the 110 plus 1 both accounted for some good ones. A new & highly effective player in my personal Vision 110 stash is the SILENT bait. Had a couple of memorable trips where I picked this one up and never put it down, all day. GP Pro Perch, Yup. The SK KVD 300 and especially the 300 Deep continue to shine. The 300 Deep (AYU) took my largest brown bass of the season at 5.88 lbs. And don’t bother putting a red treble on the front – I mean who does that ? Finally, despite re-homing a fair portion of my jerkbait arsenal, it did make more room for some new Megabass additions; hello Vision 110 +1 Jr. Vibrating jigs & trailers ~ Z-Man Evergreen Jack Hammer both the standard & Tungsten head. The Z-Man New Freedom model became a staple (after an A-Jay modification/hook replacement) All these baits were either 3/8 oz or ½ oz. My trailer selection has really been narrowed down the past two season. The GYBC Zako and more recently this sweet little Goby swimbait deal was accounting for a few Plus size fish for me. This one’s hand poured by Paul Krews (he’s a FB seller) Crankbaits The Spro Mike McClelland Rock Crawler 55 Crankbait in Red Crawfish & Phantom Brown is my crank of choice in that 6-10 ft zone. The 6th Sense Crush Flat X75 in Baby Bluegill is almost always tied on because it’s a solid producer in areas of less than 7-8 feet for me. But this past season saw it share almost equal time with the Megabass Sonicside Crankbait. Not because it has out produced the 6th Sense bait, but because it just looks so good. I love this one – that GP Pro Perch bait is sick ! OK, I might have a problem. Lipless ~ ½ oz RES and the RES 2-Tap both see action. And when I’m short hopping a Rattle bait off the bottom like a blade bait – the Duo Realis G-Fix Vibration Tungsten Lipless Crankbait is almost like a secret weapon. It has a small thin profile but is ¾ oz. Casts like a bullet and sinks just as fast. Don’t buy any. Swingheads ~ I am still throwing the same two version of this bait listed in previous years and I have this one rigged & ready every trip it seems. ½ & ¾ oz covers it all for me. There’s a ton of them out there but I’ve narrowed my preference down to two basic deals. A tungsten football style that I use for deeper area and a Lead head model for just about everything else. I like to be able to choose & change my hook as needed and both of these accommodate that ability. The deeper bait starts with the RPE Tackle Tungsten Swinging Football Jig which is sold in bulk and comes without a hook. This one features a rather unique rigging deal that takes a little getting used to but offers everything I need. Note: I do add a #2 Owner Oval Split Ring to the front (line tie) of this rig to prevent the tungsten head from moving forward and wearing away at the knot (a simple & effective fix). The other head I really like starts with the Freedom Tackle Stealth Swim Jig – I am just using the head here. With the line tie on the front this one slides nicely along the bottom and fairly easily through whatever medium to light cover may be there. I will fish three trailers: a SK Rage Bug (Green Pumpkin), a 4.75” SK Rage Swimmer (Ayu) and the Rage Tail Eeliminator (also Green Pumpkin). These are Texas rigged onto one of two 4/0 hooks. The regular wire Gamakatsu EWG or the Owner Wide Gap Plus Black Chrome. Topwater ~ The surface bite never really materialized for me like it had in past seasons. History showed that my top performers were the larger sizes here, the 4.5” 7/8 oz SK Sexy Dawg, the 5” ¾ oz River2Sea Rover and the 4.75” ¾ oz Reaction Innovations Vixen; in mostly shad & bait fish type colors & patterns. I did manage at least one picture worthy smallie on a walking bait – and it smashed the newest SK HC KVD Sexy Dawg Hard Knock. That was a fun bite. The other topwater that’s always on my deck in the Megabass Pop Max. Still love the bait – but I don’t think I got a single bass on it this year – sort of pathetic actually. I also invested in a modest Spro Rat selection, hoping to get in on some of that Rat Mania I’d read about. While I have no doubt regarding the baits effectiveness, I just never got any bass on it; well none that we bigger than the bait anyway. Maybe next year. Spinnerbaits ~ The ½ oz SK Burner and the ½ oz & ¾ oz Biovex Stangun single & Double Willow bladed baits are a still two of my favorites. As is the Megastrike Strike Back spinnerbait also in ½ oz & ¾ oz. Another new to me bait here is the Megabass V9 Double Willow Spinnerbait. I made the mistake of picking one of these mostly over-priced baits on sale. And wouldn’t you know, they were all over it first trip out. Mostly green bass interestingly enough. My initial attraction to this bait revolved mostly around the blade shape; reminiscent of the long drop blades found on the Luck E Strike Rick Clunn Trickster Spinnerbait. Either way the V-9 catches. And I have been able to secure a small assortment of the Rick Clunn bait since as well. So we’ll see how that goes. When using a trailer on a spinnerbait I like the SK Blade minnow as well as the Hog Farmer Spunk shad. Rarely use a trailer hook any more. Hair jig ~ Still have total faith in the just one bait – the Outkast Tackle Feider Fly Marabou Jig in 1/8 oz ~ black or brown. For YEARS, I fished these with no trailer. Mostly because the super subtle do nothing action didn’t seem to need it and every little bait I hung on one just messed it up more than anything else. But along came Berkley MaxScent, and the world changed. And so did my no trailer on hair jig ways – about an inch and a half of the tail section from a Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flatnose Jerk Shad rigged vertically is freaking dynamite ! Can’t be too big, rig it so that little tail section of the shad is just visible & clear of the hair on the jig. When you get it right, you’ll see the magic and you’ll know. Don’t tell anyone. Ned Rig Past few seasons this one has been coming on strong and almost replaced my hair jig fishing – almost. (see above) There’s no denying it effectiveness and past this season I fished the 4” Z-Man Big TRD almost exclusively. Never was able to recreate the magic I had with it first time out in 2019, but that didn’t keep me from trying. I like the darker colors and usually hang it on an 1/8 oz Owner Block Head Jig Head or the Outkast Tackle Perfect Ned Head; both have a solid 1/0 hook. Drop shot baits ~ I have a Gazillion ! Literally. And they have all been almost completely replaced by – Say it with me . . . The Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flat Worm – Wow ! Been a while since I’ve seen a bait take off like this thing has and then to actually catch fish to match or even exceed the hype is impressive. I’ve got nothing else to say except if you are not drop shotting this bait – IMO, you are missing fish. Swimbaits ~ A 3.8”, 4.3” and 4.8" Keitech Swing Impact Fat Swimbait in Ayu and Perch as well as the 3.75” and the 4.75” SK Rage Swimmer also in AYU and KVD Magic. As sort of a mid-line finesse deal, I presented these on or near the bottom with medium spinning gear 10lb braid and an 8lb or 10lb FC leader. My jighead of choice here is the Keitech Tungsten Super Round Jighead ¼ oz that sports a quality 3/0 hook. Also the Dirty Jigs Tactical Bassin' Finesse Swimbait Jig Head is pretty sweet (I’ve started using this on my A-Rigs as well). A new to me bait in this category was the Dark Sleeper. Mid-summer I was gifted with a few ½ oz baits. Sort fell in love with them right away and eventually picked up more; although the colors I like are often “out of stock’ most everywhere. Looking forward to fishing these again in the spring. A-Rig ~ Past few seasons this one has been a very good bigger brown bass bait for me. But if anyone remembers for last year, besides becoming mostly addicted to throwing this thing, I’ve developed a bit of a love / hate relationship with it. Long story short, the Strike King Short Arm Titanium rig I had so much success with, was breaking apart while fighting picture worthy brown bass. Total Bummer. So this year I have been sort of back to the drawing board looking for a rig that would get bites and stay together to actually land the fish. At the time of this posting, I am still looking. I fished a couple of different Hog Farmer rigs south of the border this past fall. They are Very Stout and handled green bass up to 8 lbs. However I have some concerns that they may be over kill for my local needs. More to follow. BTW – Past few seasons my A-Rigs baits were rigged with VMC Boxer heads – 1/8 & ¼ oz. However, since they came out, I have switched to the Dirty Jigs Tactical Bassin' Finesse Swimbait Jig Head (same weights). Swimmers are still the same - 3.8 or 4.3 Impact Fat swimbaits and similar sized SK Rage swimmers work as well – AYU. I am still and will always continue to replace stock trebles and well as suspect quality split rings and line ties. Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hook, Gamakatsu EWG Treble Short Shank Magic Eye and Owner Short Shank Treble Hook ST-35 are my choice and I plus size when & where I can. 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. Line(s) used: On my casting gear most everything is FC – Seaguar Tatsu or InvisX; Only use braid on revolving spool tackle to throw baits into or over the jungle. Then it’s 50lb Sufix 832. Main lines on all my spinning gear is braid and a leader. Mainline is either 10, 15, or 20lb Sufix 832 or Seaguar Smackdown. Leaders are usually Big Game green mono or in a few instances, FC; then it’s still Tatsu, InvisX or when needed, AbrasX The few times I may use bigger mono for topwater I’ll reach for the Sunline Shooter Defier Armilo Nylon Line in 22 lb. Attractant – Megastrike – goes on just about everything I fish. Original & Crawfish- both work well for me. And so there it is – as sad as that was. Already making ‘plans’ to fish some of the presentations I didn’t fish much last season, a little more this next time around. Tubes, Jigs, and dare I say it, maybe even some Uncle Josh Pork trailers. Anyway, thanks for playing along and I sincerely hope everyone has a Safe & Happy Holiday. A-Jay (Previous versions of this same theme linked below) https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/183215-most-productive-baits-~-a-seasonal-review/ https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/209845-2018-~-my-most-productive-baits-by-season/ https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/221344-my-2019-list-of-productive-baits-~/

My first bass catch happened during the Lyndon B. Johnson administration, not that I knew anything about that at the time. I was fishing with my Dad & younger brother when I caught my first largemouth bass. We were on the bank at a local county park lake. We'd fished there many times before, mostly mid-day on weekends. My mom would sit in the sunshine on a blanket and knit, (people actually used to do that) while my brother & I soaked worms under a bobber. Plenty of panfish action back then and we'd always keep several for a fish fry. Always loved my Mom's batter - light & really tasty. She taught me how to fillet a fish in 1967, still do it the same way today. On this particular day, we had stayed close to sun set, something we usually didn't do, as once the sun got below the tree line, we'd leave. My Dad announced that we were leaving in a few minutes (Always hated the last cast - even back then) and handed me a Rebel Jointed minnow "Try This" he urged. I was surprised & pumped ! He helped me 'tie it on' and showed me how to 'work it'. I felt like such a little stud suddenly being able to fish 'like Dad'. A couple of casts into it, a 14 inch green bass grabbed the bait about half way in on the cast. I was freaking out, my brother was yelling, my Mom was shouting words of encouragement and my Dad just stood there and said "Calm down & Take your time". Yea Right - my little Ted Williams Sears & Roebuck Spin cast set up felt like it was going to come right out of my hands and I may have pee'd a little. As I reeled the fish closer to the bank, the bass jumped. And right then, it seemed like time stood still - really, it was the craziest thing, like a dream, I'd never felt anything like it, up to that point in my life (8 whole years) but I knew I liked it. After a few more tense moments of trying to grab the bass without getting hooked, I eventually did the old, 'walk backwards deal' and dragged the now exhausted bass, up in the sand. My brother was jumping up and down, and I was sort of in shock. My Dad, casually walked over, lipped it, rinsed it off, removed the bait and handed it to me (showing me how to hold it - another first). I thought I was holding a whale. We placed it on the stringer with the panfish, my brother named it Betty and I remember how cool and big it looked compared to them. We took it home and ate it. Unfortunately we didn't have the camera that day and if we took a pic at home I don't have it - would have been a Polaroid I'm sure. So that's was when it started for me. 52 years and a lot of miles later, I'm still at it. And I love everything about it. Fishing is just about the only thing in my adult life that I can do, that can truly make me feel like a kid again - This pic is of the place but not the day. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Interesting first post. A-Jay

Thank you ~ Our tactics for probing the depths do appear simple & quite similar. A-Jay

That is very interesting. Love to see it. A-Jay

Silver & Gold mostly for me too with a little splash of color when needed. During the cooler water times when these baits shine, there seems to be two factors that can work in a bassheads favor when throwing blade baits. One: there's often less forage around, which can make an 'easy meal' more attractive. Two: Fish seem less inclined to chase a bait very far so it pays to hit them on the head if you can. But once you find them, it can get stupid, fast. A-Jay

Sounds like it should really hammer the fatties then. A-Jay

And there it is ~ Now I'm not the only insomniac waiting this one out. Welcome to the club my friend. We are going to have a time . . . . A-Jay

Hello Brian and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Never heard of them. But for 4 bucks go for it and let us know. A-Jay

296 Days & a Wake up ~ As previously mentioned here, this trip is essentially 'booked' and ready to go; except for one detail; two open seats. You see, past several trips we book & pay for 4 fisherman, instead of just two. Then we solicit for a couple of willing bassheads who want to go. That allows us to charter, and fill all the seats, on the private aircraft that flys us straight to the lodge. These air craft are always in high demand. Super convenient, and gets us to the lodge early enough that we can fish an extra 1/2 day. Win - Win right there. As of yesterday the two 'open' seats have been filled and by a current BR forum member (and son). It will be their first trip to this magic place and that's always an exciting deal. One that I really love being a part of. #bigeyes I'm not going to spill the beans on who it is - I'll let him do that. Decent chance he'll see this and respond. Super pumped and it will be here before we know it ! A-Jay