A-Jay

another vote A-Jay

Whole Baseball 'season' was a Dumpster Fire. And I got a kick out of the men calling WS and how they kept comparing this seasons 'records' with years past. These guys play a handful of games comparably, not nearly as much travel and are in effect playing the post season in what amounts to June of a regular season. They better be fresh and breaking 'records'. MLB may never be the same, but despite being a suffering Red Sox fan (recent history excluded) I am glad to have been a fan when I was. Now, not so much. A-Jay

It's a Cosco kind of Halloween A-Jay

Hello David and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide. A-Jay

Thanks ~ I like to get the actual weights on plus size fish for a couple of reasons. One, the GoPros and filming angles clearly distort their appearance (but in a good way). And two, my 'thumb scale' is in serious need of calibration as it's always on the heavy side of life. A-Jay

Several LIFE TIMES of Trophy Bass Caught in a day. I can't even imagine Tom. A-Jay

So I suppose I am a multiple offender then. I use a fish eye lens to video my fish catches and then I even hold them Super Close to the camera lens. And I am talking only inches away, long arming them the whole time. Admittedly I do not do that for you - I like it that way. Displaying the fishes accurate weight on the scale very close to the camera - so it's clear & easy to read - I do that for you. A-Jay

@Jonas Staggs Nice job bringing this one back It's spawned some interesting discussion so far. It appears that 'drag setting' style can vary wildly between bassheads for a variety of reasons, including simple personal preference. Meaning some 'lock it down' some run it so it slips a lot and still others are somewhere in between. And everyone's catching bass - so what's the right answer ? Do what works for you; you'll figured out very quickly what doesn't. I'm using the drag setting on all my rigs as a controlled and reusable fail safe. I need it to slip some well in advance of any other aspect of my rod, line and or terminal gear failing; every time. Additionally, I want it to help land fish by not allowing undue/excess power sufficient to pull hooks, especially trebles. Clearly that can and does change depending on the gear & presentation itself as well as the condition I'm fishing. So for me - using a scale to set my drag specifically for bass fishing, wouldn't really work. Instead it's all done by feel which comes with experience. May not answer your question exactly or even be useful. But that's my story and I'm sticking to it. A-Jay

Fortrex user & abuser here - since 2016. Outfitted my rig just before the Ultrex came out. Also have 12 ft Talons Been very pleased - with the 112 lb 36v 60 inch shaft and I need every bit of it. Use both the Talons & the Fortrex a ton of course but I'm rarely using the Fortrex to hold position (in water beyond the depth of the Talons) in sloppy weather. Just too much of a PIA - always wish I had an Ultrex on those trips. In an effort to perhaps simulate what it will be like to be running a Fortrex, a try before you buy if you will, next few trips out leave the Terrova controller home and do not use spot lock - at all. That may give you a sense as to what to expect. Of course you'll not really be able to deploy & recover your current motor like you'll need to for the Fortrex, but if this 60 plus old guy can manage it, a strapping young man such as yourself should have no problem. Hope that helps. btw - get the Ultrex and be done with it - you're worth it. A-Jay

Hello and welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Yes But I will also say presentation depth, speed, profile and line size may be just as important as color / pattern. A-Jay I fish most all my deep jerk baits the same - In the cooler water it's a series of small 'pulls & a pause' follow by a slightly longer pause. Notice I didn't say jerks. Here's a couple of examples - first one early season, second one late season. A-Jay

The possibility exists. However, I purchased this rig specifically for the bigger waters I fish and with big water comes waves. Part of the deal. Having a boat capable of safely navigating it, can increase my days on the water. A-Jay

Welcome to the club ~ A-Jay

OK, please allow me to clarify . . . . . When out in sloppy water with waves and wind, often times water can & will wash over the front and or back of the boat. Not the best case scenario. The transom height measurement helps indicate how high up the deck is from the water. In this case, the higher the better or I guess I should say, the drier my day will be. 25 inches is a little taller than the industry standard. A-Jay

Despite the locally disastrous weather, I've delayed putting my rig up for the year hoping to get one or two more trips in before the hard water sets in. Waiting until November here is really hit and mostly miss as there's usually some snow on the road by then. I do not tow in snow. Forecast is actually looking somewhat fisherman friendly next week. Still may try to sneak out this Wednesday for a afternoon trip out onto Lake Menderchuck west. Ended my season on a high note last year there so we'll see what happens. Either way, there'll be some wind and the 25 inch transom of the Pro-V Bass will get a workout. A-Jay

You have NO Idea ! A-Jay

Thanks J A-Jay

Thanks @Tim Kelly That "Stick Bass" cost me my last Fenwick Methods. There's those years in the gym paying off again. Still have 2 GLoomis Escapes left in the quill which is getting dangerously low at this point. Working on a plan to make a full on Mexico rods arsenal purchase of regulars stick as well as greasing a few palms to have them shipped to the lodge. Can't start 'the countdown' just yet as we're seriously considering a November trip next. The Heat on this one was pretty intense. But you know you'll see it here as soon as we book it. A-Jay

My HUK rain gear is basically just a shell; nice stuff. Decent wind blocker for blasting across open water once the temps dip. Second set is Cabelas guidewear and is insulated. It's a few years old now but you'd never know it. Stuff is pretty tuff and get the job done for me. Finally, I am not a huge fan of fishing in super cold or cold wind. Hate fishing in gloves and rarely do it. Line freezing in guides is a PIA. Sounds like your parents have this deal dialed in. A-Jay

I am all about layers as well. But know that rarely will any single gear be very good for either extreme, hot or cold. I use two sets, one for cooler temps that I can also use for warmer temps. Think May & September in Michigan. The second set is actually medium insulated. Layers make it warmer. I do not like heavy bulky gear that limits mobility while fishing. Columbia makes Omni-Heat, great stuff. Light form fitting without constriction and moisture wicking. I never wear cotton anything in the cold. Look into sock liners and over size your cold weather boots at least one size up. Your warm feet will thank you. A-Jay

Thank you. Pretty sure that makes you an instant Best Dad Ever candidate. A-Jay

Here We Go ~ A-Jay

Spent another epic 5 ½ days on the best trophy bass lake on the planet last week. As usual, Big Fish Jeff was right there with me. Once again we stayed at our favorite Lake Baccarac Lodge, the place never disappoints. #bestinbass Air temps were blisteringly hot for mid-October (over 100 everyday) and the fish seems to be spread out. On the points early & late in the day and closer to the deeper drop offs during the day. We used several different presentations & baits to get bites. There was a consistent topwater bite early and late in the day and even got a few good ones right in the middle of the day. Besides poppers, walkers and wakebaits; a Super & Magnum Flukes, spinnerbaits, heavy jigs with a big stick bait trailer and jerkbaits all accounted for too many fish to count with plenty of trophies mixed in. As for tackle, we always use heavy casting gear & 20lb fluorocarbon line (mono or heavy braid for topwater). After market hardware adores most all our baits that use treble hooks, and single hooks deals (jigs, spinnerbaits & Texas rigged plastics) need to be very stout. There's some real brutes inhabiting this big lake and we like to be ready. I had at least one GoPro running the whole time and managed to capture quite a bit of our mutant bass catching action. Accordingly I needed to break this up into two videos, below is part 1 Part 2 can be seen here There’s also “Our Trip in Pictured video” here: Like everyone before it, this whole adventure was truly awesome & hard to describe. Can't wait to head back and am already making plans for the next one. A-Jay

Burned the midnight oil and put the finishing touches this most recent trip video. Coming out as Parts 1 & 2. Also was able to capture some killer pics from the content and will be posting that up as a 'video' as well. Expect you'll see them all later today. It's headed to the reports forum but I'll add the link here as well. A-Jay

Just saw this one. Glad you came through it OK @Paul Roberts Big rain mixed with snow here for several days, over 10 inches of rain. Wish I could send you some. Stay Safe A-Jay