A-Jay

Swinghead works ~ A-Jay

When marriage is a relationship and an existence that embodies all the warm and precious values that grow out of human companionship, love & devotion it stands the test of time. Congratulations to you both. A-Jay

Interesting thread with so much bonus information ~ I like it. Right off, I do not fish derbies, so what follows may not be applicable there. This is more along the lines of 'An Approach' to it all I guess. So Fishing Fast, Fishing Slow - and fishing everything in between; for the way I fish, I've not seen it to be beneficial to focus on any one of these exclusively. Clearly there are times where one 'speed' may be more productive than another and I am a proponent of covering and /or eliminating water. So there's certainly a time & place for fishing with a good pace to help support that objective. By and large I prefer to seek whatever the 'biggest' bass an area / spot may hold, and not sore lip a bunch of keepers looking for her; which in my mind, may be the same as alerting her to my presence. Perhaps if she was a true trophy, one not caught before, old & wary, she may be the fish that leaves once the machine gunning casting an area to a froth starts or the buzz from the trolling motor going on & off is heard/felt, or the tick tick from the sonar comes into play. By fishing the spot on the spot - first, with whatever I believe the best presentation to meet the goal may be, is what I'm focusing on. The speed of it - fast, slow or something else, although perhaps predetermined in advance, is totally optional and can (and often is) modified or even completely changed on the fly. However, I could be burning a spinnerbait at warp speed or slow crawling a hair jig, the approach is still the same. Engaged, watchful & alert. Finally, I will say that something I have surely benefited from in recent years, was to Slow Down My Mind while I'm fishing; to be present in the moment, if you will. Allows me to focus better, be more observant and take advantage of deals I may have otherwise missed. Staying cool, calm & collect during a spirited battle with a big fish helps as well - don't freak out Jerry ! I will admit to flipping out pretty good once Nadine was in the net though . . . A-Jay

I purchase at least 85-90 % of all my fishing gear on line. There's only one local option other than the generic box stores within several hours drive. Having just opened back up, I went into the only local sporting goods store last week. I can usually re-supply some terminal tackle if needed and some soft plastics. The available stock was minimal- -I'd used the term "sad". Guessing perhaps 25% of what it usually is. TW, as well as some of the other on line tackle vendors I use, are a bust recently; low stocks and very long delays in order processing/shipping. I've resorted to purchasing anything I 'need' quickly on E-Bay. I know they have it and the shipping times are at least reasonable. A-Jay

@Plumb Boatin' Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ I have an Old Town Predator square back that I purchased new in 2007. Super stable and an over all Great rig: it's still going strong. I run it both with & with out a trolling motor. It's not the easiest or smoothest rig to paddle but if you're up for it, it's doable. A Minn Kota 50 lb when I'm not paddling. I added a small tool caddy and a rod holder unit. I've posted a few videos here of trips where I fish alone & some with my wife. I've got a lot of hours in the Old Town. Here's a few pic's and a link to some video. A-Jay

If you fancy a quality round reel (I do Big Time), the Calcutta 200D offers a bit more line capacity, a little slower gear ratio at 5.7:1, is built like a Tank and right around the same price point as the bantum mgl. I have several and love every one. btw - even if you think it is - please do not say "it's too heavy" A-Jay

While I don't like 'having' to use it, there are times where it really does help quite a bit. As mentioned here a few times, Loktite works well. It's fast, secure and doesn't seem to 'build up' on a bait too badly, provided I take my time (and use my readers) when applying it. Will admit to gluing myself to a bait or two, as well as temporarily joining a some digits together, especially in the colder weather. A-Jay

I did cast, several times in fact. Just didn't catch a whole lot this trip. Just one of 'those days' I guess. A-Jay

No Doubt. The MagnaFlex was an EBay purchase where they were basically giving it away. Purchase a few years back - after I had written off the first versions of FC - kept breaking off. Was making me crazy ! Mostly backing, big swimbait & topwater line at this point. A-Jay

After a somewhat delayed start, Lynn and I spent the later portion of the morning and half the afternoon on Lake Menderchuck south in the Old Town Canoe. There was plenty of summer sun as well as an abundance of wind; which seemed to build as the day wore on. This trip was all about getting Lynn on a spinnerbait bite and conditions seems about right; at least at the start. Armed with a ‘custom’ bait & rig, she went to work. Didn’t take long either. A-Jay

That is wonderful news. A-Jay

Can't make that decision for you. A-Jay

Almost btw - I love this stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Seaguar-1000-Yards-Fluorocarbon-Fishing-15-Pound/dp/B0094FLO1G/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=tatsu&qid=1593214068&sr=8-3 A-Jay

Couldn't really get a weight on this one but she was all I wanted on 10# FC. A-Jay

My wife broke in her new hat in style yesterday ~ A-Jay

So glad she's no longer in pain. Certainly hoping for better days ahead for you both. Stay Safe @jbmaine A-Jay

Nice Musky ~ Congrats A-Jay

These baits are so versatile and yet unique, they can be fished on just about any thing you’d like to throw it on. Is one type “Better” than another? Who Knows? I use what I like and what I have confidence it – that goes for all my fishing and I’d encourage that mind set to anyone & everyone who is willing to listen. What one angler uses and even has success with, may not be right for another. So use what you like. Here's what I like – Rod, Reel & line. I totally prefer moderate action rods for single hook moving baits. (And many treble hook baits for that matter). And well before I settled on the one mentioned below, I was like many anglers in that I was totally unsure what to use or what I would prefer. So after ‘reading’ and watching too many videos, I just went ahead and purchased and then fished a graphite (St Croix), 100 % Glass (Lamiglas) & a Composite stick (Quantum). Needed to be able to compare them- side by side. Only way I could expect to answer the question. In the end, they all worked OK, but I settled on the composite. Just has the right combination of castability, sensitivity, hook setting and fish fighting ability. So, I sold the graphite stick and ‘retired’ the glass ones. I use the same rod (and Reel) for spinnerbaits & vibrating jigs as well as squarebills, shallow & medium diving crankbaits. A 7’4” MH Composite Quantum KVD Crankbait rod. I use & prefer a ‘slower’ reel. Helps keep me from fishing the bait to ‘fast’. Something I continue to struggle with and always need to pay attention to; especially after I get a few. I use a Shimano Calcutta 200D round reel. Has a 5.7:1 ratio. I love these reels. A pleasure to chunk & wind all day. As for line, I prefer Fluorocarbon; specifically, Seaguar InvisX or Tatsu in 15lb. Done. A-Jay

Nope, you're the only guy. A-Jay

@EzyEric ~ Yes, I do fish jerkbaits 'all season long' but the vast majority of the plus sized brown bass I hunt with them, comes early & late season. Additionally, the wild and frenetic pace/action required to illicit a strike with a jerkbait during the warmer water periods, takes a toll on the wrist & forearms. So it's not a presentation I routinely use for an entire day or a few days in a row. Local smallies here go 'deep', like dropshot only kind of deep, for much of the summer. Early and late in the day they might be coaxed into a coming up for a jerkbait, but there usually seems like there's more ligament & tendon friendly methods of getting a bite then too. Don't mean to sound like a wimp, but if you've not done the high speed WACK WACK WACK jerkbait deal for 3 or 4 straight hours, try it. Harder than Deep Cranking or even the A-Rig IMO. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

sí ~ 113 Days & a Wake Up A-Jay