A-Jay

Spent some quality time underway today. This clip does not include my fishing exploits (shown in a separate video) although it was a relatively slow day. Either way, the new Ultimate Bunk Boards make launching & recovering even easier and the Pro-V Bass & new Mercury ProXS both continue to impress. Specific replacement bunk boards I use ~ https://www.ultimatebunkboards.com/store/supreme-bunk-boards/2x4-supreme-black-detail A-Jay

Yup - Bow's sitting in about 20 inches I guess. Pair of hip boots and I'm golden. Also placed a 'water depth indicator' on my push pole so I know when I'm shallow enough step out of the Lund without filling my boots or worse. With that clear water is hard to identify the depth accurately. Only needed to chill the willie once in 35 degree water & a cold wind to come up with that one. A-Jay

Perhaps consider investing in a shallow water anchoring system.They can be very helpful in many situations - Like yesterday for instance - a pair of 12 ft Minn Kota Talons had me securely pinned down on a mid-lake flat in 8 feet of water in a pretty stiff wind. Now if I could have only kept this toad pinned up . . . . A-Jay

I'm pretty sure I've issued a few warnings regarding that site . . . If you happened to miss them, I apologize. However, in many instances, it's hard to heed. https://www.ebay.com/str/ilovehardbait/JERK-BAIT-MINNOW/_i.html?_storecat=476781011 (oops- there I go again) A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ While I can not offer an accurate price range for an aluminum hull repair, I can tell you that investing in shallow water anchor(s), can virtually illuminate the need for it. (12 Ft Talons pictured) A-Jay

My friend, it may be time for a new wallet ~ A-Jay

I'm going with irresponsible, disrespectful, selfish eye sore Not to mention, I would imagine - illegal. #pathetic. A-Jay

Thanks ~ Docks usually go in here at most state run facilities right before the walleye opener in late May. But with Bass C & R open all year now in MI, many places get them in soon after Ice out. When they come out is a crap shoot really. Each place & year seems different. Either way, launching or recovering on & off the trailer - I always have the hip boots in the Lund. As long as I have sufficient soft water, I can usually make it happen. And now I expect the no dock deal will be even easier. Purchased a Super Stick Push Pole a couple of winters ago - telescopic out to 12 ft. Very helpful here as well. I like that. A-Jay

Been tricky getting out in anything close to fisherman friendly weather for me the past several weeks. Lots of rain and the wind continues to just be relentless. But it is what it is and I go when I can. Earned these. A-Jay

Small vessels in general all posses the same inherent 'dangers', Which can be mitigated some what when operators; Learn and follow applicable boating safety rules and regulations, Have sufficient required and well maintained safety equipment on board and are very familiar with it's use, Do not exceed the limitations of them selves, their vessel or tow vehicle, Maintain situational awareness, Learn the waters they intend to be on BEFORE they get on them, Ensure boat, motor, trailer, tow vehicle are well maintained, File an accurate float plan with a responsible adult Every Trip. A-Jay

Thanks - winds been a bear for sure. Rage bug on a swing head accounted for these fish. There's a video loading that will end up in the reports thread later documenting this one. Here's to some fisherman friendly weather for us both. A-Jay

When you fish all day in tough conditions to get two keeper smallies and you're pretty darn happy about it. A-Jay

Both have there attributes ~ A-Jay

Thank you Lake is sitting low right now at a bit over 50%, but late season upcoming rains have us excited for more water for Lake Baccarac. Storm Narda is tracking up the coast and should provide an early season boost. Generally speaking, we love these storms as it triggers big bite windows as well as keeping temps down. Historically, in season rains always prove a good omen as best seasons have come with rains while the lodge is open. A-Jay

I remember this one... Still seems applicable. A-Jay

This one felt pretty good. Week after next, my travel rods might be in trouble . . . . . A-Jay

The arsenal has grown steadily over the past 12 years or so. Current inventory is sufficient and now it's just a matter of replacing lost or wounded ducks. As for red - not a top producer for me every where but there 2 specific waters I fish for brown bass, where red's the deal. A little weird but I don't fight it. A-Jay

All very interesting responses here so far. While the vibrating jig has come on strong relatively recently, it's actually in it's infancy stage when compared to the spinnerbait. Despite some disagreement about who may have really marketed the first spinnerbaits that started the craze, many bass fishing historians believe that the overhead clothes pin design first came on the scene sometime in the 1940’s; and built momentum into the 1950's. That's quite a head start. So we may still have a lot to learn about the vibrating jig. Admittedly, I've only been throwing the thing for perhaps 3 seasons now and I went mostly fishless with it the whole first one. I have many years on the water with a spinnerbait in my hand and I'm still learning. Where the OP was looking for what one bait can do that perhaps the other one can not ? There may not be much but for me the one characteristic that sticks out is speed. I can burn the heck out of a spinnerbait - just under the surface and it's killer ! Conversely, I can really crawl a vibrating just on or even just off the bottom - and that's been very good as well: especially early & late season. A-Jay

14 Days & a Wake Up ~ A-Jay

I am a vibrating jig user & abuser. I also throw a spinnerbait quite a bit, however I'm looking for the vibrating jig to do 'less'. What I mean by that is, by using a model vibrating jig that has a painted blade (insert Z-Man Jackhammer), I can usually run these baits low & slow, while still getting a decent vibration & action with out so much flash. Granted I could opt for painted spinnerbait blades, but I've not experienced any where near the success with them. Finally, I am also always fishing a vibrating jig around some type of vegetation. While certainly not in the thickest slop, but in & around some medium to lighter bottom weeds. YMMV A-Jay

Old Town Predator Squareback I've added a few 'Mods' over the years A-Jay I do not want to hi-jack this thread ~ PM me for more info if you need to

This is perhaps one of my more creative versions of landing a Pike without a net - Or I guess a big enough net. A-Jay

Something else that could also be "not cheap" is purchasing several different brands / packs of less inexpensive split rings, only to finding out they usually have a one and done life span. Been there myself and have offered the Owner product in an attempt to save you the hassle. A-Jay

New helmets didn't seem to help much tonight. Several players took solid shots to the melon and didn't fair well. A-Jay

Big Swimbait Time for me. A-Jay