A-Jay

I torqued my knee pretty good a couple summers ago climbing off my rig. It blew up like a balloon and took way too long to heal. Still isn't 100% but it's close. Either way, after that carnage, I installed trailer steps. Wish I had done it before I jacked myself up. PSA - if you even think you need these - you do. A-Jay

We just lost one of the good ones. RIP Sir. 😪 A-Jay

Now where have I heard that before ? 🤔 A-Jay

The color thing might be some kind of code. Maybe there's a special ring that you're supposed to blow in to get the translation. Check the very bottom of a box of Captain Crunch. If you know, you know. A-Jay

I wear spectacles myself now. Don't wear my everyday lenses on the boat as I have 'readers' in all my sunglasses. Could not fish without them. Even the ones for driving. https://onos.com/ 😎 A-Jay

Big water mid summer smallmouth have been my nemesis for a long time. So much so that I reserve most recent efforts to only a few trips and they are always super early first light or late last light deals. However, 20 up to 4 lbs - That right there sounds like a good time to me ~ And if you have some healthy, shallow water habitat, I'd encourage you to sneak in there at first light and poke around a little. IME, presence of the right bait can trump hot water almost every time, especially late summer. They don't have to stay in there long, but they have to eat. Be careful though, you might get your arm broke. A-Jay

My rig came with 5, I guess they're plastic, cup holders. One positioned at the bow I use for hook removal tools. One located at the Helm area I actually use as designed. Three others positioned between the seats, have been designated bait/lure drying stations. (unless there's precipitation). So cut it off, drop it in the cup holder to dry and then return it to proper box. Usually happens when I get home and definitely before I get underway again. Anything with a skirt get extra time. Works OK. A-Jay

Past several seasons, routinely right around this time, the bigger Brown Bass start thinking about coming in shallow again, and I start getting the 'the itch'. I've mentioned this a few times already throughout this thread. But pumping out an updated version every year helps get the juices flowing even more. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/211811-brown-bass-tools-~-questions-answers/page/10/#findComment-3094040 Each season has proven to be a little different as far as weed die off, amount of shallow bait, and numbers of big brown bass that invade the places I looking for them. So I go early and as often as I can to increase my odds. Last season we had 'company', so I pretty much missed the best part of this bite. Fortunately, this particular late summer season, I'm in a much better position to be on the water quite a bit more. And to say I'm pumped up, is an understatement. Especially after what for me, was a somewhat underwhelming pre spawn bite. Crazy destructive ice storm we had here was mostly to blame for that deal. Either way, my gear is primed and ready. I've already made my first RECON trip out onto the better areas of Lake Menderchuck and found a mostly positive habitat with very little in the way of "well that's not good' stuff. First light topwater is my favorite presentation this time of year as super early morning air temps are quite fisherman friendly. Unlike the pre-spawn scene, where I'm often wearing a snow suit. Lingering cloud cover/fog can be a good thing. A south or south west wind - Sun or clouds, is often even better. I'll chunk & wind in that stuff until one or both of my arms fall off. I have a few favorite horizontal moving baits when it's nice and shloppy; A wiggle wagon moved just fast enough to tick the tops of submerged vegetation and spinnerbait burned along up high in the water column are often major players. If & when the opportunity presents itself, meaning when the conditions seem right, I have a couple of old/new deals I'm seeking to deploy in an effort to broaden my big brown bass potential. I will however, be reserving the right to retain this info until such time that it's determined not to be a Crash & Burn Scenario. Had more of those than I'd like to admit. Fish Hard A-Jay https://youtu.be/E8UfnBPoH-M?feature=shared

I happen to really like both St Croix and Shimano. So I could only feel comfortable reccomending them. ST Croix Legend Tournament Sticks And Shimano Bantum MGL A Casting reels. Done. Good Luck A-Jay

Perfect. Quite a while back, I learned that one the old fashion way . . . . Ruined baits. 😔 A-Jay

Passed on todays training. This is strictly designed to align my workouts and off days for next week with the best fishing days. Man's gotta have priorities. Be back at it tomorrow morning. A-Jay

I went this route and it's a nice system. However, as a friendly PSA, I highly encourage placing only totally dry baits into the mercerized fabric & plastic pockets. If there is wetness involved, over time, badness happens. A-Jay

As a spinnerbait user and abuser I have a few. My box or boxes of choice, are simple Plano units. One pretty old one and 3 of the a more recent model. (3505) All employ a bait hanging type deal which allows the baits to remain mostly untangled and can promote a faster drying time. Both features I'm looking for here. I do use a 3504 (not pictured) which a smaller version when fishing out of the Old Town Canoe https://youtu.be/E8UfnBPoH-M?feature=shared&t=683 A-Jay

If you're like me and you were born in the 50's, grew up in the 60's and made it into 2025, we've lived in eight different decades, two centuries, two millenniums, and we're not even 80 yet. How did we make it this far ? ? ? A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

You know I can't get bit on a WP Because you have all mine. You're so very welcome. A-Jay

Nice and I like your style ~ A-Jay

The wildly productive early season Lake Menderchuck one two punch of a jerkbait and a wiggle wagon continued again this spring. However as we slid into the summer season, I have reaquainted myself with the wacky rig. For quite some time, I pretty much despised fishing a stick bait of any kind. Really can't articulate as to why. But one day a while back, I just woke up hating them. Either way, it's seems to have run it's course and I'm now setting my sights on sticking a few big brown bass this fall on one. Did a little R & D recently and after some minor tackle modifications I'm feeling pretty spunky. So the old/new A-Jay says "I love me some wacky" So there's that. More to follow A-Jay

Pull 1 workout for this one. So everything Back & Biceps right here. 4 working sets of the movements scheduled got it done. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Nice ~ I got this one just because of the name. Had NO choice. A-Jay

I tried a hand pump for the trailer tires once . . . . Once. 1 psi was 50 pumps ! I required 4 psi. Needed those triceps that day. 🤪 A-Jay

Interesting. Price increase on either end cause a strain However, if 'companies' were real concerned about the consumer, especially the larger ones, they could always take the hit themselves. Do annual profits Always need to be through the roof ? How about just eating any and all increase costs caused by tarrifs - so they get a little less profit. They will be fine and they'll continue to sell products. Might even gain a few new and brand loyal customers along the way. Passing on the cost is weak salad and just an ANOTHER excuse to raise prices. IMO, they don't need to, they choose to. OK, I'm done. #shareholdersarenotyourfriend A-Jay

Hello George and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Went with the wacky rig this morning. Bumped into a couple dozen keeper green bass. Retained 3 in the pool. They'll be introduced to the Ducane gas grill later today. Cue the hot fat ! 👨‍🍳 A-Jay

Agreed, but I'm pretty sure that's part of his shtick. A-Jay