A-Jay

^^^^ This for me as well ~ A-Jay

That's fair question and one where the 'answer' maybe pretty tricky to define as it can mean something quite different to each of us. Here's my version of it. Being a good Bass angler is a multistep process that takes a while to get a handle on. It's much more of a journey than something that has an ending, I'm always 'learning'. Part of the appeal in my mind. So 'becoming a strong bass angler' has many 'steps' that a potential basshead needs to become proficient at, long before there are any thing close to consistent bass catches. Before I continue, for most of the strongest bass anglers I know, the driving force to what keeps them heading out on the water, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year and decade after decade . . . . . is PASSION. If there is not at least a little to begin with, it can make 'the process' even more daunting. A little passion can certainly be cultivated into more or even wild levels as time goes on, but having it embedded down deep within a human spirit will make keeping your nose to the grind stone seem fun - at least some of the time. So as for the many steps - to start there are just the basics, some examples include but are not limited to (depending on your situation and where/how you fish) tying effective knots, casting accurately, learning about the life cycle of a bass and the baits/prey they will most likely be seeking, how & when they feed. There are quite a bit more but I hope you get the idea. As mentioned here already, there's no replacement for time on the water, but there's plenty of learning and preparation that happens long before any floating occurs. Besides passion, most all of the characteristics that can make us successful in life, can apply to becoming a strong bass angler. Optimism The biggest successes often start out as fantastical goals. In some cases, those goals have seemed so out there that others have called them impossible. Having a sense of optimism and a belief in ourselves can be very empowering. There's plenty of negativity out there, block it out. Persistence Every successful person has experienced failure—multiple times, and in multiple ways. What separates them from the rest isn’t that they fail less; it’s that they persist more. When faced with a setback—even a large one—those who succeed don’t let it stop them from continuing forward. Creativity Those who have a capacity to think originally have a greater chance of success. When faced with an obstacle to your goal, don’t just go through a checklist of ways to solve the problem. Try thinking of the problem—and its possible solutions—in a Your Own Way. You Tube does not have solutions to ever bass fishing challenge. Sometimes we need to put our head down, fish hard and figure it out on our own. Self-Discipline Being on the water on time, ensuring your rig & gear are maintained so that it can perform as you need it to. Having situational awareness on the water can be huge. A strong Bass Angler is nothing without his or her tools. Have the self discipline to manage that. A Desire to Improve Successful people don’t consider themselves to be perfect. Even if they have great confidence in their abilities, they still work to improve, identifying where they have weaknesses and doing what they need to do to strengthen themselves. A Commitment to Learning Knowledge is confidence. the more we know about a given scenario the better results we can expect when it comes to handling it, adapting to it as needed and more importantly, repeating the success that comes form it. Finally, bass fishing and bass catching are at opposite ends of this sport/hobby. Regardless of everything written here and everywhere else, there is ALWAYS far more bass fishing than there will ever be bass catching. If we don't love the process and being on what sometimes can be a long road, getting from one to the other, IMO we miss the best part. Fish Hard and Good Luck A-Jay

Pull 2 workout today. Started this one off with my version of the Landmine Row. I prefer the V-bar grip as it emphasizes a comfortable neutral hand position while targeting multiple muscles in the back. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Happy Birthday Young Man ! (see what I did there ?) A-Jay

Sampo has been the gold standard for ball bearing swivels for a long time. Over 100 years I think. https://www.samposwivels.com/products/sampo-products/snap-swivels SPRO also makes a high quality unit as well. https://www.spro.com/collections/swivels IME, you can't go wrong either way. A-Jay

Sweet ~ A-Jay

I'm one of Those People too. https://youtu.be/E8UfnBPoH-M?feature=shared&t=1181 A-Jay

I'd like to recommend sending it all in care of @king fisher. He seems very deserving. 😎 A-Jay

'Worth' is almost always a personal preference. I have had quite a bit of success on plus size brown bass with other Megabass baits. The fit and finish is high quality and in the clear waters I fish, I believe that it might help seal the deal for potential biters. Incidentally , I have a metric ton of Strike King and KVD other bait; lipples, crank and jerkbaits. They catch plenty of fish for me too. In fact the Sexy Dawg is my favorite walking bait. So much so that I sold off ALL my Megabass walkers because the SK's got way more bites. But when it comes to poppers, the Pop Max seems to have the right size, profile and sound. This might all be complete bunk. But it's the kind of bunk that has me using my net, scale and camera - repeatedly. A-Jay

My wife totally takes me to school when it's a flat calm dead stick deal. She's even better when there's some wind. I try to do it, I really do. But like the OP, It's just so hard for me. After like 30 seconds, my left eye starts to twitch, I go into a trance and I begin to speak in tongues. #glossolalia 😵 A-Jay

Hello Steve and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I tried dead sticking a buzzbait for two hours . . . . Nothing ! 🤪 A-Jay

Yes 100's and 200's. The 100's are nearing the end of the line so they are 'resting'. Still fish the 200's though. Both locally and abroad, if I can ever get back there. A-Jay

Hello Eric and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Congrats on being the very first member to use the term boujee on this forum. A-Jay

These Bantams are very sweet reels I still have the all of the Quantum reels. They may be dated but you helped me keep them rolling along. Tried to give them away- I mean 'sell' them here in the BR Flea Market forum Didn't happen. https://youtu.be/IqhcVViEGu8 https://youtu.be/T5P2DcJ5d5A https://youtu.be/U6GV0ITyFz8 https://youtu.be/WZ2gG6O8exY https://youtu.be/fcWSM0NGHmE https://youtu.be/Qhd4GCLP1hs https://youtu.be/TPsTPIXXrzk A-Jay

I do only have one reel ~ well mostly A-Jay

Completed the Push 2 workout today. Hammered out 4 working sets of each of the 3 movements scheduled. Nose to the grindstone. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

If this is the same deal - seems pretty bad. A-Jay

Hello @TBJ Fishing and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ I am a big fan of throwing swingheads for smallmouth myself. It's one of my favorite ways to catch them and I do get my fair share. I've had a few trips where I was jumping off more fish than I'd like. Something that has helped me get a few more in the net is to keep reeling through the entire hookset. Seems the fish often pick these baits up off the bottom from behind and then continue to swim At The Boat. A standard hookset for me was falling short of getting a solid hook up. So cranking through the hookset is standard operating procedure for me now. Here's a little more info https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/211811-brown-bass-tools-~-questions-answers/page/4/#findComment-2467689 Good Luck A-Jay

Where's @halochef when we need him ? https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/184496-rate-the-song-above-you/page/64/#findComment-2850265 A-Jay

This thread certainly is. A-Jay

Completed Leg 2 workout today. Some of these movements might not be consider conventional. However, their level of effectiveness keeps this OG coming back for more. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Good Question ~ Often depends on what time reville was held, if there's actually been any net, scale and camera use, and what the weather for the rest of the week looks like. Routine last cast involves quarter of a tank of gas, adding to the line up of rigs on deck by pulling 4 more out of the rod locker, staring at my gps lake mapping hoping light shines on my marble head, and then after at least one relocation, staying too long with no bites. Either way, it's rarely just one cast. A-Jay

If screws are just 'falling out' of the wooden bunks, sounds like there may be some rotted wood up in there. Partial deterioration at the very least. It's close to impossible to effectively inspect your trailer bunks with the boat on the trailer. Splash your rig somewhere and access the trailers condition. If you simply just 'move' the bunk, to find some 'good wood', and most of the rest of them are ready for replacement, there could be some sadness experienced a little further down the line. I replaced my bunks at the lake. Just have to plan in advance by having what you need. A second set of hands/eyes is helpful as well. Good Luck A-Jay https://youtu.be/h3kMaYvtQOE?feature=shared

I prefer a special concoction made with Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,— For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble. Recipe complements of Billy S. Best stay up wind though . . . . . A-Jay