A-Jay

Dude ~ You gotta go to the Chili Festival - Just stay up wind . . . A-Jay

After landing a new home state smallie PB earlier today, I didn’t think my day could really get any better, but it did. Big Time ! There, sitting on my stoop, was the unmistakable white pvc tube that can really only be one thing – A new rod. “ I didn’t order a rod ?” I said out loud as I pulled in the drive. . . . . . Thank you Glenn & Bass Resource and obviously a very special “Well Done” is in order for @Alpster for a truly quality and ‘made for me’ custom build and one of a kind rod. Please know – you made this Retired Coast Guardsman very happy. I don’t talk about my Coast Guard career much on the forum, but truth be told, everything I have & everything I am as a Man, I owe to that service. It literally saved me. As a younger human I had made some poor decisions that were leading me in the wrong direction. The best thing I ever did was take the oath of enlistment and commit myself to the cause. The journey lasted over 28 years. Crazy how it flew by and much of it now seems like a dream. All my assignments were up & down the east coast from Maine to South Carolina; each saw me conducting & or planning Search & Rescue, participating in Federal Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement, Migrant interdiction, even did 2 tours as a Drill Instructor – which was demanding & very rewarding. Saved some people, caught some bad guys & worked alongside and learned from some of the most honorable, committed & dedicated humans I could have ever imagined; even managed to have some fun along the way. All the while I had the distinct honor of having the privilege of making the sacrifice to serve this great country. I’d do it all over again in one second. I am very proud of my service and having such a wide array of assignments is in line with the Coast Guard’s motto of Semper Paratus – meaning Always Ready. It’s a tough thing to do – being always ready. But even now, that phase is something I live by and still strive for every day. That fact that you chose to inscribe this on my rod means more to me than you will ever know. I get choked up just typing that. So THANK YOU One & ALL – This high speed Rain Shadow Blank, with it’s very Killer reel seat & split grip will no doubt be my New Jig Rod. A-Jay

A 5.11lb & and a 6.21lb - which just happens to be my New Michigan Smallie PB ~ Oh Yea ! A-Jay

Planned on hitting it at dawn, but the 30 degree air temps had me rethinking my decision. Instead, I dragged my feet with the hopes that the sun would warm things up a little. It did, but the tradeoff was a semi-stiff NE wind – not a fan. The hour or so ride to the lake went quickly and I was on the water @ 9:30 or so. This is the place that “I had a Day” a couple of weeks ago, so expectations were high. I was not disappointed. Started off slow, a walleye, a few pike and then . . . .Boom. The strike I’ve been waiting ten years for. Six pounds of awesome northern Michigan Smallie. This bass fought just hard enough to take me to my knees, especially after I got a good look at her. Once in the net, she was stout & totally gorgeous. I was pretty pumped. She yanked the scale down to 6.21lbs. A new Michigan Smallmouth Personal Best. The Perch Megabass jerkbait accounted for this catch, along with another very respectable smallie. That one weighed 5.11 lbs. These were the only two bass I got all day. You know who’s not complaining ? This Guy ! Here's a Pic of a decent double. A-Jay and btw way once I got home - there was a very special 'package' waiting for me - more on that in another thread - wow !

Hey, look what you can do ~ ! Two PB's ~ That's a heck of a good day Congrats A-Jay

Another PSA ~ Always and I do mean Always, Apply your Facial Sunscreen BEFORE using the Megastrike ~ A-Jay

If you are determined to purchase a budget Life Jacket - I'd encourage you to consider a non-inflatable Type III. They can usually be purchase for less than $20 and If you wear it - It will do the job. http://www.cabelas.com/product/boating/life-jackets-vests/fishing-boating-life-jackets|/pc/104794380/c/104741280/sc/104328180/cabelas-deluxe-adult-flotation-vest/733800.uts btw -this ones pretty spiffy . . .

Giovanni ~ What are we doing ? A-Jay

I used to be in the crowd to - but if you want to really put a hurting on then - break out the buggy whip. And I'm a hack fly casting - all you have to do is get it 20 feet or so away from the boat and let it sit - Slurp ! btw - I catch walleye during the hatch all the time. Maybe this season I can get some of the action on video - usually happens at sunset so we'll see. A-Jay

We have a rather intense Mayfly hatch here. (next full moon actually) While this is going on THE ONLY way I can get bit is to break out the fly rod. But, I'm here to tell ya - for Big Smallies - It's Totally worth it. A-Jay

Of course Just kidding. A Slug-go accounted for 2 DD bass for me. One as a Spinnerbait trailer & the other was riding on the back on a Scrounger. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I like the idea & the sentiment behind it. Please let me know how we can donate. A-Jay

I am ~ But there's really no need to advertise it . . . . . A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

For me this comes down to priorities. And mine start with my own safety first and then for the safe handling of the fish. That said, I feel confident that I'm taking reasonable care to handle & release the fish responsibly. When landing a fish caught on a bait with treble hooks, after netting it in a Frabill Conservation series net, it's placed on a clean, food grade non-toxic silicone mat, I then use a Boga grip to hold / maintain control of the fish. I choose to use a 'hemostat' type pliers to remove the hooks. This is a light wire tool that does not possess much in the way of grip, so care & finesse are required to back out the hooks. This ends up being a little easier on the fish, (and the hooks) as well as being safer for me. This process keeps me away from the trebles mostly, and allows for minimal handling of the bass. Beyond whatever damage the treble hooks inflicted, I have not ever noted additional injury or hardship to the fish as a result of this process. If there is any at all, I have to believe that it's fairly minimal and I'm perfectly willing to accept that. YMMV A-Jay

Unfortunately it was getting dark so I had the cameras off. But even if they had been on, after the family friendly edit, the video would have been a 'Beep" fest. Or perhaps even better, I could over lay the "Agony of Defeat" sound bite. A-Jay

My Last Cast of my last trip - that's how I knew it was time to go . . . . . . My bait clipped a GroPro mount on the 'launch. Reel Blew Up. I made the 'are you kidding' me face, unceremoniously 'placed' the rig in the rod locker & went home. Tried unsuccessfully to pick it out the next day but eventually ended up taking the scissors to the spool which resulted in 12lb flouro all over the garage floor. Good Times. A-Jay

Nice Bass ~ Congrats A-Jay

I started wearing them a few years ago ~ now there's almost always one on my grill. (which I do pull down for fish pics) Honestly I sort of feel half-naked without one. Seems a lot more appealing to me than slathering up my mug with 50 SPF Mayo . . . . A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello and welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

@Fishin' Fool clearly does not need any help from me or anyone else - #whackingtanks ! A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay