A-Jay

Seems like sometimes it's hard to make the switch in mind set from player to management. May be better off with humans in management who never played the game. We may need to find the NHL equivalent to Bill Belichick before too long .. .. .. .. A-Jay

Yup ~ A-Jay

Sure did ~ and no one consulted with me on either one of those .. .. .. .. .. .. A-Jay

I have the smart strike and I like it. I use it on Helix 10's on most every trip, depending on where & how I'm fishing. It's another tool. How effective it is, may depend on how it's used as well as the end user's ability, knowledge & experience. The more one has - the more one may benefit from this software. The basic searches offer basic possible fish locations. Sometimes there are fish in the area, sometimes there is not. But this may offer a starting point and can give you ideas on other spots to look. However, in the 'advanced search' mode, an angler can input much more in the way of search parameters which could help pattern fish. After using this for about half a fishing season, I'll say that this is not a magic bullet and definitely does not guarantee fish locations. In the hands of a novice, the program may be less applicable. However, with some skill & experience in both real world fish locating & patterning, as well as how to use the program and hummingbird electronics in general, a Basshead could do a little damage. ** Disclaimer *** I've had friends mention that if an angler has the knowledge, skill & experience to input this data accurately, they should be good enough not to need the tool. I can't exactly argue with that mentality but I will still continue to use it. YMMV A-Jay

That was very tight ~ Congratulations to Timmy Horton ! Managed to hold off a lot of great anglers in less than ideal conditions. I am a really enjoying these live tournament & weigh-in broadcasts. A-Jay

Yup ~ But if they get more than they give up - could keep them playing a little longer this spring. A-Jay

Perhaps ~ but the players have to accept at least half the responsibility for poor play. Whatever the reason, while watching todays game, even though the players are the same - they sure looked like a different team .. .. .. A-Jay

I'm a Life Long Bruins fan ~ Been to many games at the old Boston Gardens many times and only once in the new building; but it was when they hung that last banner - Tim Thomas was unconscious during that whole playoff run. I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan around as to how the game has evolved - the elimination of the red line - the ticky-tack stick & holding penalties - all sort of weak. Prefer the old school game, but still watch it when I can. B's beat Dallas on the road today 6-3. Decent game. Seems coaching change gave them a boost. A-Jay

If the Basstraks weighs are even close to accurate, Timmy Horton will no doubt be a little 'tight' at this weigh - in. A-Jay

NEVER DO THIS ! Ever. A-Jay

Coming down to the wire ~ last 30 minutes of live coverage before weigh-in. The Basslive coverage has been decent. No Zona - wife's having a baby. Davy Hite is a Stud. Timmy Horton is working hard to hold off a charging field. The wind is throwing everyone's bite for a serious loop. Weigh-in should be good. A-Jay

No Doubt periodic equiptment maintenance is critical ~ My personal availability schedule is seasonally "built in" - Not really seen as a benefit however. A-Jay

Not for me. YMMV A-Jay

Depended on this brand to get me home alive for many years while on the North Atlantic. Been very satisfied with these so far on sweet water too. A-Jay

I use the rod in the link for the 1.5 & 2.5 squarebills, 1/2 oz RES, and medium diving cranks like the SK 3 & 5XD and the Spro Rock Crawler using 12 - 15lb Seaguar InvisX. And I love it for bombing a 1/2 & 3/4 oz spinnerbaits across a big flat. A-Jay

Hello Mike and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Most every body of water I fish is home to more than a few oversized species other than bass that when hooked can take me pretty deep into any bass sized reels spooled line capacity. So I prefer the extra line capacity that a 3000 offers, especially when using brands where there is little to no extra weight sacrificed. YMMV A-Jay

Solid plan - The management does seem to frown if you repeatedly set off those smoke / fire alarms A-Jay

@"hamma" Nice ~ My boat garage is not heated so I can certainly relate. As an attached part of my dwelling it doesn't get much below 40 degrees out there. Working in & on the boat is doable but still not exactly very comfortable and so how it does feel a lot colder. I really need to add hair / marabou jigs to my arsenal as well; especially around the cool water brown bass. I'm looking forward to seeing a few of your "hamma" hair jigs and more importantly the Fatties they will no doubt choke them down. A-Jay

I fish all the bait's you listed on 3 of these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00688XYV0/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_56?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3NU6AZPJLBBJ0 btw - the man who helped develop this stick knows a whole lot more about the subject than me - and the price is Killer ! A-Jay

Looks like a decent & productive outing. Congrats "Cue the Hot Fat" A-Jay

Good Luck Kent A-Jay

As a jerkbaits user & abuser myself, having baits that perform correctly is no doubt important. As long as a bait runs & tracks true It's usually good for me. A slow rise or fall is also usually OK. However perfectly level suspension may be an excellent way to catch fisherman, it may not be all that an important characteristic when it comes to drawing strikes. When I think about it, and I've seen it in person a few times, when a baitfish is making a last ditch effort to avoid being swallowed whole, they may perform any manner of maneuvers in order to facilitate survival. Level suspension is rarely one of them .. .. .. .. .. A-Jay

Last October, in a thread titled The Final Push, the discussion centered around the excitement (and sorrow) that is often associated with the last few weeks of bass fishing before hard water. This is coming at you from the other end. This current hard water season, like most all of them in the past, has seen me taking necessary steps to have my rods, reels & all things bass tackle related, in preparation for the next fishing season. Clearly not something I’ve cornered the market on. The following is simply offered as food for thought and hopefully may have some sliver of entertainment value. Performed in sort of a ritualistic manner, I’ll start slow and continue to pace myself as not to ‘get done’ too early. Keeping busy with readying the gear seems to ease the temporary void left in my soul, until I can chunk & wind on something again. Cleaning rods & servicing reels, purchasing & replacing favorite baits, emptying & cleaning out both the Lund & the Old Town and then inspecting, organizing & re-stowing the gear (especially safety purposed stuff) and scrutinizing & replacing worn trebles, all feels therapeutic. As is the time spent in more of an administrative capacity reviewing & updating registrations and insurance policies, purchasing the next seasons state fishing license(s), and one of my favorites indoor during sub-zero temperature pastimes by a flaming wood stove – pouring over & studying both old & new lake contour maps. Another good way to usefully occupy some time for me and something that definitely pays off in the long run with less lost early season fishing time, usually includes lunch on the road & a tank of gas. As the weather slowly warms (relative term) and the access roads to the lakes become passable, I’ll get out & about in the truck to check the condition of them, including the ramps themselves. Some of these bodies of water are a bit of a hike, making it a major bummer to pull up to a place, boat in tow, full of excitement and ready to fish, only to find the road & / or ramp totally washed out or somehow otherwise unusable. Some other steps of preparation include truck & trailer(s) tire air pressure, bearing grease level, and trailer hitch & coupler operating condition. The last thing I usually do is spool on the new line on the reels that need it; and that ALWAYS feels real good. And so All this leads up the faithful day when the hard water is finally gone and I can hopefully put that Frabil to work. My early season choice of techniques & possible bait selection are often dictated by the lake I’m on, whether I’m targeting green or brown bass, as well as a many of the common parameters including water temp & clarity. I’d have to anticipate that many of the same deals listed in last years end of season post ‘Most Productive Baits’ will be players again this year – even early season. And over the winter I’ve added a few new models to my line up. Although the bait monkey didn’t have quite the same grip on my throat as he has had in the past, he still did a little damage; to the tune of a few Megabass Jerkbaits ( my first) and a different style of bladed jig manufactured in Japan, as well as a couple of GoPro cameras and a YoloTek Boom camera mount. So I’ll be looking forward to seeing how that works out. Perhaps almost as big an anticipation as the upcoming season itself, is looking forward to using the trolling motor mounted Humminbird 360. The unit was installed while the Lund was being winterized, so although I’ve almost got the user’s guide committed to memory, I’ve yet to get it wet. High Hopes. There you have it, fellow iced in Bassheads, the reality of a shredded thumb may not be that far off. A-Jay

Buy new hooks. A-Jay