A-Jay

Sounds like it might depend on how big the ski is. I suppose I would ask in advance. Don't want to mess that one up. A-Jay

Before the Pro-V Bass came into the picture, the Old Town Canoe and Fish small waters exclusively. Both night & day trips, and it was fun. My tackle matched where & what I was fishing. Overall baits were a little smaller in size & profile, but not always. Currently, the canoe has been relegated to Lake Minichuck use only. As I paddle my wife around its perimeter looking for mostly keeper-sized green bass and the occasional disproportionately large pike. Stick baits, swim jigs, Texas-rigged plastics, and vibrating jigs dominate. Sometimes a spinnerbait gets in on the action. A-Jay

In a couple of weeks, before I go out and hammer a 25 or 30 lb bag of plus sized brown bass. I'll take a picture of the dark parking lot at the Lake Menderchuck boat ramp when I pull in at 0345 am. It will be 25 degrees out, snowing, and the water temp will be 41. There will be no docks in yet, so I will be launching solo with waders on and a headlamp. Besides the turkey, deer, raccoon, rabbits, and skunks, you can let me know if you see anyone else in the picture. I love AI but don't count on it to provide the end user with intestinal fortitude. A-Jay

Workout Day 1 ~ While many view a life of discipline through a lens of sacrifice, I see it as a profound investment in my own freedom. By prioritizing a clean diet and the steady iron of resistance training over the fleeting pleasures of late nights or indulgence, I haven’t given anything up; rather, I’ve traded the temporary for the enduring. At 66, these choices are the daily rewards that grant me a higher quality of life, proving that the true luxury of my golden years is the strength and vitality to fully inhabit them. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Nope. I'm done with that. I said this before and I'll say it again. Watching a Bruce Lee movie doesn't suddenly turn anyone into a Kung Fu master. A-Jay

Sweet-looking rig right there ! Congrats A-Jay

Yup A-Jay

I fish clear water for smallmouth. And love a wide open topwater bite. The baits pictured have been producers for me. A-Jay

Welcome to my nightmare ~ 🥶 A-Jay

Yesterday was really nice, at least for here. Air temps almost 60. I put up the snowblower for the season. Always a risky move. Also started all the lawn equipment. Good to go there. Did I mention there's still quite a bit of snow on the ground? Either way, I pulled the driveway markers and topped off the boat trailer tire PSI. Then, at the end of the day, a local Ice fisherman posted a picture on FB of one the Lake Menderchuck's ice thickness. Might be a while yet. A-Jay

This life is the ultimate challenge. From the very beginning and all the way through to the very end. A-Jay

@thediscochef What a Tank ! And on Topwater to Boot. Congrats on the new PB. A-Jay

I have never been able to gain any confidence in the straight hook / snell knot-rigged bait. No question it's an effective approach, but I'm a gumby man. So for that reason alone I skip right past it. Big EWG user with the exception being a light-wire straight hook drop shot rigs. A-Jay

If I had to pick a "Favorite" Big Bass bait for Lake Baccarac, these would be very close to, if not at the top of, the list. It's a custom A-Jay deal. I call it "estúpido." 177 Days and a Wake - Up And that wake-up deal is really BS. There's no way I'm actually sleeping night before we fly out. A-Jay

I've also only used the Original for bass fishing. I did hear the crayfish scent is pretty good on a Ritz cracker though. 🤓 A-Jay

What is that strange but attractive GREEN colored matter on the ground in the background? A-Jay

I started this thread four years ago during a season of deep fear and desperation. So much has happened since then, but the strength of this community has remained a constant anchor for me. I find myself returning to these words often—especially today. It’s a powerful reminder that there is an entire community of incredible people navigating this same path. Each of you is truly special. Understanding the reality of "this deal" helps me to keep moving forward. I recently came across this, and it captures the truth of our journey far more honestly than I ever could: "Being the primary caretaker for a spouse is a profound act of love, yet it often initiates a difficult transformation that blurs the lines between partner and caregiver. This shift can be emotionally devastating, as the romantic dynamic is replaced by one centered on nursing, managing medications, and navigating complex medical systems. Caregivers frequently deal with the "G" word—guilt—experiencing it when they take time for themselves or, conversely, when they feel resentment at the loss of their own autonomy and freedom. The 24/7 nature of this responsibility can lead to severe isolation, as friends and family may not understand the depth of the burden or because the caregiver no longer has the energy for social interaction, leading to emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion. The trials are deeply personal, involving the grief of watching a loved one’s health decline while simultaneously mourning the loss of the companionship, intimacy, and shared future the couple once had. It is a "marathon" that often requires the caregiver to become a patient advocate, nurse, housekeeper, and emotional anchor all at once, leading to a state of being "burned out," similar to a candle that has lost its wick. Despite the profound love involved, the caretaker often faces the hidden, painful feelings of anger and exhaustion, sometimes struggling with the resentment that comes from being trapped in a life that is, as many feel, "not fair." Balancing this demanding role while attempting to maintain a loving, non-caregiver relationship with their wife remains one of the hardest challenges, often requiring professional support to survive." A-Jay

Probably not the best week to clean up the truck. But I can already hear Lake Mendechuck melting away from here ! A-Jay

Congrats on continuing to head in the right direction. Attitude is everything. Good Luck with those crazy Brown Bass . . . A-Jay

Posted in the wrong thread.. Sorry, carry on. A-Jay

Bringing this one back because I have been contemplating adding it to my rig. However, after a little research, I learned that if & when the trolling motor shear pin breaks (not a completely common occurrence, but it does happen), removing the T-H Marine G-Force Eliminator Prop Nut can be a little tricky. The G-Force Eliminator is designed to be hand-tightened and usually eliminates the need for tools. If the pin breaks, the prop and nut may spin together, making it impossible to hold the shaft with a screwdriver. Potential Solutions: Cut the Prop: Many anglers report having to cut the propeller off to gain access to the nut. Use a Pliers/Socket: Some users suggest using an oil filter wrench to attempt removal, according to. Drill/Cut the Nut: In extreme cases, drilling out the prop nut or using a reciprocating saw is necessary. All of this sounds like a giant PIA for a repair job that normally takes 2 minutes to complete. Has anyone run into this deal yet ? Thank in advance A-Jay ***Edit*** I just answered my own question. Bob’s Machine Shop prop nut has an opening in the center to insert a screwdriver should you happen to shear a pin. Never mind. https://bobsmachine.com/product/bobs-trolling-motor-prop-nut/

Workout Day 4 ~ The journey continues. #borninfiftynine A-Jay

Before the advent of the AT4, I drove 4 Denali pickups and one Yukon Denali XL. 3 years each . Denali is nice. Yukon is not my style; plus, it made all my dogs sick (#puke). I'm on my second AT4 and it's a totally different ride. Softer, especially on anything other than pavement. I'd never go back. Good Luck with the Dodge. A-Jay

Got "The" email from GMC today. The plan is coming together. I love being in the loop. A-Jay, from this moment on, your excitement only grows. Your customized 2026 GMC Sierra order has been scheduled for production, which means our GMC experts are getting ready to build your vehicle. We’ll deliver further updates as your GMC continues its journey to you. A-Jay

The GMC & I visited local Lake Menderchuck this morning. Once we got on the road, the snow flurries didn't exactly heighten my mood. Todays picture sort of reveals that we do live 100 or so miles north of Toronto, Canada. Pretty sure there's an access point over there somewhere. 🤓 A-Jay