A-Jay

The Original Rat-L-Trap is offered in 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 oz. The 1/2 size has been the standard for a long time. A-Jay

I'm hearing some info out of CA that a 10.80 fish was taken recently by FLW pro Cody Meyer. Pictures are impressive. Congrats to Mr Meyer. https://www.facebook.com/CodyMeyerAngler/ A-Jay

Some interesting humans at that particular establishment. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ I don't have the experience needed to comment or recommend that size & type of craft. Many here do and will no doubt offer responses here. Good Luck A-Jay

First off Danny, you, your son & family are in our thoughts. Understanding the power of addiction is important. The following information may help you understand that your son might not be "Choosing" this path. Not an excuse but more in the way of mitigating circumstances. A-Jay Understanding the power of addiction If a loved one suffers from alcoholism or addiction, you may wonder why the person can't or won't stop using a substance that has such negative and dangerous consequences. Chances are the ability to stop abusing the substance is no longer within his or her control. People who develop drug addictions or alcoholism almost always begin with occasional use or experimentation. With continued use, brain structure and function are altered, and they depend on the drug not simply to feel good, but to feel normal. For these individuals, using drugs or alcohol is no longer a choice. When addicted, the drug user will do just about anything to obtain the drug. The drug becomes the most important part of the person's life, overshadowing any other aspect. Research over the last decade reveals that addictive drugs and alcohol alter the function of the brain and the way cells work. As a result, normal thought processes, memory, and emotions are fundamentally affected and changed permanently. The person with addiction appears to risk his or her own survival to use the drug. Because the emotional and physical "need" to drink or use drugs becomes stronger than any natural drives, like that for food or sex, the overpowering drive to drink or use drugs becomes an involuntary one. Desire always there When the brain has experienced these changes, the desires created will always be there. The changes in brain structure, function, and memory that develop in addition are long-lasting, and some may be permanent. There is always potential to rekindle addictive behaviors if a person drinks or uses drugs again. That's why addiction is considered a chronic illness that has to be managed for the remainder of a person's life. Recovery is a lifelong process to avoid triggers, significant stress, and any use of addictive substances.

Tom, I can totally agree that there is a very unique feeling whenever we have the distinct pleasure of using gear or throwing bait's that are close to or older than we are - perhaps it's some type of longevity based satisfaction. Either way it doesn't happen much or nearly enough in my book. A-Jay

Trying to improve at a technique” is probably always a good idea. The more tools one has in their tool box, the more diverse an angler may be. Something to consider is the environment / habitat you’re fishing. When looking at this, there are a decent list of factors that come into play. These may help one determine in advance if & when a certain technique / presentation is a viable option. Without going down the list, it’s the same considerations one might use to effectively select the presentations you’re using now. As @Fishes in trees so eloquently stared above “fishing skills are transferable from technique to technique" – and I’d agree with that; unless one is in the very early stages of an angling life. So building your “tool box” is often a cumulative evolution. As is often the case, results encourage commitment and a lack of feedback can undermine determination. Perhaps “learning to fish a frog” in 30 ft of open crystal clear water might not be the way to go. But put that same bait in the lily pads you might get your arm broke. I’ll admit that this is a bit of an over the top example, but I think it highlights my next point. And that is learning as much about where you plan to fish a new (or any bait) in advance can be worthwhile. Additionally, knowing as much about the bait, technique or presentation as you can; as far as where it is usually effective can help. The old saying “match the hatch” is one we hear a lot of. I’ll submit that match the presentation is a good one too – for all baits & presentations not just new ones. Finally, not every bait, technique & presentation is effective in every body of water. Some places for whatever reason, the fish do not respond to some baits / techniques. I have no idea why but it sure seems that although a bass is a bass, in some lakes I fish they will crush one thing where the same deal on a lake two miles away goes untouched. I have lakes that I have designated as “a jig lake” while still others have proven that “Topwater doesn’t play there”. So selecting where & when you try “the next new one” may be more than just tying it on and winging it out there. Good Luck A-Jay

While your perception is your reality and I can certainly respect that, it's not mine. The great thing about this country, & especially this site, is we all get to post whatever we want (within the forum rules of course). Each member's personal reasons for doing so may, again, be perceived differently. Can't really control that nor do I choose to. And so just to be clear here, my personal reason for replying to your specific post today was to say that I completely understand your desire to "want some buckage" for your most valuable fishing knowledge, yet you're willing to ask the forum here to offer up that same type of info just because you asked. Best of luck to you. A-Jay

LOL ~ Right out the nose with my coffee on that one Thanks A-Jay

TW Box came today ~ Opened it because that's how we roll during Hard Water season. Very Nice & Most Appropriate Bait Selection. I am a SK user & abuser and I've been eyeballing those BC Miyagi swimmers for a while as well. Looking forward to putting them into play. Thank You Very Much Dan Happy Holidays to You & Yours. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Can't say for certain as to whether or not these fish are safe to eat. If there is any question, I would advise against it. Also, as a long time dog owned, spoiled stank fish is not something I'd feed them either. YMMV. A-Jay

Interesting post & requests. After reading it, I could see how BR members who have the information you're requesting may not be inclined to offer it. "Simply because there is nothing to gain financially". After all Fishing forums ain't charity. A-Jay

Recently as part of a rather in depth annual check up - I was convinced to participate in a very comprehensive genetic mapping work up along with a the majority of my immediate family. Researchers begin a genetic map by collecting samples of blood or tissue from family members that carry a prominent disease or trait and family members that don't. Scientists then isolate DNA from the samples and closely examine it, looking for unique patterns in the DNA of the family members who do carry the disease that the DNA of those who don't carry the disease don't have. These unique molecular patterns in the DNA are referred to as polymorphisms, or markers. When all the testing was finally over and the results were tabulated & evaluated, it was determined that I was carrying a single DNA marker that no one else in the family tree possessed. Bacon. A-Jay

Super Sweet Paint job ~ Fish here would be All Over that one. Although without some special precautions, I fear it may vanish. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

As a young lad, I was somewhat prone to getting myself in a bit of a bind now & then. On this one particular (Boring) Saturday morning, My best friend Johnny & I had gone down to the corner store for snacks. Upon leaving the establishment, we noticed that the local constable, Officer O'Mally, had set up a little speed trap. He had positioned his cruiser mostly out of sight of the road way in the small alley adjacent to the "snack store" (our name). Being a rather enterprising little spaz, I came up with a plan. Besides helping out a few of our neighbors, if it went well, we might even get a little more snack money. After a brief trip back into the store & a somewhat noxious dumpster dive on the other side of the store, we had what we needed and set to putting my "Plan" into action. Despite Officer O'Mally's perfect hiding place to watch for speeding motorists, he must have been more than a little surprised when everyone was under the speed limit. So he investigated and found the problem. What he found was Johnny, standing on the side of the road ahead of him with a hunk of cardboard sign which said “Radar Trap Ahead.” A little more investigative work led the good officer to Johnny's trusty accomplice: Me, about 100 yards beyond the radar trap with another scribbled cardboard sign that said “TIPS” and a bucket full of change. We were doing pretty good there for a while, but then the Jig was up. Me & Johnny got our first ride in a police car that sunny Saturday afternoon, but it wouldn't be our last. (this may or may not be fictional - mostly) A-Jay

Oh Well. A-Jay

Sort of like Hard Water for me. A-Jay

https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction?tLabels=9405803699300359244735 Getting closer . . . A-Jay

That's Very Tricky ~ A-Jay

As I added a new fishing platform in 2016 that included an big step up in electronics, I've been learning how to decipher it's display and how to apply it effectively. Still plenty to learn on that front. Along with that, and this may sound like a simple thing but I learned (again) just how much I like to drive a boat especially when it's a little sloppy. I learned (or perhaps was reminded) how effective a triggering factor speed can be; not to mention how much fun the strikes are. And finally I've learned that I get just as much happiness & satisfaction reading the post below - as I do having some success myself. A-Jay

When I finally decided to tie one on and fish it correctly, about half a trip into it I had one of those "Head Shaking Moments" where the following question is spoken aloud - (say it with me) "Why did I wait so long ?". A-Jay

Very little in the way of riff raff up here. Make no mistake there's crazies but from the sounds of some of the response above, it's a different deal here. Mostly some seasonal freaks that can't hang with the sub-zero temps (still hard to call that beneficial). Most every outdoors person in this area is suitably equipped to address whatever situation that may arise "in the field". Seems to encourage somewhat respectable behavior - between the humans at least. Of perhaps more concern to me revolves around whether or not Yogi's Mom might be near the ramp - especially at night. It's only happened once, and that was enough. A-Jay

That one looks vaguely familiar ~ A-Jay

In Every Bass fishing situation I use (or can even think of) a glued connection knot is unnecessary. I'll say that Saliva may be a considerably more important component to an effective knot than glue. A-Jay