A-Jay

Didn't mean to Imply that I wouldn't want to fish TX ~ It's squarely on the Domestic list. A-Jay

Now That's a List ! I wanna play . . . . . A-Jay

It's obvious to even the most casual observer that when it comes on the water safety including wearing a life Jacket, I'm a little more invested than the average bear. Disregard for ones safety and / or endangering others on the water, intentional or not, happens every minute of everyday; by professional & recreational humans alike. Sometimes, nothing bad happens. Sometimes it does. This can be compared to many things that we do in life. Really bad stuff happens to really good people. People who have done everything they could have to be safe. And it's not all preventable. I choose to respond to these threads in the hopes that they might help someone take pause to understand just how sudden & final any of these situations can be. I try not to over due it however, as there is a fine line between passing the word effectively and being tuned out for "Saying the same old thing". A-Jay

Clearly decorum mandates not going into detail, but when some of these truly grim & ghastly scenes & images have been experienced and burned into ones memory, the word sexy is never attached. A-Jay

While I'd agree that having some swimming skills when you go over the side can assist in your recovery, especially if you're alone, being a "Strong Swimmer" is not a replacement for a Wearing a Life Jacket. National Drowning statistics are full of names of Very Strong Swimmers where the names of Life Jacket wearers are noticeably absent from the same lists. (Hyperthermia aside). A-Jay

Not if they are ALWAYS on the field - They might be Gasses by the middle of the third quarter. A-Jay

The cost of any watercraft as well as where it may be purchased is of little importance when it comes to using it safely. I will say that the recent popularity in "Paddle Boards" is a concern. The advertisements for these products usually show them as a close to shore, at the beach, shallow water - NO LIFE JACKET NECCESARY type of deal. Well, in typical fashion the masses have decided to take this insanity well off shore, off the banks and into the path of high speed powered vessel traffic. But still No Life Jacket. As far as I know there are no regulations that dictate a PFD must be worn on a paddle board. Just importantly there are no limits as far as where or when they can be used. Here's my personal experience scenario - a few mornings ago, before first light (did have daylight), I was on plane (50 mph) heading across a Large Lake en route to my first fishing spot. I was running my navigation lights in accordance with state laws. Approximately 1000 yds (that's 1/2 a nautical mile) for any shore, I come up on a human wearing a black shorts, no shirt and no Life Jacket on a Paddle board. Could barely see him and certainly didn't anticipate him. An inattentive or distracted boat driver could have been very easy Not Seen Him. Bad Day for every one. After years of Search & Rescue and living through the challenges that the first Jet Ski users brought on - this does not surprise me. People do stuff, sometimes it's not smart. And they die. I wish publicity & posts like this could be more effective. My advice is - it you are a paddle boarder or know someone who is - wearing a PFD is a must. Additionally, Stay close to shore or at the very least away from boats that travel on plane. If you're a "Boater" and even if you've not seen paddle boarders in your area previously, be attentive. A-Jay

A-Jay

Hello Teddy and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Bass & Pike coexist in many lakes. Perhaps fish it and find out. A-Jay

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, & Michigan Also been able to meet some Canadian Smallmouth & Mexican Largemouth Bass as well. A-Jay

I'm another Garmin Virb user & abuser. A-Jay

Nice Lund ~ Congrats btw - this could help open up your back yard access. A-Jay

A prop often displays some kind of tell tale signs that something is amiss. However - if your's is routinely "shined" from running aground, is a veteran of some previous touch & go's or even has a few battle scars, it would be less help here figuring out where & or when something occurred that could have bent it out. Often associated this with impact or at least some kind of prop strike, a prolonged or hard grounding (especially through sand) can bend of a shaft pretty good. Good Luck A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource A-Jay

The6th Sense Crush Flat 75X Crankbait has been very good for a couple of years now. The SK 1.5's & 2.5's very solid. And the Spro "Mike McClelland" RkCrawler 55 Crankbait has been the Best clear water smallie crank I've used in AWHILE. btw - change out the hooks to Mustad short shanks. A-Jay

Yup ~ A-Jay

KVD uses Quantum Gear. But you knew that. A-Jay

It's the KVD Cranking Rod - 7'4" 1 Piece, Medium/Heavy TKVD746MB it's a Composite Blank & I Love that rod; easily my favorite medium heavy cranking stick. I have four. As for the size - doesn't seem to slow me down at all. And good memory, I did grow up in Mass and fished all over New England - loved Quabbin as well. And up until just this spring, I fish exclusively out of an Old Town Canoe. 8 years worth. Still managed a few decent fish now & then. A-Jay Thanks ~ Hope you can get out soon and I'll try to keep up my end. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I hear that ~ btw - night ops for me are always a full time PFD deal, regardless of the vessel. A-Jay

In the Old town all the time - on board the Lund - PFD goes on before I energize the Optimax and stays on until it goes off. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello BJ and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello Derek and Thank You for your Service ~ Welcome to Bass Resource A-Jay