A-Jay

LOL ! That's awesome in every way thank you. And you're probably not that far off ! A-Jay

Thanks Please remember this is for fun so let's keep it that way. A simple picture like you'd always take should be fine. Some deals aren't set up for too much more. So a pic, the weight, and the score calculations is fine for me. I hope there are some real giants posted. Along with a little trash talk. 😃 A-Jay

This was a bragging rights only contest held here by BR Forum members some years ago. Ran for a few seasons. It’s fun and pretty easy to do. To make it somewhat fair, bassheads are competing against the state record bass in their home state. (or the state where the bass is caught) I do realize that some states have crazy big bass at the top of the list but not all of them. From the bank, boat or wading, they all count the same. Lakes, rivers, reservoirs & streams. Goes like this . . . RULES 1. This is for FUN... 2. There are 3 divisions. Largemouth, Smallmouth and Spotted Bass. 3. Contest runs from sunrise 01 March 2025 to sunset 30 November 2025. So previous catches are not qualified, sorry. 4. Artificial bait ONLY. If you are sight fishing, the fish must be hooked inside the mouth. All fish must be caught in PUBLIC fishing areas. No private stocked ponds or Mike Long imitations. Let's just police ourselves and be proud of that. 5 In order for your fish to count, you must submit a picture of the bass, the state record weight for the state the fish was caught in, and an accurate weight of the bass. Your fish must be submitted in THIS THREAD within one week of being caught. (No sandbagging) You may submit as many fish as you want as long as subsequently caught fish are larger within each division than your previous submission. 7. Scoring of the fish shall be completed as follows: Example Your fish weight = LMB 7.5 lbs state record of where the fish is caught for example Kansas state record = 11.80 lbs Your fish weight / current State record weight x 100 = your score. So in this case it’s 7.5/11.80 x100 = Your score of 63.55 (we’ll go 2 decimal places.) If you don’t have an accurate scale and you’d like to participate in this, get one. In the case of an actual tie, you both win. Now for the one time Entry Fee – You must insult me at the beginning of your first post/entry. Go for it and lay it on thick, I can take it. No need to claim whether you’re in or out. Just post’em up when you get’em. It’ll be a while before I can add anything here but I’ll be watching . . . . Good Luck (well, not really) A-Jay

When I fly south of the border I use 1 carry on and 2 checked bags. The carry on (top camo) is a sling back that has travel documentation and my reels. Middle bag is my tackle bag but for the travel I load it with my clothes. Don't need much. The bottom (suit case) is my tackle - need more of that. Once I get to the lodge I switch the tackle from the suit case to the tackle bag and hang my clothed in the room leaving an empty suitcase. Of the trip home I simply reverse the process. Small private air to the lodge has 'weight limits' so I have to keep my whole load under 40 lbs. Most everything get re-packed into zip-lock bags. Easily the biggest challenge with every trip. Good Luck. A-Jay

Cinnabar was our 'first' Siberian Husky. Came from an unfavorable deal in New Jersey. When we got him he was sun burned & seriously flea bitten. He was typically aloof and a little shy & skittish. But if there was an open door to the outside world, even for a split second, he was Gon-zo. He taught us the difference between malamutes & huskies. And there are many. Gunner we got as an adult. He was Brody's big brother and a brute of a dog. He LOVED to Eat. So much so he dented in his stainless steel food bowl the first week. While he also came from another less than ideal situation, he turned out to be one heck of a sled pulling freak. After a couple of winters, a friend needed a last minute wheel dog. I'm pretty certain he was all kinds of happy about it. A-Jay

Not sure if the wind will blow as predicted, but tomorrow might be pretty intense. A-Jay

I knew it wasn't just me. So is the deal Everyone is using a 20:1 speed reel ? Two reel handle turns and the fish is at the rod tip. Ya-Hoo ! A-Jay

Pretty sure you're right. At least the few I've seen. And is it me or is he the most spazzed out fish landing human ever ? I keep waiting for him to set the hook and go right over the side. #wacky And I have a Mercury O/B and I love it. But if I have to sit through that talking motor commercial many more times, I might spoon out an eye. 🤪 A-Jay

Kodi & Tatiri were our First Two Malamutes. Brother & sister 12 week old pups from the mountains of Montana. They were "Giants", Kodi was pushing 150 lbs as an adult. Thankfully both gentile giants. That was 27 years ago. A-Jay

Mr Mark Davis's boat official is putting on a clinic on how it's done. I like it. A-Jay

This is not good ~ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=itnqUIqMPUA #humanpopmax A-Jay

I have more to post yet. Let's see some that took a piece of your heart as well. A-Jay

@BassKat I am also a fan of Defier Armilo and am still working on the supply I have left. While good old Big Game still produces for me, I can feel good about recommending Maxima Ultragreen Line. Seem to be marked a bit higher than it's test diameter. However IMO it possesses all of the attributes I prefer when it comes time to landing that fish of a life time. Make no mistake however, I WILL use FC line given the chance, but this is good stuff. Haven't tried the clear but have to think it's just as good. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Maxima_Ultragreen_Line/descpage-MUG.html I talk a little about it here: https://youtu.be/E8UfnBPoH-M?feature=shared&t=2966 Good Luck A-Jay

Some experiences with our dogs are just ingrained in my mind. Like a Dream. A-Jay

Baylee was a Blue-eyed, Bridle little sweetheart who definitely had a fiery side. A-Jay Bear was Diesel's litter mate and had a bit of an attitude (in a good way) Those two would get after each other pretty hard like brothers do. Sadly we lost bear to a fatal seizure before he was a year old. Poor guy never stood a chance. I was at sea and missed the chance to say good bye. That one hurt for a while. A-Jay

Some dogs just 'have it'. Diesel had it. A-Jay Lynn & Miss Fenway shared the same Spirit. A-Jay

BreeZo left us way too soon. She had the Heart & Drive of a champion. And man, she surly did love to race . . . . . A-Jay Brody was born to pull. Fortunately we had that covered. A-Jay

Sierra was easily the Most Intense animal we've ever had. She loved to run wild on the beaches of south Jersey ~ A-Jay Teddy was the first of many we got from the local animal shelter. We didn't recue him. Clearly he rescued us ! Great Dog. A-Jay

Really do miss all the great times shared with Tucker ~ A-Jay

I missed most of the day 2 fishing as the snow blower was calling my name again. But as the fishing wraps up today, seems like a lot of familiar names above that cut line. Tomorrow should be a shoot out. Mr Wheeler gets the day off with 101 lbs of bass in two days. Not a good sign for the rest of the field. A-Jay

You inspire me sir. A-Jay

I have not cleared the roof. But if I never look up at it, it's good to go. #denial 🤓 A-Jay

I would if I could. We have plenty to spare. A-Jay

Just before Sunrise on Valentine's Day 2025 at the 45th parallel ~ A-Jay

I mentioned here already that My strength, balance, flexibility, dexterity, mental acuity, endurance, vision and hearing have all experienced some decline. 'Decline' in some areas might be a relative term. Fishing with a 10 ounce rod & reel for a several hours a day, a few days a week doesn't seem like quite a chore. A-Jay