A-Jay

You might what to check into Poe's Competition Cedar Crankbait line. (The 4400 & the 4500 Longreach) Though I have not used them, the company advertises them as "easy to cast, even in windy conditions; offer quicker, deeper dives, to maximum depth without excessive body weighting; and are made of the best material of all for suspended or "slow rise" action. The lure's strong vibration and sound when deflecting from limbs, stumps and rock.​ A-Jay

Great Bass ~ PB's are always a Blast Congrats A-Jay

The Bucktail Jig has been producing in the Surf for a Long, Long, Long Time. A-Jay

Clearly you (along with many of our esteemed forum members) have Advanced Skills & Experience when it comes to repair & refurbishment in many aspects of Boats & Vehicles. The enjoyment & satisfaction you get from that comes through here loud & clear. And I for one appreciate your willingness to share any & all of it whenever the mood strikes you. I, however, do not possess much beyond the basic maintenance skill level and leave everything beyond that to the "professionals". So I buy new gear, and take very good care of it. A man has to know his limitations. A-Jay

I hate fishing a darn stick bait so that's about the only way I'd want do it . . . . . A-Jay

Way to make the best of it. I did quite a bit of this when I was station in NC - Loved it. And corralling the fiddlers was have the fun. Your description is spot on. Drop Shot'n a fiddler on a meat stick. It's totally addicting and those fish can really PULL ! Congrats A-Jay

Reactions Innovations Skinny Dipper & Lake Fork Boot Tail Live Magic Shad. A-Jay

Hello Harold and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Making it happen in Minnesota ~ WTG Shimmy ~ ! So many hign quality bass. And that last shot is just Killer Congrats A-Jay

Hello Shannon and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Interesting "Intro Pic" ~ Nice Skate ? A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Excellent way to lose a rig over the side. A-Jay

Anytime the wind will allow Seems this time of year there is routinely a ton of instability weather-wise and the wind just keeps cranking day after day after day after Day . . . But I'm not bitter . . . . A-Jay

I get it. However planting the seed early that there is a "Need" or a reliance on a "Confidence kit" is not the direction I would head. Either way, a jig & trailer is an extremely versatile bait and one that once learned, can help with other techniques a well. When bass aren't suicidal (other wise know as "a tough bite") in competition or not - the drop shot, shakey head & worm, and a small stick bait have the ability to attraction attention. A-Jay

What you know is going to be much more effective than what you have. Having a decent grip on season pattern and bait preference & life cycle offers confidence. After that the bait selection gets a little easier. A Magic bait offers false hope but believing in your own knowledge & instincts can save the day. A-Jay

So that begs the question, what did you say to your significant other that you probably shouldn't have? Well to my first wife it was "I Do". But with my current wife - I'd have to really work at it. She's heard all of my shtick and is only marginally impressed. A-Jay ​

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello Derek and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I was. I seem to do better with spinning gear. Using 10 lb braid (& a 10lb mono leader) I have great sensitivity and can make very long casts. Works for me. Any decent medium spinning rod would probably work. I use St Croix LTB and Fenwick Elite Tech Smallmouth sticks. A-Jay

Put down the "Fun to fish" moving baits and fish a JIG. A-Jay

I believe in products that don't come with an ingredient list. Like Apples & Strawberries for instance. Really cuts down on the confusion. Don't forget to wash them. A-Jay

Cast more. A-Jay

I'd stick with a reel that you are happy & comfortable with; both performance & budget wise. Max Casting distance is often more a function of the rod length. I like a shorter rod for casting & working jerkbaits as well but will admit casting distance is the trade off. Sometimes spinning gear comes into play here, especially when throwing lighter baits. Good Luck A-Jay

In the unlikely event that I am so fortunate that I hook, fight & successfully land such a fish ~ She is most definitely going for a ride with me back to the beach and then another one in my truck to the nearest "Certified Scale". I have been practicing C & R for a really long time but this one particular bass will have had it's last swim. And that's just the way it has to be. A-Jay

Wow ~ Really Good. And I just knew once I read who the OP was, and knowing the time of year, that there was a very good chance there would be more than a few Big Maine Bass pictured. And Bam ! . . . . . There they were. Gorgeous Fish. Congrats - hope you can stay on them A-Jay