A-Jay

X2 ~ I use this concept for every box of baits . . . . A-Jay

I'll agree that's a valid point. And I'll offer you this. ANY knot that if launched through a set of guides over & over & over again is going to suffer a certain amount of physical damage - regardless of how "Slim" it is. And if it is not changed or re-tied regularly - It Will Eventually Fail. This is why I re-tie often. And hopefully I do it Before the Failure. So using a knot that is effective & not hard to tie, inspires me to re-tie when I should. Where one that is a complicated long drawn out process - does not. And for those super lucky anglers who are willing to report that they have never had a leader knot fail during casting - All I can say is, you're not fishing enough. A-Jay

Many of today's quality baits come with very good trebles but some do not. I have become such a big fan of the Mustad KVD Elite treble 1x strong ~ 2X short. The confidence I now have when fishing baits rigged with these hooks has spawned a total resurgence in my crank bait fishing. As for size, where suspending a bait is not a concern, when replace stockers I almost always up size the front treble by at least one size using the same size on the rear. Other times I bump them both up by one size. These hooks really shine fishing squarebills in cover or rattle baits in grass. Both presentations often require a stout set up to move hooked fish with authority, these hooks can handle that with ease. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

I do have a Sweet Gamo w/Scope, and have used it on occasion, with superior effectiveness I might add. But as long as they remain away from & out of my Home (attic) they are safe. If not . . . . there is carnage. A-Jay

I had very spirited pike get me good a few years back - managed to remove it myself - wasn't pretty. Hooks in My hand are always MY Fault and a display of foolish carelessness. Swore that would be the last time. Fishing alone mostly and especially at night. So when throwing treble hook baits, I Always use a net and then a boga grip to remove the fish from the net and to hold the fish and finally long nose pliers to remove the hooks. I do not ever need to touch the fish or the bait with my hands. Hook Cutters are at the ready but I refuse to give any fish the chance to get me again. A-Jay

I can’t understand why the Discovery Channel isn’t doing a reality series involving my bird feeder – Squirrel Dynasty. It’s just Varmint Madness out there . . . . . A-Jay

Take it one bait at a time. Learn as much as you can about each one; how to fish it, when, where, why & how. Knowledge Breeds Confidence. This will be a big help on the road to having success with the baits. One way I do it is, when the bass are in a biting mood, and I'm catching a few, I'll change out to one of my "New" baits right in the middle of the best action. This solves a few pieces of the puzzle right away. I know where the bass are and I know that they are in a feeding mood. Now it's just a matter of finding out if they are willing to eat my new bait. It helps if the baits are similar. I've been able to gain confidence in several baits this way and have also regained faith in some older baits like this as well. When the conditions are right this offers a chance to fine tune your presentation too. Clearly this doesn't always work. And often times if the bait is a dud or I'm fishing it incorrectly, I know I'm missing out on some fish. But it does pay off enough times to make it a viable option. Good Luck A-Jay

That's a 5 pound Blouzer of a bass ~ Congrats A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

How Good was That ! ! ! Now you're talking . . . A-Jay

Fair enough. In my defense, I signed the post A-Jay, not Others. A-Jay (look at that, I did it again)

Scrounger or Bladed Jig - Hands Down. A-Jay

I Highly recommend you try a drop shot rig right there. I fish that type of cover successfully all the time in deep clear water. By controlling the length of the "Drop" a drop shot allows you to present the plastic of you choice OVER & ABOVE the weeds on the bottom. I often do well by rigging it up so the bait is very close to the grass rather than hovering a foot or more over it - seems more natural. And there's no rules when it comes to line type or test. Rig what ever will get the job done. Also, though often thought of as a vertical presentation, and there's no doubt that works, casting a drop shot out away from the boat is often very effective - at least in my little world it is. And don't forget to Tex-pose your plastic Good Luck A-Jay

Way to Go Stitch ~ ! Sounds like you put a hurting on them again Very Glad those jigs are getting you good fish too. Rest up my friend and then have your granddaughter post up some pics. You know we're all dying to see them. Welcome back state side. Congrats A-Jay

Good one. I hear you but that bugger is taking to another lever. I retie often - just because I can. That plan would be out the window - I'm one (maybe) and done rigth there. More is not better in fact I'll offer that less is best. And if you can't tie a knot - tie a lot . . . . A-Jay

A-Jay

Sorry to hear you're Busted up. Hope you can through this without any long term effects. A-Jay

That's what I'm talking about ~ ! Nice Bass right there . . . Congrats A-Jay

One of the larger lakes in my local area is known to have decent population of fish and does get a fair amount of fishing pressure. Except for very early & very late in the season it is Skunk City for me. I have tried so many different patterns unsuccessfully over the past several years especially during the summer months that I don't ever go there any more - even at night (which says something - bad too) We've nick named it The Dead Sea. A-Jay

I fixed that for you Mike ~ A-Jay

Or the Old Boat Refurbishment Monkey. A-Jay

I pull & service mine at the start of every season as part of the annual "pre-fishing season Check list". Experience has shown that at least for my own situation, this is more than sufficient. Seems I replace the bearings & tires every 5 years or so. Though my trailer is relatively small, I'm often hauling it out into some remote areas and I like the confidence of knowing I have a handle on the condition of my equipment. Of course anything mechanical can & will fail but new & maintained has at least for me, has reduced the likely hood. A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hey So Hello There New Member . . . And Welcome to Bass Resource ~ This place is the Coolest. A-Jay