Jar11591

Cayuga strikes again. Defying what was thought possible in NYS.

I’m so sorry to hear, @Bird, @AnonymousSoreMouther, @Bluebasser86, @Glenn, and @senile1. @Crow Horse I also love what you wrote. I appreciate the validation and confirmation of just how bad this hurts, and feeling no less grief than other kinds of loss. The truth is, I feel now as though I was woefully unprepared for this. I kept telling myself I would be ready when it comes time, but I also never stopped to realized that the time would actually come one day. But now I guess I realize there is no “ready”. The emotional pain has become physical, and these last few days have been among the hardest of my life. I can’t bring myself to look at pictures of her yet. I am hoping when we get her ashes back, the house will stop feeling so empty. I worked some overtime today, and it was a nice distraction. I have a feeling I’ll be picking up lots of OT hours these next few weeks. I also have to get my butt on the lake.

Whenever I open a new pack of Rage Tail baits with the coffee scent, i immediately get hungry. I control myself.

Folks are catching bass on baits called poop and janitors.

I agree with @papajoe222 , I’d use a monofilament leader. My exact C-rig setup it 50lb braid mainline (for the same reasons you mentioned), a 1/2oz-1oz egg or bullet, to a 20lb Big Game leader.

I also want to add, if anyone has the opportunity for in-home euthanasia, I can’t recommend it enough. That’s what we chose for our Coco, and it made the ordeal so much better than if we were in a veterinary office. She was surrounded by her people, on her own doggy bed, and drifted off as I fed her spray cheese. Being in our home made the situation as good as it possibly could be given the circumstances.

Coco passed away peacefully on Thursday afternoon. She got to spend the morning outside in the sun. She got lots of treats, cheese, and chicken. Her last meal was cut up hot dogs, shredded cheese, a scoop of ice cream, and some melted peanut butter. I held her in my arms as the vet did the deed. Seeing her at peace brought me so much joy and relief, but it also left a deep scar. I feel completely heart broken and gutted. She was my baby of 15 years. Thank you everyone for the words of advice and kindness while I was going through this. Now I guess I just have to wait for time to do its healing.

The problem with VMC isn’t necessarily the sharpness. It’s the quality of the metal itself. If you look at a VMC hook the wrong way, it will bend and straighten out. That said, Gammy all the way.

Really sorry to hear that. I’m in the process of losing my dog of 15 years (she goes to sleep on Thursday), and this ***** is hard. I hope you’re able to find some solace.

That’s a rod sock! Goes over a rod to protect it.

Coco enjoying her morning television. She only has 3 mornings left.

Like Pat said.

The late, great @Catt constantly repeating “rate of fall, baby! Rate of fall!” really had an impact on my fishing. Those words made me such a better jig fisherman. I’ve learned so much here from so many different members, it’s hard to attribute a specific thing to a specific user, but that’s one that really sticks out in my brain. Like @king fisher alluded to, I’ve learned from this site that I’m not completely insane the way I obsess over bass and collect tackle. Or, rather, there are more insane people like me.

Here she is getting laser therapy. She had to wear eye protection lol She has always taken whatever comes. Always adapts. Shes moved with me 4 times, bonded with the many other dogs of the family, and kept me in line.

Tomorrow, we will be making a phone call to schedule Coco’s last day. The medication she’s been on the last couple weeks has lost its efficacy, and as we were told, there aren’t really any realistic options left. Unfortunately it looks like we won’t make it to our 15th year mark together on May 1st, but she’s never cared much for milestones anyway. She’s been the most perfect dog by my side for nearly 15 years, and I don’t know how I’m going to fill the hole she will leave when she makes her exit. She had some laser therapy today to hopefully make her more comfortable until the day arrives. Not sure the exact date but it will be within the next week or so. My heart hurts.

I approach small water similar to any other body of water. I study the contour map the night before if I’m not that familiar with it already. I look for structure, specifically points, and I start there. Then I look for cover on the structure. Shoreline cover like downed trees are usually safe bets as well. Look for steeper banks with downed timber.

EWG almost exclusively. Doesn’t hurt the hook-up ratio, and allows for much easier and natural looking rigging of the soft plastic.

The jargon of this thread has me very confused. A straight shank hook will have a round bend, and can be offset or not. An EWG hook does not have a straight shank, but is offset. And then you have non-offset flipping hooks that what I think people are referring to as simply “straight shank”. These have a straight shank, no “shoulder” that would offset it, and feature a round bend. A hook doesn’t have to be either offset or straight shank. It can be both and often is. The opposite to a “straight” shank isn’t an offset, it’s an EWG. They make the gap wider by bending the shank of the hook, which renders the bend no longer round and the shank obviously no longer straight. All my straight shank hooks feature an offset.

Gonna see if they’re shallow up in the trees with a Siebert jig and if not try deep with the spinnerbait, lipless, and swimbait.

I plan on getting out for the first time this weekend. Looking like Saturday.

‘Sup Boone. Glad you found your home, little dude.

I am stuck on Band-aid brand cuz Band-aids stick on me.

Been a long winter

Coco is keeping weight on, and even gained a pound. That’s a really good sign. Her new medicine regiment seems to be working. The vet doesn’t think it’s quite time yet. She did tell us this is pretty much the last realistic option, and when this medicine loses it efficacy, then it will most likely be her time. We’re getting more lax with her renal-support diet, because right now calories are most important. So as of now, nothing is scheduled as far as EOL. We’re hoping the new dose of medicine continues to help, and I’m enjoying the time I have left with her. Thanks, yall, Here’s me in the back seat with her on the way home from the vet. We got her a jerky stick that she devoured.

Thank you. Today she’s having a good day. Even getting up on her own. She goes to the vet again later this week for her normally scheduled librella injection, and to see if she’s keep her weight, and if the increase in her gabapentin as of today has any effect until then. If not, then I think we will have our answer. I feel like I’ll never have an actual answer though. A couple people came over yesterday to see her for the last time. Whether it’s this week or not, it won’t be long. This is so d**n hard, and to think I have two more dogs I’ll have to go through this with lol!