Mobasser

I know you know this one. Mr.Twister Sassy Shad. I've still got a big sack in shad color.I fish them on a 1/8 oz Eagle Claw jig head. Old School

In the spring, I often mix bass and crappie fishing. For crappie, we have St. Croix Premiere ultralight rods, and 1000 size Diawa and Shimano reels. We always use 4lb mono line, and usually fish small jigs below a bobber. I don't intentionally fish for bass with these rigs, but bass often strike the small jigs. The biggest bass Ive caught on these ultralight rigs was a 5lb fish. I've caught many smaller bass over the years. It's a hair raising fight. Rod bent like a pretzel, drag screaming, and trying to keep a good fish away from cover,( especially wood cover). I know there are folks who use ultralight tackle for all fishing, including bass. The bigger bass can be landed on this tackle, but you've got to play them carefully, and hope they don't get wrapped up in thick weeds or wood. What's the largest bass you've ever caught on ultralight gear?

When it's really cold, I throw on Carhartt bib overalls. Very warm.

At 66, I feel like I can still fish for quite a while yet. I still have fishing goals I'd like to achieve, and I'm hoping I can make them happen. Plus, we can never learn it all, and I'm still earning things. This is my motivation, learning new things, and striving to become a better fisherman. When I'm gone, I hope they can say yes, he was good. He was a good fisherman. I'd be happy with that. At 66, I feel like I can still fish for quite a while yet. I still have fishing goals I'd like to achieve, and I'm hoping I can make them happen. Plus, we can never learn it all, and I'm still earning things. This is my motivation, learning new things, and striving to become a better fisherman. When I'm gone, I hope they can say yes, he was good. He was a good fisherman. I'd be happy with that. At 66, I feel like I can still fish for quite a while yet. I still have fishing goals I'd like to achieve, and I'm hoping I can make them happen. Plus, we can never learn it all, and I'm still earning things. This is my motivation, learning new things, and striving to become a better fisherman. When I'm gone, I hope they can say yes, he was good. He was a good fisherman. I'd be happy with that. And, I hope they can say " quit triple posting stuff"! Sorry all

The Wal Mart north of me in Cameron Mo, has Lews and ABU casting reels, Diawa and Shimano spinning reels, lots of stick baits and Zoom baits, hooks, weights, lines and a few decent rods. Most are lower or mid grade. But, for a novice, they could get set up with some decent gear to get started. I've probably bought 100 bags of culprit worms over the years up there.

Every time we go to Wal Mart, regardless of what we went there for, I always make a walk through the fishing tackle area. My wife will say, " really"? But, I can't help it. I have to check it out. Mostly, it's the same old stuff. I might buy something, or, most times not. But I always want to take a look. Ive done this for a long time. Luckily, I have a wife who is understanding of this, and will spend a few minutes looking at stuff with me. I'm sure I'm not the only one who does this. When you go to Wal Mart, do you like to take a walk through the tackle area?

Get a large nightcrawler, and inflate it with a small shot of air. 1/0 hook, and split shot 12"- 15" on the line. Hook the crawler once or twice and let it dangle on the hook. Cast near any cover and fish it with a slow stitching retrieve. You can get a worm blower online or at any good tackle shop.

Some standards- spinnerbaits, lipless baits, top water lures, and t rigged plastics,- worms and craws. Jigs can be good also. Good luck!

I've always liked purple and junebug colored worms.

Imm 66 so I guess I'm old and tired also. Fishing has been a huge part of my life also, and I too have so many memories. Im happy fishing a smaller lake, taking my time, and I'm not competing with anyone. I love fishing, and it's a little scary to know that a day will come when I can't be out fishing anymore.

For me, this includes an occasional bass, crappie and bigger bream. I fillet the fish, and put the fillets in a bowl of water that's been salted down. I set the bowl of water in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, rinse the fillets well, and transfer them to a container for freezing. Over the years, I've used small buckets, plastic bowls, and plastic bags to freeze them in. A one gallon milk container cut down to size can work good too. This has worked well, and the important thing is to make sure that the fillets are submerged in solid ice. It takes most of a day to thaw them out for a fish fry. How do you like to freeze your catch?

Here's my accomplishment: I'm still on two feet, breathing, and able to go fishing. I did catch some this year. I'm grateful.

I've never had anything like that happen. Hope you can put the old Diawa to use.Strange indeed.

I have to agree with Catt on this one. When Nick Creme invented the plastic worm, it changed bass fishing for all time. There's a reason why so many guys like plastic worms. It's been my #1 producing bait for many years. The simple plastic worm still rules.

Growing up in the 1960s, I only knew one person who was diabetic. A good friend's dad had it, and took insulin shots daily. At my yearly checkup last week, I was diagnosed with pre diabetes. My doctor told me that one person in eleven has diabetes in the U.S. Mine is not bad yet. I've been prescribed Metformin, and I'm taking one pill with my evening meal. Luckily, I caught it before it got bad. I've gained seven pounds since my last checkup. The good thing is, according to my doctor, diabetes can be managed with a good diet, keeping your weight in check, and exercise. Many folks have lived with it, and many don't have it anymore, keeping with a healthy lifestyle. This is my target goal, and I'm confident I can achieve this goal. I plan on watching A-Jays ongoing thread on working out to stay lean more often now. Diabetes can be controlled and managed, but you've got to stay on top of it. What's your experience with diabetes? Does it run in your family?

Congratulations Clayton. We'll done!

Fall can be hit or miss. I've had some great days and some bad ones. Either way, I love fishing on overcast fall days. This can improve things at times.

I agree. I restored an old 12" cast iron skillet also. I scrubbed well with steel wool, and then greased it up and put it in the oven to season it. It works good. This one was badly rusted, and took a little work. These old cast iron pots and pans can last forever.

I have two cast iron Lodge skillets. We use them for some cooking. My wife really likes her stainless steel skillets for the easy clean up.

A-Jay, thanks for posting this. Great info, and easily accessible.

Congratulations on you child. It's a huge thing in life, and very important. Cherish being a dad. Not always an easy job, but I'm sure you'll do well.

The only sound I really hate is the " pop" when a bass has broken my line. It used to happen more often, now, not very much. Otherwise, I don't have any sounds I really hate about bass fishing.

When I first started bass fishing, I struck out on Texas rigs. I kept reading things, and hearing about how good it was, but it didn't work for me. At one point, I quit fishing them. That was a long time ago. Now, a Texas rig plastic worm is my #1 bait, and I love them. I wouldn't consider bass fishing without the Texas rig.

We're not quite in the jacket stage yet, but we're getting there. Leaves are slowly starting to turn, and night temps cooling a little. I love fall also.

RIP. Watched many episodes of Man From U.N.C.L.E. as a kid.