Bird

Figured out how to downsize pics. Lol Another good SM from 2019

I've always been a " top end " kinda guy for a very long time, anything from hiking shoes to automobile tires. For some strange reason I simply can't come off $500 for a rod or reel. My top end stuff is Kastking speed Demon Pro's " have several "and I also have a few lightning rods.

It truly is about layering. If I'm real serious I go with military grade polypropylene against the skin followed by fleece and topped off with authentic goose down. Goose down being the warmest is quite expensive and special care is required. I've also found in northern treestands, it's critical to wear a quality toboggan and neck gator to reduce heat loss. One more important tip learned from a guide in Saskatchewan. PUT EVERYTHING ON.....don't wait til you cool down as it's easier to stay warm than to get warm.

Black is the color of choice for a lot of anglers in stained water, myself included.

Jerkbaits are in my top 5 and Megabass makes the best in my opinion. BUT take a look at Luck E strike for the frugal spender. I use floating, sinking and suspending religiously year around.

Saban and Alabama closely resembles Belichick and the Patriots, simply hard to bet against. I'm really anticipating Clemson LSU though, 2 great teams.

I can tell you first hand that if you get hit with bass fishing fever, you won't want wife and kids on boat. Lol I've had many boats over 40 year span and occasionally took the wife but she just laid in the sun with bikini.....I'm an intense fisherman so barely noticed. I did teach my girls how to fish with bobbers and nightcrawlers but didn't dare take my tackle. I've fished through 35yrs of marriage and 2 fantastic daughters and you are correct......I did feel somewhat selfish with hours on the water fighting this fever. 400 acre lake is a huge bonus close to home so get the most boat you can afford, possibly one that can accommodate the family but leave tackle at home for these occasions. Lol

Never weighed on creature bait Biggest LM this year was 6.4 on drop shot Roboworm " people's worm " To busy and to old to learn to resize pics. Lol

Lol, one thing that's very consistent with us fisherman.....that we're all different and experience very different things. I won't use anything but braid and never had an issue in many years other than front treble romance, fixed with leader.

If I had a reputable lake with good population of bass 20 minutes away......that's the lake I'd be pounding. Been there done that. Actually went from a HydroSport to a Skeeter and all the way back to a Jonny boat Bass with 40# troll motor after I retired. I casted much more accurately from the big standing platform of the Bass boats but get on the water 3X more now to the closer lakes that are trolling only. Lastly, would the Triton not plane on the 115 ?

Having Miami rip the Defense at home is so unlike what I've come accustomed to in big games. I don't see the Pat's representing the AFC in the Superbowl.

Good advice. I use mostly 7'-6'9 MF for 90% of my confidence baits or basically anything with sharp treble. The use of short leader is highly recommended when throwing braid to prevent treble romance.

I throw a BUNCH of Zman but won't throw a Chatterbait when I can throw a spinnerbait.

Inconvenient but small replaceable items that you'll likely restock in short order. Went fishing with a friend who left brand new 55lb minkota and interstate deep cycle battery at the boat ramp. We only drove a mile before we realized our blunder.......everything was gone. Oh, fantastic pic.

Got good life out of Vmax batteries.

Very good report, productive fishing. Thanks for sharing.

I too grew up fishing from an early age. We had a fantastic creek just across the road from our home place thriving with smallmouth and many farm ponds. Mom would make us boys work the garden each morning before we were allowed to go fishing and would pay us a small allowance according to our work ethic and behavior. I was saving my allowance for a new rod and reel at the local Western auto in our small town. This was early 70's and still remember this black Olympic spinning reel that I absolutely had to have so with a pocket full of money, off I went. Got home, spooled the reel with new line, filled my new tackle box with shiny new rapala's and beetle spins....I was the man. Across the road I went on a mission, hurdling the guardrail like I've done so many times before. BUT this time I had additional weight from acquired tackle. My lead foot didn't clear so I went hurling chest first onto a concrete culvert, landing on my reel and tackle box, crushing everything, nothing left usable. Not all vivid memories are great ones. Retired now and that one unfortunately really sticks out.

The wife and I sit on the back porch several nights a week listening to music and it's a wide variety from today's country to 70's rock......nothing heavy. I won't even hum while I'm fishing though, I simply feel closer to nature.

Been catching bass for decades with with Walmart spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, Stikeking I believe. Hint: Both baits need to be moving before they hit the water for improved success.

Merry Christmas

For finesse, braid then Alberto on floro......it's the best way that works for me. Lol

That would also be a person with no regard for human life. Imo I stay away from those type of people.

Me too, went today for 4 hrs throwing a swim bait and skirted jig on deep points.....nothing. But nice to be on the water.

I prefer braid over any other line but just can't get myself to run it straight for applications like Ned rigs or drop shot. Perhaps the fish don't care but I do. I use Powe pro and Viscous braids and Sunline Sniper as leader line only. Haven't used mono in many years.

Yep, and if anyone can knock off Baltimore.......Brady, Belichick.