jminer79

I dont think you'll have a problem at all. I'll actually BE in Afton that weekend at Kellystone Campground. If you need anything let me know. I'm not even 10 minutes away and the grill will be on.

43 now. It's a lot harder to get back now then it was in my 20's thats for d**n sure.

I get up to WP a couple times a year with a few friends. I usually go there with them to test out new baits after I blow more money on a mold and shoot a few rounds. If you ever see a red Tundra with ARMY Vet plates....that'd be me.

I fish the Suskie not far from Afton. The stretch I fish goes from Harpursville to Windsor. Biggest I've pulled out was a hair under 4lbs. Rock bass galore, occasional walleye. Natural colors and black seem to work the best for me in regards to soft baits that I make and use. Standard ol 3' grubs with or w/out the spinner on the jig head, ned some 2-4" leeches, 3-4" swimbaits, and Rat-L-Traps always produce for me.

Im definitely not at your fitness level man. Started my "get healthy" journey in October. I am 5'11" and was at 307lbs. Fast forward to last monday and Im now 246. I'm pushing for 225 as it is where I was most comfortable when I was a gym rat. Just started with free weights at home, i'll put up some pics soon.

Yep, we saved for years and put in an inground.....after I make a batch of baits from a new mold I always test in the pool.

And it's not glitter for us guys....its FLAKE. Makes it sound more manly....I think.....

TRUTH!!!!! PREACH IT HAHAHAHAHA.

Dad was born in Naples Italy in 55, came here in 68. His mother was borna and raised there (Rasi) Dont know much about that side of the family at all. Mom was born in Bayamon P.R. in 55 as well (Otero). Her dad was born in Spain (Nieves) and Mom in PR. There's some French (Di'Clet) in there too. According to my Aunt (dads sister) who did a DNA test....we have some Egyptian in there too. Im on the fence of a DNA test....not sure who has the most accurate or if its all nonsense.

Mine doesnt want to talk about it EVER. When I do, she rolls her eyes and gets ticked. If she knew how much I've spent on molds, colorant, plastisol, flake, poles, reels........I probably not have a wife LMFAO!!!!!!

I do enough damage to that thing all by myself lol. Making baits is expensive. Thank you sir!!!

Prayers up.

Add Fat Guys Fishing to the fold, they have a min 3 week lead time....but I've had good luck with their molds. https://fatguysfishing.com/3-rip-10-cavity-indivual-pour/

Having a hard time resizing as I dont have the software. They are posted online but I dont want to get my hand slapped for an unintended sales pitch lol.

Thanks all for the warm welcomes!!!!

The Ripper is from Do-It & comes in 3" & 3.5" varieties i believe. I run the 3" CNC ones, the ES versions (I have 2) are cheaper but have a dull finish (not that the fish care). Great little swimbait that I have caught TONS of large & smallmouth on.

Hard to choose really.....they all have great colors that differ from each other in their own right. DoP is close to LW as far as saturation levels per drop most times, LW has TONS more variety. BP tends to be thick so you dont need as many drops per cup, but again, variety is low. MF has LOADS of colors but seems to run thin (more drops needed per cup) for me. If I had to choose one......BP would probably get the nod. With the variety they have, you can make almost any color (sans the changeables like Motor Oil).

I dabble in softbaits, have been for almost a year now. Good lord this stuff is addicting....and expensive. I'm to the point where Im comfortable with single colors now. Getting into laminates and starting to look into skirts & bucktails. It hit me at the right time too...i had just lost my father 2/2/22 and was into the bottle heavily.....wife said I needed a hobby.....i think she regrets saying that now as I spend a bit of time in the garage lol. Honestly though....its brought me peace, relaxation, and a renewed sense of purpose.....I give some to my close friends and when they nail a PB on one "I MADE".....I get pumped. I have to resize a few, but Ill post them up later.

Welcome from another NY'er.

How long till posts dont need approval? Asking for a friend.

Thats awesome. Maybe we'll cross paths this season. I drive a lifted Red Tundra with a few decals on the back window & ARMY plates.

Check out Zeiners or Barlows, I think they have a 2oz bottle of MF banana worm oil you could use as well.

Name is Jay, from the Binghamton NY area. ARMY Vet, I love to hunt, fish, make soft baits, and spend time with my family by a fire with a wobble pop or 4. Thanks for the warm welcomes in advance, I look forward to good times, good convo's, and new friendships.

U.S. ARMY Veteran 13b 97-99 NYARNG 68w 00-03