5 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Apparently he's also the GoPro Monkey!!! ?

What can I say ?

The position was available . . . .

A-Jay

 

44 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Let's not get carried away ~

Look up info on the Hero 11 Black Mini ~

It's the newest model but it's small, simple to use and does everything you'll need.

Pretty much point & shoot.  Which is what we all really want while we're fishing.

The less fiddling around with the camera the better. 

This one captures video only but pull pics from the video is super easy. 

HAs a built in battery as well.

https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/cameras/hero11-black-mini/CHDHF-111-master.html

Oh Boy . . . . 

This could be the start of a beautiful thing.

A-Jay

 

I thought about filming my fishing. Then I realized it would consist of me talking to my

dog, me getting snagged, a snack break, me talking to my dog more, dropping something, hearing the jet sing on plane and going home. Totally not anything me or anyone else would want to see. The pictures make me look good. Being on my boat just shows you how clueless I am at times with catching. Snagging bottom though I’m a professional.

3 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

Alex, I'll upgrade to a GoPro at some point, but will likely just use it for photos. It's a slippery slope, I fear. You buy one GoPro and then mount it on your boat and then you buy another and another and and then your boat bristles like a WWII heavy cruiser, albeit with electronics. Then you have to manage the batteries too and you get home and spend hours editing and on and on.

 

I've been watching a lot of Kristine Fischer's and Old Lady Angler's videos and I just described their kayaks. It's too much for me to manage. I fish best with my lightweight canoe. That's my niche, but I'm grateful to fishers like A-Jay and you who do create videos.

 

I have a couple small hacks in mind to improve the quality of my photos. I hate that I have half a dozen blurry 19" or bigger bass photos from last year. Then there are others where I didn't photograph the tips of their tails, so there's no confirmation of their size. 

 

I'll be fishing 2023 with several upgrades: A new net that's not rubberized, but rubber. It also has a strong aluminum handle as I broke a plastic-handled one last year. A waterproof tackle box. Reels with mono, braid, and fluoro, lots of new lures, a thermometer, a rod holder for trolling, etc. I even have the scale that I bought, but never used. I want to practice with it at home before trying it with a wriggling bass. 

That makes sense, but I think you'd be surprised at how much fun it is to catch things on video.  

Net sounds like a great idea given how many treble hooked fish you catch, I'm thinking that's in order for me as well.   

 

So many lures, so few hours in a day ?

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Thanks for the support, I certainly appreciate it.

And while I totally respect your opinion, I don't share it.

You catch so many great bass and in some truly one of a kind & just gorgeous places,

it's a crying shame that it isn't being shared differently.

Your writing is amazing but a great pic and especially even some short video,

just an entirely different deal.

If there was a single basshead on this board, that IMO 'needs' at least one GoPro,

Young Lady  - It Is You ! 

Yes, it 'adds a little to your deal; both physically & time wise.

And so does everything you already post here. 

But come on, if there was a Gopro hidden in your rig, you probably wouldn't even know it. 

So there ya go.

The next sound you hear is me stepping off my soap box . . . 

btw - I'm always available to answer any concerns, ask away !

A-Jay

 

Yeah this is what I was thinking as well, Katie has such a wonderful and unique way of fishing for Bass......the numbers, the locales, the canoe/Spartan aspect.      

 

You have so many of your most precious fishing memories captured forever in video.   To me that's priceless.   These amazing catches that we are occasionally blessed with happen within a minute, and before you know it the moment is in the rear view mirror.    You still have the high from catching the fish for a few days, week, etc., but you can relive a special fish in a decade if you want.  

 

I do get it, and I know you get it when it comes to editing the darn things.   That said, to me getting a special moment on film yields a high similar to catching a fish.....combining the two is a match made in heaven.  

1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

 

You sound like Humphrey Bogurt!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMOBxjIvLBE

 

Thanks for the suggestion and the link too. That's just what I'll buy. 

 

One more question: Can you suggest a clamp to attach it to my canoe?

 

Haha that's awesome!     That model is lightyears ahead of my Hero Black 5.    

 

I think these new ones have killer stabilization tech.      Lots of mounts to choose from, maybe AJay can suggest a pole type mount since he yak/canoe fishes.  

 

eta:  Yeah definitely do what AJay suggested in regard to a model with a viewing screen. 

1 hour ago, Darnold335 said:

I thought about filming my fishing. Then I realized it would consist of me talking to my

dog, me getting snagged, a snack break, me talking to my dog more, dropping something, hearing the jet sing on plane and going home. Totally not anything me or anyone else would want to see. The pictures make me look good. Being on my boat just shows you how clueless I am at times with catching. Snagging bottom though I’m a professional.

A good editor makes you look like Bill Dance ?

I know this discussion was off-topic, but I found it useful and funny!

 

Thanks, GoProMonkey!

 

Putting in that work every moment the lake will allow me, increasing the length of sessions to 6.5hrs, maxing out both batteries, I can see nothing in my universe outside of my White Whale, weather fronts, and 150+ acres of water.    

 

11 fish, all but 1 fish were 2-3lb+ fish........absolutely spectacular aerial show today from both fighting LGMs, and watching wolf packs of largely Spots tossing dozens of threadfins/gizzards into the air.   Last day before rains tom. AM/cold front for two days, then back to this pattern hopefully.   These fish are all so fat compared to a few months ago, I see why people think this is the best time to get the PB.      

 

Katie, I thought about you when I discovered two new retrieves for my new favorite bait, the 110jr. +1, first way is a burn............stop.....burn..........stop....burn retrieve, and incredibly trolling this thing at 2mph and sweeping the rod forward every 10-15secs produced two fantastic 2.5-3lb fish but since I was trolling I didn't get it on film.    Next time out I plan to really experiment with the trolling aspect of this.     I find these baits like the Flashback Mini w Armor Shad, and now this 110jr.+1, and they have such unique natural action, the different ways to retrieve them are seemingly endless.   Some lures just have that magic in them.    

 

Caught them on the 110jr. +1, the LuckyCraft StaySee 90SP, the A-Rig, and the magic lure flashback mini.      I rarely tie on a new bait after I leave the dock, so catching fish on 4 baits is pretty rare for me.      That LuckyCraft proved pretty quickly it has some unique specs that should make it a great producer hopefully.   Runs a bit deeper than a Jr. +1 by 2-3ft but is the same basic size as the Jr models.   Has a great rattle to it as well which is key for me to scatter Shad and present a better unobstructed view of the bait for the Bass.   

 

Lastly on the videos, I do it primarily for selfish reasons, many/most of the videos I post in this thread are unlisted.....and get like 4 views, If I was doing it for other folks I'd be failing bigly lol.   They are basically just a much better form of my fishing pic scrapbook.    If you find yourself making videos for other people imho it's not worth the hassle of adding another level of complexity to your personal pursuit within the Bass fishing universe.     I love to share the videos here, but even my own family has no idea these videos exist, they are very personal, a record of pure joy and excitement that sometimes I have to draw back on for inspiration or escape.....not every day can be spent on the water, or at the range in my other filming deal.    The education value is extremely high as well, as I've said before I truly get lost in the excitment and moment of it all on the water.   

 

 

 

9 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

a record of pure joy and excitement that sometimes I have to draw back on for inspiration or escape.

 

They are exactly that, Alex. I love your glee at catching bass. 

 

Alex, I think that bass fishers don't troll enough. I always troll when I'm paddling from spot to spot I catch as many bass trolling as I do casting. All four of my two-bass-at-once doubles were trolling and one double was 19" and 17". 

 

I especially like to troll weed lines where I can, with careful paddling, keep my lure inches from the weeds for a long time, but I've had excellent luck in open water too. I caught a 21.5" bass and a 20" bass in 2022 trolling a Mepps in the middle of a pond, crossing from one side to another. 

 

With your trolling motor, you can do things I can't do as both my hands are on the paddle. 

 

Thanks for sharing the specifics of what you're doing on retrieves. I even mix-up the retrieves of my Whopper Ploppers. 

I am on the board for 2023 from a 2 hour quick trip I took. I’ll probably be out again in the evening too but have to go do something. Crappie fisherman told me the water temp is 38 degrees with skim ice in some places. Air temp around 30. Bass hit relatively close to shore. Fishing around submerged grass, trying to tick the tops. Caught on 1/4oz red eye shad

Good photos, @LrgmouthShad!

 

Nice catch too!

Been dealing with freezing temps and iced up guides the past two days. Actually have enjoyed pretty steady action with the Dark Sleeper and Rozante 77. Haven't caught anything bigger than this but still better than sitting around. This Jan. has been the exception to typical winters here. Probably gonna pay for it next month.

30 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

One more fish and you could have called that a practice day for the upcoming Classic ?

 

Beautiful fish, got to love the variety and not knowing what exactly you just hooked.  

On 1/11/2023 at 12:47 AM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I try to do that Katie when the fish make it obvious what they want, other times excitement takes the wheel ?

 

What I really enjoy about suspended jerkbait fishing is the nuance to it.   Some days they hit on "slack line", other days right when you begin the next jerk.   Some days they want it paused longer or jerked harder.

I've been meaning to post this.   You really need live sonar......... then you could be as confused as I usually am.   

 

I didn't make it today.  I'm going tomorrow.  Overnight low is supposed to be 24 degrees.   I wonder if warming my baits will attract Bass.   I always want to catch a BUNCH of BIG bass.  My first goal is to avoid a skunk, especially with water temps in the 40's.  (not my wheelhouse,  but I won't give up)

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

 

I have never seen a perch as long and skinny as the one your caught. Maine yellow perch have Cro-magnon brows. Strangely, Mainers don't fish for yellow perch, which is likely why they're jumbo. Mainers love to catch and eat white perch. I'm going to catch and clean some next summer and I'll photograph them so you can see how bulgy they are. Speaking of white perch, your bluegill on the bottom looks like one. So pale!

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

Man, I have to get you to come over to this side of the state or maybe just half way

(below Wilson).

22 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

 

I have never seen a perch as long and skinny as the one your caught. Maine yellow perch have Cro-magnon brows. Strangely, Mainers don't fish for yellow perch, which is likely why they're jumbo. Mainers love to catch and eat white perch. I'm going to catch and clean some next summer and I'll photograph them so you can see how bulgy they are. Speaking of white perch, your bluegill on the bottom looks like one. So pale!

We have some jumbos down south too,

I just got a little one today 

10 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

Man, I have to get you to come over to this side of the state or maybe just half way

(below Wilson).

I didn’t launch the boat today, just stood on the rocks (it was pretty breezy ). It’s not so bad out east, I’ve got a 20” two 19”  and an 18” smallie since new years 

@TnRiver46

 

Yep, those are jumbo. Yellow perch are my favorite fish to eat. Sweet and nutty!

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

I've been meaning to post this.   You really need live sonar......... then you could be as confused as I usually am.   

 

I didn't make it today.  I'm going tomorrow.  Overnight low is supposed to be 24 degrees.   I wonder if warming my baits will attract Bass.   I always want to catch a BUNCH of BIG bass.  My first goal is to avoid a skunk, especially with water temps in the 40's.  (not my wheelhouse,  but I won't give up)

Lol, what body part do I need to give up in order to get FFS, and Target Lock ?

 

You should throw an A-Rig tomorrow.      I've been slowly gaining confidence on it for the last several months, and then a few sessions ago I had the double with a 5lb fish.   That lead me to buying another complete A-Rig yesterday at Academy.     Then today happened, and I'll be an A-Rig addict for life now just like the Braided Wonder.

 

Caught 9 fish today, threw a Jerkbait, 5" Netbait Paca Craw, blade bait, and finally a brand new Yum Flash Mob Junior A-Rig with Scottsboro swimbaits.   They sell these in a kit for $20 at TW and Academy.......wish I would have been able to buy a kit for my first A-Rig.   This one just blew the doors off the high dollar Picasso finesse bait ball model I've been throwing.   Safe to say I'll be blowing a bunch of cash on new A-Rigs lol.     If you want to get into the A-Rig game, this is a dynamite budget/user friendly way to do it. 

 

Best 5 fish went almost 22.5lbs.   Even lost a bigger fish at the boat.  First time since July that I've caught more than one fish over 5lbs, today I got three.    Sans one, every fish caught was over 2.5lbs.    7/9 had fat bellies as you can see in the video, these fish are packing on the weight.    Sure wish I had fished winters before, it's like a cheat code for an extra pound or two on all the fish over 17" or so I'm finding.    

 

Bonus footage is a family of deer swimming across the lake.....almost had a "Double Rainbow" meltdown, then after that I got a 6pt chasing Does around.      Just an amazing day on the water albeit cold and windy.   

 

Check out this family of deer swimming, just incredible to witness nature while fishing.

1 minute ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Lol, what body part do I need to give up in order to get FFS, and Target Lock ?

 

You should throw an A-Rig tomorrow.      I've been slowly gaining confidence on it for the last several months, and then a few sessions ago I had the double with a 5lb fish.   That lead me to buying another complete A-Rig yesterday at Academy.     Then today happened, and I'll be an A-Rig addict for life now just like the Braided Wonder.

 

Caught 9 fish today, threw a Jerkbait, 5" Netbait Paca Craw, blade bait, and finally a brand new Yum Flash Mob Junior A-Rig with Scottsboro swimbaits.   They sell these in a kit for $20 at TW and Academy.......wish I would have been able to buy a kit for my first A-Rig.   This one just blew the doors off the high dollar Picasso finesse bait ball model I've been throwing.   Safe to say I'll be blowing a bunch of cash on new A-Rigs lol.     If you want to get into the A-Rig game, this is a dynamite budget/user friendly way to do it. 

 

Best 5 fish went almost 22.5lbs.   Even lost a bigger fish at the boat.  First time since July that I've caught more than one fish over 5lbs, today I got three.    Sans one, every fish caught was over 2.5lbs.    7/9 had fat bellies as you can see in the video, these fish are packing on the weight.    Sure wish I had fished winters before, it's like a cheat code for an extra pound or two on all the fish over 17" or so I'm finding.    

 

Bonus footage is a family of deer swimming across the lake.....almost had a "Double Rainbow" meltdown, then after that I got a 6pt chasing Does around.      Just an amazing day on the water albeit cold and windy.   

 

Nice!!! That’s a solid bunch o’ bass

 

Alex, wouldn't you win many big tournaments with that bag?

 

I know this: You sure have won my respect for your skill, tenacity, and joy. 

24 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

 

Alex, wouldn't you win many big tournaments with that bag?

 

I know this: You sure have won my respect for your skill, tenacity, and joy. 

I think that's the average bag on a good lake for the elite pros......it always amazes me the gap between myself and those pros.     

 

I had a 21lb+ Spotted bag the one time I fished with a true pro.....Dalton Bobo, who lost the Classic on a dead fish penalty.     That was in high school, I knew right then I'd never be a pro like that.   Still one of the best days of my life.    One 4lb+ Spot after the next on Lay Lake in the Fall on big Jerkbaits.  

 

Quick story on that.......He lost the Classic by an oz on a dead fish penalty (story on that fish is pretty wild).    His hometown is not far from mine, so I was devastated when he lost the Classic.  I knew he must be, so being a kid I looked up his number in the white pages and called him on the phone.   To my shock he answered the phone and I told him how much of a hero he was of mine after his performance in the Classic, and that he'd always be the winner in my book.     He told me to be ready in a week to go fishing with him during a trip he had planned for on Lay Lake.     I still couldn't believe until the morning my parents were dropping me off at the Hardees and lo and behold the most beautiful Bass rig I'd ever seen, a brand spanking new Ranger Comanche was glistening in the parking lot.

 

One of the most awesome human beings I've ever met to this day, he gave me the most amazing gift ever.    Pics are from that day.   That's still the most beautiful fish I've ever caught......the quality sucks because they are pics of pics.  

 

What a great story, Alex! And what a good, good man.

Just now, ol'crickety said:

What a great story, Alex! And what a good, good man.

Absolutely, and I've been trying to get back in touch with him since I started back fishing.

 

I even invited him to be the speaker at the High School Outdoor club.......yep, he showed up and talked to about 40-50 students for an hour, and I was hero to all those students for bringing in a Bassmaster.

 

I only saw him in the flesh twice, yet the impression he left on my life forever is etched permanently into my memory.     Take a kid fishing couldn't be any truer, or more noble!

31 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

I think that's the average bag on a good lake for the elite pros......it always amazes me the gap between myself and those pros.     

 

I had a 21lb+ Spotted bag the one time I fished with a true pro.....Dalton Bobo, who lost the Classic on a dead fish penalty.     That was in high school, I knew right then I'd never be a pro like that.   Still one of the best days of my life.    One 4lb+ Spot after the next on Lay Lake in the Fall on big Jerkbaits.  

 

Quick story on that.......He lost the Classic by an oz on a dead fish penalty (story on that fish is pretty wild).    His hometown is not far from mine, so I was devastated when he lost the Classic.  I knew he must be, so being a kid I looked up his number in the white pages and called him on the phone.   To my shock he answered the phone and I told him how much of a hero he was of mine after his performance in the Classic, and that he'd always be the winner in my book.     He told me to be ready in a week to go fishing with him during a trip he had planned for on Lay Lake.     I still couldn't believe until the morning my parents were dropping me off at the Hardees and lo and behold the most beautiful Bass rig I'd ever seen, a brand spanking new Ranger Comanche was glistening in the parking lot.

 

One of the most awesome human beings I've ever met to this day, he gave me the most amazing gift ever.    Pics are from that day.   That's still the most beautiful fish I've ever caught......the quality sucks because they are pics of pics.  

 

 

24 minutes ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Absolutely, and I've been trying to get back in touch with him since I started back fishing.

 

I even invited him to be the speaker at the High School Outdoor club.......yep, he showed up and talked to about 40-50 students for an hour, and I was hero to all those students for bringing in a Bassmaster.

 

I only saw him in the flesh twice, yet the impression he left on my life forever is etched permanently into my memory.     Take a kid fishing couldn't be any truer, or more noble!

Holy Schiznit Alex! That’s an absolute awesome story and the photos are absolutely amazing no matter what you think. Thank you for sharing both the photos and more importantly the story and most importantly the message .

Edited January 15, 20233 yr by Eric 26
Grammar

1 minute ago, Eric 26 said:

 

Holy Schiznit Alex! That’s an absolute awesome story and the photos are absolutely amazing no matter what you think. Thank you for sharing bothe the photos and more importantly the story and more importantly the message .

Always so thoughtful and kind Eric, I appreciate it!