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I'll be right over . . . A-Jay

Just got my latest order in and WOW am i happy with the custom color selections i made! 3 swimjigs 3 dredge jig heads w/ only rubber skirts (smaller profile, really cool) 3 dredge mata (silicone and rubber skirts, large profile, awesome) REALLY liking the bluegill flash swimjig, falcon craw mata dredge and the green black pumpkin mata dredge. Mike also had my order made and shipped in like 36 hours, i don't think the guy sleeps! Very nice work from a very nice guy!

They are starting to come up a little bit here in central va! What has been working: Catching dinks in the shallows on flukes and baby bass senkos (weightless rigged), Jerkbaits at the Dam on the rocks, swimming a jig, TRAP What hasnt been working: spinnerbaits (i dont know how they want the spinnerbait right now but they arent pickin up what im puttin down) Caught about a half dozen in the last 2 weeks... but im particularly proud of this fish. It was about 4.5 pounds, and the reason im proud of it is because the second i made my cast i knew i was gonna get bit. I pulled up to a main lake point just outside of the mother of all coves (spawning flat central), 10 ft. of water, open area in between stump nation, made a cast towards the sunny bank, hack attack 3/8th oz. swim jig in bluegill with rxn innovations skinny dipper (watermelon red flake), I dead sticked it, then slow rolled it for about 2 seconds before It got freakin SMOKED! Tight lines everyone! And to all of us paddlers out there, stay safe and keep it tight! It might be nice up top, but not down in the drink! Cumon! *** Click on the picture to blow it up its kind of small as a thumbnail

I literally catch hundreds and hundreds of prespawn smallmouth every year in very clear water with 10 pound braid and no leader. Try it, you may find the "visibility" of braid makes little if any difference.

As promised, winter accumulation. I snuck some cymbal monkey stuff in the background - 15" hats. Don't drool on your keyboard, Weld's. Lol.

It's basically first come first served, but I get reels from all over the country and do my best to accommodate. If you're waiting patiently for reels to be serviced, thank you, and rest assured I'm working OT to get everyone back on the water ASAP. Thank you for the continuing support and kind words. Mike

Just wanted to give a big thanks and big stamp of approval to Mike over at DVT for taking care of me, needed four reels done by the end of this week and he got it done for me, came in yesterday. I got it to him Thursday and bam got em yesterday.. I had to put the rush on them. Thanks again Mike and fellas if ya need reel work done or just cleaning I strongly recommend. Thanks again BR for having peeps like DVT sponsored on here..

Played in the river

The confusion about the flash pointer 115 and the flash pointer 115MR is that the 115 is a slow floater while the 115MR is a slow sinker. The 115MR is a 7-9 ft depth while the 115 is a 3-5 ft depth. The smithwick perfect ten is the deepest runner of the shallow divers. It will get down 10-12ft for me. For deep divers you should look at the pointer 100 DD and the pointer 100 XD and the staysee 90 & 120 version in lucky craft. Other good deep divers are smithwick rogue DD, rapala husky jerk DD, duo realis 100DR and some misc other baits. I use mostly all 10lb braid for jerkbaits with a mono leader between 8lb-15lb depending on conditions. I like to use a mono leader for abrasion and to help add some give (stretch) into the overall system between rod action & braids lack of stretch. The thin diameter of 10 braid gets the baits deeper. I always use a small snap & do not find the snap to be a problem in the weighting of the jerkbait or loosing fish because of snap failure. Will straight braid to jerkbait catch fish? Yes. I have seen 6lb smallies hit a jerkbait on straight braid on lake erie. The whole braid versus mono/floro argument can be very contentious. If you are fishing very slowly & have clear water then use a leader. If you are ripping a bait & fishing off colored water it probably makes no difference. I have never gotten a fish to answer the braid versus leader question so I can only go by what works for me on any particular body of water. On your color selections I like gaudy high visibility colors for off color water, like clown, pink or chartreuse. For clear water I like indigenous bait colors (match the hatch) & I like white/bone.

For a weekend like you guys had, I'd put up with a Pats fan too!

Flying down now. Feel like a kid on Christmas morning!

Personally I wish they'd make nets mandatory to protect the fish. Guys boat flipping fish and letting them bang off the consoles or bottom of the boat aren't doing the fish any favors and don't shine a very positive light on the sport.

Just started using the Yumeya spool in my CH 101B this week, it was my first experience with an aftermarket spool. I'm "hooked", this thing really makes a difference in the casting ability of this reel. I've always been very fond of the CH B and the addition of this spool only makes this great reel better. I'm running 30# PP (which this spool doesn't hold all that much of) on a Crucial 6'10" MH. The fellow I bought it from had only used it a few times and it was in brand new condition when I received it. It originally wasn't meant as a casting spool so it didn't come with a VBS brake hub. The previous owner had already installed one so I of course left it on, I didn't add any brake blocks though. I wanted to see if I could get away without using any. I'm very happy to report that I can! Having successfully fished with it on two occasions now I'm probably going to remove the brake hub altogether. It casts small light lures fantastically but the area that I'm most excited about is it's ability to pitch them even better. I was having a blast with this small jig, it's so effortless to present this lure now. Anyway sorry to have gone on so long.

So, December I got myself a little Christmas present... I picked up my first official bass boat. Its a 1995 Javelin 379T with a 150 Johnson outboard....! And I'm going to pick it up on Friday! I cannot compose myself, it feels like it could be Christmas morning!!! Has anyone ever owned this boat? Or even a javelin at the least? I would love to hear everyone's input! Thanks everyone.

Thank you gentlemen and don't worry I added a pair of Texas tackle split ring pliers to the order as well.

Come on Man, It's a PB Pucker up and lay a lip lock on that Big Bass ! A-Jay

I was a Torpedoman, not around a lot of Boatswain Mates of any branch. Did log about 100 hours flying with the Coast Guard in C130's and CH43's in the Pacific, island hopping and monitoring foreign fishing vessels. Also spent a few days on Kure Island, which is/was a Coast Guard Loran station in the pacific. The most isolated piece of ground I have ever been on. I have a great deal of respect for all branches of service, just couldn't pass a golden opportunity to harass and maybe share a smile.......Al Sorry OP for stealing the thread, I'll shut up now.

The sizes you speak of are the head weights. For weighted wacky hooks, they're usually (in my experience), 1/0 or 2/0 size. I typically use ⅛ as a general weight, and I like 1/0 size for such. I'll go heavier in windy conditions. For weightless wacky hooks, I like from 2-2/0 in Gammy Split/Drop shot, or Gammy Wide-Gap finesse. Best prices will be from online shops...TW, etc.

There's a workaround: learn the Alberto.

^^THIS^^ !!! ... I urge everyone to wear some sort of UV protection (such as a buff & fishing gloves) while fishing - and that goes double for fair skinned people !! **The current statistics are over 50% of people over 50 will experience some sort of skin pre-cancer / cancer during their lifetime . Don't think it won't happen to you either !! ... I grew up fishing in Texas and Florida and now I have to see a dermatologist 4 times a year for a check and every visit I now average 9 to 12 places on my hands , arms , face and head the Doctor finds which need to be burned off or cut out . These are the places I did not protect as a kid and now it's too late for me as the damage is done ... For an informative read check out Bernie Schultz's Bassmaster article : "Don't Look Like Me" !! ... Lastly , for large head fishermen who experienced a tight fit with previous Buffs - now they are offered in XL sizes . Enjoy fishing - but please be smart out there so you can stay safe and enjoy fishing for years to come .

Now you tell me!

All of mine have now been covered...except one (#5) 1. Spoonplugging by Buck Perry - the foundation upon which to build everything else, if I only got to pick one. 2. In Pursuit of Giant Bass - written by one of the original Chicago area Spoonpluggers. 3. Lunkers Love Nightcrawlers - based on Bill Binkelman's original works along with a bunch of Perry influence. The original "book" on finesse. 4. Original In' Fisherman Study Reports - not a book, but much more detailed than most every book out there. Grounbreaking stuff. 5. Catching Fish - The original compilation of everything the Lindner's did up to the point of launching In' Fish magazine in 1975. Over 380 pages of compiled genius. 6. Lunker by Bob Underwood - No theory, just 1200 hours of scuba observations on bass and their behavior, plain and simple. Referenced several times in the Lindner's early stuff. -T9

Who doesn't love some good battle scars But in reality, I use my boga grip if trebles are involved. I know...boga/net what's the difference, but I don't put it anywhere near the water until I know the fish is tired. I don't wanna see a fish swim away with a $100 scale hahaha

You won't think it's cheating when a bass shakes his head and sticks a treble hook in your thumb.

According to Lucky Craft's web site, the information on the Tackle warehouse site is correct. I use nothing but braid for my jerkbaits. I want all the action I impart to move the bait, not be absorbed by the stretch of fluoro or mono. A snap on a suspending bait will cause it to sink.

This is done.

Dude u need a net

Great Smallies & a Tremendous 3 fish Bag ~ Congrats ! And in the Sick but True category - as part of a 21 + bag, your 6-10 had to be The Small One. Oh My. A-Jay

I use a GoPro video camera mounted on a PVC pipe. I use Tipard video editing software. You can find several free video editing programs by searching on Google. The problem with a GoPro is it doesn't have a viewing screen so you have to hope you have the camera pointed to capture all. I downloaded an app to my iPhone that syncs with the GoPro and where you point your GoPro shows up on the iPhone's screen. Here's a 2.5 minute video I made of me catching a 7.4 bass using a wild shiner.

Boomerang Tool "The Snip" Basic Line Cutter

Mailbox was filled with goodies today. New Alphas SV and a fish Finder for my new yak.

I like Timmy Horton.

If you only had one arm but three legs and it was Saturday, but the third Saturday of the month, on your birthday and you only had half a rod and no lure what sunscreen would you use?

I don't use them at all. I found that the ones I used wore out and dulled quickly. I prefer the simplicity and durability of a nickel plated hook over any color.

The Pointer 100DD is Great Deep Bait. And as for 20lb killing the action - check for yourself but I've taken 9lb + bass on a Pointer 128 using 20lb mono. A-Jay

I like that pic! Jeff

Biggest one I caught out of the creek the other day. Pretty skinny. As you can tell by his coloration, the water was really stained and is way to high for fishing, but I can't just not go

I've been waiting on my E6X 7'1" JWR to come in since mid February...arrival date on TW keeps getting pushed back. Hoping for it in the next couple weeks. Anyone have one yet?

Nice copy and paste A-Jay... Straight from tackle warehouse

I've done something similar, but found that adding an extra split ring, or small split shot to the front hook was, not only easier, but allowed me to remove the added weight when needed.

I've seen that video before, nothing wrong with the knot. It's not practical for me, don't care to take the time to tie it. It may be difficult on a rocking boat or on land if it's breezy outside. I'm having no strength issues with my present knot, easy to tie and can do it under any conditions. Just another option if one is interested.

00 mod & myself Buffing It Up in Mexico A-Jay

Besides being an important Public Service message, I rather enjoy seeing your annual posts show up - means I'll be fishing soon. Thank You A-Jay

I wish this horse was dead but it's not so here I am again.....Spring is here and the sun can kill you so.....COVER UP.... thank you Grampa

Right now is an excellent time to fish for Pike. Although you would be ice fishing... not sure that is your style. The Pike are shallow, active, and very very fat. It is fast action with a lot of fish 8-10 lbs and over.

This is Beltzville last evening (3/17/15) at around 6:15PM. About a foot of water showing at the ramp. The shoreline is frozen to the edge. The Ice was recorded in some places as deep as 23". The good news is that the water level is back to normal. On Edit: It might be a little early to take the cover off the SS Minnow. Friday's weather forcast (3/20/15..Hey, that's the first day of Spring...) Another storm system will affect the area on Friday with snow arriving during the morning and lasting into the evening hours. Snow probabilities for Friday: Chances for 1-3": 60% Chances for 3-5": 30% Chances for <1": 10%

A trick worm is 5.45 grams '3/16' without a hook. Add a hook and you are almost at 1/4oz. Add 1/8 weight and it's almost 3/8oz. A lot of 50 and 100 sized reels can throw a 1/4oz without any issue. Using the right rod helps too of course.

Nice job but you also need to know what temperature of water you will fish them in. If you tested them in 50 degree water, they will sink in water that is much warmer. If you tested in 80 degree water, they will float in much cooler water.

My thoughts exactly, well said AJ!

Just get a regular back pack a lot cheaper just because there not a "fishing back pack" and a lot more durable.