Bird

A place I go every year for a week and not far from Pittsburgh....Stonewall resort in WV. Excellent cabins, lodge and RV campground. It's a beautiful place but don't expect an Okeechobee experience. Lol

As I got older I got wiser and started to simplify my tackle and boats. Owned bass boats, jonboats and canoes and sold every one of them. Now have 2 fishing kayaks, both are feel-free.....one you paddle and one with motor pod. Simply less hassle, more convenient and best of all, I fish way more. Lol

Whenever I'm in the mood to throw a tube.....I always end up throwing a TRD craw.

Back in the 70's our whole basement was nothing but aquariums as my parents bred various Cichlids. There was a market but tedious work involved, water changes, filters and various equipment. Like Bass, cichlids are robust and easily bred and raised. We have 2 long time operating local fish farms in the area, they do quite well. Be curious what you find out.

AJ, your dedication is inspiring. I too have been very avid in my workout routine, 1 hr per day, 4 days a week at present. Every workout is proceeded by a 3 mile mtnbike ride "offroad ". Since I've retired I've taken up wine drinking which I may have to watch. Lol

2020 will be my first full year of retirement and have been blessed with outstanding health and it won't be taken for granted. My biggest goal.....a HEAVY diet of bass fishing.....preparing for tomorrow as we speak, brrrrrr.

We think the same, my respect.

Biggest " 5.9 LM " came on drop shot Roboworm.....people's worm. Lost a much bigger fish on white double willow spinnerbait. Smallies? eh, they hit anything around here. Lol

If you've fished long enough, the horror stories add up....unfortunately. Line breakage is definitely the worst feeling for me, especially due to ignorance. Lost some giants not taking the time to retie and no doubt a 10lb + in SC after I tightened drag trying to net fish. I do however get over it quickly and move on.

I like using (2) 0-rings.

That's incredible. I fish all over the State of VA and the only place I've come close to that is eastern shore.....lower Rap and Potomac.

Hmmm, in clear water I always use a fluoro leader in 8-12# but rarely throw spoons. Is it possible that it's due to the memory coil from spinning rod or you using a baitcaster? I don't use straight Fluoro in spinning reels because of its memory.

If I'm fishing lakes, no precautions are taken as I've never come close to flipping a fishing kayak. I often do overnight river trips so all camping gear goes in dry bags and rods are secured with bungee when navigating rapids. NOW, lol I did however flip a jonboat after hitting a bridge pillar not paying attention and lost all rods and reels "Shimano " , cell phone, tackle box , basically everything so it can happen.

You caught 15 Frogs with a frog, unreal. That's better than I ever did with a gig.

Deer hunters definitely have declined. Bass fishing has increased making the fish wiser. Lol Watersports have greatly increased on bigger water making for challenging conditions to fish but fishing remains very popular especially with the advancements of fishing kayaks.

Hope you had a great day fishing. Enjoy reading your updates and can sense a man with positive attitude, may God bless.

I was out recently on a crazy warm day " upper 60's" and fished all day without a nibble. Had a blast, going Monday?. It ain't as productive as say, Tactical bass'n makes it look. Lol My best day this winter was 2 fish in 6hrs. 1 fish on Ned....1 fish on Rattletrap.

Like above, I rarely spend much on a lure, something easily lost. I go for baits that look and act like the best but at a fraction of the price....they exist. Now overall money spent on fishing is totally different, boats, rods and reels, trips, gets into the thousands.

I can't ever remember fishing a receding lake where it's being drained for boat ramp repairs. We've had a mild winter and the fishing has been respectable until my last trip. It was a beautiful day in upper 60's, no wind and I literally fished all day without a single bite.....Ned rigs, jigs, rattletrap, sinking jerkbaits, stuff I've been having success with all winter. The lake is down 6ft and dropping. Does this have an effect on fish you think? If so I'll fish elsewhere. Lol

I'm Also retired but only fish 3-4 days a week. Never once have I paid attention to anything other than the road to and from the lake. It could be forecasted that not a single fish will be caught and I'd be seen.....fishing.

Good post. I'm an older guy with lots of experience and have learned quite a bit since joining BR.....great bunch here.

I happen to agree and prefer experience over opinion. Had both top models......Lew's all day.

No issues at all with that, done it myself.

I'm camping every other weekend from April through October and simply carry an extra battery when primitive camping or always get an electric site otherwise.

If they can run and Metcalf has another big game, they can win @ GB. Surprisingly Seattle could host if they and Vikings both win.