Good morning, brothers.
I think it’s time to start a new thing…
Every day I get emails from readers and subscribers that have become friends. I am blessed by these messages – they make my heart happy. Keep ’em comin!
Some men want to talk about fishing alone – others share stories about their family, or their faith. Some want to talk about what it means to be a father, a brother, a son – a man.
These conversations are valuable, in many ways.
I’d like to start featuring & sharing some of YOUR wins in all of the above categories, because they are too good to keep to myself.
Enter my new friend – Brother Marty.
Not that long ago, I saw a comment pop up on an older video that just so happened to be the video that started all of this – I was a mess, completely depressed, building a business, drinking way too much, frustrated, but I wanted to share the fact that I was turning over a new leaf in the hopes that it would help a few other anglers…
The fact that Marty got something out of this – that it spoke to him on some level – made my day. This led to an email conversation, where we began to discuss strategy:
Hey A.J., hope you are doing well. I have been enjoying your videos on minimalistic fishing. I actually paired down 12 tackle boxes into two for my trip today. While, I got skunked, the guy I was fishing with did as well. But I got to tell you, it was so much easier having to dig through two tackle boxes rather than a dozen. My first tacklebox was strictly terminal tackle. My second tacklebox was a collection of baits which allowed me to attack the entire water column. I took about four top waters, four spinner baits, four crank baits, and a collection of Senko‘s and jigs. Like I said, no fish but still a lot of fun. I’ll look forward to following your content. Keep up the good work. By the way, just from your channel name, I’m assuming you are a Patriot. My wife and I are as well. God loving, gun toting, folks who love the USA and what it once was (and hoping it will be again).
– Marty
Marty was on The Path
We went back and forth a bit more – I talked about how this was a process, not a destination. I still fail constantly at this – have WAY too much stuff (just look at the pictures in this post to see what I mean…) but the act of minimizing the junk will help us focus where it counts: on the water.
… and hey… good news… Marty sent me two updates since then… check this out!!!
AJ, hope you are doing well my friend. Today’s fishing… it couldn’t have been better! The big bite was on. Though we weren’t in a tournament, we would have probably won any tournament we entered with today’s bag. Our 5 biggest fish weighed 27-10. I caught a 4-10 and a 5-8, while my buddy landed a 4-0, 5-14, and a 7-10. If my math is correct our bag would have weighed 27-10. We caught several 2’s and a few 3’s and broke off (we saw them) a 4 and a 6. Honestly, my best day ever on the water.
Again I only took two 3700 tackleboxes; one with terminal tackle and one with assorted lures. However all but one of our fish were caught on a wacky rigged Senko style bait. The (top 5) bass was caught on a jig. Still enjoying your videos. Keep up the good work.
-Marty
Now here’s the icing on the cake – you ready?
Last Friday, he sent me this:
Morning AJ and happy Good Friday. So this just happened. I reworked my two 3700’s. I did not take a terminal tackle box. Instead I loaded one with various colors of Senko style baits along with the necessary hooks. The other one, I loaded with a couple spinner baits, frogs, buzz baits, etc.. Probably a dozen or so lures. I caught this 6-3 as I was considering calling it a day. It was cold and rainy, I hadn’t caught a fish … and I needed coffee. LOL. It is my personal best. BTW, caught her on a Bama Craw Yum Dinger. Have a great weekend.
– Marty
So… does Minimalist Fishing REALLY WORK?!
It absolutely does.
Can I take credit for Marty’s fish?
I absolutely can not.
This is the result of his hard work. His adjustments. His perseverance. His dedication.
The victory is his and his alone – and he earned it.
God… I love that phrase: he EARNED it… and I would be willing to bet, he’s gonna earn more and more in the not too distant future…
Good on ya, Brother Marty. Go get ’em.
I’m rooting for ya.
Many of you have contacted me over the last 3 years, and I plan to start writing up some of your victories as well. (You know who you are!) If you’re new here and anything you’ve read or watched has helped you catch more & better fish – let me know. It’s time we start sharing our victories with one another as we continue to become better anglers – and better men!
Tight Lines & Godspeed, Patriots.
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