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My "boat" is a canoe so I don't store any gear in the boat. In the garage, I have most of the in-use tackle in 3600-size boxes. I pick & choose from these 3600s depending on what type of fishing I'll be doing. I have 3600 boxes for: Cranks 1-8 ft. Cranks 7-13ft Cranks 14-20+ft Lipless cranks Minnow baits Topwater Jigs Spinnerbaits Terminal tackle Misc I also have 3500-size boxes and other size plastic boxes for swimbaits, in-line spinners, ultralight, other misc stuff and tackle I take when fishing from the bank. Most soft plastics and new baits are hung from pegboard. Other soft plastics are stored in a small tub. Other stuff is in boxes under the workbench or in a big workbench drawer.

for durability, I would think good old fashioned pork is tough to beat.

Give it a try, it's an inexpensive experiment. Most guys like the line, but some don't. I recommend #6 for spinning tackle, #12 for baitcasting. The overall performance is enhanced with KVD Line & Lure Conditioner.

I don't care who you are, where you fish. It boils down to this: big fish aren't rare because they're hard to catch, big fish are rare because they're rare. Having the best set of genetics, the best conditions, and the best water to grow in makes a big fish. So few of any species get all of those and live to tell. I've been fortunate enough in my career to fish all over the US, and have caught what amounts to big fish in all of the areas I travel to. I'm lucky. In most cases, I couldn't have caught those same sized fish on private waters. The densities are lower, and the chances are much less. I've fished some VERY large strip pits in CA and caught multiple fish over 12lbs, that's far and away the exception to the rule. Are those 12lb fish any less an accomplishment to me because they came from a private pit? Heck no, they're still a double digit bass! I don't care WHERE that fish comes from, it's just RARE to see it in the US! The kicker? My PB came from a public lake that gets HUGE amounts of pressure; probably one of top five most pressured lakes in the US. I've caught multiple fish over ten from that body of water, too. They're no more an accomplishment to me than catching any big fish out of private water anywhere I've fished. The big one? Yeah, that's a big deal because of just how big she was, don't care if it is public or private, it would've been a monster of a fish any way you look at it.

2 Years and four days ago, I joined the Bass Resource forum looking for some answers on what to get for my first decent combo. I can't find that thread anymore, but I know I got some of the most friendly, educated, and helpful advice in many many pages. 3,300 posts later, i'm still kickin, and you guys are still #1 on my most frequented websites. The knowledge I've gained has been tremendous, and believe it or not, I sucked at fishing too, haha. Th cumulative knowledge on this website is unfathomable, and I can truly say that of all the forums I've belonged on, I've never been on one this nice, and friendly. Even when there is a heavy debate, it's just a debate about the subject, nothing more. And a shoutout to all the moderators, and many more that I cant remember off the top of my head. You all have done a fantastic job at doing what you do, I've never personally moderated a forum myself, but I can imagine "It's not easy, being cheesy." And a big thank you to Glenn, who keeps the site up and running. Without you, this post would never be made, none of us would have any the bond that we do, and more importantly, millions of fisherman worldwide would probably not be as succesful, or as interested in the sport of bass fishing as they are today. Also, to our sponsors, without you, well, I don't know if we would be where we are today, but you all have certainly helped, in many ways, and I am never shy to recommend a product of yours, as a sponsor of Bass Resource. In fact, I use over 14 of our sponsors regularly, and the list seems to be ever growing. I have actually switched most of my hooks to Mustad over from Gamakatsu, mainly because they support the site I love, and they make a better hook IMO. Either way, I love this place, 2 years, 3,300 posts, and i'll still be coming back for more.

Simple eye contact and a head nod most of the time. Been known to go yup.Mmhmm,no problem and you're welcome.... guess it's how I'm feeling that day. LOL Honestly it has never bothered me on either end when i say "thank you" and don't get a reply back. Heck even if the person doesn't say thank you to me either. I let my act define me as a person....

There is no "best." Plastics come in a wide variety of sizes. If you use one size it might be too small for your largest baits and too large for the small finesse baits. I like the guideline that says use a hook with a gap at least double the diameter of the lure.

Ghostshad, the problem with your query is that you will receive many suggestions on specific rods to purchase. May I suggest the following? 1. Read all suggestions. 2. Consider all suggestions. 3. Google Skipping Rods and read the items that interest you. 4. Look for a spinning rod. I use a 6'6" rod to skip under docks and piers as it is easier to control. Some others use rods over 7' so it is up to you to decide which ones you can control best. 5. Study how to skip. How far to the rod's tip should you have the bait? Fast bait fall or slow bait fall? Best baits to throw, like Senkos, Zoom, Power Baits. Techniques that are the best for you like shaky head, Texas rig, unweighted plastics, drop shot, Neko Rig, etc. 6. Practice, practice and practice on the water. Skipping is an outstanding technique to master but it takes patience and lots of practice. So be cognizant of your bait, where you land the bait to skip under the target, how high should you hold your rod when casting, and how to get out of the boat to retrieve your bait and hook when you miss the target and get hung up on a dock or pier. Go for it and remember, practice, practice and practice some more on the water. You will find the correct rod lenght, biat, line weight and technique that is you!

If you've never used them, don't assume anything. The EVx are very good rods. St Croix, Daiwa, and especially All Star also make alot of crap to go along with their decent rods.

No need to get cocky, it was a simple legitimate question. And you obviously don't have a good answer, so please keep your remarks to yourself.

Private ponds, cheating ? Ha ! That's funny ! I'll tell you what, you can fish ANY private pond in the country, and I'll fish hammered on public waters. Keeps the populations down, and allows for a much bigger top end size..... Throw in a good supply of hatchery trout {which I've never heard of in a private pond} and its on ! Okay, so you can have a shot at a 15-18 lb'er (around these parts) in the public waters, OR if you have some really awesome connections, you might get to fish some private place that's loaded with 5 to 9 lb'ers that just eat everything you throw at them. Ton of fun right, the first few X's.... But they are not real trophys. {again, around these parts} Helps the trophy status if they are Northern strains I love my North Strain LMB But the kind of fish that really get me going, are pretty much only found in public waters. From a trophy fishing standpoint, I'd be cheating myself to fish private waters ! Fish PS, I did see a reply or two that mentioned "not having anything to brag about if caught from private waters"... Yea', huh.... I could see myself talking to a fishing buddy.... "So we went to that private place and stuck all those nice ones, that was a kick.... But dude ! What about this 15.6 I just caught from ***** Res. !!! Whooo Hooo ! Now I'm braggin' baby ! LOL

Is it "cheating"? In my situation, yes it is. It's easy, but easy isn't bad when you are talking about fishing. It has it's advantages. The lake is Richmond Mill Lake and the company is The Kingfisher Society. We are the cutting edge of fisheries management. But for me to sit here and say it's fishing just like every other lake would be a lie. It's nothing like a public lake. The bass are all 4.5lbs are better. We are able to sustain more fish per acre than most lakes. We have feeders that always have a couple of catchable bass around them. Our bluegill average 1.5lbs and 1 in 20 will be 2lbs or better. (If you are wondering how we do it just subscribe to Pond Boss Magazine and check out the Pond Boss website.) A private lake/pond, weather managed or not is a great place to learn how to fish. It's also a great place to hone your skills. You can learn what makes a bass tick a lot better than you can on a large lake. It's a great place to gain confidence in yourself and gain a passion for fishing. For a beginner it's not cheating. It's like driving in the express/HOV lane on the highway. You get where you are going faster than if you were driving with the masses. Be proud of every fish you catch. You earned it. This is my fifth season guiding at Richmond Mill and I have learned so many things about bass and bass fishing that have helped me be more successful on any body of water I fish. Things that would have taken me years to learn on larger public waters. I have a better understanding of daily fish migration, how bass relate to structure and cover, how they use current and much much more. I've been able to gain confidence in lures and presentations that I didn't have the patients to try on public waters. I've become a better jig, crankbait, spinnerbait fisherman because I was getting more bites. The satisfaction comes from taking the skills that I have learned and trying them out on lakes like Guntersville or Clarks Hill and being able to use them to be successful. If it's a club or a business I think you have to look at it a little differently. They are in it to make money and catching is much more fun than fishing. The company I work for has a business model that is designed to give clients an experience that will blow them away. It's not about fishing at all. It's about the experience of the entire package. The royal treatment, the great food, the quail hunting, the falconry, the sporting clays, the ultimate man cave, the awesome lake and the list goes on. Clients pay a premium for that experience and that's what we strive to give them. The icing on the cake is that we can almost guarantee that they will catch a bass that is over 4.5lb. I say almost because I had a day few years ago where I had two experienced fishermen in my boat and we didn't catch a thing. But most of my clients aren't fishermen. Most of them have never even held a fishing rod in their hand and that is why I guide there. They asked me to guide there not because I'm a great bass fisherman, but because I'm good with people and I love teaching them how to fish. Do I consider myself a pro because I guide there. No! That's what they call me and what they pay me for, but I will never consider myself one. I enjoy learning every day and love to teach people what I have learned.

I like both. And I like which ever one is biting best more...........on that day. Where I fish, you have the chance to catch either one on any given cast, more so this time of year and/or in the fall.

I've been fishing grubs for over 40 years. They'll catch anything and everything. I've caught LM, SM, crappie, catfish, carp, white perch, yellow perch....etc.! I've caught two nice (10 & 13 lbs.) northern pike on 2" curly tails with a 1/16 oz. ball head jigs, while crappie fishing! I've caught tons of river smallies on 3" curly tails with 1/8 oz. balls heads. I use to buy my curly tails in bulk, sold by the pound! Now I pretty much stick with Kalins, as they have the thinest, widest tails, with the most action, even a very slow retrieves. The 5" Kalins do wonders on striped bass too. Very versatile bait that be fished in a wide variety of presentations. Never leave home without them!

A Zoom Fat alburt grub is responsible for my PB largemouth(check avatar pic) this past March. 6lbs 10oz. I love to fish them.

Bass fishing is bass fishing right? And bass fishing is fun right? I love fishing farm ponds because it's FUN. Who cares what other people think. Unless your at a tournament level I don't see anything wrong with managed/farm ponds. I prefer river fishing but I do love farm pond fishing.

I have been inspired. Now if I can convince, "She Who Must be Obeyed" that its a good idea for when we retire.

I have the 7' med-hvy finnese jig paired with a pflueger patriarc that I use for pitchin jigs and creatures it balances well and is very sensitive. I'm planning on getting more when I have the money. I have a couple of the mojo's so the price won't be to bad with st croix's trade up program