tholmes

Cold water is the faucet on the left. Tom

I like Big Game for my baitcasters and BPS Excel for spinning reels. Tom

I hope to learn that I'm gonna make through another fishing season. Tom

Exactly this^. Tom

I fish because I enjoy it. I fish for bass because they are one of the most accessible fish in my area. I don't fish tournaments because I don't feel like I have to prove that I'm a "better" fisherman than anyone else. I'm 72 years old and count myself very fortunate to be able to get out at all. Tom

I never used a 33 as a kid, I went from a 202 to an old Shakespeare 1920 level wind caster. Now that there's grandkids (and great grandkids) in the picture, I've been picking up the old 33s (USA made with a metal foot) at yard sales, overhauling them, and putting them back in service. Never paid more than $3 for any of them. I currently have a plastic tub with maybe a dozen working 33s in it plus 6 rigged up on rods for the kids. They're simple. easy to overhaul and seem to be pretty sturdy. Can't ask more than that from a kids reel. Tom

^What he said. The solvents in Loctite 242 can seriously damage some plastics. The Vibra-Tite tape is a better option. Tom

Looks like a "Flex-Ike" made by Kautzky of Lazy Ike fame. I remember these from around 1960. My Grandpa used to have a couple in his tackle box. Lazy Ike Corporation – My Bait Shop, LLC Tom

I've been fishing Culprit worms since they first hit the market (late '70s?) and still use them plus some other brands of ribbon tails. They are my #1 confidence bait for sure. I use mostly darker purple. red and blue colors with Tequila Shad being my #1 color. I almost always have one rigged up. Tom

The colors/patterns that I can't catch anything on are: Firetiger. Any so called "perch" color, especially Rapala's perch color Baby bass Chartreuse Orange or red I've caught the most on some of the colors that others have said don't produce for them. Blue and black jigs have probably caught more bass for me than any other jig color. Green Pumpkin is a close second. Tom

I use Mobil 1 5w30 for oil and some blue Marine grease. The only "hi-tech" lube that I use is Tri-Flow oil on the worm gear. I've never had a lube related problem with any reel. Keeping your reels clean will do more to make them last than any oil or grease will. Tom

My first baitcaster. My Grandpa gave it to me in about 1960 when I was 8 yrs. old. There have been several dozen more since😁 Tom

I'm ready for cooler weather, for sure. Yesterday, we had an afternoon high of 103 with the heat index at 112. Brutal heat. Due to some health issues, I can't stay out in that kind of heat for very long, so I spent the afternoon overhauling a few old reels that I've picked up at yard sales - and playing my guitar. Tom

Is this a spinning reel or a baitcaster? If it's a spinning reel, $50 is the new price. I don't have any experience with the Trion baitcasters. Tom

VMC 9648BZ Barbless Treble Hooks Sizes 12 - 2 - Barlow's Tackle (barlowstackle.com) Tom

I'd try throwing a Johnson Silver Minnow spoon with the trailer of your choice.. They come through grass pretty well. Tom

Slug-Gos - Lunker City Tom

I would be a 1.5. No boat, usually only carry two poles and a small tackle bag. Tom

2" Hot'n'Tot in this color^ Tom

^ This. Exactly. I'll stick to my "overpriced" ABUs. Tom

Same here. I've been throwing 7.5" Culprit ribbontails since they hit the market in the late '70s. I just about always have one rod rigged every time I go fishing. And, yes, they still catch fish! Tom

I was trolling for stripers using an old Shakespeare President 1980 and got bit. I reached for the rod and accidently bumped the free spool button. Mega-backlash ensued. Tom

No. Nor would I want to. Tom

I honestly have never weighed a lure. This is the correct answer. Tom

That's my prescription for "kid tackle". Maybe throw in a couple of Rooster Tails and tiny spoons. Tom