NorcalBassin

I've been happy with the Yetis we've purchased (up to 30% off with Kittery Trading Post sitewide sales), and I use them to keep BBQ/smoked foods hot nearly as much as I use them to keep things cold. If someone is willing to put in a little extra time for prep to pre-chill them then it's worth the investment for a cooler that should last you your whole life, but if you just want to throw some ice on top of food and beverages as you're walking out the door then you're probably better off with a traditional Coleman/Igloo cooler.

Tough to beat the Dobyns Fury line for a combination of quality and being budget friendly. If you're talking 168 s-waver type of size swimbaits then the 735c could work for frogging, jigging in cover, and swimbaiting. However, if you're talking bigger than a 168 s-waver I'd recommend adding the 795 to your arsenal. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dobyns_Fury_Casting_Rods/descpage-DFC.html

893 was the perfect rod up until the fairly heavy cover part. With that in mind I'd recommend the 894 (I use them both regularly and couldn't be happier with them). As Yumeya m mentioned the 852 is also great (my personal favorite).

I usually use the 3/16 head (1/0) but have also used the 3/8 (2/0) when I want to get down deep more quickly. They both fit the 2.8 very well.

MBR taper is great for both the experienced and the inexperienced and may actually help the kids even more than the JWR XF tip would. I have quite a few Loomis rods and have been very pleased with both the MBR and JWR. 1 844 MBR or 893 JWR- A good casting worm/jig rod that will be used around some medium cover types. 2 843 MBR- A good casting rod that might be used for spinner baits/chatter baits/etc. 3. 845 CBR- A good casting rod for all around crank baits. 4 852s- A good all-around spinning rod that might be used to fish small worms/Ned Riggs/small jigs 5 822s- A good all-around spinning rod that might be used to fish drop shots, etc.

When I spend time with a new technique and have success I stock up with what ends up being more than I'll need in anticipation of sharing it with others. Problem is most of my "others" also tend to be tacklephilic and don't really need a whole lot. I donate quite a bit to local churches/thrift stores, but I'd much prefer to just give it to someone that would enjoy it but doesn't have the means to purchase it.

I've been using the Bass Mafia money bags, but I have to admit this setup has me intrigued. I've blown out the zipper on 3 of the Mafia bags that were only about 90% full, and I'm thinking this may be the ticket for something more durable. How many bags of plastics do carry in each speed bag?

Ton of solid choices out there, but my two main preferences are the Aaron Martins Gamkatsus and the Owner Mosquito Light when going with real light test. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Aaron_Martens_TGW_Drop_Shot_Hook_6pk/descpage-SFH.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Mosquito_Light_Hooks/descpage-OML.html

Coolbaits is pretty close to a perfect fit. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Coolbaits_Lure_Co_The_Down_Under_Underspin/descpage-CLCTDU.html

2.8 on an underspin has outproduced everything I've ever thrown except for a senko, and it's accounted for a lot of quality fish as well (not a dink magnet).

A few years ago I was in the market for a new boat and ended up going with a 21' deep hull with a 115 Honda. I try to take my dad out bass fishing as much as possible, and the inside of the boat and seating is a lot more stable and comfortable for someone 70+ with multiple joint replacements. Under deck storage is significantly less compared to a traditional bass boat, but the side storage brings a decent amount of that back and hitting typical afternoon waves at WOT (41mph) and no concern is pretty great. I thought I would miss not having a traditional bass boat, but I have to admit I couldn't be happier with the purchase.

Straight mono for me. I use straight braid for a frog, but everything else it's mono (usually Sunline Defier Armilo). Lots of people love braid to leader, but I've just never had a need to do it.

Wish I had seen this earlier. That algae bloom that came down the middle fork a few weeks ago (cyanobacteria) really turned the bite off, but I am glad you at least got into some fish. Don Pedro has been good all summer, but sorry that does nothing for you now!

About 5-6 years of experience with the 852s. Super versatile rod and could pretty much cover all finesse spinning applications for you out on the Delta. I also use an Addermine, Legend Elite, and the 822 syr quite a bit, and the 852 would be the one I'd be bringing with me to the Delta. That being said, any of the rods you're considering should make you quite happy.

852s should be just what you're looking for. I really like the 822syr as well for light DS, SH, and Neds, but in the Delta the extra power of the 852 will serve you well. I've landed a 9#LMB and multiple accidental 10#+ catfish and carp on mine at Clear Lake this year and it's handled them flawlessly.

Also have them both and they're hands down two of my favorite rods to fish with. The NRX with an Aldebaran MGL is a dream combo (IMO) and I've comfortably thrown light shakeyheads, Neds, small tubes, darterheads, drop shot, etc. For an XF it's surprisingly versatile, and Matt Allen reports using it for techniques he never thought it would handle. The GLX 842 (w/Curado 70) always has a 3/16 underspin with a 2.8 Keitech on it since that's been my most consistent bait the past couple years. Before I picked up the 852 I was using the 842 for all of those same techniques with the Aldebaran, and it handled them all well... not going to lose with either option.

Ruh roh! There was a day I thought my home lake didn't get the respect it deserved, and now it's #7 nationally and #2 out west with its neighbor #6 out west. They're both plenty big and out of the way enough that it probably won't affect the pressure on either of them very much, but it is crazy seeing the national attention.

Excellent reboot. Be awesome if we could get @Mattlures @Supermat and @Fish Chris to come back for a cameo appearance to give their thoughts.

Wow, that article is well done and just crazy. What a tool.

Thoughts and prayers to both of them.

Excellent read and thank you for sharing the detailed presentation!

Congrats and well done!

Also missed it, which is crazy if it went 4 pages. Never would have thought I don't check the forum frequently enough!

Be great if it was Zodias but pretty sure it would be a Curado (still a nice rod).

NRX 893 is an awesome all around rod with a sweet spot up to 3/8 oz, but if you're going up to 1/2 oz and in cover the 894 should be pretty close to perfect for you.