RB 77

I would say Rod in most instances. However, as @Tennessee Boy eluded to, having the "right" rod vs. having a "nice" rod is key. I have $100ish rods and reels and I have $600+ rods and reels. The "nice" rods and reels are very specific to what they are used for so I feel they are also the "right" rods and reels as well. There is a point of diminishing returns. The key is finding that balance and return on investment for yourself personally.

What are we talking; framing, finishing, ball peen, sledge...?

Don't back reel, so I never used it.

Every year in the new years fishing resolutions thread I always answer the same thing; go fishing more! This year was not the case. I did have my personal best Tuna fishing trip and perhaps my best Jerkbait fishing bite I have ever had states side. I have exactly TWO hunts under my belt so far. So once again, next year I hope to have more days in the boat and the blind!

Tater Salad!

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Those are the two hook I use 90% of the time for soft plastics. I would 100% use that offset RB worm hook for Trick Worms.

No pics, but I like Pepper Customs Clearwater Elite in Purple Illusion.

My OCD would not allow this. Hook keeper every time.

10 lb for T-Rigs, 12 lb for Jigs. I like Sunline Sniper for both.

TTT for Autumn Equinox today. The cooler temps are my favorite thing about it. Good topwater bites don't hurt either.

I have with a shakeyhead, but 99.99% of the time I just run a regular dropshot rig.

I've ordered from them before with zero issues. My buddy orders reloading supplies from them all the time.

All the time with heavier saltwater gear when tying braid backing to mono topshots. Not so much with lighter freshwater line unless its when Im doing my annual preseason topshots. An angler can make homemade ones by using a couple pieces of various types of pipe wrapped with electrical tape. I fish enough to justify buying myself a nice pair. I use the Thirty Fathoms brand. An invaluable tool IMO...

You forgot 5G...

As crazy as it may be, IMHO it does make a difference. Years and years ago I ran into a guy that had been running all over town looking for a specific flake color combination in a BBH. He swore it was the only combo that would get him in the money that weekend. At the time I thought he was crazy until one day many moons later I discovered it first hand. Had a bunch of fish stacked up on this submerged rock pile on this point. I was just knocking the snot out of them on this one color worm with a certain flake combo. Well, the fishing was so fantastic wouldnt ya know I eventually ran out of that worm. Tied another of the same worm on in the same color with a different flake combo and they wouldn't touch that thing for the life of me no matter what I tried. I then grabbed a chewed up worm that I had been whacking them on and wouldnt ya know insta bite! To conduct a little experiment I tied on a lizard with the same color and flake combo I had been ripping them on and sure enough, it got bit too! The plastic profile didn't matter so much, it was the flake combo they were keyed in on. It was hard to believe as I didnt think Bass saw in such detail like that and could of even been the different "shine" between the different flake, but the proof was in the pudding and I became a believer that day.

I use the same knot I use for all lines apprx 90% of the time, the SD Jam knot. The other 10% is a Palomar for drop shottin' and Frog fishing with braid.

I fish a lake that requires barbless hooks and have seperate tackle trays with designated lures specifically for that lake. The barbs are pinched down or filed off. The game wardens do check and do write tickets. Yes, I lose a good amount of fish that I might not at other lakes, but it's the price to pay to play at that lake. It's understood and hurts a little less when we have fish jump us off and such.

Calstar 770XXH rated 80 - 130 Mono. Haha. I kid, I kid. For Bass fishing its got to be my 7'6" Shimano Curado Heavy power Flippin' rod. Light and powerful. I love it.

I have the "Curadarch" version of it and I love it. Its my Jerkbait setup reel.

You did the right thing by eating your catch and honoring the fishes life. I love eating fish. I just prefer the saltwater variety.

I like your idea with the opening on the top. Could be a game changer if designed right.

Impressive spread sheet! haha

Honestly, its just the nature of the beast. If you do it long enough, draining it after every cast before you make your next one becomes second nature and after a while you don't even notice it like depressing the clutch in a manual transmission vehicle. Along with the missed hook sets, frog fishing has its own uniques sets of challenges. However, when they are chewing the frog, there is almost no better bite in all of Bass fishing.

Well, you're on the right track with a T-Rigged BBH. One of my favorite baits on one of my favorite rigs. How I fish it is situational of course. Some days its a spot specific pitch and work back quick. Others its a long, slow retrieve back. It's structure and cover specific.