NYWayfarer

That's what keeps me in the north. I can only deal with the heat, humidity and bugs for so long.

You get kudos for organization from me. Well done sir. I used to carry that much stuff. I came to realize that I was using less than a quarter of the stuff I was bringing. I started leaving a few things behind and then a few more until I can now get away with bringing just a satchel type bag with a few things I actually use. Easier to travel with and more importantly easier to find stuff in. No fumbling around in a big overstuffed bag.

I buy a lot of fishing gear from Dick's Sporting Goods. I use their price match guarantee to get in store merchandise at online prices. Anything I can't find at DSG I get online. Walmart gets honorable mention as I can get a lot of my confidence baits and tackle there at reasonable prices.

I'll bet you saw bigfoot after finishing that.

Not entirely our fault even though I agree with much of what you wrote. Small businesses must adapt or die. A tackle store might have to sell more than tackle to survive. I have a friend who owned a Pet store. She had to not only sell pets but board and groom them. A good part of her income came when she made a "doggy day care" in the backroom.

Last winter went right into summer and summer seemed to go right into winter. Winters in the north are long enough. Even longer for those of us who don't hunt or ice fish. There is only so much rod/reel maintenance, tackle storage organization one can do during these times. I have a trip planned for Florida in February to visit friends and go fishing. Hoping for a March ice out for you my Northern brother.

Sorry can't help you. I don't trade or sell any of my used rods or reels. Instead I give them away to people at work I know who have kids.

River Smallmouth love the Z-man TRD Tubez on a Shroomz head jig. I will have to try the TRD Craw.

Fake. I could never celebrate the season of life by killing a tree.

That's so *bleep*ing true!

Z-man and Berkley cover most of my fishing needs.

Glad to revisit this thread. I have quit Harry’s and went back to DSC. My only real complaint about DSC were the handles. The blades were much better to me than Harry’s I did some research and DSC blades are from a company named Dorco. They sell different handles that are compatible with all Dorco blades, including the DSC one. I purchased one of their luxury handles that has a crome and ivory finish to it. Been using it for 2 months now everyday and no signs that it is as fragile as the DSC handle. I am a happy, clean shaven man again.

Crazy weather. We have had a week or more here with no snow. Sunny days but cold temps have melted most of the snow that was around. I actually see my lawn, I didn’t think I would until April.

I have used clear, green, red and black colored monofilament lines in super clear water situations. I didn’t notice any difference in hook up ratios between the colors. That being said, I am stubborn. I won’t let go of the notion that clear line should be best in clear water situations. I have no idea how a Bass sees things but in my mind I can barely see the clear line above water so they probably can’t see it underwater.

Sounds like you could be my long lost twin. We have remarkably similar fishing styles.

Can't find anywhere to purchase the Fuji where the shipping isn't double the cost of the item itself. I know some will say but it's only $6 but it's the principal.

Take your current household budget and allocate some of your discretionary income towards saving for a boat. You can always squeeze some dollars out of the budget somewhere. Stop buying coffee out, use reusable K-cups, cut back on cable or sites that charge a monthly fee, etc) You might not be able to buy a boat tomorrow, next week or even next year but when you do you will be able to "afford" it. Once you buy the boat you should keep allocating those funds into savings for boat expenses.

If you click on the Kastking link to Amazon almost everything in this video is currently unavailable...

Now if Bass were the size of a cow, I would never go swimming in a lake again!

Nice looking backpack. https://www.kastking.com/kastking-pond-hopper-fishing-sling-tackle-storage-bag_p0251.html I may eventually get one of the Kastking pond hopper sling backpacks. They look like they really put some thought into these packs as far as storage and access to tools. Sold out on Amazon but it looks to still be available from the Kastking website.

I think about this every time I watch "When animals attack" To the OP, just release your catch as fast as you can. If you are having trouble getting the hook out or taking a pic make sure you dunk the fish to get it wet. Helps the slime coat and gills.

It's ironic that they advertise this rod as perfect for braid.

$10 on sale at BPS https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/new-product-100056567?cm_sp=authorGridprod8_HM

Good find. I assume the old cork handle models are clearance because the new models are called the Berkley Shock rods. They look pretty nice. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Shock_Casting_Rods/descpage-BSCR.html

I find it morally wrong as well.