J Francho

The minnows themselves worked just fine. Those hooks that came with them were terrible. I laughed when my cousin bought a kit, but they worked.

My observation at my local record stores is that most people buying vinyl are too young to even remember a time before CDs, MP3s, or streaming. What's funny is the latest trend is back to CDs. There is also momentum in cassettes, which cracks me up. I liked recording CDs or vinyl to cassette so that I could play along on the drums without the record or CD skipping. In the early days, I'd tape a couple pennies to the head of the tone arm to prevent skipping, but the records would wear out in a couple of months. No biggie, since brand new albums were like $5 back in the 80s. As far as what "sounds" better has more to do with what target format the mastering was biased for. That doesn't mean just because it was recorded digitally that it is always best reproduced that way. For the record (pun alert) the last two albums my band did were analog until very late in the process, after mixing. Even the mic preamps were tube. Why? Because it was an interesting way to record.

I actually have a reel to reel in the attic. It weighs a TON.

I have a German 180g reissue of Hemispheres as well as an unopened picture disc. I just picked up that Yes album las week.

Propane torch is faster.

Technics BT turntable with line level out to a pair of BT speakers with a built in amp. We also have a full DJ set up that's way too heavy to get out of storage. I have a ton of vinyl. There's another six crates or so of old box sets. Say hello to the queen.

Reels, yes. Rods, never.

Innacuweather has bit us all in the butt for sure

I've done it, strictly for abrasion issues.

I use a folding Frabill Bear Claw net when needed. It's up front in the bungee that holds my soft side cooler in place. It's pretty rare I use it, since I'm right there at water level to land most fish - even big ones. Most often it's a dink with a face full of trebles that I don't really want to deal with. If I can get that fish to shake off boatside, even better.

Not in a million years would I consider changing line because I thought that was the factor in not getting bit.

I have the MF and MHF in this length and they could cover around 80% of my fishing. They're long, but not too long. A true "fast" taper. I really like the MF taper - really versatile.

The last reels that were made in the USA were pretty terrible. All of the reels I've actually purchased were made in Japan. Some are JDM, but most are USDM. the reels I've received from various places such as Korea, China, Malaysia, etc. have been of varying quality. None have been truly bad products. Yeah, if you crack open a reel you can see the difference if you know what to look for. As far as actual use, there's very little difference until you start getting into what I call price point reels.

Just order jigs from Siebert Outdoors, and know you got a quality, hand tied piece of fishing art for half the price of what you're talking about. *Autocorrect tried to replace jigs with hugs. Mike probably has good hugs too. 😂

I thought of a couple more. Flat mono. It was meant for baitcasting and was supposed to cast better. God forbid you got some twist in it. Gorilla braid was one of the first super lines I tried back in the early 90s. It was terrible. Didn't try braid again until around 25 years ago.

I would put that reel on an extra medium rod only. Length to be determined by latitude and longitude and which direction the water circles the drain. Always burn candles while using it.

I've always been intolerant of the cold, but learned to face it enough to even go fishing in single digits for trout. The heat doesn't usually bother me, but I've noticed it becomes more uncomfortable than I ever remember. Not intolerable, but a little annoying sometimes. I get through that too.

This might seem like a gimmick, but I still use these two reels with LH retrieve, and a manual spool switch on the top. They are GREAT for pitching.

Oh, I'll be more specific. They're poopy junk.

Rapala DT series Koppers crawfish cranks Whopper Plopper at least a half dozen cull tags a scale

Lure weights and line sizes are written on the rod itself, so there are those details. As for what to use it for, almost anything. At 6'6", it will lend itself to some baits better than a longer rod, but it is a very nice rod to get started on.

Been using pink or yellow line for years for this very purpose. Leaders are rarely necessary.

How to over complicate a jika rig.

That doesn't look anything like me.

No brakes, no bueno.