DogBone_384

Any of these pliers made here in US? If not, I'll stick with my Craftsman. Some, but not all, of Gerber's multi-tools are.

I've lived in Quincy my whole life and have had only spotty luck at Houghton's Pond. Go south through Chickatabot road until you hit the Blue Hills Reservoir. I haven't confirmed it, but based on the bass I've caught there the last few months says that the State stocked it when they finished the underground tanks there.

I decided to revisit baitcasting a couple years ago, just because, and started with a BPS Tourney Pro. It was great to start on and last year I upgraded to a BPS Pro Qualifier and experienced a big improvement in distance & reduction in backlash. This Spring emptied my wallet by way of a BPS Johnny Morris Signature Series and again I experienced longer, nearly effortless casts. Each time I upgraded it was by roughly $50 and was well worth it. I'd say the $100 range is best for a new/novice baitcaster.

I bought the BPS combo you're looking in 7' med action @ last Summer & love it. I decided to relearn baitcasting and am very happy with this set up. Best of luck with whatever you end up with.

I use swivels on the rod I don't use for soft baits, for which I use a Texas rig. I've never had one fail in more than 30 years. It makes it a snap to change lures.

I think I lubed my Shakespeare spinning reel that I've had for 20+ years once, and a Quantum spinning reel nearly as old maybe twice. I bought BPS Tournament Pro a couple years ago because I promised myself I'd learn to use one, haven't touched that one, but will at least once a year.

I agree with JF's comment regarding buying products from companies employing Americans. I drive a Tundra and do so because my wife and I have gone a combined 28 years, 400,000+ miles with Toyota trucks. Tundra's are also made here in the states. Surprisingly, my Tundra's OEM alternator and flexible brake lines were made in the US. I also believe that corporate executives don't give a rat's a** about 'people who go to work every day' so if my purchases help keep regular people working, I feel OK if the company isn't wholly American. Don't know how I got on this subject in a bass fishing forum, but I guess I did. Screw it, I'm going fishing tomorrow.

I started on the grassy shore near the rock shore closest to the underground tanks where I catch 2+ pound bass. I've since moved closer to the gate where water is let into the underground tanks. There's a drop off about 25' off shore. That's where I caught my 4 & 5 pound bass. I grew up in Quincy and never caught bass that large from shore. Good luck there.

Just an update since my last post here: pulled a 4+ and 5+ pound LMB out of this reservoir over the last two weeks. One on a brown metallic and the other a blue metallic Texas rigged worms.

Try the Blue Hills reservoir a little further up Chickatawbut road. Keep going through the Blue Hills towards Granite St in Braintree. You can't miss it. It used to be a stand alone reservoir that the State rebuilt with lots of our money, but stocked the pond when they finished their project. Took a 2+ lb largemouth out of there in May. Good luck with it.

I'm in the Boston area and have had pretty good luck at the Blue Hills Reservoir. It's close to home, never crowded, and convenient for a quick hour or two between jobs. It's located on Chickatawbut road, at the top of the hill if you're coming from Granite Street, Braintree or Wampatuck road, Quincy. Lots of smaller largemouth, my best there is just over 2 lbs.