Master Bait'r

Dang I was kind of hoping it was awful haha now I need one.

Yeah I have one I spent I think $16 on because it had every driver imaginable in the kit and I could fit it in my small fix bag... kind of cracks me up what they actually squeeze into those things though. I bet nobody ever uses 80% of the "tools" in them. IMO on the boat a nice set of strong, well designed pliers is worth its weight in gold and I hate messing around with folding this and locking that, gadgets and fidgets etc. Those Dewalts are cheap too fwiw. I had a pair of nice fishing pliers and they got chewed up pretty quick.... Went with shop strength tools and never looked back.

Yes, but unless you know a guy who can weld aluminum it can get pricey. Try to find an aluminum welder who will put in some floor joists for you though. If he welds to the hull reinforcement bands, it will give you a super strong lightweight floor. Once you have strong joists, light gauge plywood is fine, but you HAVE to put 2lb density two-part foam under that. It will expand, making your floor super solid, your structure one integrated piece and also makes your hull leak-proof. Make sure you mind the weight on every single item- and try to remove as much "old & heavy" with "new & light" as you can. Here is a link to a 12' boat I made. It's pretty much perfect even after using it a bunch. Definitely learned a lot during the process!

Leathermans are a trap. Don't do it!! Mediocre at best in every tool, and they're so expensive. Just get these and pry the world apart with them if necessary. They cut exceptionally well too. Do you really need a nail file, toothpick and awful scissors??

I haven't fished the TV but own the FSS and the PP and find myself continuously impressed with the XX blanks. Especially with moving or vibration baits they just come alive at the slightest wiggle. Super comfortable and uber sexy too.

Good find! Btw a fast reel is fine for crankbaita if you just reel slower ???

I have a set of compound dewalt pliers that are 100% overkill but never have (and likely never will) let me down. You could cut a 1/8" stainless welding rod without trying and the reach on them is very good. Torque for days with those things! Split rings are a re a different story though- I ONLY use a Texas tackle split ring plier set, and have been totally pleased with them. Very nice tool, as I find regular pliers just don't cut the mustard for split rings.

NoZuri (knockoff Chinese lure haha)

Oh, and one of these things too. Hoping it doesn't explode when a fish hits it considering what it cost.

Picked up a bunch of TrokarBig Nasty Octopus hooks in both 2/0 & 5/0 for some ocean fishing I've got coming up. I love these hooks, and besides they just look incredibly badass. For heavy gauge wire they give phonomenal hook penetration. Also picked up a 2oz Lucanus jig, a SW 110 +1, a couple ronz 8"/1.5oz worm jig sets and a couple different size weights for ubersized saltwater drop shotting as well as a spool of 17# CXX and a sabiki rig for my spinner to keep the bait bucket full. Those pieces should round out what I've already got pretty well. Kind of worries to throw a 110 into salt but whaaaaaatever haha Saltwater is fun- moreso when it's someone else's super expensive boat and gas too! Makes possibly losing a 110 seem like an afterthought ????

You don't want to follow me down this path. Turn back while you still can!!

CXX excels for those who like little to no line stretch. Others who prefer more stretch and suppleness may like a line like YO-Zuri hybrid more. Personally I love CXX though. It's cheap, tough as nails and about as close to clear braid that currently exists.

That's great! Chester is very pretty, I live probably 3 mins from Lowell. You a skier? Seems the next logical question ??

Ha! Never in a million years did I expect to have someone recognize that spot! You live around here?

Fake garlic smell is the bane of my existence. I love the smell of fresh garlic so much that lego smellin stuff just hurts me so deep down... If I get a whiff I have to order garlic knots on the way home to get my senses over the trauma.

Taking the rig out for a spin on a perfectly quiet evening of solitude on glass... It never gets old! Didn't even get a nibble that day and didn't care.

It may be the slight fever and medication but I just spent a good couple mins laughing about "fish pimps" *pulls up bass* "WHERE'S MY MONEY!?" *slaps bass twice* "GET BACK OUT THERE AND GET WORKIN" *gronks bass back in the water* What were we talking about again??

Really wish I had a good tie in to a "sleeps with the fishes" joke. Dang flu.

You're in a safe place now, mate. If anybody's got a problem with the nice gear getting shown off in the show off your nice gear thread, me and the Bait Monkey will take 'em out by the cyber dumpsters and give 'em a proper e-blanket party.

Mattlures also came out with a shad version. Go figure! ??

While I don't disagree with you, that's not to say something that did match a local forage species more closely *may* be more likely to draw a strike.

Two great reels. No wrong answer really, and to each their own. If it was my money I'd do the Shimano shimmy tho.

I collect Megabass 50% because it fishes awesome, 50% because it's like art. Pull em out on a rainy day and I'm like a cat under a christmas tree... Entertained for hours! Unreal quality and finishes. I can't even start naming my favorites because I'll be here all darn night lol

For that kind of cash I will stand, thanks.

I love watching peoples' progression as they come here and start having "aha!" moments. I did much of the same when I came back to fishing and really started building up my gear. That ugly stick may be a bit floppy in the tip but with all that backbone it will still serve you well as a big treble hook bait thrower. Perfect for swimbaits, glides, spinners etc. I'd personally put a cheapish reel on it, some 12/15# CXX and call it a compliment to your braid setup.