blckshirt98

I go overboard when things are on sale/clearance, with the thinking that I'll need it eventually so I might as well save money now. What actually ends up happening is that I have tackle where 90% hasn't touched the water, and 75% is still in the package.

If you had to use a oil I'd using something like a neutral/scentless mineral oil. Or you could grab some of the GULP Re-Charge juice and keep the worms stored in there.

Since you didn't provide a budget I will say that if all of my tackle burned down to the ground or got stolen, the only rod I need is a Phenix M1 MXS72M and any 2500 size Shimano reel. I've caught more fish on that rod than all of my other rods combined. I've used it for trout, for bass, in the surf, on piers, on jetties. Small-to-medium cranks/spinnerbaits/chatterbaits, dropshot, T-rig, C-rig, wacky, and almost everything in between. When I go fishing and don't want to deal with multiple rods, that's the rod I take with me. This rod should have broken on me and the guides should have all popped out a long time ago but it's been bulletproof and still works like it did on day one (ok the faux carbon pattern grip they used on the older models has mostly worn away). Easily the most versatile rod I own (and I have over 30).

How about a big fat beefy swimbait rod?

10-15lb braid for smaller crankbaits, you don't need a leader.

I'd grab a couple of KVD 1.5 squarebills too - you can throw those on spinning gear just fine.

I really like the Phenix XG glass series for crankbaits. I use an XG3 for chatterbaits and larger squarebills. One crankbait rod I didn't like was the Powell Max 3D (don't know the exact model off the top of my head) but I found the rod to be too light, and the length of the handle at the butt area too short.

Whatever stickbait alternative you go with, sign up for email newsletters from overstockbait.com and wait for the original GYCB senkos or Kinami "flash" senkos to go on sale. You can get the OG senkos there for dirt cheap if you keep your eyes open. The sand/salt mix in the Yamamotos have the flutter that is often imitated but never duplicated.

I have a Phenix Elixir FX802-1X that's an UL-Fast (most of the Elixirs are Fast rods as well). I use it for trout and for dropshotting in a particular local reservoir that's notorious for 1-2 lb bass, but did reel in a 6.25 lb bass on it with no issues last year at a different reservoir (that was a fun fight). The sales rep also said he has a few people in SoCal that uses that rod for surf fishing. I've held the Phenix Mirage rods(UL-Moderate) in hand and in comparison the Mirage rods feel soft and noodly, and the rep did not recommend those rods for bass/surf. But the Elixirs...if you're looking for an UL bass rod, look into that line, TONS of fun.

I fished an 8XD from a boat on one occasion with the wrong equipment and I was done after like 5 casts lmao

I noticed the OP is in Marin and listed a Lew's Inshore and Daiwa Coastal in his initial post. Are you planning on using this reel in the saltwater, like in SF Bay? Be careful about buying a magnesium reel that's not engineered for saltwater because one use in the salt will destroy that reel. The Steez in particular some models are not coated and saltwater will f*** that thing up! A Calcutta or Curado E might be a good choice, both are tanks that will hold up well in freshwater/saltwater.

I would group them into smaller lots and mix and match the baits by type. Deep diving cranks, squarebills, jigs, creature baits, grubs, etc. If you have a good amount of lures from a popular brand, like Rage, set up some lots by brand. A couple of things to avoid is single lots where shipping will prohibit buyers from buying, or letting people people pick and choose choice pieces/colors from different lots where you're left with a pile of stuff that nobody will want. If you have any oddball tackle pieces that don't fit in a lot maybe just throw them in as freebies to some of the lots. As for discounts you kind of need to do some research instead of setting firm percentages, but give yourself some cushion because people will usually offer a lower price, unless you set prices so low that people will snap it up because they know someone else will jump on it.

There's going to be some pushback because of the blades, happens with chatterbaits, squarebills, and especially large deep diving crankbaits (some of the big ones feel like you're reeling in a fish). I use a glass rod for my chatterbaits and while the vibration is there I think the soft tip absorbs some of the vibration that a stiffer rod would translate down to my hands/arms.

FYI glass beads are the way to go. I got a big bag of plastic colored beads from Michael's and after a year in the tackle box some of the plastic beads are melting/sticking to each other. Going to throw away/give away all of the plastic beads and use nothing but glass from here on out!

I wish I had ponds around me with problems like this, I think it'd be fun to figure out what needs to be done and catch fish to try and fix it.

There's enough people with little disregard for ecology to make it legal to have everyone just freely start moving animals around. Look at the lionfish in the east coast or the pythons in Florida. A lot of boaters out here in Cali raise a fuss over how strict and time consuming vessel inspections are to keep quagga/zebra mussels in check, but if those things ever get into our water system they're going to complain 100x more and wish they were stricter. It's all an inconvenience until you see what mother nature is capable of.

Phenix Elixir or Dragonfly with a size 1000 reel!

I actually got a Cedros for like $90 from an Amazon dealer to try the brand out in saltwater. Haven't spooled it up yet but it feels solid in hand and really smooth.

I'm curious what 12000 lbs of plastics look like...

Glass or composite crankbait rod next! Dropshot rod you may not need but if you dropshot a lot a dedicated one already tied up and ready to go is nice to have.

Will upgrading to Carbontex drags on spinning reels make much of a difference?

Not a fan of this idea at all since winning isn't completely determined by the person (as in the fish have to play too). If KVD finishes first in 1 tournament and 80th in another tournament, and in both tournaments he's 100% healthy and fishing in peak form, that's too much chance and circumstance coming into play. I can't think of a single Olympic sport right now where a champion could finish first at one event than finish 80th at another a couple of weeks later.

How about trying a "1,000 Item" rule. Lay out all your stuff and pick out 1,000 items to keep (rod is one item, reel is one item, pack of hooks is one item - basically anything in their sold at retail package counts as one item). At the very least it'll let you see what fishing items are the ones you REALLY feel like you need or are confident in. If 1,000 items seems like too much cut it down to like 500 items.

That looks pretty sweet! Okuma might not get a lot of love for their rods and reels, but their Savage Gear baits are great baits for the price.

I went through a lot of KVD Dream Shots this year...