PourMyOwn

Persistence is a skill that can take years to learn. Some never do, but those who can stay focused after hours without a bite are often rewarded.

A Walmart staple back in the day. I still have a few bags laying around, they're good worms.

Best of luck, it has helped my folks' arthritis a ton. Make sure to keep it in your mouth as long as you can to get the full effect.

I still use old stuff for fun, those are still good hooks.

See you later, Gamakatsu, time for the Tru-Turn hooks!

I use filing cabinets, and I've never paid a cent for one. Someone's always giving one away, and they hold 3700 boxes like they were made for them.

We should start a support group. I've been very tempted to make 1000 of everything and sell my molds too.

Not a 6.5, but it happens to me every year through the ice. I've caught several largemouth on a 1/64th oz jig and a single mealworm. It's usually a letdown because I'm targeting big perch, but it's a blast on 2lb test.

Snack Daddy elite tubes are my favorites, with Gitzits a close second. Both I feel are pricey but worth it. I do think you'll be fine with the Strike King coffee tubes though.

I'm with @Jig Man, I pour with the Midwest Finesse mold. I couldn't justify buying them. If I did buy them, @Siebert Outdoors makes some great looking jigs. I've been pouring since the mid 90s and it's obvious that his stuff is top shelf.

Super glue a magnet to the bottom of each compartment in the box. I get the rare earth ones on Amazon for 10-15 cents a piece. Your hooks won't move. You won't lose anything if it accidentally opens either. Double sided tape works just as well as super glue.

Shad raps are excellent baits, it's my "guess I'm out of answers today" plug. I've picked up several nice fish while on the trolling motor back to the ramp. I also do well with a size 7 glass shad rap in clear water all year round. It's 7/16 oz, so it acts a lot different than the original ones I grew up fishing.

One thing to consider when towing with a smaller vehicle, like that Scion mentioned above- is how well the vehicle will stop the boat going downhill in a panic situation. I used to pull an 18' 150hp Nitro up my driveway with a 10hp Simplicity 3410. Power isn't the issue. When I had to jam on the brakes in my new (1998) Grand Cherokee to miss a deer it was scary. The brakes heated up, got soft, and the suspension made steering very unpredictable. The boat pushed me down the hill. I went half ton shortly thereafter and haven't looked back.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I just replaced my 11 year old Oakleys with a new pair. I have Hazel/grayish eyes so I wear sunglasses a lot, and that also includes 11 years of coaching football. Those glasses have been knocked off my head in OL/DL drills more times than I can count. I also wear them as safety glasses when I'm doing metal work, so they have earned their keep.

Lead is illegal in my state (another NH guy) although I've never heard of anyone being ticketed. I use mostly tungsten here, but out of state I do not. I only use tungsten to stay legal, before the ban I was pouring all of my own weights, jigs, spinner baits, etc. and the switch has been expensive. Of course our New Hampshire loons NEVER travel into a state where lead is allowed- even when our lakes are frozen!! (sarcasm)

They're nice for buzz baits, but you said "need." I don't think they're a necessity for any lure, but they sure are nice.

I have three of the four drawer filing cabinets loaded with Plano 3700s and my soft plastics. Last year I melted down over 50 pounds of soft plastics and made new baits from them. That helped consolidate a bit. There's also a huge Rubbermaid tote full of odds and ends. Time to find another free filing cabinet.

I'm another one who always closes by hand. I was taught (right or wrong) at an early age to close the bail and put the line in the line roller before reeling.

Just like Neds I glue them at home and re-tie when it's time to change tails.

I have an Onyx 24, and the main reason I like it is that I actually wear the thing the whole time I'm on the water. My old conventional jackets only got worn on big water when I was running the outboard, or when I was underdressed in the spring/fall.

I agree with A-Jay and Brian, mono or copolymer leaders will solve the problem. I switched over and knot strength is considerably better.

Rainbow Plastics torpedo float with a 3' leader and a dry fly. A close #2 is a 2" white or pearl mister twister on a jighead.

Another vote for the Eagle Claw Lil Nasty, it penetrates very well on 4-8 lb line and doesn't have issues straightening out until you go heavier or try to power fish the Ned.

I have both, and would also recommend the Fuego.

That's just beyond cool. Keep us posted!