Evan K

Interesting, I wasn't aware of that. I guess I will spool it up and see how it performs.

Great story! Thanks for sharing.

My knowledge on the matter is solely limited to internet research, but I do have a new cranking rod coming with a reel already in my possession, and I plan to use P-Line CXX co-polymer. From what I've read it seems like a good compromise; a little stretchier than braid, but not as much as mono, and not as prone to memory problems as fluorocarbon.

Thanks for the ideas. I've reached that turnover point where I now have more tackle than I can comfortably carry and how to store and select and carry it has become a new thing for me to figure out. I'll probably keep storing everything in 3600 size boxes and filling maybe 4 of them for each outing.

Sounds cool. Is JDM stuff actually cheaper in Japan (taking into account duty, etc.)?

Nice collection! That represents a pretty significant investment.

That's pretty neat. Unfortunately I just ordered an *** Black cranking rod last night. I'll have to remember it when I'm shopping for rods again though.

As a bank fisherman I move a good bit too. If I see a particularly fishy looking place (brush pile, structure, grass, etc.) I'll work it for a good while, but otherwise I'm mostly covering water. As soon as I get my Deeper on something that will actually throw it out I'll probably slow down a bit, since I won't be fishing completely blind.

Do you have to go to the store to get them or do they ship?

Just placed another TW order... I needed to get a rod for this wonderful Lews Tournament MB reel I have laying around. Also got a couple rod gloves and reel covers. And a War Eagle spinnerbait for $2.

2 for $100???? Where?

Hook size was a huge mental hurdle for me to overcome. It sounds funny now, but I was really stuck on the idea that a fish couldn't get a big hook in its mouth. Of course I never stopped to think that the very name of the fish I was after (LARGEMOUTH) might have rendered that concern unnecessary. Once I switched from using 1/0 hooks to 4/0 on standard size worms and senkos my hookups skyrocketed.

Congrats! I like all my St. Croix rods pretty well too. Only one I'm a little doubtful is my UL Premier. The thing is a wet noodle. I guess for UL you need that extra flex so you don't break the rod when casting or fighting fish, and you can probably sling lures further, but it takes some getting used to after all my fast action M/MH bass rods.

Thanks. As a note I used the THKO wakebait today at lunch break. Only landed 2 fish, almost got a 3rd, but I love the action of the lure! Absolutely amazing swinging, walking motion.

I really like bassbassontherange's answer. That's something I've kind of discovered about equipment too- fishing with a smooth, solid, obviously high quality rod and reel is just a pleasure in itself, regardless of whether fish are caught. I'm in the process of "doing it right" I hope. For years I only had sub-$40 Walmart stuff, and I beat it up and broke it and it didn't work well after a year or two. Now I've moved to mid-range (Lews/***/low end St. Croix) and the difference is amazing. I doubt I will ever drop more than $150 on a rod or reel but who knows?

I love *** Blacks. It'd be hard to convince me to try something else at that price point.

Well the question still stands, but I also just got in my TW order. A bunch of square bills, a lot of Gamakatsu hooks (EWG, weighted swimbait hooks, trailer hooks, finesse hooks, etc.). Line for my new ultralight spinning rig and my new crankbait rig. A THKO wakebait, my most expensive bait purchase and one I'm really looking forward to trying out. And a free t-shirt, yay.

Anyone know why "lunker hunt" (as all one word) was censored? I'm new here.

I think I'll like it, haven't tried it yet. I had a regular *** frog that got lost somehow but really liked it. Thought I'd get a small version too since a couple ponds I fish a lot have a lot of smaller bass in them.

I have to say I'm a big Lew's fan too (have both the LFS Speed Spool and the Tournament MB) but I've heard great things about Daiwa's reels as well at that price point. I have a hard time getting to like Abu or Shimano. I had a bunch of junky Walmart reels from both of them over the years that have left a bad taste in my mouth. I mean obviously at that price point and from Walmart, what else do you expect, but anyway.

I think $100 for a rod or reel seems to be the sweet spot for the best value, highest quality-to-price ratio. I can't believe how much better my ~$100 equipment is than any of the sub-$100 ($60 and under) stuff I've had.

I take my backpack (Bass pro shops) with about 18 lbs of tackle and 2 rod setups. My line clippers is on my belt loop and my Fish Grip Jr. and digital scale are in my back pocket. My setups are a MH *** Black with a Lews LFS Speed Spool, 65 lb. P-Line braid, and a St. Croix Premier M with a BPS Pro Qualifier spinning reel and 15 lb. P-Line braid. I'd like to start carrying a third, cranking rod when I get it but we'll see how easy it is first.

Rare trip to BPS in Springfield today. I guess I went a little overboard with the square bills.

I don't have TOO many plastics (yet), so I use the sort-by-type and gallon ziploc bag solution. Best I've come across yet. When I get too much tackle to fit in my backpack I'll probably use a storage unit at home and only take a generous assortment of what I think I'll need for the day.

I have this pack and I like it a lot. Plenty of room and very comfortable to carry. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Extreme-Qualifier-360-Backpack-or-System/product/10204414/