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Thanks, A-Jay. I'll trust your experience. Can't see the pants with that potential double digit in the way ? Ok if @WRB is in agreement this case is closed. Thanks, guys. Wish y'all a Happy New Year!

Thanks. I'm planning to find a day to get to Cabela's already... Rumor holds the Minn Kota inventory has finally arrived. I'll check them out!

Can anyone suggest fishing pants for warmer months? Sun protection/breathable are most important features but also want try find something light weight with a pocket that will hold up to a pair of pliers/line snips. Any brand that stands out? And any suggestions on how their sizes run? 6'0 190lb 34 waist in most pants. Thanks!

I've not done any research, but I wouldn't be surprised if the BPS reels and Lew's were carbon copies. I use the Curado K and SLX XT regularly. I'm sure Daiwa makes a great reel but until Shimano gives me a reason to try a different brand, that's where I'll stay. $200 also opens up the opportunity to get into DC technology in the SLX if that's something you're interested in.

The Keitech Easy Shiner would fit the bill for me. Not as bulky or aggressive as the Fat Swing Impact. I like a 4" on a 1/8oz swimbait jig head. They have a ton of colors that would suit your situation. Senkos and ned should work too, but sometimes I just need to be turning a handle. Even if its just enough to keep it moving.

This is starting to get real. Found really affordable flights Feb 24-March 1. All of my special order Black Friday tackle has arrived. Rod Bazuka will be here just after Christmas. Fingers and toes crossed until then ?

That's a neat little bait if you haven't tried it yet. They claim a "tight wobble" but I really like it in any situation that I would throw a Wiggle Wart. Not sure if that's what they intended, but it works. The Finesse option is also a good niche bait. Not a traditional square bill in the sense of bang it off everything you can, but great for featureless shallow water areas. Its pretty erratic without any deflection. Spending $50 shouldn't be a problem ?

I hear ya. Hoping my Christmas purchases will get me enough miles points to head to Florida in the next couple of months. I can't remember garbage day, or to unload the dish washer, but I've got the cleanest reels and cork in town.

That's a great story! Reminds me of the first time I built an Alabama Rig. After I added up the price of all the components, I was afraid to throw the darn thing. My new rule is to never buy a bait I'm not willing to lose. Otherwise, I'm not going to fish it to it's full potential.

4" Bug. Black Blue Flake or Blue Craw. The only limitation is your imagination.

Kind of a combination of answers that have already been said - soft backpack style storage will save you a lot of headaches and free up your hands. Think about the the boxes, tools, drinks, rain gear, etc that you may need and find one that you can compartmentalize. The key is that it's efficient for you. I keep all my hard baits that are in rotation in boxes, by type, at home. Jerkbaits, lipless, topwater, square bill, med diver, deep diver, etc. Most of my plastics stay in their original package. When I'm going fishing I pick and choose what I might need for that day and it goes into a day box/bag. My extras, or unopened baits hang on a pegboard. It's efficient and easy to see when I'm running low on a particular bait. I like these guys for treble bait safety/storage. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Treble_Hook_Safety_Caps/descpage-OHC.html

I remember saying that same thing... Apparently, I was wrong. This rabbit hole can get deep and expensive in a hurry my friend!

Just a heads up, you can likely find these for a better price and support a site sponsor @Siebert Outdoors They also have terminal tackle for the Ned rig. Personally I use the Morel head.

Went to 3 proms. Should have gone fishing instead.

I prefer the lightest I can use to hold bottom contact. The Ned is effective for me as a dead stick type of presentation. Let the tail do it's thing and don't over work it. 1/4oz sounds more like the size of bullet weight I would use for the full size Cut-R worm.

If you can pick and choose when you go, a few days into a warming period certainly can't hurt. Like you are thinking, any increase in water temp could increase activity. This time of year I go whenever I get the chance, because I know we could turn to hard water at any time. Either way, it's usually still tough. Its generally easier to find fish this time of year in small ponds, but getting them to bite is another story. In my case, its generally the deepest water on/near the bottom. You can spend all day dragging a jig for one or two bites as their strike zone seems to shrink and their feeding windows become shorter and further between. A true reaction bite like burn, pause, burn and crank bait can also produce. Long story short, get out when you can and experiment with your presentations. Note what worked and what didn't under the conditions you are faced with. And be sure to take a box full of patience. It will pay off!

I ordered around 5am EST on Friday and got the email a few minutes ago. They're on top of it to the best of their ability.

Congrats!

20% off Ethos HD BC reel at Academy. I've heard these are pretty good quality for a budget price. Can anyone back that up? Is this the best price they offer? I don't need the reel, but of it's worth it I'll pick it up as a spare. Thanks!

Buy the gift cards this year during 25 days of Christmas and then use them next year during black Friday. That's the loop hole, if you have the patience.

I'll be the person who doesn't answer the question, but gives my 2 cents. The good old 5" double tail grub is a go to for me. Rage bug/craw in the warmer months, and double tail grubs in the colder months (or a beaver). I've not used the psychodad but the profile looks similar to the Punch CrawZ, if you want a bait that will last all day on your jig.

I've also tried this one (it's been a few years) before switching to megastrike. The tube of liquid mayhem I had was red and actually stained skirt material. It seemed to be effective, but just a fair warning I would opt for a clear gel.

There are a lot of explanations out there of why they work. I can't recall ever hearing anyone say they lathered up a lure and never got another bite. This is one that I wouldn't think too much about... Just buy enough that always have a back up. *I also use megastrike.

Alright that gets honorable mention but, I don't have a helmet for my stationary bike... Although maybe I should wear one ? @A-Jay and @Fishes in trees inspired me to break out my Save Phace welding helmet ?.