Junk Fisherman

This sounds fun. I'm in. Thanks for setting this up.

I'm a little surprised that you use your 844 for the baits you listed. I have an older 844 GLX that has always been my jig and C-rig rod. How happy are you with using the 844 for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits? I could get more use out of my 844 if I used it for those applications. Thanks for the info.

Garmin for me. I've had issues with 2 of my last 3 Humminbirds. We pay too much and use our electronics very little in comparison to other electronics for them to have issues. My 859 Hbird was completely fried when I tried to update it. I went step-by-step by the procedure and I had a frozen, distorted screen. Hbird wouldn't even look at it without a minimum charge of $100+ or so. My current Helix will not take a mapping card in the right slot and occassionally freezes. I have to unplug it and plug it back in. My Garmin 106 has been flawless as were my Lowrance units on my last boats. No more Humminbirds for me!

But getting rid of weigh-ins would eliminate the hero shots needed for social media.

I LOVE my Steez 761 and it has a crazy lure range of 1/16th to 3/4 oz. I have used mine for a variety of different techniques but it is my main Ned rig rod. It's also great for drop shots, hair jigs, tubes, and finesse swimbaits. There is nothing I throw with a spinning combo that the One wouldn't handle. I can't compare it to the NRX+ or the other rods you mentioned since I've never owned any of them. There was a Tackle Tour review of the One and there are several Youtube videos reviewing the One versus the NRX+ comparative. From what I've read from people that have both rods, it seems more people slightly prefer the NRX+ but it is really spliting hairs. I just ordered the 7'1 ML and the 7'3 MH Utility Steez this week so I am sticking with the Steez line due to their incredible sensitivity, lightness, and their AGS carbon fiber guides. Good luck with your decision.

I'll get any reel as long as its a Daiwa or a Shimano.

I agree. I use my Talon mostly at the dock or if I want to anchor and retie. For fishing purposes, all I need is spot lock. Nice boat OP. I had a Lowe's boat for a number of years and it was a excellent boat.

I use my 843 GLX and it is a fantastic stick for that bait.

Tournament fishermen are fooling themselves if they don't think tournaments and delayed mortality are negatively impacting tournament waters. I'm glad that my club has moved almost exclusively to paper tournaments.

The green Curados still get it done as do my Daiwa TDXs. I have newer Zillions, Tatulas, and a Curado 150MGL. There is not a huge difference in performance in the reels especially with heavier, standard bass lures.

I was going to recommend what MNFisher suggested but I don't think I'd do that if I intended to take my 3-year old with me. I had a boat built like in MN's picture but the deck did make the boat less stable and there was no walking on the deck. Granted, mine was a 14'er so yours might be a little better. But for my solo fishing I would definitely build a deck. I caught a ton of bass in little lakes in my 14'er.

There's no such thing as luck. There are no fish gods and a bass doesn't stay away from your lure since you have a banana in the boat. All that stuff is in your mind.

Blue fleck Baby Brush Hog with a 3/16th tungsten sinker and a 2/0 EWG Trokar hook. Other considerations: 4" Max Scent Black/Blue Chigger Craw, watermellon/red Zoom Super Hog, Black and Blue or Green Pumpkin Fat Ika, 5" black/blue Senko

Are these OG reels? I have another green Curado in the boat on my A-rig rod. I do have several Zillions, Tatulas, and a newer Curado that are at the top of my arsenal but I still use all of these reels.

Which of those are the 830 and the 1030? Thanks for the post.

I thought all of Motorguide was being phased out and that they're being replaced by Lowrance.

I go on a long hike every weekend in our forest preserves (9.5 miles yesterday). On Saturday, I was with my club at a fishing show all day. I usually hit Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's once over the winter just to look at stuff. Living around Chicago, we usually have a weekend or so every month in the winter where it is in the 40s. I always spend time in the garage. If it is mid 40s I'll wash the truck and run the motors (I don't winterize my motors). If it gets close to 50, I'll go on a long bike ride on our paved trails. It's rough overall but I usually fish until Thanksgiving and we have a cooling lake that opens on March 1 so it's about 3 months of no bass fishing. If it very mild and the winds are light, I'll sneak onto Lake Michigan and try for Lakers but I'm not very good at it. I also watch a lot of sports. Seems to have gotten easier over the years. Hiking really helps.

lol- maybe I should just send it in to someone. I can't find the bearings I need on the Boca site or even the schmatic diagram on Daiwa's website. I have a Tatula SVTW TASV103XS. This one: https://www.tackletour.com/reviewdaiwatatulasvtw.html newapti5- those sizes you posted- those are what I need for this reel? Going to talk to some Daiwa reps at a fishing show today so I'll see what they say. Thanks for the suggestions.

North The only time I head south is early and late in the season.

Good info- thanks. I had a Zillion's bearings upgraded to ceramic so I am comfortable with the extra noise. The performance definitely improved with the upgrade. Yes- just the spool bearings.

Agreed. I've been looking at that Cougar way too much. Before I bought that Tracker I'd get a ProV Bass 1875.

I have a Tatula SVTW that has a bearing that has gone south on me so I am using this opportunity to upgrade the stock bearings. Are ceramic bearings still the best way to go? How do I go about finding the size I need and where is the best place to order from? I've had a reel bearings upgraded before so I want to try this one myself. Any advice is appreciated.

Hang in there brother. We're all pulling for you.

What are some other highly bouyant brands of plastics for Ned and Neko rigs? I'm looking for something that is easier to put a nail weight in and pop a T-rigged hook through on a hookset. Don't get me wrong, I love my TRDs, Hula Sticks, ect. ect. but I don't like t-rigging them or gluing in a Neko weight so I am looking for some alternatives. Thanks for any suggestions.

I've bought stuff based off Tactical Bass suggestions. But generally I get more tackle based on suggestions from forums such as this one. I also look at reviews on Tackle Warehouse and Tackle Tour.