AC870

Great!

Don't worry about the color. Just fish.

Academy's H20 rainsuit is one of the best deals going. Got em on sale for $49.99 month or 2 back.

When I was just getting back into pretty regular fishing few years ago, I bought a 6-0 medium heavy spinning Ugly Stik Lite. Caught some on it with shallow running cranks. I upgraded slightly, not a lot, and gave the Ugly Stik to my nephew. He was tickled to get it and promptly went to a pond and caught several on weightless worms with his dad. My next bluegill rod will likely be an Ugly Stik Ultralight if something ever happens to my little Abu Vigilante.

This.

Squarebill or chrome 'Trap.

G-Man was my first response. But Mark Rose is on fire at the moment. He's humble, down to earth and gives God the glory.

Don't hear much on this brand but I bought a $99 Bull Dawg I like.

I been playing with casting distance in yard and I can sling a spinning rig much further than a baitcaster with same lure. I'm guessing here (but I bowhunt and can gauge yardage ok) average distance with a 3/8 or 1/2 oz lure on baitcaster is 30-40 yds. Same lure with spinning rod is 10 yds further. I'm actually thinking of going mostly spinning as a result. Just bought new 7-foot MH spinning rod due to my testing.

I bought a President on eBay for $41. New in box. Just got a like new Trion for $19. I got a Sahara at Dick's for $60. There are some bargains out there if you look.

Osprey nest, Guntersville Lake

Spinning reels practically never backlash, cast further and have much better accuracy, at least for me. I'll keep couple baitcasters for traps and squarebills but I'm upgrading my spinning stuff.

At some point I bought one of those small 3 wire umbrella rigs. Came across it the other day. Like a Yumbrella Tripod or something like that. I've never fished umbrella rigs at all. The little hooks on this looked like crappie hooks. I took them off, replaced them with underspins tipped with swimbaits. Reckon that will work? Any downsides?

I guess I went on a buying spree last couple weeks too: *** Defy Black 7-0 medium heavy spinning rod. Keitech Easy Shiner Swimbait Booyah One Knocker Rayburn Red Rat L Trap Echo Stumpknocker 600 yds Yo Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft 12 lb. Vicious XACT 14 lb and 8 lb. Couple weeks back I bought Pflueger President 6930, Pflueger Trion 30 and Shimano Sahara. I had some money in my PayPal account. It gone!! Deer season ends Feb 10. Hope I can catch a few nice days to get on water after that. It's trap season on Gville.

I had an older Xpress and loved it. It was an H50 (16-foot) and was just a tad small or I'd still be in it.

Water & jerky.

Finding bass that want to eat.

Did a drop of pee come out? Coulda happened when it went in or when your buddy went to work with the razor.

I fish from the back of the living room into the kitchen. I can make a jig hit the rug in front of the sink with nary a splash. I too am planning to fish the Neko this year.

I'm okay with a baitcaster but the pinpoint accuracy and distance isn't there like it is with a spinning rod. I'm thinking about getting a stout spinning rod for bass fishing, like an inshore medium or medium heavy 7-0 feet or 7-6. Thought you saltwater guys might advise me on a good brand to try. I'm thinking of spending $100 or less. I'd like split handle. I have an old Penn Battle I bought at a discount store. It had lost inch or 2 of tip and been repaired. Played with it yesterday and it'll launch a lure. That's what got me thinking.

You know we're curious. What was the price? I first thought $25K. Then I said, Nah, probably $35K. I like the look of that RT188. Wondering if you'll be able to get a deal or 2 on them used in 4-5 years. Been seeing a guy at the gas station fueling his up. I think it has a 115. He likes it. Coulda swore I saw him putting ethanol fuel in it though.

I bought a 98 Xpress with a 60-HP Yamaha 2 years ago. It had a 70 lb Minn Kota Edge TM, an older depth finder. It was great. I'd look used. There are some great boats out there. I'd still be fishing it but it was just a tad small for Guntersville. Fished it 2 years, sold it for $3,800. Coulda got more but priced it for a quick sale to buy my '98 Triton. I'll never be able to buy a new boat but there are some fun used boats out there.

I was thinking $5-ish too but it is nice and $7500 probably not out of line.

Uh oh....never got it out today. Only remembered I'd left it in the boat when I read this.

Late October. Found them feeding on shad in a cove. Caught 27 in 2-3 hours. Squarebill, Rat L Trap and a spoon. Best one went 4 lbs. caught maybe 3 3's. Rest were 2 and under but it sure was consistent.