NYWayfarer

My thoughts exactly. Less is more. I found I enjoy my trip more without lugging around everything I own.

Loved it. I visit Florida every year for vacation since the 70's. My grandparents retired and lived there until they passed. Nice place to visit. I am not a big fan of the heat. Don't think I could stand it year round.

Looks interesting. Don't know if I like the inline aspect, seems like if the bag is not stiff enough the tackle trays might shift. I also like some external mesh pocket storage, especially in the Yak. Nothing like placing my pliers down and having them slide behind the seat. I like the built in bait binder.

It's not all bad up here in the North. We have skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating, snowball fights, etc. Another perk is no gators. And no bugs or lawn mowing from November till April.

Same here. My Baitcaster has Berkley Big Game 10-12# line for throwing topwater baits and heavier crankbaits. My Spinning set up is for Drop shot, Ned Rigs, light cranks, weightless senkos, in line spinners, etc. my all purpose rod I guess. I usually have 6-8# Kastking Flourokote on it.

Great write up. I read it all as I am still on the hunt for the perfect tackle bag. There is no perfect bag for all occasions so I have bags for pond hopping, boat trips, kayak trips, vacations, etc. The ones I find myself using the most is my Plano weekender 3500 or 3600 size. They have pliers holster, a front pocket and 2 side pockets and hold 4 tackle trays. They also have mesh pockets on the sides and back for quick external storage. perfect for a walk or hike to a pond. I wear it sling style until I get to a nice spot I then take it off and set it on the ground near me. the mesh pockets hold anything I might need quickly like scissors and fish gripper. I tried backpacks but I always felt hindered by the straps while casting. They also don't stand nicely if you need to place them on uneven ground. The sling one looked interesting to me. I see DSG carries a new one from Samurai Tactical Fish. Same design as the Spiderwire and Ugly Stick versions but all black with no web design. Even has Molle straps on the front. I might get one of those.

Glad it worked out. Lew's has one of the best customer service departments I have ever dealt with. If you wouldn't mind please let us know what Mach 1 reel they send you. I assume the one you bought on black Friday was the older model. I am thinking they will replace it with the new 2019 version if they don't have a 2018 sitting around. The 2019 reel has the "combat" grips and thumb bar.

Sorry, let me answer your question then. The Shock's claim to fame is they are designed specifically for use with braided line. I would keep the 7' MH and pair it with my Kastking Speed Demon. That's my dedicated braid reel.

Clear plastic or black plastic what's the difference? Plastic is plastic. The new seats shouldn't be anymore fragile than the black plastic reel seats on lots of rods out there. I prefer reel seats with the stainless steel band around them

A-Rig.

Another option is the Apple Watch. Mine works as a remote for the camera. After framing the shot on your watch you can take a pic with a 3 second timer.

They protect your rods to a degree. A year or two ago I had one on a rod and the rod got caught in a closing door. Didn't think anything of it. When I got to my destination and took off the sock, my rod tip which had snapped off came out.

I'll be thinking of that while I look at Facebook posts of what someone had for lunch...

The Classic will still be around. It's just going to look different.

Ditto. The WP is dollar for dollar the most economical bait I own. Going on my third year with my Bluegill 90 Plopper, still with the original hooks. I have caught dozens of fish with it. Can't see buying a Choppo anytime soon.

Big ole' girl, congrats!

My wife is my antidote to the bait monkey. Me: "DSG has the Dobyn's Fury rod I want on sale!" Her: Pick one... "How many rods do you need?" "Don't you have rods you bought over the winter that you haven't used yet?" "The driveway needs to be sealed this year" "Didn't you want to go on a fishing excursion when we go to Florida in July? Me: "Yes dear... Hey, when is Father's day?"

Open water! Just a hike through slush, snow and ice to get there. It was a beautiful day Sunday. Air temps in the 50's, water temps... let me put it this way, I saw ice floes drifting downriver. It was nice to cast a line again.

If it is past the store return policy contact Lew's customer service.

Looks like he breaded and fried it right at the bank

I carry an assortment of Rebel lures for pond LMB fishing. Crickhopper, Teeny Wee-R and Hellgrammite all work great. Trout and Bluegill love them as well. For river Smallmouth it's hard to beat a Rebel Wee-Crawfish.

2 piece rods are great for travel when space is limited. 1 piece for everything else. I have a sedan and can get a 7' rod down the center of my car when one of the backseats is folded down.

Not normal. You can try cleaning it as it as they really pack the lube in those new reels. Exchange it, if you can. I bet you got the old model Mach 1 as they are redesigned for 2019. I look at everything I buy from DSG with a microscope as the rods and reels there are manhandled by consumers on a daily basis

Depends on what kind of trouble we are talking about... My panic box would be penicillin and a knife ?

Only open water around here was the mighty Hudson River. Took a scouting trip today with rod and reel in hand. 52 degree temps felt so good, I couldn’t sit at home. Trudged through ice, snow and mud to get to a nice current break. Soaked some worms for a few hours. Threw a Ned Rig. Nothing. The water temps are still in the 30’s and nothing has moved upstream yet. These are the times that really test my patience and pissy levels. The fishing is so close I can taste it.