Shimano_1

Id either add a 7'6 heavy for flippin/ pitching or a 7' med for cranks and jerkbaits. As already said depends on where and how u like to fish. My 2 combos I couldn't do without are a 6'9 med with a lews tournament pro lfs and a 7'6 heavy with same reel.

I just got the jig box and standard 3700 for jerkbaits. Honestly took all my jigs back out. Didn't like how some fit some didn't, skirts getting hung under other heads. Apparently most are thrilled with it and I may try it again someday but for now its put away empty. The standard 3700 may have held 30 jerkbaits. Had to take about 5 out that fit fine in a regular 3700 but other than that seems solid and I think I'll like it. Ive never had a rust problem I don't leave my tackle in the boat so I can see that being a big factor if I did. Jury is still out for me. I too got mine from Amazon for 18 bucks a piece

Guess im in the minority as well. I definitely understand the high salt content causing rust but I've also left trailers on jigs, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits for a while now and aside from a couple of cheap jigs have never had any rust. Guess I've got magic hooks too lol. Definitely something I'll keep an eye on going forward

Pretty cool gesture!

Just looked as well. The have em in stock here https://www.leisurepro.com/p-msta100xl/mustang-survival-accel100-fishing-vest-red-black-x-large?gclid=Cj0KCQjwufn8BRCwARIsAKzP697ZCPzLTUsEE-GTRRX3xHJuiuy4-Qx182VS4o7Hpp4IWHRmmYJ4_3gaAkSHEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds And actually a lil cheaper than Amazon

I use some cheap bps ones that look good and are comfortable enough for me. I too wear xl shirts and I think the jacket is xl as well. Pretty adjustable

I don't wear one other than when the big motor is running but always have and always will wear the traditional style. Just dont trust the inflatables. I do think that if someone will wear the inflatable and won't the traditional then they should go with the inflatable. Id check out the mustang traditional or one like the mesh one above.

Everyone loves the tatula sv reels and I personally didn't care at all for em. You've already figured out how opinions are gonna vary! If you like the crush that well get another. Dont buy anything based on others...ive don't it and usually regretted it. I wouldn't give a lews tournament pro lfs for 2 tatula sv's and obviously I'm in the minority. Ive also heard good things about the quantum smoke and tour s3 reels. Can get the smoke for less than 100 on fleabay

No wrong way to fish a stick bait. Would probably be my #1 if I had to only fish with one plastic. Dont much care what kind of action it does or doesn't have weighted....they eat it and thats all that matters! I've always got one weightless, weighted and wacky rigged one the deck

I've debated those ultimate bunks for a while. Great concept. However...I know me and after years of having carpeted bunks I'd forget how slick those are and have an accident. I always wait til the back end of my boat is in or really close to the water but it'll stay put with the carpet. If it weren't for that worry I'd probably try em myself. Good luck!

I've owned most of the reels mentioned. All are decent reels and personal preference is gonna play a role for sure. I loved the ergonomics of the slx but they were loud under any kinda load and lots of reports of them getting geary with minimal use. The daiwas are slick but hit or miss from my experience. One will be butter, next one not so much. Tatula and fuego ct just a little bulky. The lews tournament pro lfs at s.o. is probably the best deal out in my opinion. 139 for it, I have several and have been pleased! Id get the mp over the kvd simply because it doesn't say kvd on it lol. Go play with several at a store and see what "you" think. Obviously opinions are gonna vary on here!

Jerkbait and jigs are my go to in cold water. Sounds like uve got the right things in mind!

Handled those h2o reels in the store and honestly was not impressed at all. The signatures are wonderful reels tho I own one and my old man has used a cple for a while! The platinum reels are fantastic as well. Waiting on sales to snag another for myself

Kinda find myself in similar situations yet I don't have near as many as op does. Seems a couple years ago 4 or 5 combos were plenty. I think by nature the more we fish and dial in certain techniques, the more we fish them and find that some things just help in certain situations. I'm not quite as picky as some but there are certain types of boats that I'm pretty picky about what I use to throw em. Good news is black Friday is coming so should be able to save some $! Good luck

And those are usually the guys asking where/how you caught ur fish lol

Got a 24 volt edge on my rig and have had good results with it so far. May have to remove everything and evaluate if there's any room to be had in there. If not I'd say ur gonna have to use a rear storage box for the pump. I would think a 55 lb thrust trolling motor would do fine on that rig in all but really windy days. I'm sure there's a way to configure it all tho just be patient and figure it out! Good luck!

Never been a fan of the Sammy. My favorite is the one knocker spook in bone. Also the megabass pop max ive been experimenting with with great results.

This is the very reason I have only 2 good buddies i fish with and my old man. Lots of acquaintances at work ask me when I'm going to take them all the time and I just kinda always play it off like yeah sometime we'll go. I totally understand why most people don't take it as seriously nor do I expect them to. Bass fishing seriously is an expensive habit that is much more work than most casual fisherman will ever put into it and that makes perfect sense to me. Its developed into a borderline obsession for me and luckily my dad is a guy who could do it for 14 hrs every time out. Id suggest not even trying to get someone to be serious about it if they aren't. Branch out and maybe try some kayak tournaments etc as there are plenty of people who take it seriously just gotta find some like minded individuals. Id be all over the chance to fish somewhere that a double digit fish lives, just wouldn't do it from a kayak lol

I've owned a couple older stratos boats and fished from a couple of those similar year models. All fantastic boats and in my opinion rival most of the competition. If the price was right and the motor checked out id go for it with no hesitation. My only concern would be if 18 ft was enough boat for ky and Barkley. We used to fish those lakes a few times a year from a 21 ft stratos and there were days I wasn't comfortable being out in it. If you're confident in your skills or willing to pick and choose days to go im sure you'd be fine.

Know this feeling although I've had to work to be so positive about it lol. 3 biggest fish I've ever had hooked never made it to the boat. Some has been my fault...some is just...fate? Lol like you tho it motivates me to keep trying and hopefully get better!

Id say 1/4 is getting near its limits to effectively be able to throw it any distance. Anything much smaller than that I go to spinning tackle

Seaguar red label

Id take the discount and fish it. I doubt it'll hurt a thing and ull know soon enough if u fish it. Its under warranty either way. Personal decision tho if it bother you enough exchange it

I've had quite the opposite experience from ozark trail products. Everything I've bought that was ozark trail has met or exceeded my expectations. Id have no reservations giving their tungsten a try. Of course I also like strike king tungsten and most people think they're junk as well. Try em out and let us know!

Had a situation in a local tournament yesterday and wondered what everyone's opinion is on it. Temps have started dropping and water temps are down to around 70. The lake we fished is all about grass during the warmer months. We caught our first and best fish of the day early on a beaver in the grass. Then it got tough. The grass is turning brown and we pondered whether this has them leaving the grass? However...there was tons of bait in and around the grass everywhere we went. Tons of small 2-3 inch shad I assume. We ground out a 6 lb limit and actually took 2nd place so it was tough for everyone. So....what do these fish do? I've heard they leave the grass when its dying...but what about when there's bait in it? The other 4 fish we caught were small keepers and were all near the grass but not in it. Got a regional tournament on this lake in 2 weeks and itd got me confused about how to approach it. Thanks