Junger

I returned mine. I can see it's uses for terminal tackle, but I just don't have that much terminal tackle to come close to filling it. I keep my terminal tackle in an open core 3600 box in their original packaging and it's enough and then some for what I have. I also like clear boxes so I can take a quick glance inside. The clear bass mafia boxes are look nice, but I can get 3x flambeau's for that much.

Just slow enough to keep the blade going and I'm bumping contour, that's why I like the colorado blade, I can go real slow and it'll churn. Usually I get a bite right after hitting some sticks or rocks. Look for changes in depth if you can, laydowns, eddy's.

In an effort to up my Ned Rig game, I ordered some interesting looking baits. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-BIWAAA.html?from=basres

Yep very stained, the gold colorado blade helps get their attention, I also use the 4.3" Keitech in either Bluegill flash or green pumpkin.

I fish a local pond like that with a gold colorado blade underspin.

Does anyone double set a hook on a thick wire hook? Sometimes when I'm frogging and I don't think I have a good hookset, I'll reel down quickly and set it again.

Profit margins on sunglasses are enormous. They're mostly made in China/Thailand/Malaysia. Costas probably cost $15 to make if that, even with the glass lenses. So you're paying retail for a brand name (you know the feeling when you roll up to a waterfront bar with a Costa shirt, hat and sunglasses), and a lifetime warranty. I'm guessing that website is buying overstock from other retailers, and selling them for slim profits because they have no storefront and minimal overhead expenses. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/sunglasses-industry-34272.html

Hmm true, I learned that the hard way with my Daiwa Type-R after cleaning it....had an extra washer sitting out and took me a bit to figure out where it went! It wasn't in the schematics...I went through each part. Maybe call Penn if all else fails, their customer service is pretty good.

Try checking out the Penn Battle II diagram to find the washer location, look at 8A, or the washers in between 19 and 20, or 27 and 21. http://www.scottsbt.com/catalog/store/images/pennparts/schematics/btlii3000.pdf Here's the 3000, but go to: https://store.scottsbt.com/PennParts/ReelSpecs/PennBattleII.aspx and select the schematic for your version if you want.

Amber/Copper for contrast in almost all light situations, in my opinion. And as @Preytorien mentioned, the Costa copper-silver look good, but I think they're only on a limited amount of Costa frames so far. Once they come out on the bigger Costa frames, I will check those out. Right now my goto pair are the Fly Fisherman Cove in Amber on Amazon for about $17.

https://www.steepandcheap.com/Store/catalog/search.jsp?q=costa&s=u They're cheap there too. And you don't have to worry about buying from an authorized seller to get the limited lifetime warranty. https://www.costadelmar.com/us/en/repair-faqs/faqs-repairs.html#question-14

I grew up fishing with my dad since I was 4, then took a long hiatus from 14-40 (sports, girls, college, drinking, job, etc). I just got back into fishing this year after needing things to do to get my kids off electronics. I have 2 boys ages, 5 and 7. They both love fishing, but the key is constant action, and mixing other things in between when possible. And be patient and don't force the issue. We have a local pond where there's more bluegill than it should hold, and all they have to do is dip a bobber in with bread or a piece of worm and they'll get a 4" bluegill. There's also a park where they can put the rod down and chase each other if their interest wanes. I had my 7 year old practice casting on a spinning rod once a week, and he's ready to use some lures. I've also taken both of them on charter fishing trips where it was non-stop bottom fishing and stripers. Once they feel that tug, it becomes addictive.

Cabela's rotates stuff through their bargain bin, frequently. I love their Tourney Trail/Pflueger combos, and Arachnid BC reels (rebranded Daiwa Tatula's Type-R's) at the bargain bin prices. Sign up for Dick's promo emails, they send out 20% off 1 day in store promos, or $10 off $50 emails quite frequently. I would say, the ultimate discount is to buy a large Tacklewarehouse gift certificate when they are 10% off, then save it for the 20% off TW Black Friday deal.

Same, open core 3700 box works for me. I keep the extra bags at home filed upright in a shoe-box. I refill the 3700 or swap out plastics as needed based on the conditions. I'm a shore guy myself.

The reality is, you're paying for more than just a bag of plastic worms. You have a huge selection of all kinds of outdoor gear/sports. You won't find that stuff in a mom and pop shop. I only physically go to a BPS when I'm buying more than just a couple bags of baits, I roll up with a list of things I know I can't get locally, and want to see in real life, rather than ordering online. Choice is good, viva free commerce!

It's gimmicky and not necessary, I have the 3700 worm box version and an open core box holds more, but you have to fumble through more bags to get to the bottom.

The fishable areas with slackwater are frozen based on friend's pictures, but I haven't checked myself.

It will fit in one slot, I just put a 5/0 Trokar Magnum to test.

Yep same, the Wild River packs look too gimmicky for me, and while the Daiwa seemed so too, hopefully the rigid rack system will be gimmicky in a good way. Well, I'll let you know how the Daiwa works out when fully loaded...still too cold for me to fish in MD atm!

That's quite impressive! How has it held up?

My biggest reason for me checking out fishing backpacks is that some of them hold the boxes in the pack in their normal flat position. My High Sierra pack holds (3) 3700 boxes, but they're stuffed in vertically, which is what I wanted to get away from. I usually found my plastics scrunched up on the bottom half of the slots, or terminal tackle jumping to other slots. The Daiwa is pretty lightweight out of the box, and both of these packs have padding on the back and straps. Once I load up the Daiwa, I'll do a follow up. The Okuma is a heavy gauge canvas hence the weight difference, and is probably more durable but I know it won't be comfortable at all.

MSRP for the Okuma is $139.99, I was using a $20 High Sierra backpack that actually functions quite well and can hold (3) 3700 boxes, but the only problem is tackle boxes have to go in vertically, so things are always moving around and are lopsided when you take them out. But I will agree that they are expensive, but since I trek around a lot, I was willing to invest into something more functional.

So I got both of these over the holidays to compare since I got good deals on both (20% off at Dicks for the Daiwa, 20% off at TW Blackfriday for the Okuma) with the intent to only keep one. Here's a quick take on both. Daiwa Tactical Backpack - It is pretty lightweight (guessing 1-2lbs), and about the size of a normal backpack. It comes with and holds (3) 3600 tackle boxes that are accessed from the side of the pack. The best thing about the storage system is that they slide into and out of a pre-installed rigid plastic rack system. What I mean is that the 3600 boxes aren't stacked on top of each other, so that if you take the bottom box out, the top 2 don't fall down, or if you have heavy tackle boxes, they would weigh down the bottom box making it hard to take out. The leader spool holder is attached by velcro, and it can be moved to either side of the backpack. The sunglass holder is nice, but not necessary IMO, my sunglasses are going to be on my head or around my neck, I have no need to put them in a backpack. It has decent storage options and comes with little plastic cases inside the top compartment which are stored vertically in pre-stitched pockets, nice for small terminal tackle or split shot size weights. There is one thing I cannot figure out, there is an open container thing on the upper part of the backpack, called the Booger Box (I think). Okuma Nomad Backpack - This thing is huge, I mean it's about the size of a European style backpacker. It's also very heavy without any tackle, I'm guesstimating 10-12lbs. It comes with and holds (2) 3700 boxes, and (1) deep 3700 box which are accessed from the front of the pack. It also has tackle box dividers, but they are not rigid like the Daiwa. They're made of foam insert, covered in nylon material and are flexible and attached inside the backpack walls by velcro, basically they're not all that functional. Removing the bottom deep 3700 box, with nothing in the tackle boxes was noticeably cumbersome, since the weight of the top 3700 boxes was applying pressure downward, creating some resistance. The main compartment is huge, again because the pack itself is very tall. It doesn't come with any other tackle boxes, but this main compartment would fit 3600 boxes stored flat if needed. The pack has a very sturdy handle on the top, and a cross chest buckle on the chest straps ...necessary because this thing is going to weigh a lot when loaded. Overall I like the Daiwa more, mainly because of the weight and size. I'm primarily a bank fisherman and trek some distances to get to some spots, and while it would be nice to carry an abundant amount of tackle, I think loading up the Okuma would be too cumbersome. I keep all my tackle in 3700 boxes, and that's the reason I wanted to check out the Okuma, but my work around with the Daiwa will be to create little fishing kits in the 3600 boxes depending on the conditions. Edit: Here is Daiwa's response on what the Booger Box is for: It is just an easy access accessory box. When you are tying on a new rig, setting down a few hooks or weights.... Just a tray to hold small product instead of sitting it on your lap while you re-tie

Take a look at the Daiwa Tatula 6'10 MH/F, I use it exactly for what you use it for.

It was part of our elementary school program in the fourth grade, but I learned early on by joining our local pool with other local kids. But my mom almost drowned while on vacation when she was about 40, she was also not a good swimmer in her adult life. She went to the YMCA and took classes and now she's in great shape in her 70's. Go for it man, learn to swim, no embarrassment at all and you'll get in good shape.