Happybeerbuzz

I have recently joined the echo chamber here, Yo-Zuri Hybrid.

Academy is having a combo blow out of sorts. All of these are probably free shipping. Pick one in your budget. There are Silver Max and Black Max combos. https://www.academy.com/shop/SearchDisplay?searchTerm=AcademyHotDeals

Bass and catfish are delicious. However, they are not as delicious as I am lazy. I only harvest fish I don’t think will survive so as not to waste and the occasional striper for my mother.

I have one Columbia PFG, and an Under Armor shirt. I like the Under Armor shirt a little better because it seems to be more durable. The Columbia product, while nominally lighter, shows a little bit of wear on it from the washing machine. However, I can tell it will easily make it through another season. I got both shirts about the same time.

I just watched Matt Allen go to the dermatologist. Last year I started wearing the long sleeved sun shirts and sun gaiter, and stopped wearing sun screen. It's not even close. Sun apparel is way better than sun screen. I just need to get a couple of pairs of gloves to finish off my fishing outfit. Anyone have any opinions about brands and variations of gloves? I have never worn gloves before. I notice some have leather. Others are palmless. I don't like to switch hands with a baitcaster. I am right handed, cast with my right hand, and reel with my left hand if that makes a difference.

Does the pond have turtles?

Moderate to moderate fast is my preference. It would have a bit more casting distance and is better for keeping the rod loaded while reeling in the fish.

I picked up a Stutterstep over the winter I will probably throw the next time I go out.

Thank you everyone for your input. I will go check out a Vengence and a Fuego. Unless something stands out, I will go with the Aird X since WW2Farmer tried them both and gave the edge to the Aird X. Also, lighter appeals to me.

I like the tackle warehouse covers. They come in actual left and right models as opposed to just using the same cover for both. Also they are like $4.99 each.

I just carelessly broke a rod, and I need to replace it. I am looking to buy an all around casting rod in the 6'6" to 7' range and these two rods fit my budget. Any comparative opinions on these rods or other rods in the same price range would be appreciated.

The beginning of last season, I bought a few packs of Berkley Pitt Bosses in various sizes and colors including the standard black/blue, watermelon, and green pumpkin. I tried throwing them into cover on a texas rig with zero luck. This year, I am going to try using them in more open water, drag them across the surface of the water, weightless, and maybe swimming them on a jig. I'm just not prepared to throw them in my waste of money box next to the flying lures yet.

Keitech Easy Shiner on a darter jig head. I first start with a 4” and move to a 3” if that fails.

Prepare your wife for what is to come with your new life style choice.

Super Natural is one of my favorite monos. It’s thin and reasonably priced.

Electronics is your most important tackle. Learn how to use them.

Senkos, Keitech Swing Impact FAT, Gunfish.

Bait monkey got me last year when I was just stopping for hooks by throwing an Ima Little Stick in Sexy Minnow into my shopping basket. I just had a lot of luck with it last year and will throw that as soon as the water warms up a tad more.

If you insist on shopping local, check out a Berkley Lightning Rod Shock and pair it with either a Shimano Casitas or Lews Speed Spool LFS. All three are mainstream products and either reel combined with the rod will cost you right at $150 not including tax or line. My $0.02 is that you shouldn’t go cheaper than $100 on a casting reel especially through brick and mortar. The drop off in performance and durability is substantial below that.

I would go with a 6-6 to 7' MH, Fast Action, spinning rod with 15# braid and a 3000 size reel. Use a 12# mono leader for most techniques. You have the flexibility to switch to an 8# fluorocarbon if you want to use finesse techniques but be aware you are going to have to put up with some issues with topwater. Pretty much the only thing you really can't do with this rig is throw into heavy cover. Other than that, you can do anything adequately. It's what I did when I got back into fishing a couple of years ago when I had zero gear. I still have the rod, but I rarely use it except when I get sentimental because I have more specialized gear now.

The closest thing that I have found are "clam" weights at Basspro. However, you can just peg the cylindrical slip weights or use a weight stop.

From where my feet are, not my rod, I would say my minimum range for pitching is about 10'. My extreme maximum is probably around 20 yards or more with a half ounce weight. However, unless something is obstructing my cast, it is unlikely I would pitch a bait that far because it is easier to make a regular cast. Ideally, I'm leisurely pitching at targets about 15-25' or so.

Others suggested that Tracker might be spreading out the deliveries by location. Perhaps my delay was because my BPS sold a bunch of boats, and you won't be affected.

I put down my deposit on my boat March 10th and was told that my boat would be ready around early August. I got a phone call from Tracker today informing me that my delivery date has been pushed back until mid December. Initially, I was miffed for a second, but similar to when I was initially told August, it quickly occurred to me that I have waited about 25 years to get my own boat already. A few more months isn't going to kill me. The guy I talked to on the phone told me I was the last person to be called on his list, and literally no one that was contacted wanted a refund on their deposit.

I started using yellow a couple of years back. Recently, I bought some green Power Pro because it was on sale, and I felt like I couldn't pass it up at the time. It was a mistake. The next time I respool, it will be with hi vis line. I have only tried hi vis yellow. To those who have tried multiple colors/products, which do you recommend as the absolute highest visibility?