HenryPF

I bookmark all the forums I go to and open em up all in tabs at once. Read, mark forum as read and close tab and move on. I constantly have to go back and reload the tabbed page to mark forum as read otherwise:

Palomar - I like that that tag end can be super long to get rid of nicks or line with abrasion on it when I retie. I also use the long tag end for dropshots. Improved clinch of mono/flouro

I dunno about your locations - but I go to the Speedway gas stations by me (points) also known as Travel Americas or TA gas stations. All my pumps have the chip reader in them and also require zip code billing addresses. You no longer swipe the card, just insert and follow directions.

Why don't you try what you have confidence in? Use the boat to hop from spot to spot to shorefish? It's actually why I bought my first boat and had fantastic luck doing that until i was comfortable with how the boat is in wind, anchoring, trolling, etc.

You can also use wax as you dry - works great, do not put on a heavy application a little goes a long ways. Wax As-U-Dry™

I always though the smaller the better - or so I remember reading Lunker Love Nightcrawlers. I use #8 and #10 Mustad 3261 with split shotting. Never seen the reason to go any more than that. Was never a fan of giant hooks just cause the fish gets bigger.

I am guessing it is the mounting hold for a kicker motor or dual steering like so:

Grew up in Bensenville, IL and currently live in Plainfield, IL. I fished west branch preserve as I thought east was over fished and west had minimal parking. It has been 20 years though. Try Mallard Lake or Maple lake if we are talking about that area. Another spot overlooked are industrial park ponds - the ones that allow fishing. Don't trespass. Also depending on where you live, retention ponds in large neighborhoods (or small) usually have a TON of bass in them and there is not much searching to find em. @TheMinimalistFisherman depending where you live (town) it's easier to narrow down places to go. Also driving 1 hour south can move up your fishing schedule by up to a month. By me, spawn is over spawn is wrapping up mid may, but it will be full swing up north around the chain of lakes.

#1 Goal - make the person fishing with me the most comfortable ever. Always have whatever they need and then some. Food, water, lures, gear, etc. I am not a guide just want the person to have fun.

Walk - 60 feet to backyard retention pond Drive - 20mins-1:15hours with boat in tow. Have multiple rivers, natural lakes, man made lakes and forest preserves within this distance.

Just counting the last 15 years since this is the easiest, around 300 per year, add in all the other years I'm not really counting, about 5000? Note - I live on a retention pond and have many ponds within walking distance where I can catch 100 bass a day. Sizes usually range from 3 inch dinks to average 2-3lbs. I stop around September and just catfish cause I am lazy. Easy to go fishing when all you do is grab a rod and walk 60 feet off the deck.

If you consider your tow vehicle as part of your fishing gear, I see that ford, chevy, dodge have financing for 0% up to 84 months...

I'm guessing the vastly underestimated the demand, the work that goes into it, and shipping prices. Mostly shipping prices...

Are you worried about the investment a boat is? If you are set on a jon boat, thought about buying something like an 18 footer that is wide without an expensive motor? Just something to putt around in and makes it super comfortable (and roomy) for everyone to fish in. Seems like you want more boat to get you access to more spots without all the $$$ it includes like steering wheel, etc.

Agreed - I wouldn't take 4 adults on a 21 foot bass boat much less 4 kids who need constant supervision.

Clarification of the stay at home order in regards to fishing, straight from the IDNR: Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Facebook Page

I am ok with the stay at home order. It just snowed for an inch by me yesterday but I always expect this to happen (weather not the stay at home order).

I use the orange/red craw in Spring only - just doesn't produce for me any other time of the year vs. natural baits. I am in the midwest.

Outdoors allowed (have to find a lake) but it doesnt exactly say fishing is allowed. Bass Pro Shops is open - its considered essential.... Gov. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order. What does that mean? Can I leave my home? Yes, under the order, people can leave their homes to get exercise outdoors and walk their pets. Local roads, including interstate highways and tollways, as well as public transit, will remain open and operating. Under the order, homes and residences include hotels and motels, shared rental units and shelters. Also: EXECUTIVE ORDER IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19(COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 8)

Look great - but some of those hooks are giving me tetanus from there...

I buy stupid lures, but this is just crap. The Chuck Wollery Moto lures are stupid, but I have caught a ton of fish on them.

My reels - Antares DC and Steez from 2006 do exactly the same thing my reels from 2019 and 2020 do. I still use my Antares DC / Steez from back then as my main reels.

Close enough to red but not really red mid-life crisis color?

Why not just use fly casting gear? People catch trout less than 8 inches and they more than happy.

Going the opposite direction, not worth the money: Jackhammers Vision 110 Any rod over $200 Electronics mounting systems