Michigander

I'm putting a few of the Worm Stowaway boxes into rotation. I realized that some techniques force me to find and open 2-3 different trays. With these I will have my go-to baits and their properly paired terminal all in one box. Much more time efficient on the water. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-PLANOSTRG.html?from=basres

I've been hearing grumbles about tackle shortages already and some things are showing a pretty stern backorder date. Some of it is going to be extra backlog from pandemic + Chinese New Year, but I am buying everything I need now just to be safe.

So you're saying I need to get out earlier in the day... Correction, just checked the weather. Wind looks stupid tomorrow.

Was warm again today so went for a drive. River looks open but guys are still ice fishing on the lakes. If the weather is decent tomorrow, might put the kayak into the river.

Well that's a weird little bait, now isn't it. If I had any I would sell immediately. ?

Which ones?!

Flipping is more fun to say and gives a more specific meaning as far as putting baits into heavy cover. You can pitch the same area, but you can also pitch in a lot of places including sparse cover that you wouldn't flip. What we really need is a third term that just means working heavy cover at close-ish range. Flitching?

Urgh. Also just realized I need to order a new MotorMate. There goes another $100.

That's strong language, perhaps "afflicted" is more appropriate? ?

Some classic Ice Madness right there. Love it!

Very nice! I appreciate lightweight gear a lot on those many thousand cast days.

I'm no expert by any stretch, I've researched a lot and picked the brains of some experienced builders but have only built five so far. I haven't used them yet other than casting a little in the snow and on the street. So far I'm really pleased with what I have done as they are very comfortable to use, for me. Someone else might pick it up and hate it. Like I said, the rod companies are going to get special pricing that I, as a hobbyist, can't but for example if I wanted to build a Helium on the NFC blank at full MSRP instead of shopping the sales, I'm looking at $300+ for the blank after tax and shipping, plus another $100+ for the Torzite guide train. So we're over $400 before even getting to the rest of the parts like handle and reel seat. The process to put the rod together is basically the same each time as long as you aren't doing complex decorative work. It isn't rocket science but the people who are really good at it just have a lot of experience, skill, and knowledge to draw on to make a great rod. Lots of tiny expert adjustments have a more than cumulative effect, in my opinion. I aspire to be some day considered "pretty good". ? Much of rod building is opinion and preference so you get a lot of conflicting information, much of which is true, lol.

Way more than I'm willing to pay, lol. I'm sure the rod companies get a wholesaler bulk discount but when I look at the Torzites for a personal rod build, it's too much for me. If they would actually be worth the cost to me for my fishing then I think ignorance is bliss. ?

I don't disagree with that! An Amish Loomis would be a real hit to my wallet.

It was a vague label even before. Were the guides US made? The cork handles, reel seat, trim components, hook keeper, the thread? I think assembled is US (or Texas) is fine, and probably more accurate overall. I would totally buy an Amish rod.

It would be fun to have rods display similar information as cars for where their components came from.

Well, there was a lot of market research done that showed increasing prices and running more frequent sales does actually net a better bottom line. Jcpenney was an early adopter of that. I'll need to go see if the research was expanded to encompass fully online retail and how that affects the model.

Looking at the guides, how they are wrapped, and the finish quality will give you a better idea of whether it's cheaply made or not. Assuming the cork is high quality, I don't think simplicity = bad.

Now that I have thought more about this, I still have to get an order in for a year's worth of tubes as well. Poor wallet.

I just bought all the missing terminal this week and most of my soft plastic refills. Haven't done the full bait inventory so I'm sure I will need to pick up some odds and ends. Really, I just need to get a variety of line and I'll be ready.

Maybe go custom?

Yeah, I've been up and down the frog tech tree. Landed on the Pad Crasher as a daily driver. I would buy a dark and a light version. Then buy a handful of frogs that catch your eye. When you start out, you're the point of failure not the frog. After you develop some personal preferences, then expand your collection.

Thanks everyone! Looks like I have another Tackle Warehouse sticker coming, lol.

A size zero will catch nearly anything that swims. ?

Silver Mepps Aglia Size 0. I'm obviously fishing for survival in this apocalyptic nightmare situation.