Michigander

I pack everything in ziploc bags inside the kit. Also, don't forget the Aleve and a roll of electrical tape!

Good to know about that! I'll make sure not to mix those. I have cans of Testor's Dulcote (matte) and their gloss clear coat. I'm not sure how impact resistant that's going to be. I can add it to the list of products I'm going to street test. And by that I mean literally dragging it over the street. It's a fantastic torture test.

And salt water techniques will become freshwater techniques, albeit smaller. LoL.

So is the MGL deemed to be nice but lacking durability due to the gearing?

If that's what it takes to get rid of the saltwater gear, then so be it. Nearest ocean is over 600 miles from here, lol.

Read this yesterday in my news feed, mixed feelings. We just got a SW last year after our Gander Mountain closed the year before. It's the only game in town. Their inventory was not great as far as the types of tackle carried. Cabela's got ruined by getting bought by the company that owns BPS but it might help SW.

One of the first tournaments I fished in my bass boat. Was so surprised excited getting ready for my number because I was first, well, kind of forgot that the trolling motor was down.... No damage but I'm sure everyone had a good giggle at the huge rooster tail coming off the front of the boat.

I'm a serial lure retriever.

Can't help you but this sounds really cool. ?

Weight slides much faster.

Smackdown is good, have it on most of my reels. Going to try the Slick V2 and see how that works for me. The Smackdown seems to stick to itself a bit and robs me of some precision when pitching.

I have similar thoughts about living up here every time you guys have a hurricane blow through. ?

I've really enjoyed jerkbaits (and flukes) and Kietechs on the SLX 7'0 MH spinning. It has a very crisp action action for snapping retrieves and the backbone of a medium. I have it paired with a 3000 sized Shimano Spheros SW and it makes quite the little combo.

Swim jigs go right into the grass for me. I prefer a tall, thin head shape. I've found that each jig has its own optimum retrieve to go through the grass without getting totally mucked up. This is my favorite one for heavy grass:

The one I picked is called Lit Photo.

I downloaded an image optimizer app on my phone, makes the posting process much easier.

Hard to say. I think it is more to do with the sheer number of people using these (at all skill levels). A lot of what I hear is from guys lamenting about how good the presentations used to be.

Would you expand on what blank attributes you feel makes a good tube rod? I see this mentioned from time to time and I'm unclear about the meaning.

I haven't put enough time into the Ned Rig to have an informed opinion, but I have noticed that the people around here that fish it as a primary technique have been struggling more and more. I think the fish get conditioned in pressured water to avoid the popular and more easily identified presentations. Around here Wacky Worms, Whopper Ploppers, and Ned Rigs (as I'm told) have all been on the decline.

Oh ok, that makes sense. Thanks! Got excited for a minute hoping there was a whole world of custom reel builders out there similar to rod builders or at least a niche DIY fabrication group, lol. ,

As long as it isn't an Ocho, my bass don't seem to care what brand. Wacky worm bite has really been declining around here the last few years.

How do you build a reel?

This is why I try to pick up a new hobby every winter, really helps to pass the time. Last year was 3D printing, this year it's rod building. Next year is probably going to be pouring soft plastics I designed with the 3D printer, lol. The boat also needs a full rewire, so that'll eat up some time too....

Happy birthday!

If I want a white color but I'm getting more bites on two-tone baits than solid color, then Sight Flash gets tied on.