DaubsNU1

Similar to @gim , if the fish are not biting on NED, it is likely time to go home. I have good success with a 1/15 oz. NED head in Green Pumpkin. I fish a lot of standing timber and mossy vegetation. Tossing the NED out and letting it free-fall gets me snagged quite a bit. Got tired of breaking off and tying on new...so I modified my approach. I toss in to thick areas near timber, and instead of letting it free fall...I hold the rod tip up and let the NED pendulum back towards me, keeping tension on the line. Been a pretty productive technique.

Another reason why I really, REALLY like this site and the people who frequent BR. What a great topic to explore...thanks @Peninsular. Media is so interesting, fascinating, and scary...all at the same time. I don't watch legacy media news any more. About the only TV I do watch is sports, mainly football. Oh, I do hang with the wife and watch a few streaming series we are interested in. I am very careful what information I do consume, and where it comes from. Mark Twain's quote keeps resonating in my ears... "If you don't read the newspaper, you're uninformed; if you do, you're misinformed."

You should be fine in the garage. Storing outside, even under a boat cover or tarp, can be a problem long term. Critters can get in there, water as well. And sun damage...ugh. Make sure you don't have any mice getting in your garage.

After years, and YEARS of running straight braid on my casting rods, I started going braid-to-leader last summer. It really worked well...seemed like I was getting more bites on t-rigged plastics. I use an Alberto knot, just like on my spinning gear.

I went with @A-Jay suggestion, Mustang Survival PFD with HIT (auto hydrostatic). Also got four manual inflate Mustang Survival PFD's to keep in boat as backup, and for guests.

Got rid of my locking lug-nuts on truck. Took my truck in for service...service manager calls, asking where the key was...turns out it was in my garage...that was over an hour of drive time to solve that blunder. Do not use them on my trailer or spare. Had a trailer hitch locking pin set....lost the key...wacked it two times with a hammer and it easily broke. Ugh.

Blue-fleck power worm, 7". Been producing since the 1990's.

@A-Jay has great advice! I broke out the old GoPro Hero 3 Silver and 3+ late last fall and recorded one fishing trip. Pretty eye opening to watch myself. Unfortunately the 3 silver battery died (then later the entire unit died), and the 3+ ran out of memory. Daughter got me a Hero 12 Black for Christmas. I am pretty excited to get that running this spring. I'm using a Yolotek PowerStick 53" that plugs into my rear navlight port and powers the camera. I need to pick up a wireless lapel mic. Still searching.

Strong work @gim!!

I am very similar to the above...base layer, mid-insulation layer, shell. Worth checking out: Kuiu makes zip-off base layer bottoms in wool and poly. Lets you remove your base layer without taking shoes / boots off. @A-Jay, always appreciate the videos! Daughter got me a new GoPro for Christmas...going from a Hero 3+ to Hero 12 Black...cannot wait to get on the water and record my fishing.

Yes! All of my casting reels are Citica or Curado's, from the 1990's. Four purchased new, the other five have come to me via eBay or local swap meets. Note: almost all of my spinning reels are newer Shimano's.

I got the Yolotek PowerStick 53", used it with my old GoPro Hero 3+ last fall a few times. Works well.

Got a GoPro Hero 12 Black for Christmas...and just picked up the contcacto today. I think it's a good design...have not used yet.

Shimano Citica or Curado. But I'm old-school. Find what works for you, fits your hand, easy to operate....find something you like, that fits your budget, and stick with it.

This. Is. OUTSTANDING!!! Excellent work @Darth-Baiter!!!

I got one tier... Purposefully have not purchased new casting reels...because I know if I got one...my kitchen table would look just like @A-Jay. And then would start replacing rods(!)

Most excellent! Strong work! Brother and I drove about 4 hours to south central Nebraska last weekend, trying to fill our muzzle loader deer tags. His friend at work hooked us up with family who ranch/farm in the area. It's in a mule deer conservation area...so could not shoot Muleys. Of course, we saw 40+ mule deer...and only four white-tail. The mule deer would stand broad side and look at you. The white-tails would bolt over the hill, never to bee seen again : ) HA! We will try to draw rifle tags for next November's hunt. Crossing fingers. L andowner said there were some real stud Muleys around.

Years ago, hooked the old Rich Line to the truck and forgot to lock down the hitch. Did have the chains on... Drove 6 hours to north central Nebraska (not the best roads), with out any issues.

Great advice! He's been walking more lately, and seems to be helping.

Not an avid reader as a kid. Studied philosophy @ university...Socrates, Plato, Descartes, Kant. Enjoyed Russian literature...Dostoevsky, Solzhenitsyn. Did not read much after finishing school. Did get back in to audio-books in the past 10 years or so. Great way to pass the time on my 45 minute commute to work. Enjoy the "Killing" series of historical books by Bill O'Reilly.

I have been thinking about this a lot, especially since we moved my 84 year old Dad to assisted living back in July. His mobility and balance have really gone down hill, and fast.

When I started fishing from the bank, I could not wait to get on the water. When I got a belly-boat, it was awesome! But could only take a rod or two, very limited tackle...and I could only get as far as my legs and kick-fins could get me. Then a buddy got a canoe, and boy did we explore some water! Great fun, easily fished 200+ acre lakes. Nice to be sitting down (and not in the water!). In 2000 I found the boat on the left, with motor and trailer, for a song. Added trolling motor and fish finder. It served me well and could fish two easily. Plenty of room for up to 8 rods and all my gear. Loved standing while fishing, and the 20HP Merc could push that little V-hull right at 20 MPH. After renovation, adding decking and storage, and new fish finders...I probably had $2k in that boat total. Easily get any where a kayak could, as long as there was a boat ramp to get in the water. Always knew I wanted a bigger boat some day. Ability to fish big waters in South Dakota was a must. My Lund Adventure is great and does everything I need it to do. Bonus -- the wife really enjoys getting out on the water with me...sometimes we even bring the doggos. I have way more storage than I need, can put up the bimini top when it gets hot in the summer. It's great in the 40 acre lakes near my house, and running 40 MPH up Frances Case lake in SD (It's 107 miles long!) I never really understood the lure of a kayak. Probably because they became popular after I had my old V-hull. I could not see a reason to move back to kayak. I have MUCH respect for kayak fishermen. Sitting all day, positioning / maneuvering and fishing at the same time, limited storage, all that twisting around to access rods and tackle...not my cup of tea. From what I have seen, I really like how kayak tournaments are run...take a picture of the fish, and turn it loose. Much rather do that than keep a bass in my live-well all day, waiting for weigh in. It's interesting reading all the reasons why people went kayak or boat. That is one of the great things about this forum / board...lots of different view points / opinions, all very respectful. Tight lines friends!

Strong work!!

First fishing trip of 2025 was on 9-March. Caught a fish on my second time on the water, 21-March-2025. I'm going to say first trip in 2026 will be 15-March **crossing fingers**

Welcome from Nebraska!