Everything posted by TNBankFishing
- Education on Tin Boats in 2026
- Education on Tin Boats in 2026
-
The Rod Locker
I can confirm my information is also present. This is incredible. The fact they kept the point values and order history is almost unbelievable. They didn’t have to go the extra mile but they did. @Glenn Do you have the ability to modify my initial post to update this information at the top? Otherwise it’s probably a good idea for someone to create a heads up post for those like myself who assumed (incorrectly it’s been shown) the funds were simply lost.
- Education on Tin Boats in 2026
-
The Rod Locker
You’re totally right, but it’s a weird sort of position to be in. If I need a spool of line I’ll drop by the local shop 10 minutes away. If I’m stocking up on a certain bait the shop in question with the loyalty program might not carry it or have it on sale when I do a bulk order. The chance the stars all align and any given shop has exactly what I want, on sale, in stock, in the quantities I need, and they have a loyalty program is exceedingly small. Just the nature of tackle.
-
The latest sale thread
St. Croix 10% for the launch of their new website and storefront. Not much of a discount but when I added a rod to cart they didn’t charge TN taxes. Code is: NEWSITE10
- Education on Tin Boats in 2026
-
Education on Tin Boats in 2026
Oh Glenn has an infinite number of good videos. I think what I’m looking for is more on the time water with specific models in similar reservoirs as me. I don’t imagine I’ll find a wealth of info but first hand information is really important to form a solid understanding. Towing capacity is north of 10,000 with our truck. I’m nowhere near touching that. Storage will be under a RV carport. Finding a dealer could be difficult, but again I’m not even sure where to start so I don’t know if anyone’s close. What I’ve heard is to avoid tracker or bass pro boats but that’s pretty much it. I’m not actually all that comfortable going to a boat show now as I don’t know what to look for. I know I’d like a rod locker, not sure what ones are good. I know a live well will help if I ever fish a derby, but again one is the same as the other. I’d prefer a 18+ foot boat because the water around me can get gnarly depending on the weather. I also travel around the southeast and want to be prepared for whatever I pull up too. I know I don’t know anything at the moment.
-
Education on Tin Boats in 2026
My wife has been talking about adding a boat to the garage for 2027. I’m happy with a kayak and see boat ownership as just another thing which will drain my bank account. Since we’d be looking for boats next winter, I’d like to educate myself beyond googling “best aluminum boats with Bimini tops” and wasting my money. I want to narrow the list of brands and models down to a select few so I can target getting a deal on one in the off season. I don’t know really anything about newer boats. The last one I owned was 20 years ago and it was old as dirt then. I had the pleasure of riding along some rather nice rigs last year in MD in a club, but I’m not interested in spending north of 60k. My budget would preferably be used under 35k with a trailer. I’m most interested in having a boat which can handle the rivers and reservoirs of the TVA system and can be outfitted to comfortably fish bass, musky, catfish, and occasionally panfish for dinner. It doesn’t need to be a super skinny water rig because that’s what kayaks are for. I’ve looked at seaark catfish boats, some lunds, vexus, and honestly I can’t tell the difference. People seem to say each brand they happen to own or be sponsored by is the best. I’m not concerned with maximizing power or speed, but I do want it relaxed enough for my wife to enjoy a day on the water. We don’t have little kids so that isn’t a concern. I don’t want a pontoon because… well I’m not sure. It seems overkill and they are massive barges. We also won’t be pulling tubes or skiers. Do any of the members here have on the water experience they can throw my way on this particular issue?
-
Do you mainly fish from the bank or boat?
I’ll scrabble over chunk rock to get at a 10 foot wide stream. I’ve waddled all over the east TN river system chucking and winding. I fished years out of a kayak in tournaments across the southeast. I spent last year as a co-angler in a bass boat club in MD. I just want at water where green fish with big mouths live. How I get to or on that water has always been secondary. Even with access to boats/kayaks I still spend half my trips on the bank. There is a pure feeling I get while bank fishing the other methods don’t impart. I carry less tackle which weighs me down with less need. I don’t need to have 30 different jigs, or need to bring all my topwaters. It’s just me and some water wrapped up in peace.
-
The Rod Locker
My main issue with a loyalty program is if it gates off sales or early access to drops. Omnia for its issues doesn’t as far as I’m aware do this, but ALF and now TRL do. If you force me to buy into a program to have a chance to buy gear at a discount I’ll just not use your storefront. ALF still had ~$100 dollars in points on my account when it went under. Unless a shop can cash out your points you’ve built through their program it’s nothing but a lose/lose proposition. I can understand why people like and use loyalty programs. We’re all creatures of habit and if we have a good time shopping at a store, or they’re knowledgeable and inviting we want to go back. I paid for and enjoyed Omnias program for a couple of years until I realized I wasn’t even getting close to the value out of it. I shop at too many different places online and in person for something like that to be worth the cost.
- The Rod Locker
-
Do you keep your reels on your rods or have many rods and one reel?
I try to keep my gear to only what I will use. This means I think I’ve got a total of 9 combos of rods and reels. The only floater is my cranking reel which I bust out when I get a wild itch to send deep diving cranks.
-
Does anyone retire/sell a rod due to age?
Selling something because of age is difficult and usually not worth the hassle. There are a few items which are timeless or close to it, but once a piece of gear reaches the 10 year mark the value to someone else is effectively nill. I tend to only buy a few rods a year and they are often higher end through a sale or calling a shop directly. When I do need to move them because they don’t fit my style or just collect dust I’m usually able to recoup a decent bit.
-
Can you tie an FG Knot?
I appreciate the positive reinforcement and tips, I just don’t mind not having a leader. I’m perfectly happy throwing straight flouro/braid/mono. If I thought it would make an enough of a difference in my bites I’d learn to use it.
- The Rod Locker
-
2026 Megabass Levante Refresh
I’m also hyped to build a camping travel set. Hopefully we get enough stock to cover all of the needs.
-
The Rod Locker
Call the shop. Any shop. Speak to them and ask about the discount. You’d be surprised how many shops will be willing to cut you a deal. They can’t ADVERTISE any discounts on MAP items. But look how TW gives you that 15% Shimano on your receipt but it doesn’t show in cart. Any retailer can sell anything they’d like for whatever price they want. They are only legally obligated to advertise certain prices. I’ve been doing this since 2019… it’s not a new phenomenon. I’m not bashing the human beings. I’m dissatisfied with the shop. I’d like to remind you I can and will give an honest opinion about a retailer of my hobby. I’m not bashing anyone or anything. Sometimes shops come up short, it’s not an attack on the owner, their family, friends, or anything outside the storefront. Would it matter if I was talking about a random JDM shop?
- The Rod Locker
-
The Rod Locker
I’m not saying the guys running the shop aren’t good dudes. Everything I’ve ever heard about them has been positive. My post is in regard to the opening of their shop. I want them to succeed, and there is still time. My review is a personal take on a new store opening, and isn’t about any single individual. Their storefront at this time is lacking in quantity and quality. They are overpriced on used gear. They chose to use a loyalty program which is frustrating. These are things which can change and may or may not be things other people care about. The major issue is if this is my first reaction others might be similar. I don’t have a personal connection to the owners or their brand to cover for what negatives I saw. Your first brush with a store should be positive and make you want to spend money.
-
Can you tie an FG Knot?
I can tie one. It will not hold. Go back to straight mainline and call it a day.
-
2026 Megabass Levante Refresh
That is an excellent point. They should build the lines to match in price and performance. Maybe it’s a case of name recognition with Zodias and Expride.
-
2026 Megabass Levante Refresh
At the ~$200 price point you’re getting access to a couple amazing lines. Victory, Tatula Cork, and now Levante. Shimano doesn’t see as concerned with keeping things affordable because they already own such a large market share. Almost every single local shop and big box store exclusively start with Shimano and Daiwa. I’m glad other brands are holding the line and providing interesting rods at a decent price point. I’m excited to find out more about the new swimbait rod and some of the BFS sticks.
- The Rod Locker
- The Rod Locker