QED

I use both Plano and generic BPS tackle utility boxes/trays in 3600 and 3700 form factors. The benefit of the standardized sizing is that it gives additional flexibility, e.g., you can buy backpacks or tackle bags to hold however many utility boxes you like for your application.

The older tackle boxes of all types have largely been superseded by standardized form-factor utility boxes/trays. The latter seem to be more functional to me.

I agree with your sentiment because I also like to support local businesses, but Silicon Valley isn't a hotbed of bass fishing so online shopping is pretty much de rigueur.

Sweet! I have several of the Shimano Colfor GR series rods (including the exact model you have) and am still using them.

Lots of fishing shows available on cable, including many tournament focused shows. As for Roland Martin and Bill Dance, their shows are still on the air (so to speak).

For chartreuse spinnerbaits, either chartreuse or nickel blades have always been productive for me.

As I noted in my original post, I have a bunch of high end rods without any bling, so that was never a decision variable. Was just curious when the transition (on the high end) from ornamental wraps to none happened.

Just curious. I have a bunch of high end rods and they don't have any extraneous, purely ornamental wraps. When did this happen? I get that the ornamental wraps aren't functional and they add weight, but they were aesthetically interesting.

Big fan of their older HMG Tennessee handled ultralight rods, but they stopped making those years ago. For modern split grip rods, there are a bunch of better choices...

If it has a split ring by default, then removing it and using a small snap [NOT snap swivel] doesn't cause any functional difference.

Just ordered a Daiwa 20 Steez AIR TW 500XXH. Hoping that it may be my favorite reel.

I buy empirically proven soft baits in bulk so I never worry about trying to "stretch" the useful life of soft baits. Life is too short to introduce additional, self-inflicted variables.

For BFS you're not really limited by bait type but rather weight. Anything in the 1/16 - 1/4 oz range works fine for me and that encompasses all the usual types of baits but just in smaller form factors. I've even caught bass on the lighter floating frogs using 6 lb test. Not the ideal scenario but if you get experience with UL spinning and BFS casting gear most lighter baits can be made to work.

I have a Lew’s Pro-Ti 68M and it is a great rod for its price point. It's fairly light at ~4.2 oz.

If you want to go retro, you can use a "five-foot Slider Rod[s] with a Tennessee handle." https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/charlie-brewers-slider-tactics-vs-midwest-finesse-tactics/155940 Carbon fiber of course. I picked up a bunch of ultralight Fenwick HMG spinning rods and Shimano ultralight casting rods on ebay but don't know that anyone is making such things now. Those rods also excel at the do-nothing tactics in the cited article. Not sure what your preferences are, but using ultralight gear, whether spinning or casting, is my favorite fishing method. Downside is that high quality ultralight casting gear is super spendy.

Light weight, top shelf materials/components, and exquisite workmanship. Functional works of art. One doesn't need high end stuff to be successful at fishing, but it does make fishing more enjoyable to me.

Interesting. I don't even own any baits heavier than 3/8 oz and mostly fish ultralight gear with baits in the 1/16 - 1/4 oz range. Caught this one on an ultralight casting rig. YMMV.

Unfortunate if true. I used it exclusively back when I was ditching high school.

Powder scales need to be super precise and accurate. Or you might blow yourself up at the shooting range. Not important for fishing but very important for certain "anything else" categories.

The range of your ask is pretty wide so I don't think you'll find anything that is accurate, precise, and inexpensive.

I fish almost exclusively with ultralight gear. With small soft plastic baits, one gets many bluegill or other sunfish/bream bites so those misses might not be bass at all.

Zenon casting rig? Haven't seen any info on the Zenon casting reels. [edited to add] OK, found it at TW though it's not currently shipping. Good luck with the rig and please report back when you've had the chance to try it out.

Shimano Poison Adrena 267ML. It's a great rod and is extremely light - ~3.25 oz. It should be paired with something like a Shimano Stella FK 1000 to obtain one of the best spinning rigs ever. It's what I use.

Don't know who you are directing your comments towards. I have no issues with senkos ripping.

That's good advice. Unfortunately for me, I like to use the o-rings that have the hook loop attached which rotates the hook 90 degrees vs the plain o-ring so I am constrained to use dedicated fishing o-rings instead of the more cost effective hardware store type.