JackstrawIII

Suffix 832 works great for me. Typically use 40lb for my dock skipping duties.

I have lots of experience with the reels you're talking about. I much prefer the Shimano over the Lews in that price range. However, I would also look hard Tatula SV reels. They are my all time fav for general use and can be found used for that price range fairly easily.

I use 3 knots: Palomar for braid Lefty's Loop for almost everything else Improved Clinch for texas rigs (so the weight can be pegged)

I fish more Sierras than any other rods and the previous comments are spot on. They run a bit soft in the tip, which I happen to like, especially for moving baits. I also have an XT or two. They're fine, but the Sierras are much preferred.

Ark rods are typically great for the price. Something in Cobb line would come in under $100. The Tharpe line is a bit better, and around that price too.

Have owned a bunch of different H&Ks over the years. In my mind, their #1 quality is coolness. They are undeniably off the charts when it comes to looking and feeling awesome.

Hey guys, got my mount back this afternoon. This was the deer I harvested back in November. You can see one of the busted tines on the near side in picture #1, and the broken brow tine shows up on picture #2. Pretty cool deer, and looks great in my office!

I keep it really simple: - If I plan to do any skipping, flipping, or pitching with the reel, it's a Daiwa SV of some type. For the sake of balance, a light rod will get a smaller reel (size 70-100), whereas a heavier rod will get a larger one (size 100-150). - If not, it's a Shimano MGL of some type. Same sizing/weight criteria for as above. It's that easy.

I tried and, honestly, it was such a disappointment. For me, it was neither fish nor fowl, as they say. Didn't feel right when I tried to use it like a real baitcaster... also didn't feel right when I tried to use it like a spinning rod. It just felt wrong no matter what I did. Sold it all very quickly.

Knifemaking Shooting/Ballistic Research Music (Drums/Guitar) Woodworking Trying to finish my doctoral dissertation... And yes, those are in the correct order haha.

I love to read and will consume everything from fiction novels to history and leadership/personal development. My favorite genre, however, are hunting stories and gun books from the "classic" writers like Jack O'Connor, Robert Ruark, John Taylor, etc. Can't get enough of that stuff.

I'm very upset with Edge at the moment. I ordered in May... and heard nothing until November. In November (6 months after I placed the order) I reached out to them and they said, I quote, "We'll send your order down to our production team." Needless to say, I was not happy, and I continue to not be happy well over a month later... having heard nothing from them. I tried reaching out recently to cancel my order and get a refund. Not only were they quite rude to me, but their cancellation fee was so atrocious I said screw it and will just wait. I say my odds of ever receiving that rod are pretty thin at this point. Super disappointing. I wish I had just bought a rod from a real, respectable company.

Yup, I have a spreadsheet that helps me keep track of what I own, what my combos are, what line is on each combo, and what I typically use them for. During the season, I reference this spreadsheet ALL THE TIME. It's super helpful.

Thanks Gim. I just dropped off the rack and cape at the taxidermist today. He's widely regarded as the best in our area, so there's a long wait. Won't get him back till May/June... but I'll report back with a pic when that day rolls around.

I spent all of this last year experimenting with these apps to see how often their predictions coincided with my actual fishing success. I checked every time I went fishing and compared my results with the predictions. Are they accurate? Sometimes. Will I use them next year? No.