TLHSS

Take up tenkara (no reel) :)

We are the opposite in Northern Illinois. Our local rivers are still blown out from multiple days of flooding rains.

I grew up being a nightcrawler fisherman, until I discovered I could catch just as many fish on a senko. Less mess and cheaper in the long run.

I mainly fish a Texas Rig with small (3 inch) soft plastics. Weightless or as a Jika rig. I like the Gamakatsu thin wire hooks. Offset shank worm EWG size 4. St#58308 (red) and St#58408 (black). I remove the barbs and keep them very sharp.

In order to help with hook set, I only use light wire hooks when fishing soft plastics. I find the thinner, needle-like hooks don't need a heavy hook set. I even crush the barbs and don't lose a significant number of fish. I can't help with the BFS rod question since I only fish spin and fly gear. On my spin gear, I normally fish either 4 or 2 pound copolymer line (mostly four).

I only fish UL gear. Short rods and small light spinning reels. No baits over 1/8 oz.

I only bank fish, and I travel very light. Last year I purchased a Zimmerbuilt Arrowood Chest Pack. Super high quality, and made in Ohio. I've been very happy with it. I even had Chris (the owner) make me a shoulder strap so I could use it as a messenger bag when we travel by air and I want to bring a small amount of fishing tackle with me, as well as my passport and Kindle. https://www.zimmerbuilt.com/store/p86/Arrowood_Chest_Pack_-_In_Stock.html#/

I would second the ADA conformity suggestion if you plan to age in place. Little changes can make a big impact on your quality of life.

I use one rod for all techniques. I need to keep things simple and minimal. My old brain can't handle anything else .

Rest in peace Chuck ....

I'm in northern Illinois. On Monday we had 7 additional inches of snow. Tomorrow we're supposed to hit 70 degrees. However, I don't find the local rivers and creeks worth fishing until we consistently have night time temps above freezing.

For me, it varies by manufacturer and product. That's part of the research I do before buying a new rod or reel (or really any product). All large companies have marketing departments that will create product offerings that aren't much better quality than their mid-priced offerings, but are priced substantially higher. This is because they know a segment of their customer base will automatically buy the most expensive product offering because they think it is the best based solely on price. The trick to getting the most for the least amount of money is finding the point where you are only paying for physical innovation and not marketing lingo.

All my gear gets used, but I take care of it. All my rods are multi-piece travel rods, so they are easy to transport safely. I fish from the bank exclusively so they are short rods to prevent breakage on brush and trees. All reside in storage tubes when they are not being fished for the day. Reels reside in fabric bags and sometimes EVA hard cases depending on means of travel. All reels, rods, landing nets and boots are cleaned after every session. All reels are full serviced every year. Retired and on a fixed pension. For me, gear needs to last.

I find the tariff process extremely complicated as well (probably just an age thing for me). I've found myself spending more time looking for smaller custom domestic shops to buy my bait and gear. I know this isn't possible on all items. But I've discovered I'm ok with paying more for a custom domestic solution. I haven't been displeased with any of these purchases I've made to-date.

Cabin fever often has me re-thinking my confidence bait choices. Too much time on the internet in the winter also adds to the re-think. I try to limit myself each year to a couple new baits and/or techniques to try, but I only buy them in single quantities. Sometimes I'm lucky and a new choice will become a confidence bait. But If I'm honest with myself, the number of new techniques that get added to the confidence list is very low.