TLHSS

I only fish ultralight. I’ve used a Vanford 500 for the last couple of years and been very pleased with it. A lot of my choice was based on weight and balance. I fish with a short fiberglass rod and I found this reel was the best fit.

I'm old and a bank fisherman. I fish a little every day during the spring, summer and fall. Adjustments I've done as I've aged: Knots were getting tougher for me, and created frustration. So I moved to using Duolock snaps. They give a larger area to tie a good knot, and I don't feel they've impacted my presentation. I lighted up my load. Only one UL set-up while I fish the bank (spin or fly), a few confidence baits, and a small amount of terminal tackle. Everything fits in a small bait bag. No barbs or trebles. Safer for the fish, but I also found it was safer for me as well I carry a small folding camp stool. Not to sit, but to place my bait bag. Prevents too much lower back flexion. I carry a JDM bank net, which when collapsed has a 12 inch handle, but extended to 5 feet. Carbon fiber so it's very light. Allows me to land fish from steeper banks without fear of falling in. Everyone in my family (wife and adult kids) are Apple phone users. I also wear an Apple Watch. I easily share my location using the "Find My" option. I let folks know where I'm going, but if plans change I'm quickly and easily found. I work out every day. Walking, back work and core work. And I attend physical therapy once a week which helps with my balance.

@Bazoo How long do you want the rods to be when they are broken down?

As I've gotten older, I've discovered (at least for my style of fishing and my lifestyle) that less is more. I'm down to one quality spinning reel (Shimano) and one quality fly reel (Orvis). When it comes time to replace (if ever), I'd probably stay with these brands.

@Glenn Bingo!

Interesting topic. In another forum I'm on that is heavy on ultralight JDM gear, there's a few threads on the Daiwa Limited AGS 63UL Italian Special Area Trout Rod. Not an inexpensive rod (around $400 US) that is made in China. One forum member that has been purchasing, fishing and reviewing JDM gear for many years recently purchased one, felt the built quality was impeccable, and felt it performed at a level above most of his JDM gear. Even stated he would be selling some of his JDM rods to make room for additional purchases of this Italian Special-type rod. It makes me wonder what Daiwa has done to produce a rod in China with the same quality as those produced in Japan? Better QC processes? More money spent to produce the product (at less overall profit)? Again ... I think it's an interesting outlier.

I’m a 1. I bank fish, and the number of easily accessible spots in my area are limited. So I decide where I’m going for that day, set up shop, and start the hunt. Admittedly, I’m a 1 when not fishing, so for me it’s not a problem.

Since I bank fish and only carry one rod, I do carry a spare spool that can easily be switched out (spinning reel).

Another reason for attraction may be that very young bass eat zooplankton. Zooplankton look fuzzy.

I love fishing for big bluegill in our local retention ponds. I use a 2wt fiberglass fly rod and a click and pawl reel. It’s tons of fun, and a real inexpensive way to fish. My favorite fly pattern to use is the bully bluegill spider.

Very cool! Even if it's the Yankees

Weightless Texas Rig 3 inch slim Senko Craw on a 1/8 oz Ned Rig Jig

Can't help you with your fishing question, but congrats to your grandson! Did he play minor league ball within the Yankees organization?

That makes sense. I’m wondering if the boiling water soak would do the same as the “bake”.

Thanks for the replies. Very much appreciated! When I fish from the shore, I don’t use live bait. Only hard plastic and soft plastic lures. Everything I catch gets released. I don’t wade. From reading the replies, the biggest risk for spread would be fishing line and my landing net (rubber)? Would it help if my reel spool and net were soaked in boiling water? Or cleaned with a bathroom cleaner that contains a small percentage (1%) of bleach?

I read a lot of articles on how to prevent the spread of invasive species (both plant and animal) by performing proper boat maintenance. I don't see much of anything on steps shore fisherman should take to prevent the spread. For example, does fishing line, lures (both hard and soft plastic), and hand-held landing nets pose a threat? If so, how do you clean your line and nets before moving to new bodies of water? Do you have to replace your line (and baits) before moving to a new body of water? Hope this isn't a stupid question. We plan on doing some out-of-state travel this winter and I would like to fish bodies of water I don't know a lot about, and I want to do it safely. Thanks!

Nothing like the other fish posted on this thread, but in context, I'm an ultralight bank fisherman, on a very small and shallow river, and retention ponds. 4 pound copolymer line. Nothing heavier than 1/8 oz bait. The best fishing for me this year was in July. We had massive flooding in the area, which make some of the larger fish (at least for me) more active near the banks at the retention ponds where I fish. First fish was caught on a bait I make that allows me to fish a Texas rigged wacky worm without a weedless hook. Second fish was caught on a 3 inch slim senko on a weightless Texas rig.

After a two year study, our state changed the name to Copi, thinking the changed name would make people want to eat more of them.

We currently have warnings for catfish and common carp for PCBs. All predators have the mercury warnings. The bigger the fish, the higher the mercury levels (because of the number of mercury-infected fish they consume).

Unfortunately, my local fishery continues to have fish consumption advisories. Early in the year it was high levels of PCBs. Currently it's mercury.

At my local fisheries, consistently catching 2 pounders is considered a great year 😊

I'm happy to pay for time and materials. Thanks!

After a great deal of hard work, my state (Illinois) has now beat NJ for the highest property taxes. Woohoo! We’re number 1!

Also a bank beater. Because of limited space, I fish very short. 5’4” spin and 6’2” fly. Not looking to bomb casts. I don’t miss the length.