TLHSS

I think it’s a great question as well. I choose to fish with a minimum amount of gear. I came to this conclusion by studying where I fish, what type of fish I target, and the techniques that consistently produce fish. I learned to remove marketing and influencer speak, and stick with what I know works. For me, that means less gear. We live in an environment where companies consistently push the idea that more is better … and not just with fishing. Old age has taught me that it just isn’t true, once you separate marketing from reality.

I only fish ultralight. No bait over 6 grams. Everyone’s different, but I prefer a 500 size reel with 2 or 4 pound line.

I fish the Kishwaukee. It’s been very low all this fishing season.

I always had dibs on the licorice ones ....

I found that by keeping the reel separate (I keep my reels in my tackle box), I had a lot more choices in finding spinning rod cases that were the right size and protected well. Maybe a consideration if you can't find a rod/reel case that fits.

What is the rating on your rod for the weight of bait you can throw?

I’m ashamed to say this is me 95% of the time. ?

I just fish with one rod. I easily and quickly change baits by using snaps.

Based on how I fish and where I fish, I get by with no issues owning one.

The local river at my daily access points is low and clear. I always fish smaller lighter lures (UL spinning). My go to is Texas rigged 3 inch Yamasenkos (slims). I don’t catch large fish but I rarely get skunked. And admittedly I’m not a very good fisherman.

I only bank fish. I would have moved on to another spot with a “good luck”. Life is way too short to expend energy and live in angst about catching fish. Just some old man advice.

I always fish barbless. Good for me when it comes time to remove the hook. Good for the fish with less handling and less injury.

My last Lews spinning reel was not purchased from TW. Came in the box with no plastic or manual. I’m actually good with this. The manual and schematic are on-line. Less product waste is a good thing (at least for me). I cringe every time I get an Apple product at the amount of waste just to package the product.

I have read that a major factor in the employment gap was the number of early retirements during Covid (I happen to be one of those folks). 2.2 million more folks took retirement than the Fed expected. I see a lot of comments on the work ethic (or lack there of) of younger folks. I found their work ethic to be different than mine … which isn’t necessarily bad. Companies looking to hire the best and brightest need to recognize this. Those offering pay, benefits and work environments tailored towards baby boomers will continue to fail to close the employment gap. This was always going to happen. It’s just happened faster due to Covid. I need to fish now. ?

Do any of these companies make a thin wire in-line hook?

I’ve been a fan of Liquid Mayhem, which also comes in a tube like toothpaste. It does not change in consistency in warmer weather (at least for me).

I only bank fish and I’m always a minimalist. I use a 5ft 6in spinning rod with a 500 size reel, so I can cast regardless of cover. I throw mostly small soft plastics stored in a leader wallet. Senkos and Nikkos that I wacky rig or Texas rig based on weeds. All my terminal gear fits in a Plano Mini Magnum Vest Box - hooks, sinkers, jig heads (fished with Crappie Magnet plastics), mini chatter baits (fished with Keitech trailers), and small floats. Everything fits in a small 6th Sense bait bag.

I fish the 1/8oz Flashback Chatterbait Mini with a Keitech Swing Impact 2.5 inch trailer.

I’m a bank fisherman as well. Our local river is very shallow right now. No wading because I’m too d**n old. I also fish UL so nothing over 1/4 oz. I’m having my best luck throwing unweighted plastics. 3 inch slim senkos with thin wire hooks rigged as a wacky worm if there’s little weed. Texas rig if there is a good deal of weed.

I’m a bank fisherman, and I never know what the shore cover will look like. I also use just ultralight gear. My everyday rod is 5’4” (Uni E glass), and I use it to throw all my baits (all less than 1/4 oz).

I just bank fish. I always carry an old school trout landing net with elastic lanyard that goes around my shoulder and neck. I also stopped using treble hooks and went barbless to make the fish easier to release from the net.

Depending on how much I fish, usually just about one month. With retirement came a desire to downsize. I did the same with my fishing habits. Found that I purchased stuff every year that didn't consistently catch fish. So I determined what to keep fishing with (mostly soft plastics), and sold the rest. Kicked the bait monkey out of the house. Everything I need to bank fish on smaller lakes and ponds now fits in a small old school tackle box (including two reels). I just fish with one spinning rod and one fly rod. Supplies are purchased on a "just in time" basis with no stored inventory at home. Not for everyone, but I feel better for it.