WaskaCrank12

I purchased a few as well --- they look good, but time will tell.....

I have used the Dirty Jigs Underspins the most and they have worked well on smaller Keitech Swimbaits I have used the BKK Titan Diver for WCZ Micro Citizens, they match perfectly with the bait I will have to try the VCM Underspins @Swamp Girl uses.....as once the grass/reeds grow in here they are thick and those VCM's might be very good for that situation For a pre-rigged underspin lure the RAID HeadSwimmer Libero has been very good for me, specifically in the spring (which here is May) HEADSWIMMER LIBERO | RAID JAPAN

I have come into possession of two G. Loomis spinning rods. One of my neighbors is making a move/downsizing (they are in their mid-80's, his eyesight is just about gone and his mobility has dropped off quite a bit recently) so they were selling some of his fishing gear. I was able to purchase two of his rods at a more than reasonable price (G. Loomis rods are usually out of my purchasing range). The rods are - G. Loomis GLX 842S (SJR) and GLX 893S (JWR). The 842S is an older model -- the 893S is a newer model. For those of you that own and use these rods - I am looking to learn what techniques you use them for (certainly I can see the techniques they are labeled for but often rods are used for other techniques and/or shine in other areas vs. what the label reads). If you could also share what reels and line you find to be most effective with these rods that would be great. Thank you in advance for your time/efforts.

I bought two of the PD Choppers and two of the PD Chopper Dead Slow -- there is over 2 feet of ice on the lake here so it will be a while before I can try them -- I think I am going to try a 4 inch Spark Shad on the PD Chopper to start with and try the Jackall Slowler on the PD Chopper Dead Slow version I saw (probably the same videos) and figure they are worth a try -- it will be interesting to hear from people who have fished them

I have a Daiwa Rebellion spinning rod - 7', Heavy/Moderate -- I use it for deeper diving crank baits, spinner baits, bladed jigs - it's a stout rod, the moderate action helps me keep fish pinned when they jump out of the water -- it has been a good rod for me - If I see or find one on the used market I would be tempted to pick up another one

@Swamp Girl - I had said the same thing - no new lures/baits - yet once I saw your post I thought "If they are good enough for an elite level Maine-iac canoe angler then I better give them a try !" (I have never used any Crush City lures/baits) - so I figured at 50% off it is worth giving the Mayors/Mooch Minnows a go

@HawkeyeSmallie -- I have not ordered any higher priced items from Tackle Bros (ie, rods/reels/electronics) so I am not sure how they would compare to the Japanese stores for those higher ticket items -- yet my guess would be you would save money ordering a high ticket item from a Digitaka vs. Tackle Bros. (but I have not researched that enough to know for sure) -- I have ordered lures/baits from them that I have not been able to find (or are always seemingly sold out) at US/Japan shops (ie, Kaesu, Issei, Nikko, ect...) so for me it has been more about access than price -- also they have a killer shop/special color that they have every once in a while (where I live Perch color lures are killer, especially Ghost Perch type color lures) and that is exactly what their shop/special run color is (they have done it in Megabass lures, Teckle lures, ect....) -- I enjoy ordering from The Hook Up Tackle as they have a wide variety of JDM items, yet they sell out fast -- Tackle Bros. has given me an opportunity to have a chance landing some of those lures/baits

I know it's not a JDM shop in Japan - but Tackle Bros. (Canada) sells lots of JDM items and they have chosen to adopt the Digitaka model - ie, as a USA customer you pay a fixed 10% on your order (noted on your checkout receipt) and they are absorbing the rest (so no extra or surprise charges, what you pay at checkout is your final amount) -- I had stopped ordering from them when I got hit with a $50 UPS surcharge last fall -- with this change I will consider ordering from them again in the future

As stated by others I have a small spinner bait box - I have a 3600 box marked Z-Elastec so I make sure I only put Z-Man/Elastomer baits in it (each in their own individual spot so they don't melt) - then, similar to A-Jay I put "like" lures into boxes marked with what is in them (Cranks 1 to 4 ft., Bladed Jigs, MB Griffons, ect...).....I use 3600 boxes as my boat does not have storage so I tote a large top zipper opening dry bag on and off the boat (it holds 8 to 10 - 3600 boxes) @A-Jay - excellent video - could you share with us some info. on the rubber bands you place on the treble hooks -- Why rubber bands versus "hook safety caps" ? Are they easy to put on/take off ? Are they just generic mini-rubber bands ? I ask because I was thinking about using bread bag ties to do the same thing but they are a bit clunky to twist on and off each time --- Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom

@HamSlammer - I am going in to year 4 of bass fishing - so I am in a similar spot as you are I started and now keep an updated spreadsheet by category (ie, Squarebill Cranks, Cranks - 1 to 4 feet, Spinner Baits, ect..) -- I include line/terminal tackles/rods/reels as well - for me it serves multiple purposes: ---let's me track what I have ---let's me check on what I have so when the Bait Monkey is encouraging me to "add more to the cart" or "You absolutely need more of those" I can take a look and see because he is persistent and persuasive ---I will add notes "Great lure in shallow water" or "Excellent color and size" or "Pike stole it" or never gets bitten which helps me as I learn about the lures ---I also put notes as to what line works (on some I have put "NEVER BUY AGAIN" or "Excellent for cranking" to help me learn about which lines work for me and which do not ---Overall the spread sheet helps me keep a fairly accurate inventory (but I do have to check, specifically terminal tackle/soft plastics every once in a while as I don't update it each time I lose one of them) I keep lures I use in 3600 Flambeau boxes (labeled with what is in them) - extra lures are kept on a peg board I typically will bring 6 to 8 - 3600 boxes with me on the boat (in a top zip dry bag) and I typically bring 5 rods with me Yes, if I am on water/lake I know then I bring lures that have worked there (or are appropriate for the time of year) -- If I go to a new lake I bring a wider variety to experiment with (and a range of rods M/L, M, MH, H)

Now in my 20th year here in MN -- @FryDog62 is right on Once it is full light until 6pm it starts to give me a glimmer of hope that warmer air is on the way -- but we have had some years with big snow dumps in late April and frozen lakes until mid-May -- and February is notoriously C-O-L-D in these parts With the new longer bass season starting this year my hope is that we can get out on open water sometime in April -- my local lake currently has a little over 2 feet of ice on it.....but I remain optimistic !!

@bulldog1935 I was able to order and get the Wiha kit - and it did have a bit that fit the bolt/screw on the reel cover - BUT, it was not easy to get the screw/bolt off as clearly the previous owner of the reel had fairly well stripped the top of the screw/bolt. I brought the schematic up on my computer so when I opened the cover I could see what I should be looking at, looking for - to my surprise it looks like there are several pieces missing (Bail Spring Guide B, Spring Guide A Support, Bail Spring Guide A Bushing) - so it is clear to me now why the bail was not working correctly. Are these parts that I can buy from Shimano (or an aftermarket company) ? I will look into Bolt Depot for a bolt/screw for the cover as that will need to be replaced. Overall I have been very, very fortunate with the used rods/reels I have purchased (always a risk involved in purchasing used gear) - but this one has turned out to be a not so great purchase - although aside from these missing parts the reel looks to be in good shape (but, as they say, if a deal seems too good to be true, buyer beware !)

I have a GOOLOO GT4000 that I keep in the truck/car (because it is rated to work down to minus 40 degrees, which is needed here in the frozen tundra) -- and a GOOLOO GT3000 that I have on the boat with me -- I have had to use the truck/car GT4000 a few times -- I have used the GT3000 on the boat several times to help other boaters get their motor cranked up, yet so far I have not had to use it for my motor -- I believe a device like this is a wise investment (I have two only because I need one that is rated for use in the minus temps we get here)

It's going to get a bit chilly here in MN....meaning it's going to get cold enough to kill you. I have lived here for 20 years - and enjoy many aspects of living in semi-rural MN - but sometime within the next 10 years I will move to a warmer climate (I love the change in seasons so probably NC/SC region). As my Navy Seal uncle says -- "Everyone gets cold. Some people complain about it."

I use a Daiwa Rebellion (7', Heavy/Moderate) and an iROD Kaimana Coastal (7'6", Heavy/Moderate) for deep cranking (both are spinning rods - I know that goes against the grain -- most people use bait casters for deep cranking, but it works for me)

@Delaware Valley Tackle @bulldog1935 I purchased a used Shimano Vanford C3000HG this fall -- I used it a handful of times in the fall and on one outing the bail stopped working (ie, it got stuck in the open position and would not stay closed). I am just now getting around to taking a look at the reel and attempting a fix/trouble shooting (the wind chill outside is minus 32 so best to focus on indoor activities today). I watched a few YouTube videos (a wide range, from good to, well, not so good), pulled up some schematics and read some articles. It seems that I may have to take off the cover that encloses the bail arm spring and pins. I have some Allen wrenches, yet the smallest size I have is a 1.5 -- it appears the cover requires a smaller sized Allen wrench -- Would anyone know what size Allen wrench is needed to remove the bolt/screw ? Is it a specialty Allen wrench just for Shimano reels ? Any suggestions on YouTube or other videos to watch on how to trouble shoot the bail spring issue ? Thank you in advance for any/all information !

Bass Pro/Cabela's has the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reel on clearance -- a $209 reel on clearance for $109 Abu Garcia Zata Spinning Reel | Bass Pro Shops I don't have much experience with Abu Garcia reels - I have a Revo X (purchased used from a BR community member) paired with an Abu Garcia Veritas Winch and that has been a good pairing for me - I have two other Abu Rods (7'6" Med--Fast - 7'2" Med/Light--Mod.) so I might take the chance and purchase one of these Zata's. Does anyone have any experience with the Abu Garcia Zata spinning reels ?

@Justbass11 - ugh, sorry to hear that Perhaps check out SolarBat sunglasses Solar Bat - Eye Care Professionals - Sunglasses Men & Women They have a strong reputation for serving their customers well (and an excellent product, the owner in a fisherman and ophthalmologist)

I started with the same thought as you -- I have purchased more/upgraded rods, yet seem to have kept the rods I had, funny how that happens :) My first Megabass purchase was a Windbuster (paired with a Shimano Vanford) -- I have found it to be the most versatile rod I have and the rod I have in my hands the most -- my favorite technique with it is a free-rig, yet as describe by many others here, you can do a wide variety of things with it. As mentioned, once you have a Megabass P5 you seem to start seeing them everywhere, and suddenly you have a number of them......(ie, I went from just the Windbuster to adding a Flyssa, then adding a Baby Plugging.....) You are looking at/considering some very nice rods !

Approximately 50% of the rods and reels I have were purchased on the "used" market -- this has allowed me access to a level of rod/reel that otherwise would be out of reach for me -- it means I am taking a risk (ie, believing the sellers story about the rod/reel, asking for detailed pictures, knowing that I am not going to have a warranty for the rod/reel, ect...) and have to be patient in waiting/searching until I find the right fit used rod/reel -- I like @bulldog1935 post as I currently live in the Vanford/Stradic level of reels, yet if I could find an affordable used Twin Power I would like to experience that reel -- I am fine being a medium to late adopter for most items in my life (not just fishing gear) so purchasing the latest and greatest is not my mode

The Hook Up Tackle has a BOGO on Lucky Craft lures (for the next 48 hours only) - look slike there are 146 or so items that fall under this BOGO @RichF -- thank you for the info -- I had gone ahead and ordered a large (I did not want to miss out on the great price/figured I could always return it) -- I am a few inches shorter/a few lb's less than you, yet I do have quite wide shoulders -- I got the jacket late yesterday -- I would agree that it runs big (I have several large sized jackets from other companies that are all around smaller, I often find I am in between a medium/large size depending on the size/cut of the item ) -- I have not decided if I will keep it or send it back - since I will be using it in cold weather and will most likely layer underneath it (and want freedom of movement to cast, ect...)

@Jigfishn10 - thank you for posting the article/video -- this is a topic I am interested in - I recently bought some silicone jig skirts and figured I could make some "fuzzy" baits out of the random pieces of plastics I have -- I think I might also try to make "fuzzy" baits out of some Yamamoto Yamatinuki's and some "Poop" baits I have (I have not had any success catching fish with the Yamatinuki's/Poop Baits so I figure it won't hurt to make them in to fuzzy baits) -- Thank you !

The Hook Up Tackle is having a "Tackle Celebration Month" -- they will "drop" a new product/color or present a "deal" (% off or BOGO or similar) Monday to Saturday thru January 31st at 6:00pm Arizona Time --todays example is the "drop" of three brand new colors of the OSP Varuna 110 SP (jerkbait)

Thank you for the heads up @RichF -- that looks like a very good price for the SIMMS jacket -- I have the same question as @Deeare -- Does anyone know how the sizes run for SIMMS jackets ? -- I often find myself in-between sizes for some gear -- typically I will bump up a size for a cold weather jacket (to allow for layering other clothes underneath) and for movement/casting -- yet if SIMMS already runs larger then I would not want to do that -- Thank you in advance for your feedback

Excellent information from @A-Jay !! I had looked into the Mustang Survival Elite 120 -- it is the best of the best, yet it is a bit pricey (and well worth it if it saves your life !) -- so I began to search around and I found that my local fire department (they have a water safety rescue unit to save people if they go thru the ice in the winter or get in trouble in open water season) were selling their "old" life jackets and upgrading to the one A-Jay has (the ones they were selling were the prior generation of Mustang Survival life jacket, as you can see in the picture they were new, but they had either come close to or had date expired inflation kits so I also bought a newer re-arm kit from them as well) -- so I was able to purchase it for 50% of what a new one would cost (pure luck for me that they were selling them and I was able to get one and if it is works for a water rescue team it will work for me). I just wanted to share this as you may want to research and see if anything like this was available near you. Safety first !