No. Sorry.

Not really... Maybe? I've bought so much tackle I can't remember if it was recommended or I just bought it.

I have a lot of tackle, way too much, and I've tried out nearly technique and lure type I can think of.  HOWEVER, I'm curious to a fault!  Whenever I see, hear about, or read of something new, I can't keep myself from investigating and trying it out if it makes sense to me.  I have made a lot of purchases due to this habit of mine, many of them became "once and dones," while others became GOATS.

Yep. Several Zillion. 😉

Yes.  @Fishing Rhino recommended productive 'starter' baits when I got back into fishing around 2012.  @Saltysmalljaws got me into Vision 110's a few years ago when I got the jerkbait 'bug'.  The only thing @Mr. Aquarium convinced me to buy was a beer - FOR HIM.

Hummmmmmmm

 

 

 

 

Tons of times!  Learn so much over the years about what are now full on staples in my arsenal - don't know what I'd be without y'all!

 

Truly too many to list, but I've learned a little bit of something from almost everybody here about when and where to throw things and why you do it and I value knowing which things work well and which things are a waste of time!

Heck yes! @Dirtyeggroll gave me some great advice on a local lake, lures and colors to try, and even a few additional tips. 

 

It was very much appreciated!!!

I asked for advice on jerkbaits, @Bluebasser86 mentioned Academy's H2OX jerk shad.....glad he did!

 

 

I've got a couple dozen of them now.

Some.  Mostly lures.  A-Jay was influential in my Megabass Jerkbait arsenal.  

Yep. After seeing the Deps Cover Scat online multiple times, I ran across a thread Bazoo started about them. Several members sang its praises as a great lure. I immediately went and spent money on them. Haven't used them yet.

I can't remember who it was but yes.

 

He shared a video of a guy throwing a Bull Flat on a jig.

 

The jigs are arriving tomorrow and I am EXCITED.

Yes! This forum has taught me a lot. Always find something interesting.

I've been fishing almost 60 years, 38 in south Florida. Sorta know what those largies like here but always intrigued with new or never tried lures and plastics. Great info always on rods, reels, line, knots, etc. And to buy reels & stuff from Japan!!

Those who were active here in '19 will recall @dodgeguy's metronomic insistence that the 2020 Lew's Tournament Pro LFS was a special reel. I can't say whether he convinced me to try it, or if I simply just cracked under the relentless pressure, but I snagged one. Turns out I agree with his assessment. I had lots of reels then and have added many more since, and this reel remains my most used one right next to my Zillion G. It's a great braid mainline reel. To me, the ACB centrifugal brakes are the most predictable and consistent I've used when compared to other brand's centrifugal types. The day I find out that Lew's is discontinuing this model I'll pick up a few more to last me until the end of my ride.

Baits and lures,.... Absolutely!! I've bought lots of different stuff, or tried new companies I hadn't heard of before. I've learned quite a bit from the people on here.

 

As for rods and reels,... I don't know that I'd say anyone "Convinced" me to buy, but definitely got me to check them out after their recommendations.

In some cases I liked them and bought them. Other times I just didn't like the feel or something and passed. I trust the judgement of people on here and will definitely take what people say into consideration and go check things out, but then it has to feel right to me though too.

On 7/8/2025 at 8:55 AM, JHoss said:

Yes, pretty sure this forum was actually created by the Bait Monkey himself. 

 

Oh no you didn't. . . .

 

 

 

For me it’s been mostly JDM reels. Zillion G, Zillion HD, Met 100. Maybe would never have found out about the whole JDM fishing market if it wasn’t for BR honestly. 
Picked up a zillion 7’2H with the recommendations of some members also. 
Siebert Outdoors is another one. I’ll maybe never buying arky or flipping jigs that aren’t from him. 

I purchased my Mighty Max lithium t/m battery on the advice of @MN Fisher That’s where Ken got his batteries I believe. He spoke awfully highly of them. Great people to work with.

Absolutely! 

 

@Catt Trick worms

@roadwarrior Senko and Rage Tail Space Monkey

 

Other notables from the forum: Dobyns Rods, Daiwa Fuego baitcaster, Sufix Advance Mono and @Siebert Outdoors products

Yes,  a lot of the products I buy come from suggestions from you all.  Even some of the products I carry or make.

On 7/9/2025 at 4:53 AM, Don Harris said:

Deps Cover Scat 

 

IDK man, not sure if I can do it.

 

Those poop baits look terrible even though I'm sure they catch fish.  LOL

22 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

IDK man, not sure if I can do it.

 

Those poop baits look terrible even though I'm sure they catch fish.  LOL

 

I thought the same thing about a senko the first time I saw them. It's just a nothing stick of plastic how can it work? Buddy swore by them but I didn't see any success at first, and then one day it just worked.

@WRB-2.0 has given me many, solid recommendations over the years.

Many. But truthfully the blame falls on Glenn. 🤣

On 7/14/2025 at 11:30 AM, Siebert Outdoors said:

Yes,  a lot of the products I buy come from suggestions from you all.  Even some of the products I carry or make.

 

I saw you finally started tying jigs with tungsten heads. Good call.

 

I've been buying all my tungsten skirted jigs directly from Keitech up until now whenever I put together an order of plastics from them because I get an affiliate discount. However, your pricing is competitive with their's even after the discount so I'm going to have to grab a few the next time I order from you to try em out!

 

Man, if you ever manage to put out a weedless tungsten swim jig like their Model III, I'd be all over those. Gimmicky looking with the skirted screwlock pin, but I've been using the same one all season without getting hung up, and that's _never_ happened before with other kinds of swim jigs. Much more compact than an EWG type swim jig too.