Thanks for the update and sorry to hear their services are slipping. I wonder if the management has changed or they sold their storefront.

Inventive solution. For baits with a lot of surface detail, aluminum leaf can work super well too. And you can remove unwanted material around joints with a dental tool.

I have bought at least four rods from Plat and they have always been reliable and good at email with US customers. I also share your caution about data privacy. If your not comfortable giving out such personal details as dob, I would send an email and ask them if it’s necessary to place your order.

If you have terrible eye sight like me, severely nearsighted with a correction prism, and you want to get prescription shades for fishing, check out Sport Rx and the Wiley frames that will accept extreme prescriptions. They’re expensive, $400+ with all the lens treatments, but I almost fell to my kn...

Low Down Custom XH - big swimbaits
Dobyns 795 (Gen 1) - small swimbaits
ODM Genesis 11’ - surf casting
Century Weapon Jr. - inshore

I second something like the Yak Attack pole light. I have a buddy who has a Navisafe light which is pretty nice too, and seriously bright, if you need it.

The XH is my goto for Hudds, SS250’s, and big 3:16s, fun stick.

Agreed, on the Sleeper Gill, very fun bait.

Just got into salt fly during covid and my wife’s from the bay area, so was wondering the same. Thanks for the sweet breakdown, Wolbugger.

…or that look when you tell non-anglers that you have 30-plus fishing rods…and then they ask if you are a collector…and then you laugh and say not even close.

Back in the day, the Curado 300 was an early option away from more expensive conventional baitcasters. I always liked its drag. Not sure the Tatula is worth the extra $'s.

I use a Hobie Lynx with a Fish-N-Mate 709 Deluxe carrier and the combo is light and fast to set up. Can't recommend both enough. I use mine solely in NE salt water.

I am a long time angler, but new to fly casting. I got an Echo Prime 8wt this summer and I love it. I may not know what I am missing with higher end domestic builders, or out grow it when I get better, but for now it feels just right.

Not sure if this is relevant....I have a White Python, love the slant bridge. No spiral guides, and not tele, but its a beautiful rod. I use it to throw swimbaits. Just a blast...imagine the SuperD is a notch up in muscle.

I second Avid's pov. The spring creek stabs rock! I use mine to stand up, so I can flip, pitch and sight fish. Awesome with trolling motors as well. I have a RiverRidgeCustom (which is quite stable by itself), and can stand up while I motor across open water. It totally changes the way you can use a...