I think Walmart stores vary in the quality they sell. Ours has a large volume of inexpensive rods but they also have a handful of good quality rods. Pflueger, Penn, and some other decent brands are there. I have never needed or wanted anything more than Cabellas could provide. Very few independent tackle shops are left near me. I fear that online will be my only choice in ten years.
I practice catch and release 99% of the time. The one % I do not release is usually a large Trout. I fish mostly lakes with Small Mouth Bass and do not keep any. I also only fish lures and am very careful when releasing. Many of the people who fish with us take anything they catch that is legal. I respect their way of fishing and they are happy to know they may catch the fish I release someday.
I have a 14' deep V with a 9.9 hp and a 55lb electric. I never go further than sixty to seventy miles from home so for me no cover driving. At home more than a week I cover.
I am in Northern NJ and not much different here.
Welcome, I am from Northern NJ. I fish as far south as Round Valley.
I also have a 14' deep V, I put plastic trailer rails on top of the rug rails, this helped to make it easier on and off.
I have a small box for Trout that is stocked in our local streams. I have a small one for Shad, not a long run. I have my main large tackle box for my 14' lake boat. I have a small one for Steelhead fishing. Make my fishing preparation easier depending on the time of year and what's running.
Nice fish I hope they were not from NJ this year opening day is the 10th. I have yet to catch a Palomino in NJ.
bknecht wrote:
No need to succumb to advertising. I’ve got a 1976 14 foot Grumman with an old fish finder. I’m sure if I were on unfamiliar waters I’d be at an extreme disadvantage but once familiar with your “home lakes” my setup servers me just fine.
I agree, I also fish a 14 foot deep V with a 9.9 hp. I have a Lowrance that was $129 ten years ago. We fish five lakes close to us and have learned how to fish each. As long as I can know the depth and temperature we seem to do well. Would I upgrade if money was not an issue, YES? Being retired I don't see that happening.
ING wrote:
You've got a good fishing state
I am over 80 and still paying full price for California fishing license...
I thought most states had an age that seniors fish for free.
I am in Northern NJ and for LMB I go to Lake Hopatcong, The Newark Watershed lakes, Spruce Run Reservoir, Round Valley, and Waywayanda. There are many more options, I am retired and only fish weekdays. I have a 14 foot deep V with a 9.9 hp and a 55lb electric.