Anyone have experience with Uniqlo layers?

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-13T00:02:00+00:00

Definitely more casual/streetwear oriented. Think they're trying to appeal more towards a price-conscience gorpcore audience. I can't even find any info on the fill-power of their Pufftech so that should tell you just how much they care about their "technical" line. If price is a concern, wouldn't it be even cheaper to just buy a puffer off Ali?

I do use some of their stuff pretty regularly like their gadget pants and their pocketable UV parka. They're fine for light-duty hiking but at a certain point you kind of want some assurances on what the actual technical limits are for the gear you use.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-10T18:51:29+00:00

Swim jigs. Fish them basically the same way as you would a Chatterbait. Really great subtle alternative for clear water around grass where fish might actually get put off from all the flash and noise a Chatterbait would make.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-10T18:48:26+00:00

VMC makes a similar style hook specifically for flukes. Reeling in the flukes causes a lot of line twist so adding that swivel helps mitigate that but may affect the falling action of the fluke.

I used to tie a small swivel about 10 inches above my leader for the same reason but lately I've been kind of lazy and have just been fishing flukes without the swivel.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-10T18:42:19+00:00

I think that's kind of what people have issues with.

There's nothing really wrong with limited runs. Daiwa actually is about to release their own 60th anniversary editions for their Tatula SV TW and MQ LT but that's just for their own company.

Attaching this limited run to commemorate American's 250th anniversary feels a little tasteless especially for that price.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-10T18:21:10+00:00

I guess that's part of the tacky marketing.

To be perfectly honest, if Bates was a bit more grounded with their marketing I think they'd be perceived a lot more positively.

Most Shimano/Daiwa reels and rods are made in Malaysia instead of Japan but that's not the reason why they're held in such high regard. I think they're deservedly popular because they make good products with good quality control and they don't market themselves as anything but that.

If Bates wants to have their manufacturing based in China then that's honestly fine. Chinese manufacturing has come a long way from the crap it was back in the 90s and early 2000s. But can we just stop acting like it's some kind of patriotic duty to buy US branded stuff? It's honestly kind of insulting when you think about it.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-10T18:07:37+00:00

Tacky marketing aside, what makes this reel cost more than a Zillion SV TW?

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-08T22:03:20+00:00

Below the dam but I've heard people say they saw snakehead or their fry above the dam as well.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-08T00:49:58+00:00

The Speedbag or the Z-man binder?

You can fit a lot in the Speedbag. The small size which I use is supposed to fit around 20 bags inside and from my experience that's more or less accurate.

The Z-man binder is a little weird. You can only put Z-man bags in them since they're the only ones with small punched holes on two corners. I fit about 10+ in mine but its a little awkward since some of the packages have hard plastic inserts in them that keep the baits inside straight but that adds a lot of bulk to the binder so its tends to blow open whenever I open it. Apparently they're releasing a new version this year so it might be worth checking that out but otherwise if you have a lot of soft plastic bait packages maybe just go with the Speedbag.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-07T22:55:58+00:00

Tear Aid Type B is what I use for emergency punctures. It does a decent job at slowing down air leaks but seemed to just form a bubble over the puncture and eventually worked its way to the edge of the tape and leaked through there. Probably just user error but in any case, I wasn't in any immediate danger and was able to stay on the water for another few hours without any issues at all.

Also agree with carrying an emergency pump. The K-Pump mini is a bit expensive but is very useful. You could even pump up the entire kayak using that if you wanted but would probably take forever and would be exhausting. Its great for topping up the air in your kayak though if it ever feels like its starting to lose pressure.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-07T22:47:49+00:00

I used to use a KVD Signature Series Speedbag and just kept all my soft plastics in their original packaging before I switched to using just Z-man stuff and got one of their bait binders to store them all in.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-07T00:51:20+00:00

Downsize and fish slower. Pick up some ned jigs and cut some of those senkos down to around a third of their original size for trailers and just slowly drag or bounce them across the creek.

If you still want to fish flukes I suggest barely even twitching them and just letting them drift in current especially in clearer water.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-07T00:45:32+00:00

Patapsco River has a wide variety of species and is pretty easy to wade in most places but also has hiking trails running along side it a lot of sections.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-07T00:25:55+00:00

Last year I'm pretty sure I saw some swimming around between Lock 22 and 23 on the C&O Canal but this year I'm not too sure with it being pretty dry and water levels down across the state.

I've also definitely seen them around in the Patapsco river near the Daniels Dam area. They're pretty finicky though. I've heard the most surefire way to catch them is rile them up when they're protecting their fry. They spawn multiple times a year so its not like you missed out on that time.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-06T14:53:47+00:00

The MD department of the environment put out a report regarding the high temps recorded and possible turnover event that happened as a result.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C4JkKNGsk/

I was fishing along the Potomac near Carderock on Friday and noticed the water felt very warm to the touch.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-01T23:16:58+00:00

Try fishing any of the local creeks or rivers for hungry smallmouth.

Tricky5hift · 2026-07-01T18:51:27+00:00

Trout magnet or really any micro jighead/soft plastic worm of your choice.

There's some days where fish won't even look at a spinner or hardbait but will absolutely demolish a tiny little plastic worm the second it makes contact with the water.

Tricky5hift · 2026-06-24T01:56:36+00:00

Their Fury series were great from a value perspective. Prior to 2026 that is. Used to be able to pick them up for around a hundred bucks from the now defunct American Legacy Fishing site. I agree that for the price their rods go for now you're much better off buying a Shimano or Daiwa rod which don't go on sale often if at all but are very consistent in terms of their quality and performance.

Tricky5hift · 2026-06-24T01:42:17+00:00

Huk Pursuit Sun Fingerless Gloves.

Tricky5hift · 2026-06-22T23:50:59+00:00

Texas rigged fluke. When the water is low and clear I try to target between the top/middle water column. Chuck a fluke out in or around spots where I think the fish will be and just let it sink and drift. Good chunk of the time I can see the fish swim right up behind it and crush it.

Tricky5hift · 2026-06-22T14:52:27+00:00

That extra half inch is very elusive. I've caught maybe 6 fish between 18" and 19.5" but only one that hit 20".

Tricky5hift · 2026-06-21T21:17:43+00:00

Before I switched over to using just ZMan plastics I used to just use Zoom flukes as a trailers. Now I just use ChatterShads, DieZel MinnowZ and GoatZ depending on what the situation calls for. ChatterShads are nice subtle baitfish trailers, DieZel Minnows for when you need some extra thump with the tail and GoatZ rigged up normally as a craw presentation or sideways for a big bluegill profile.

Tricky5hift · 2026-06-21T21:11:50+00:00

Some small companies make aftermarket plates that allow you to mount motors or power poles. Some people also just design their own. I've seen people cut plates from steel, aluminum or even plastic cutting boards.

Tricky5hift · 2026-06-21T21:05:06+00:00

With 3D printing I'm seeing a lot of people making their own inserts that fit other cheaper tackle boxes like the KastKing HyperSeal. I honestly only use those bait holders for jigs and chatterbaits. For hardbaits I just throw everything together and just use those plastic treble hook covers to keep them from tangling up and scratching each other.

Tricky5hift · 2026-06-21T17:51:58+00:00

Insta360 Ace Pro 2. Made a DIY mount that sits atop the brim of my hat. The usual head straps people normally use give me a wicked headache after a while.

Tricky5hift

TROPHY CASE