As I sat in my open garage typing these words, I had at my side a Plano brand fishing tackle
box. I purchased the pant cargo pocket-sized plastic container from Walmart when that store
was located in the reasonably-sized building off US 25 and Glades Road in Berea sometime
during the late ‘80s or early ‘90s. It has served admirably, stocked with the following contents.
The large main compartment on one side of the box is filled with my favorite artificial bait:
Mr. Twister Curly Tail jigs in assorted colors. With their weighted head aiding accurate creek
ledge casting and eye catching swimming motion; they’re my go-to for redeye and smallmouth.
On the flip side of the box are two equally-sized, smaller compartments.
The right hand compartment holds an orange Rooster Tail spinner bait to entice quick water trout or
largemouth bass in ponds. There’s a pack of Eagle Claw #6 hooks in that compartment, as well.
In the left hand compartment, there’s a couple of small styrofoam, fluorescent colored
bobbers, a few snap swivels, and some assorted weight lead sinkers. Boring, I know.
Finally, I was in the current day warehouse-sized (soon to be replaced by the giga
warehouse-sized) Berea Walmart’s fishing tackle aisle and discovered what I’d long wished for
back in my salad days (“Why doesn’t someone make an ultralight 3’ long, open faced rod and
reel for about $25 bucks?”) is now available from two manufacturers (Zebco’s Dock Demon and
Shakespear’s Dock Runner).
After a few YouTube reviews, I’ll decide which of these two
compact ultralights with which to upgrade. They’re so thrifty lending to fine Chinese
craftsmanship, I might just buy both. Window shopping and research are always half the fun of
buying kit. (P.S. I ended up going with Grandpa Fred Taylor’s signature brand: Zebco).
Next Week: Eating
Shane Morris is a retired soldier and teacher. Contact at sigm11@yahoo.com (Subject: NtC)
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