cueball

I assume that he OP is throwing 1/16 to 1/8 oz marabou jigs for smallmouth bass. There are other options than the SCV576MLXF. Get Bit Outdoors has their Liberty Series Drop shot blanks. Mudhole has the NSJ870 and NSJ871 MHX Elite X blanks. Elliott Rod Blanks has 73LF, though it is currently out of stock, and a 73MLF. Rainshadow IMMWS72MLF is another blank, similar in power to a SC ML that would work. NFC also has several options. Blanks that are good for this technique will typically be on pricey side because they are long and to get a lightweight blank that has good recovery they will most often be built with higher modulus material.

Another source of sensitivity is the through the reel. On a casting reel the line tightens and you feel a pulse transmitted by the spool shaft. Similarly on a spinning reel, when the line tightens you feel a pulse through the line roller. One reason fishing is so fun is all of the subjective topics that have no absolute answers.

1. Drop shot 2. Drop shot 3. Drop shot

I dip jig heads in CS Seal Coat and Jig finish. I have also brushed it in. Seems to work great and dries in a half hour or less.

Stick the hook through the eye of the sinker and than use the hook keep.

I would go with the Avid X over the standard Avid. Really nice build for a factory rod.

They do sell blanks, but they don't sell blems or seconds. I just bought a blank there a few weeks ago. You have to ask, they don't have them on display.

Z Man 4" Finesse Worm and Strike King 4" 3X Elaztech finesse worm. They are the same bait, each has some different colors.

Hanging fishing stuff in plain view of the wife sounds like risky business to me.

I would not say either is really better than the other. I think It really comes down to what you prefer for a handle.

I fish for mainly smallmouth. I have at least a Ghost Minnow and a Nishiki in each of the LC series of jerkbaits in my box.

I guess I don't understand the problem. St Croix has split grip and full grip rods. You can choose. What is the problem?

If you want to store the most in the least amount of space, I think the binders with bags work the best.

Black or white. Try both contrasting and matching.

Z-Man 4" Finesse Wormz. Work great and you can fish one worm all day. I also like Robo Worms and Zoom Z Drops, but you go through a lot more of them than the Z-Man worm.