J Francho

I use the shorter rod to stay in the cone, I'm strictly vertical fishing, so no need for length. Most guys like a 6-10 or longer for drop shot. It's pricey, but lasts longer than mono. Invisx is 4 years old, the Tatsu is almost 2.

I'll take on this part. I use two identical, similar rods for drop shot, AVS63MLXF and I have them spooled with 6# Invisx, the other with 6# Tatsu. Both are what I've found to be the best for drop shotting.

You pretty much hit on three great boats. I've been in them all. I agree, the Radar is the most feature packed. It's a also the most recent design, released this year. The Ride and Lure are 5+ year old designs.

Meh. Funny, I guess.

Why is it a record?

The only line that I've found that truly floats is Tuf-Line Supercast. I like the 20# size for topwater.

I'd say the services are good for anyone wanting to try new things - experienced or not.

Casting: LTBC70MF with a 7:1 OG Zillion and 12# CXX. I step up to one of the MH rods for weighted or the bigger Trash Fish.

Any mh/f rod 6-6 or longer will do. I use a mono or copoly around 15# size. Go ahead, try braid. The first time you get it wrapped up in the prop, and lose a fish because of it, you will understand why a mono-filament is a better choice. Then again, maybe you'll be lucky.

I will downsize when smallmouth are swatting at the bait. Sometimes I get a better commitment from them by doing this. Other times, tossing a nose hooked fluke or wacky hooked senko works better.

Isn't that every bit as random, though? The point of the services is to introduce you to a few varied types of baits each month. Try them, and you can go an purchase the ones you like.

Both are too small for me to even consider. Sammy 115 in Aurora Black or MS Am. Shad

Good for Rick Clunn. He's a whole lot better fisherman than most of us, and whatever disadvantage his plan presents, will result in exponential issues for someone with my fishing talents. I'd rather avoid that pitfall.

I'm not buying into the frailty of fluoro. In most cases, it's the toughest stuff around.

I like their original braid. SuperCast is probably one of the best choices for topwater, since floats, has no stretch, and behaves like old school nylon mono.

I don't use the same rod and reel for everything, so why would I do the same for line? I let the strengths of each type of line match up to the worst circumstances of fishing situations, and go from there. Having different line types make problem solving easier.

Not a lot, since I prefer the action rigged like below. But in a pinch, this works. When I'm more prepared, I usually throw a Trash Fish on a weighted Owner Beast. We're dealing with Lake O. around three feet higher than usual. Game is totally different this spring. We'll see. Finger Lakes are a little higher, but more typical.

In the budget realm, look at the KastKing Assassin. I'm having a hard time finding fault with it.

They're actually what were in my "junk drawer" in the kitchen.

Yes, they're 2" long: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Grip-Rite-13-x-2-in-6-Penny-Bright-Steel-Finish-Nails-1-lb-Pack-6F1/100027781

Six penny.

I was just gonna give about the same answer as @ib_of_the_damned. I'm not as technical with the nail weights, they're just six penny finishing nails. Two or three.

Gentle steel wool. Replace the hooks. Get a Plano Hydroflow box.

Sorry, that's a myth. I use 4# fluoro fishing for winter steelhead in near freezing water. It does not get brittle. In fact, the only line you can't use is braid because that freezes to itself.

I'm surprised you took a hit that gouged it that deep. Those are usually pretty tough hulls. You sure you don't have a leaky scupper? That's more common, and harder to find.