J Francho

This isn't always true, but in general, yes. There are times when a little jiggle helps. Also, if you're in a an unavoidable drift situation, it's fine to cast out a bit in front of the drift, to get some "still time," and then reel up and repeat the process as you overrun the line.

Shhhhhhh

I've always felt the rods made in Park Falls had a little more life in them. Not sure why, but they feel more "vivid" when fished. Could it be the guides? Or the build? Never could put my finger on it. Could be be between my ears; thinking one is better simply because of origin of manufacture.

Nah, you're more than that. You're an ambassador to the sport. Good job!

I use an Owner Beast, 6/0 or 8/0. Gamakatsu also makes a 6/0 weighted hook that works well. You don't need a really heavy one, just enough to get it to flutter on the fall. What's cool about the trash fish is the body (where the hook goes) is a tougher plastic than the tail (the action part). Get some Mend-It though. It'll help your baits last longer, no matter what you choose. I even glue broken Senkos together sometimes.

I probably wouldn't venture too far north, unless I got desperate. Seems like a desolate slop field up there. I'd rather be fishing a certain lake just to the northwest of there, lol.

I like a Little Creeper All-American Trash Fish Swimbait on a weighted hook for this type of stuff.

You gotta post them up to maintain the 10% discount you're getting for "pro-staffing." lol.

P. 11 has the answer. http://www.cabelas.com/assets/product_files/pdf/cabelas_adv_ang_018868.pdf

Almost all modern, low profile casting reels have a disengaging line guide on the cast.

You can probably find a Commander 140 used for around that. It's a hybrid with a high capacity.I use it with gear, myself (160) and my 9 year old (85) with no issues. Plus, you will have no trouble learning to stand and fish from it.

River fed. Can be tough, but it's pretty much the usual bass fishing you do in your neck of the woods. I don't know enough to give spots. Mainly fished around the river.

My best drop shot SMB ever....also from Erie, and happens to still be my PB.

Some have 6v mode.

Most so called frog rods are great at throwing a frog, but not my favorite for extracting a hooked bass from the jungle. I'll use any H or XH rod over 7' for frogging.

You should be able to make a sleeve out of flexible PVC tubing from a hardware store. I use an old cymbal stand as a line filler, and that's what I used for an arbor for the spool.

It really comes down to how heavy the bait is. I like a 7 to 7-6 rod, XF taper. Power ratings are subjective, but a MH from most brands works.

As long as it has a 12v mode.

You can drop shot anything - it's a terminal rig, not a style. I know quite a few that have been drop shotting smaller Keitechs, so I don't see why a big one wouldn't work.

I use a couple different Schumacher chargers for my kayak batteries. They all work great. I can't remember the models, but they're small, quick, and have a conditioner mode, once fully charged.

On Erie or Ontario, that can mean 3' rollers, lol. A shot of the lake, and one of my partner with two from our haul that day. All drop shot, all day. Yes, we won, lol.

Yes they are. I use two 6'3" ML/XF and a 6'3" M/XF, all SC Avids/Shimano CI4 2500s spooled with 6# Tatsu. This is a vertical presentation, so other than maybe pitching out 15-20', they aren't cast, simply flipped out, and leave the bail open until it hits bottom. I do not want any bow in the line, and I do not want to be moving the weight unintentionally. Many of use heavier weights when fishing at depths greater than 25' on the Great Lakes. Been doing it this way since before it was called drop-shotting! It works. Pretty much any buoyant worm for a still/dead stick presentation (Roboworms, X-tail Shad, Z-man) and a sinking bait for when I want to add the action (Yamamoto, Zoom).

I have to make every cast like this, after a bout with tendonitis in my shoulder, a few years ago. Now, I don't even think about a cast without my left hand on the bottom grip. Takes all the stress out of my right shoulder, and requires less energy. I used to love my pistol grips, but I probably wouldn't like them now.

Foam, cork, full, split... there's no right answer for me, but I know the when I pick up the wrong answer. In other words, it just has not be annoying in my hand, and I'm good.