DTack

Did I miss something?

That's pretty cool with it being that old! I don't have my first bait but I do have the bait my dad caught his 15.2 out of the back of my boat on! that was cool!

In regards to high IPT on a spinning reel, I choose to have it in the event I make a let's say 60 foot cast (3 boat lengths, 20 yards) then let my bait sink down say another 15-18 feet, pick up and I have a fish on. I then set the hook and a 4 lb spotted bass swims as quickly as possible back towards my trolling motor. At this point, I want to be able to keep pressure on this fish while they head towards me and eventually take control of this fish. That's my reasoning I like the highest IPT on a spinning rod I can get. I'm not trying to burn my bait back to the boat as part of a retrieve with it. I am not really a fan of reeling the bait in slowly before making my next cast though. I also like to make the longest cast I possibly can, I want to be as far away from a fish as possible when it sees my bait. Does the extra 5 feet I get from a cast make a difference? I don't really know, but I have some people who have stood on the back of my boat that would say my extra 10 feet does. If I'm throwing a spinning rod I am throwing 7 lb test. Period. If I am going higher than that I use a baitcaster. I don't use too many 1/16 oz and less baits and I don't use many baits over a half ounce on a spinning rod. I don't have much advice to give in those regards as they just aren't fished too efficiently for me on a spinning rod. I can try to tell you my experiences catching 5+ lb spotted bass and 7+ lb largemouth on a spinning rod regularly year round from a boat. I'm not concerned about a bass ever running 50 yards, I hope no one is saltwater people may be, but I'm not really on that same page.

As far as weight goes I don't think I notice it as long as my rod isn't tip heavy. But Aavery2 I doubt it's much at all... nothing I would ever feel. It's just a larger spool for the reel. My understanding is the larger spool would help with more line pickup as well, which I also like.

I think it does help with casting distance and line twist. I like to keep my spool as full as possible for distance as well.

I like the 3000 sized Shimanos.... Which I understand are 2500 size body with a larger spool. I like the larger spool. I fill it with "backing" when I get it and then it's likely never seen again... just fresh fluoro on top of about 75 yards.

742dx all the way. For 1/8 oz tubes it is my favorite in the line period. As Arv said, the 702dx is VERY finesse... the power on that rod is NOT the same as the 742. The 742 is a more powerful rod overall and is my preference for single hook lighter baits like a light tube or darthead. For the record I was fishing a 1/8 oz tube on a 743dx this weekend. It didn't cast as good as a 742 would have.. but it got it out there. The 742 will cast a 1/8 tube just fine!

Mono/copoly (same to me): Maxima Ultragreen Fluoro: Sunline Sniper

The 795dx is an awesome rod and my overall favorite for flipping! I throw baits down to 3/8 oz on it and although it is not ideal it still works well. You made a great choice and I bet you'll be really glad you spent the extra money! It helped us put these fish in the boat:

No reason not to. Squarebills around grass, I love to fish braid as long as I can get the bites. I find that a lot of the time I need to switch to mono once the water gets clear. I know that a lot of people don't believe that makes a difference but I like to make money.

I guess I would lean more towards a MH, in the 7' to 7'3" range. I take some people and ask them to start throwing their spooks (super spook, repoman, vixen, river2sea rover) on their jig rod and they're typically surprised how much they like it and how the hooks in fact don't "rip out" like they're supposed to! My personal choice is a Dobyns Champion 734c.

I have a friend who (knowingly) left one in my boat on one of his rods. It is the best revo I have used (as it should be according to the price). The drag was strong and smooth, it casted light baits very well, I was throwing ripbaits into and around wind and the reel performed great. I don't know if I could personally pay retail price for it as I'm just a fan of less expensive reels but for a good deal I would say go for it! Also, VERY light reel in hand! I should add, I'm the WRONG person to ask about other reels in this price range, I'm basically entirely ignorant in that regard!

Baits of similar size and the few I have of the 1.5 and 2.5 I use the same hook but for the 1.5 size 1 and the 2.5 I use size 1/0.

I will answer what you asked and try to stay on topic without going into anything else: My reasoning is simple, I don't believe one company makes the best squarebill, mid depth crank, deep diving crank FOR ME. For what I like doing for the way I want a bait to run and what I want to do with a bait I don't think ONE COMPANY covers it all. For me to be fully effective (as used in topic name) I need to have the confidence of multiple brands for multiple situations. That is my own personal reasoning for what I do. With the utmost honesty I don't see a point or benefit to limiting yourself to one brand of lures be it hardbaits or softbaits. Strike King have been brought up as well as Lucky Craft... in my eyes both companies make great baits. I don't think one company's full line is better than the other. Price is obviously going to be a factor between the two and I will never down talk anyone who has utmost confidence in the lower cost option. I have more confidence in a DD22 vs a Lucky Craft 20foot crank... That is just for me from trial and error as many different situations I can be in. I hope you've gotten an answer that pleases you. Have fun fishing and find the ones you like best!

734c... More interested in what the rod is going to do with a fish on than casting or working a lure. 734c is a great rod and as versatile as they come!

This is a smart answer to this question. Full understanding that it is DEFINITELY possible to go lighter with braid but you have to be CAREFUL with it. I am lazy when it comes to braid and use it for only a few techniques so I'm honest with myself and not good at checking it much. I use 70lb and recommend 65. It also depends where you are fishing and what you are setting on. I'm sure I could get away with 40 lb most of the time but the one time I set on an angry 7 after I put a cast on a rock 2 hours before that just isnt worth it for me. Not that it wouldn't break with 70 or 65 but I like the little bit of added peace of mind.

For a less expensive option Yo-Zuri Hybrid in 6 lb is a little stiff but still great on a spinning reel. My all time favorite (little pricey) is Sunline Sniper in 7lb test.

How large of baits are you looking at? The Tatula HD is still a nice size but I just don't know how I feel about throwing the big big baits on it. As I think out loud I did throw a 9" slammer on my Tatula Type R last year with no problems on braid.

Shimano Crucial was and still is a good rod. I'm not sure how you might feel about their warranty slightly changing. My recommendation would be a 704 or 734/735 Dobyns Savvy.

Two reels I have seen last a long time for me with a lot of use are the Chronarch 200e (Curado 200e for me but same reel) and a Shimano Symetre. I know some folks will probably cry foul on these selections but they have held up for me and I really don't "maintain" my reels just add a little oil here and there on the casters.

I don't feel that the sensitivity drops off for me. I'm not a scientist and don't know much about density, molecular structure or lab tested stretch. But I do know what I can feel and I know what it's like to set into a fish and have it not move... 20 lb Sunline Sniper is one of my favorite lines overall. It is a bit stiffer in that lb test so it can be difficult fishing in heavier winds as far as casting goes. I think visibility is one of the main factors that people look at when discussing fluoro, for that reason I think a lot of people also stick with lower lb test in fluoro.

I've been happy with my Tatulas and they can be had within budget at the right places. Hope you find something you like!

Dobyns Champion 764cbrm

I use a 4 to 5 power mainly... Which I would translate anywhere from a MH to an XH rating on some rods. I want the rod action to have tip but I also want it to eventually shut off.

I like mono for spinnerbaits... Fluoro would be great but generally I'm throwing it because it's windy and there are giant gusts... Which don't mix well with fluoro or braid on a baitcaster. As a specific I go with 12-20 lb maxima