Delaware Valley Tackle

Hair jig time

The bearing needs to insert into the spool if I remember correctly. Therefore the spacer must go underneath.

I like the stiff, light bail Daiwa uses as well.

Right. Rod power choice should be driven by bait, presentation and cover. Species may play a part but the differences between the basses is irrelevant here.

Those are PacBay Minima guides. They’re good budget guides. Not junk at all. I use them occasionally mostly on light power rods and/or for weights savings on finesse rods.

Unless you grip the rod forward of the reel, it’s size will have little or no affect on balance. The preferred feel of a setup is too personal for others opinions to be very helpful in my experience. It doesn’t hurt to ask but you’ll have to be the final judge.

I think we talked on the phone. Anyway Fuji is a brand with offerings across the spectrum. No worries

My concern with top water and jerk-baits is imparting the desired action. My preference is a fast action but soft tip. They are not mutually exclusive. A moderate action can work if it’s not too soft. I want bites first, then worry about landing them.

More than chance of breakage, the rod may be overpowered by too heavy of a bait making the retrieve feel labored and/or mushy.

That’s a recurring myth to explain why those tend to get louder once the factory grease gets cleaned out. Not a bad reel just unrealistic expectations imo.

$8

The drag rubs, that’s how it works. A carbon Tex upgrade would smooth it out and quiet it.

Reel feet are not universal. It looks like they’re trying to do right by trimming the seat threads back like many custom builders do. Maybe too much of a good thing. As for the blanks, very seldom are any poker straight it won’t hurt a thing. I’m not one to excuse the mass production issues just adding some perspective. At the end of the day you’re the customer and that’s where expectations lie whether anyone else agrees or not.

Ratings can’t be “accurate “ or “true” because there is no standard only subjective descriptions. A better way to get the info you’re after is to compare to a rod line you’re familiar with.

No Zonk for You!!!

If you look closely I think the Ambassaduers are now described as Swedish “Engineered”.

There’s lots of great advice in the forums but I feel like the library here is way under utilized. Here’s a good read all you need to know: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/lipless-crankbait-1.html

Rebel.

Won’t hurt a thing. No need micro scope it. If you’re worried about moisture you can seal it up with clear nail polish

Go back to who told you this and slap them. It’s for their own good.

False humility!

Upgraded, yes. Increased maybe slightly, but anything over 7-8lbs on a bass reel is overkill.

How many you need?

That’s right. Whatever works for you is the way to go. I’ve seen ball players whose hitting stance and swing were all wrong by conventional wisdom, but they crush that ball!

I don’t see lefty reels as “over sold” just a preference of many myself included. There’s no right or wrong.