RichF

I use direct braid all the time with jigs that size. 40 to 50lb works great. I prefer fluoro around rock as it's more abrasion resistant.

This was a couple years ago. She was a heavy 5, not my biggest, but I think it's a cool pic.

Don't do it! Cutting down the rods is going to destroy their action! The 7'6 will be a broom handle and the 7' will be more like a medium heavy. TW has a 6'10 medium glass Powell diesel that would suit your needs and is like $5 more than the Blackout.

Just goes to show ya, bass will bite anything as long as you're around them and they're active. I've seen bass caught on some pretty ridiculous stuff over the years. It can be frustrating haha.

Reels with gear ratios that low are meant for power. That's exactly what you'd want if you were gonna fish big, deep diving cranks. The slower ratio pulls in less line per crank which allows cranks to dive deeper. That added power makes it much easier to reel in big cranks also. For squarebills, that ratio isn't necessary. I like a little bit faster for spooks but a 6.4:1 would be my pick to cover all three baits. @J Francho's rod suggestions are really good. My father uses both a 6'6 MF and a 7'0 MF SC Avid for lipless cranks, topwater plugs, and jerkbaits. He likes them a lot for those baits. I'm more of a glass fan myself but, to each his own.

15 pound mono would be better and definitely a faster reel. I like a 7:1 for top water and 6.3:1 for squarebills and lipless cranks.

I know this is what most people do and it makes total sense. I just can't bring myself to put cheap with expensive. It actually makes me a little nuts that I have a Curado I on my Legend Extreme flippin stick. It works great and feels really good on the rod but it just doesn't seem right to have a sub-$200 reel on a $400+ rod. All my more expensive bottom contact rods have my nicest reels on them while my cheaper Powell crank rods have gen 1 Revo Prems on them! lol

They're actually not my favorite. I feel like the blades kinda stop on me every now and again. The paint also comes off the blades pretty easily. They def stay down in the water column though, which is nice and they have good hooks. I like them, there are just others I like better.

Very nice boat. My '08 Pro Team 170 has been beat to snot and is still going strong. My father and I have put a ridiculous number of hrs on it over the years. She'll be good to you for a long time!

We could be good friends lol.

My zodias is a medium heavy. I use it more for smaller football jigs with 16lb fluoro. I'd say it's a true medium heavy action. I prefer a little bit heavier for flipping jigs though. I think the 7'2 heavy would be perfect for flipping 3/8 to 3/4 oz jigs. I'll likely get that very same model at some point.

T-minus 4 days...I'm getting antsy in the pantsy.

Don't own any Lews, but that's awesome customer service right there!

I've never used any Loomis so I can't comment on their sensitivity but I'm with Imbfisherman, the Zodias is PLENTY sensitive for jigs. I throw jigs on one, a Helium 3, and a St Croix Legend Extreme. The Zodias definitely holds its own. I also agree with @NYBasser, Tats and Curados are great reels and are really all you'd need....but...I have a Chronarch CI4 on my Zodias and they're a match made in heaven. Like, I think Shimano specifically built that reel for that rod or vice versa. Well, it feels that way anyhow.

That would be an awesome jig combo. The Zodias is a beautiful rod. It's incredibly lightweight and super sensitive. However, that combo will cost closer to $500 unless u can find some deals.

That sounds awesome! I haven't really done any fishing down here (once on the Potomac, once on Anna). It's nice to know I have places close by that hold nice fish. Wish I had my boat down here! I'll have to do like @Choporoz and rent a jon boat for the day and check it out.

I'd say so. The kick pretty good. I've used them on the back of swimjigs before.

I stick with 3 main trailers. Rage craws and Chigger craws when the water is warm. Zoom big salty chunks when it's cold. Yum Christie craws and Bruiser Baites crazy craws aren't bad if you're looking for inexpensive ones ($2.99/pack).

The early spring is the only time I throw a spinnerbait in Northern NY. Bladed jigs are really good as well. Try a swimjig. It's a bit more subtle than the other baits mentioned. I catch a bunch with it in the spring.

Definitely a northern thing.

I much prefer the June-like grass. All the lakes I'm used to fishing back home in NY are full of thick milfoil. Some places it'll even grow down to 20 ft.

Gotchya. That's not too bad for a day of fishing. Thanks for the info. Is there any grass in there?

How much is it to rent a jon boat there? Does it come with a motor? Trolling Motor?

Best bit of advice I can give you (and I rarely follow this myself because it's downright difficult) is to simply not bring a lot of tackle with you. The fewer baits you have, the fewer you're going to be trying during the day. Pick a technique you'd like to learn and just do that for a few outings. If you don't do well, pick another bait or technique and try that a few times. Eventually, you'll figure out what's right for you.

Awesome footage. I'm like you, I've never fished a swim jig that fast. I feel like it would attract too many pike lol.