deep

15# to 30# PLine PF (Big Game okay too) depending on weight.

You want to find some hard cover. Also fish that squarebill fast. As in, as fast as you can reel. Chatterbaits and swim jigs for weeds and grass. Allow it to get snagged a bit, and rip it out.

I stretch them by setting the hook on fish and fighting them. Seriously, I don't think stretching FC too much is a good idea, unlike nylon.

Oh I think it'll cast 2 oz baits just fine*.. But there are differences between casting, fishing, setting the hook, and fighting/ landing a fish. *haven't tried it myself

Yes. Really. I have the fred's magic stick in genesis 2. I also have, and fish, swimbaits that range in weights from 1 oz to ~14 oz.

Curado B5. Ebay.

Try the U2. That rod tops out at 1.5 ozs...

I'll sell you a NIB ***/8 oz for $15 shipped! EDIT: three-eights oz for God's sake! Cavitrons are my (distant) second favorite though...

They are okay and do/ will catch fish; like almost anything that has a hook.

Boogerman racket buzz. You'll be giving away your cavitrons.

FIFY

What weight jigs? Pitching or casting?

1. Choose power depending on bait weight and cover. 2. Fast action rods work well for nearly everything. 3. Moderate action rods might be better for medium and deep-diving crankbaits though. Hope that's simple enough (for a start)?

Hey man, short version of what works for me. First, chatterbaits are for over or around weeds/ grass. Second, fish as slow as you can so long you can still feel the thump. The idea is to let it get (almost) caught in the weeds, and then rip it out. Go back to slow reeling. If the thumping stops, set the hook. It's either weeds or a fish. P.S. I used to really like the ZMan Project Z until I found the Evergreen jackhammer. 3/8 oz or up. Lake fork magic shads and the GYCB Zako for trailers. (I learnt of the Zako fairly recently.)

Yes.

Who said you had to zero the brakes before setting the spool tension on a reel with centrifugal brakes? Anyway, forget all that nonsense, and try my 3 step method (works on all Curado models VBS or SVS): Step 0: Start with the spool tension knob loose enough to remove/ install sideplate Step 1: Turn 2 brakes on (out of 4 or 6), close sideplate. Set outer dial (if so equipped) to 3. Step 2: Increase spool tension until there is no side-to-side play. Stop tightening the spool tension when you get to this point. Step 3: Fish. Use thumb and/ or outer dial and/ or *slightly* more spool tension- in that order- to control overruns. Optional- Step 4: If and when proficient, you may decrease braking (inner and/ or outer) to your liking.

All of them. P.S. A lot more to it (sensitivity) than just the rod

Don't do it.

A 3# will eat a 10" trout no problems. Although whether it'll prefer something else is a different question altogether, and is related to (the question) if a 10" bait is the best lure to target the biggest fish (sometimes it is). A 68 hudd is a pretty small bait (not always a bad thing though). And, if they are stocking only 8-10 inch trouts, you might want to consider 8 and 10 inch hudds and real preys instead. The problem (IMO) with bigger (8"+) softbaits and smaller fish is that there's only one hook on top (I dislike stinger hooks with a passion for several reasons, one of which is potential for gill hooking). And the fish has to eat the thing to get hooked. I would try hardbaits too especially if you are not solely dragging the bottom.

Is there a depthfinder on the console, and is it turned on? (Re: vertical drop-shotting)

I have a Fred's magic stick. 754. Very very versatile rod. I've fished everything from 1/2 oz jerkbaits to topwaters/ cranks/ jigs and t-rigs/ swimjigs/ chatterbaits/ frogs all the way up to small (5", real not hollowbelly) swimbaits/ 1.25 oz punch rigs on it. Paired with the right line/ reel obviously (I have more casting reels than rods). Sensitive enough (for me) to feel bites and catch fish. One little detail that might or might not bother some of you: the handle length, especially when jerking, walking or pitching (I'm used to long rods with long handles, so I'm okay with it).

Yep. Like that Perry guy said, depth and speed. Speed (or lack thereof) can be vertical or horizontal.

10 threads about different reels from different manufacturers...

I won't mess with the vision 110 hooks (or even the split rings). Size 6 katsuage outbarbs.