Packard

Depends how much you have to spend to get the Tournament Pro. I got mine for $154 and it was definitely worth it. It is a lot more refined than the Speed Spool and much lighter. You can get by with the Speed Spool but if you can get the TP for a good price I'd go for it.

I am fishing a bait called the Reins Bubbling Shaker for my dropshot and it looks very similar to the Damiki Pen.

I use the San Diego with all my lines. I have never had an issue with it. It may not be the easiest to tie but I have pretty much mastered it now and don't see a reason to change.

Best braid that I have found for spinning reels is 20# Suffix 832 Ghost.

P-Line C21 or CXX 12#

I have to use a 6'6"M/F to throw my Heddon Tiny Torpedo and Arbogast Popper. I use 20# braid and it is a blast to see them strike and actually get to fight the fish.

Drop shot, swimbait, fluke, senko, shakey head, finesse jig, and jerkbaits should work well.

Nice!

I am a Shimano fan myself but I don't think BPS deserves all the hate. I only have used one of their reels which is the old model carbonlite and it performs just as well as my shimanos. BPS has far better customer service than most companies and I can't imagine finding parts for their reels is too hard because they have a warehouse full of various reel parts. Not to mention you aren't supposed to complain about companies on here anymore let alone a sponsor.

Spro Little John DD Megabass Cyclone SR-X Norman Deep Little N

Pick the one you will have the most confidence in because that will make a big difference while learning how to use it.

I'd also go with the carbonlite. I am not a fan of Daiwa's economically priced rods. But keep in mind that the carbonlite is also $40-$50 more.

Sounds like others had different results while using spinning reels. I used mine on a 6'6" MH/F St Croix Premier with a Curado 200e7 which is probably why the memory didn't effect my fishing. But I can argue that it has less stretch than the average monofilament.

Funny thing is that I dont do much flipping up here so the pit boss doesn't get much use but the smash tube works great for smallies.

They all work pretty good. Check youtube for videos on how to rig them by the pros who designed them.

95 Table Rock

i like to yo-yo them.

I prefer fluoro with jigs. I can't really feel any extra bites by placing my finger on my line and it feels uncomfortable to me. I tried braid but didn't like it because it always bellies if there is even the slightest wind. I wouldn't go through that trouble just so you could put a finger on the line but that's your choice.

I have been using the 12lb. on my Jerkbait/Topwater combo and haven't had any issues. It is actually my most managable line at the moment. It responds very well to L&L.

You could use electrical tape on the threads of the reel seat. I don't see why the rod would be doing that unless it is defective somehow.

Dave was making a joke because 10" is 10 inches. I believe that you mean 10'.

Sounds like a great day, congrats!

Made me cringe.

That's great.

I have a pair of REI rain pants that are lightweight and the bottom half zips off and converts to shorts if it stops raining or you are too hot. I just wear a light rain jacket that packs into a small bag when it stops raining.