RB 77

Xtratuf 12" Legacy boot. If its cold out, some wool hunting socks with the boots.

Ah yes! True, true. The good old switcharoo. I was referring to the good old "greenies", but the 'storm troopers" are essentially the same with an anodized spool. The CH201E5 would be perfect for OP. The only trouble would be finding someone willing to part with one in the first place and then doing so with out costing an arm and a leg! Haha

I have a CU 200 E5 that's the bees knees, but they never made a lefty version of the E5, only the E7. My pops has a Pro Qualifier that he likes and they are a very affordable reel. Possibly something to consider...

My Dad! Haha. It's not uncommon for us to head out on a trip and for me to never pick up a spinning rod and for him to not even bring a baitcaster! I usually have at least one spinning setup on deck for a finesse application if need be (drop shot, split shot, nail weight, etc.). Whether I actually use one depends on the pattern that day. With that being said, there has been many a day fishing our gin clear deep water reservoirs where I have had a drop shot rod with a spinning reel and some light line in my hand the majority of the day and have had some stellar fishing!

This. X 100

I love this pic. Bendo baby!

A go-to winter plastic for sure.

Another vote for Frabill.

Side sweep.

You forgot "don't eat yellow snow". Haha

X2 on the desiccant packets. I started using these years ago and have never had any problems since. I also try and lay lures out on the deck to dry before tossing back in a box as well as opening up boxes for a day or two after trips as a precautionary measure.

Outstanding work! Those would be absolutely deadly in our salt water bays out this way for spotties...

I agree with Catt, any rise in water level is usually a good thing... in the long run. It's a God send here in Southern California on any body of water. However, it is usually associated with tougher "catching" conditions as it seems to spread the fish out and give them new forage to key in and basically disrupts normal feeding patterns. I'm a firm believer, in general, the most productive catching takes place within a stabilized weather/ conditions window the majority of the time. With this being said, of course I have experienced the complete opposite from time to time. Only one way to find out you know...

Meh, personally I wouldn't put to much thought into it. Seems strange, but harmless. The longer I live the more I realize that people just get weird!

I would go custom If I were you. I know your exact dilemma and it is hard to find a "proper" swimbait rod with a shorter handle. I finally modified one of my stock rods to a shorter handle because I love the power and the action of the rod along with the full cork handle, but found the longer butt section difficult to work larger top waters (like a Punker) with the longer section.

Sando and Agua.

This.

My favorite frog and IMO the best bang for your buck.

They work and they work well. No doubt about it!

Exactly!

My all time top producer is a LC LV 500

Orange can be a very underrated color at times in the right lake. That jig you made would be deadly for saltwater Bass out this way too. It is a go-to color for me in the salt.

That Jig looks killer!

Top 3 in no particular order are: Lizard, Creature Bait and Grub. I know, I know big surprise right? haha

Yes. They are completely worth the upgrade to any reel that does not have them. When ever I tear a reel apart, if they do not have them, they do when I'm done...