rangerjockey

I could offer up a couple guesses also but the horse is out of the barn at this point. I will say if you can get them to bite a jerkbait this time of year I'm envious.

I'm not sure you will do all that with one rod. The BC2 is my personal favorite.

They might. I had a couple of 6xd's that leaked. Just for grins I sent SK a email and they sent me 4 new ones.

I've never had an issue with LC quality. If you think the paint is substandard my suggestion would be to send a pic or 3 to Lucky craft.

I have a ZX225 but mine is a 2011. I really like the boat . Check the compression on anything you buy. Would I personally turn a 16 year old loose with a 70 mph boat ? No.

I don't think I paid over $475 for any of my Steeze. Of course that was before the increase but I wouldn't buy a Steeze or NRX for that matter online without talking to someone at the shop like ALF. Might be able to help some or have a used one. We are out of the baby business at our house but I saw on the news this morning that car seats made in China are going up an average of 400 bucks. Yikes.

I like the straight shank as well. In my case the Trokar TK 130.

A couple feet isn't enough leader. I start with 10 feet or so. My thinking is I want the leader knot on the reel when the fish is at the side of the boat. Of course after having to retie or break off a bait that hung up that changes but it's a good starting point.

Ol' monster or netbait c-mac. I would always pick the one they bite vs the one that lasts the longest.

I own both and personally I'm not convinced the NRX is a more sensitive rod. The Steeze BC2 is really good and the craftsmanship on the Daiwa is better. That's not to say the NRX isn't great also but they look like they should cost $150.

As has been said braid floats, it's great for topwater. What crankbaits are you wanting to throw ?

I don't think you're going to be pleased throwing crankbaits or topwater on a ML regardless of what line you choose it's just not going to have enough azz. For a all purpose rod I personally would move up to a medium if not MH.

At least around here a main lake point would be your basic outcropping into the main lake or the points formed by the entrance to a creek or cove. Secondary's would be the points by the entrance to the feeder creeks running into the main creek.

I don't really think there's much difference in any of them except for the clacker and the hole in the blade on some. If I buy one it's a Crock o Gator. I've held them out the window, soaked them in salt water and tied them to a floor fan but in the end it's about throwing it over fish. They see and hear 1,223 buzzbaits a day. They see and hear very few 1/4 oz.

30lb. braid.If the water is choppy it can foul on the front hook occasionally. If needed I just tie on 6 or 8 inches of mono or flouro leader.

Everyone is different and fish different lakes, but I would have no use for that many heavy and extra heavy rods. I throw a glide bait and the A rig on the same rod when it's time for them but 80% of the time it's in the rod locker. I would personally give up a couple of those for some spinning rods for a little swimbait, minnow shaking, drop shot ect. I'd rather go down the bank with a spinnerbait or squarebill and drag a jig but that's just not as productive as it once was. At least for me.

As long as the compression is good on all cylinders you should be fine. I have 481 on my Yamaha 225 and I feel its got a lot left in it... Hopefully.

Yes. I wouldn't have a problem with that.

It will fish a full size spook, SB125 or a Vixen ect. fine, especially with braid. If you throw big walking baits on mono I would also check out the headturner but I personally wouldn't throw a jerkbait on it. I've used the finesse jig rod also with mono and it's good also. It's really like Loomis . With the SBR , TWR and JBR . They feel pretty much the same to me.

I have a Witch Doctor 6ft 6 Surman 50g that a really like for poppers and sammy's. I have the M and the MH. For what your wanting to do id go with the MH. It's 2 inches longer but the IMX 802 TW is a great option also and it also makes a great jerkbait and floatin' worm rod.

I agree with others, 7ft 2 or longer. I personally use a Steeze BC2 and 12lb. flouro. I do away with all the hardware and use a Carolina keeper.

I carry a M&P shield 9mm mostly. With shorts and a tee shirt a Ruger LCP .380

It doesn't have anything to do with the braid digging in. Slipping on the spool, yes.

I'm not the biggest fan of bed fishing but I will do it some. Personally I turn off every piece of electronics and look for a bed with a fish on it. FFS can't tell you what your eyes can. I can tell within the first 3 or 4 pitches whether or not the fish is worth my time. I know some guys will spend an hour on one but I don't have that kind of patience.

Either the Tatula or the Phenix feather. I believe the Feather has taken a price bump but they are super light and responsive. They fish soft for the rating so you will want the heavy. I have the 7ft1 casting heavy and the medium spinning which fishes like a medium light to me. Great minnow shaker and Ned rod.