Arv

1. BPS PQ/Carbonlite Combo, M/M rod, 6:1 reel for squarebills, lipless cranks and topwaters. The combo will run you about 160, which leaves you money left over for lures. The PQ is very similar to the Lews reels with a slightly bigger profile. 2. Lews SS with your choice of ~100 dollar rod. 3. Check ebay for a Lews reel. You could probably find a Tournament SS for around 100-110 which still allows a good budget for a rod. 4. Keep your eye on the fleamarket here. My assumption is you can fish t-rigs on the other rods. If not, just change the specs to what you would use for t-rigs.

Just to make your life more complicated, don't forget the Shimano Compre. It's been my favorite 100dollar rod so far, though I haven't tried the *** or the bucoo.

Between the stx and the speed spool id pick the stx. Both are quality but I think the stx has more features that makes it more appealing. My only experience is with the gen 2 so im not sure about the third gen stx.

I second the M power for that application. I don't have any experience with the *** rods but I agree with Drewski's logic. If you already have a MH rod, I'd go for a M power for more versatility.

This would be my hypothesis as well. I never use a heavier # test leader than my main line and always try to keep the size/diameter close. A little give or take either way shouldn't be a big deal as it never has been for me, but that's a large gap between 15# braid and 20# fc.

Nice looking reel! I'd be interested to hear what you think about it on the water once you get it out.

Depends on the situation. I usually fish mine unweighted, thats not in deep water or trying to punch through mats though. I usually fish a senko as a slow falling finesse presentation, but like any worm, it can certainly be fished faster

Tt did a review already. They gave it good reviews

Im partial to the lews. Mine has been awesome so far.

Either a t-rigged plastic or a weightless stick worm. I feel like they may not like the skirt on the jig, or they may want something that falls slower. More times than not, I'm throwing a stick worm after a jig, or most other lures for that matter. Its been a pretty consistent strategy so far.

Cork.

A lake I fished back in NC had turtles galore. Not too many snappers but I did hook one that was probably about 5-6#s as well, on a wacky stick worm. Plenty of other times they would nip at my lure if it got close enough.

I almost always start with a lipless crank. I love catching them that way.

Just so I'm understanding you correctly, you could essentially pick up all the individual strands and put them in a pile on a table, separate from the jig head itself?

I just thought it was funny how the jig skirt is covering his eye in the pictures. Lol, probably not the best joke... never the less, nice fish for sure

You could check out Flukemastr's video in the video archive. It sounds like you got a jig head and a bunch of loose skirt strands. It will probably be a little tough, but I'm sure not impossible. If you order your own skirt material that will make it much easier. Its just up to you whats worth it.

Did you not want him to see you? I'd say 4-4.5

Im pretty sure the tp on sale at tw is the 5:1. Im pretty sure I heard they are phasing that out with the bb1 and the bb1 pro in the line up

You should be able to find the tournament pro for around 150 if you shop around. That gets my vote. I do have a tss which I also like a lot. The revo s has always been a solid reel and I had good experiences with the older gen models. I am interested in the tatula but want to hear more reviews before I think about spending the money on one.

I don't have any experience with swimbaits, but the mattlures gill baits usually get good reviews.

What type of lure? There's some swimbaits out there that look just about like the real thing.

I set mine by feel. I set them fairly loose since I use only briad, especially on my cranking rod. I've never had any issues that I can think of.

I only use braid.

Ive heard a few guys that prefer a fast action for squarebills. I dont get it. I prefer a mod. Action.

Rage Craws for more action, SK Rodents or RI Sweet Beavers for less action.