5fishlimit

IMHO this has been of my favorite in the LTB lineup. Your question is too subjective to have a clear answer. All you will get is a list of everyone's personal favorite.

That GYCB Kut Tail bait is something special on a shakey head. I also like to use Zoom finesse worms, Rage Tail Baby Craws, and on occasion, I will also add a small Keitech Swing Impact (regular, not the FAT).

Aren't cork knobs encased in plastic? At least all of the fancy Daiwa cork knobs are from my experience.

Those are some beautiful bronzebacks!

I've dated women like what the OP described, and all I can say is..... You might be able to "work it out" in the short term but in the long run, you will be dealing with the same issues over and over. Get while the getting is good.

Using a glass of water is a poor example of what the water in a lake and/or river would look like. Using a swimming pool several feet below the surface would be a better since you are mainly getting the light penetration through just the water surface, and not penetrating from the glass (which also causing it's own refraction of the light waves before even getting to the line itself.

My immediate reaction would be to go with the St. Croix, but the smart thing would be to take your reel with you and try it out on all the rods you are interested in to see what feels best for you.

I have the LTB version of this rod and do exactly what you are asking about with it. In fact, I find it much better for my pitching and flipping than I do for frogs. I only got the LTB because the price I stumbled upon at eBay was below the cost of an Avid. As far as the reel goes I have an OG Zillion on mine. I love this combo so much.

This is beginning to sound like your dad is coming up with every poor excuse in the book because if you go to LH he won't be able to use the LH reels himself. lol! It's really not that hard to do at all. I have similar conversations with my father constantly. Sometimes I might have to go back and say he was correct after all, but most of the times I don't.

Why the reluctance to use live bait (nightcrawlers)? For kids it the best way to go!

According the rather large graphic when you first go to their site it states all of their stores are closing.

I have a lot of Zoom products - mostly their finesse worm and trick worms. I personally love the options for colors! I don't know any other company that offers so many options! https://zoombait.com/colors/

There are neoprene versions available.

I'm a big fan of the LTB rods, but at the price you can get the IMX I would say go in that direction.

I love the SPRO Little John crankbait in the color cell mate. This color has worked equally well for LMB and SMB.