Smallmouth Hunter

Yeah I have fished a few ethos rods. Nice rods for the money, but I wouldn't pay $100 for a ethos nano over a ***. I really like the omens. I also had grooving issues with the tip guide on one of my ethos rods after a season of cranking.

I found the braking system to be a pain. I never did like dual braking though so take it with a grain of salt. The spool of the bb1/bb1 pro most likely weighs over an ounce when filled with line. 160 yards of 12 lb is too much for me.

I would take a *** or Denali jadewood any day over the ethos nano.

I personally would never ever use tatsu as a leader. Too expensive for that job. Any other quality fluoro/mono can function nicely as a leader.

None. The tourney pro is too finicky. The BB1/BB1 pro hold too much line for me.

What is z-man? I keep seeing that around.

I would save up a little more and get either the carbonlite for $80 (on sale) or the *** for $100.

I once ate a bowl of cocoa puffs (chocolate flavored cereal) with orange juice instead of milk.. Yea that didn't turn out too great.

Tatula and *** are the best in my opinion. Tatula for moving baits, *** for bottom contact stuff.

4 lbs 12 oz

"*The Double O Winding Check, custom made by a Japanese jewelry store, is made from real 925 Silver and can be cleaned with a "silver cloth" when darkens."

Just try to be a bit more... flexible.

Curado E huge??????

For the rod on the 6th setup, look into the bass pro crankin stick which is on sale for I think $60 right now. I really liked the way it felt in store, and it gets raving reviews. I am getting the 7'6 medium.

I don't get it. The tatula rod is one of the lightest out there, but you say it is heavy compared to the mojo glass 7'8? The tatula reel is lighter than the 300E, but you call that heavy too?

You might be able to get the air bubbles out by heating the epoxy for a second with a lighter..

1/4 oz traps (certain brands at least) cast like bullets. I have never found the need to go to spinning.

I'll start it off. Curado 200B (bantam). Heavy spool = more momentum. I was casting a 3/8 oz lipless crank, and I about spooled it with 12 lb trilene and a 7' MM rod. I didn't have a full spool of line on - only about 80 yards, but it was down to the last 20 yards or less with every cast. I couldn't even see the splash of the lure from where I was casting. EDIT:: It was a 5/8 oz lipless crank so it doesn't really count.

Out of all the reels you have ever used, which would be your go to for casting 1/4 - 3/8 oz lipless cranks? Include details

I am just like you. I can't stand xf rods. Every time I hook up on a fish with one, they are barely hooked. With (true) fast rods, Every hook up is better and I don't feel like I am losing anything.

Hmm... I guess spinnerbaits or carolina rigs. I stick to a bait/lure arsenal that works great for me year round and I have never felt the need to try anything new. Jigs, swimjigs, texas rigs, chatterbaits, cranks, and lipless cranks can do exactly what I want very nicely.

Falcon Bucoo has apparently been on sale for around $40 at Walmart recently. Also, you mentioned the Veritas has been on sale. Both of those would be a great, cheap starter rod. For the reel, find a used shimano 2500 sized reel. Either that, or a Pflueger President or trion which can be had for around 20-40 used. Might seem like the cheapy route to go, but this is nice equipment and I am sure the kid would enjoy it.

Lew's tourney Mg - more capacity, linear 5 magnet braking system, aluminum handle and star drag, longer handle, larger body. Lew's TP - less line capacity, dual braking, carbon fiber handle, aluminum star drag, shorter handle, small body/frame. P.S. - Which**

Micro guides and leaders don't mix.

Go for a 300 size cardiff or calcutta. 200 is too small.