deadadrift89

Plano boxes - Hard baits stay in boat along with rods/reels. Various size Rubbermaid boxes - hold gallon storage size Ziploc bags with assorted soft plastics and terminal tackle(change out depending on lakes and part of country I'm in). Extra tackle at home or in 5th wheel while traveling.

Stanley Ribbit Frog for me also. Great choice for covering water fast with pads

3/8 between those two choices, but I prefer 1/2oz for most situations so I can keep it down in water column when needed

Take a q-tip or cotton ball and check the inside of all your rod guide eyes for a nick or burr. Also the rod tip eye insert may have came out. I've had both cause that in past

Regarding the Ike 7' M/F I've got that rod and it's very stiff. You wouldn't want to use it for that application. I use it for dragging 3.5-4" tubes on a 1/4oz jig head for smallies and 3/16oz trigs for largemouth. FWIW I've also got the Ike 6'10" ML and it makes a great dropshot rod with 1/4oz weight. That rod would be better suited for inline spinners and traps in that weight range and I've boated several 3-4# smallmouth no problems.

Trilene knot on 16# never had issues. I don't use any line larger in fluorocarbon

Mod V would be good choice for fishing that situation. Regarding Tracker, the Pro Team 175 twx has enough storage for tackle and would also be fine to take wife and child on lake/river excursions. You can find good deals on used ones with low motor hours. I gave my oldest child my larger fiberglass Stratos and bought a 2013 Pro Team with 40hrs. last year so I can tow behind our 5th wheel camper and have no regrets. It's on second trip to Minnesota right now?

When you do settle on a preferred size check out ebay. To help cost I bought 100ct bulk bags in my preferred sizes and styles this Spring to get me through a Summer long trip fishing rock invested lakes in northern Minnesota ?

20# Power Pro slick8 v2 with 8# Sniper leader for me. I've tried 10# /15# on a couple of my other drop shot setups but prefer 20#. Usually fishing no deeper than 35 feet in clear water with rock. I use green braid and 8'-10' leader

After 2 big cold fronts been catching them hugging bottom in 35' Northern Minnesota this week. Deepest place on this lake is 37'

Smallmouth lately

1/4oz works well most of time for me usually I don't fish deeper than 35'. If I'm drifting or have current I'll increase it if needed. On a side different I prefer a cylindrical weight in weeds/timber and teardrop in rocks.

I'm gonna try the extra split ring idea out. Thanks

If you ever can't find these and want to try something different a Lucky Craft Sammy 100 has put many smallies in the boat for me

Clear water I prefer Sammy100 translucent bottom/sides with light brown back. If winds blowing I'll opt for a Gunfish same colors. Stained water I like a Bone color Spook /Sexy Dawg

Same here

I prefer to use Sammy100, Sexy Dawg jr, Super Spook jr from Spring through July. During August-September I use the larger versions because I'm out in open water usually main lake chasing large schools. When fish push back shallow further up creeks in Fall I usually downsize again.

I use Sniper 16# and 14# never had problem with memory issues

I've enjoyed my Pflueger Sumpreme 30 this season no trouble. I've also got 2 Revo SX and 2 Orra Sx purchased them last year. Had trouble with one of the Revo and Orra's, so Abu is out for me now on.

Worth a read http://www.badlandsbassbandits.com/articles/spinnerbaits-101.html

That rod with 14lb Sniper would be fine. I would go with the light wire Gamakatsu as others stated and use a 4/0 depending on bait

For many years I always changed rear hook to a feathered treble on all my walking baits but over last couple I quit and have noticed no change in my catch rate. I don't fish poppers much so can't say on them

Mostly ring for me, if no ring I use loop knot.

Another to consider Lew's TP-1 Speed 7'3" MH/Moderate Crankbait been using this for large cranks and chatterbaits lately. Picked one up at Overtons during a sale for $60. Not a lot of time on it but so far I'm liking it https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-LEWRODS.html?from=basres

Shimano 2500 Pflueger 3000 Line diameter/capacity similar but size numbers can vary across some manufactures