PGA Dropout

Bantam XG. I actually like the first gen a little better for the heavy stuff. I also have a US Zillion 8.5 that does fine with frogs. The Bantam is a better winch but the Zillion casts a range of weights better than either gen of Bantam. However both of these reels are a little bit above your price range, new. The 24 Tatula 100 is worth checking out at around $135 shipped from Japan.

I would try one on a Bull Flat, but I don't think there is enough hook gap there.

I wouldn't necessarily buy nicer, but I'd buy more and sell fewer.

Shimano rods seem to punch above their weight; the Expride and previous Adrena rods are very good value at their respective price points. If you told me I had to have 30 rods, I'd have a lot of Exprides.

I like the looks of the "power jerkbait" rod, but there's also the new Adrena 6'10 M to consider in that length/power.

A Heavy power casting setup with braided line for frogging and pitching to targets in cover, if these techniques are appropriate for your area.

Get treble hook or chatterbait blade hung in grass. Rip out. Get bit. Repeat.

Nah I'm buying all sorts of stuff. Monkey take the wheel.

10% off everything, I think the code is july4. My order from the other day shipped already.

RI Shiver Glide 4/0 EWG Superline 16 lb fluoro Big fish bait.

Cough cough Siebert 4th of July sale cough cough

Siebert is running a sale right meow. His prices are hard to beat.

P5 Super Destroyer, for both open water and heavy cover. X10 Swamp Survivor, for matted veg at a longer distance. If I didn't have mats, I would carry just the P5. Honorable mention to the X10 Destruction 66, which is the rod I would have purchased if I didn't need this rod for punching as well. Moderate frog rods are good, especially in close combat situations. Shorter rods make life on the bank easier, but you do give up a little leverage. 100 mm handles help.

Shoot, my Zillion sends a Gavacho frog even with stock bearings.

Thanks for running the sale; I got about a hundred bucks in heavy tungsten and some Rage Bugs.

If you don't have a high end bottom contact rod, and can afford one, you should get one and see for yourself what all the fuss is about, if the juice is worth the squeeze, etc etc. You're not going to beat your Expride for sensitivity without spending for it; those rods are very strong performers. Lastly to your specific inquiry, the Flatside Special is not a spinnerbait rod. I believe Megabass overstates its versatility, as for me it's a true graphite cranking rod that struggles with single hook applications unless you're going to run braid and light wire hooks.

Hey from Southeast MI

So what is the end all be all of lightness and sensitivity in the US domestic market?

If it's within your budget, you should try an NRX and see all the fuss for yourself.

Braid for topwater and frogs; Power Pro is fine, but FX2 is rounder and prettier. Walking baits really want a mono leader but it is what it is. Fluoro (Sniper or Assassin) for everything else. Whatever you do, buy decent fluoro (treat yoself). If you're fishing significant grass or other veg, braid for everything.

I use an Enox Wizard for more conventional shakey head fishing. For 1/4 oz and heavier heads on 12+ lb fluoro, it's an NRX 853 and an Alphas. A stout Medium or lighter Medium Heavy casting rod of your preferred brand should work fine.

Which Cashion?

I like it. Slightly longer rod and heavier line than I'd prefer but that jig and trailer package probably skips like a stone.

Sometimes you gotta put a "finesse" jig somewhere gnarly.

Morethan PE? I am "Daiwa Only" but I frog with Bantams so I'm not much help.