PGA Dropout

CXX is good for spinnerbaits and fine for jigs. Shop by diameter. Nylon mono is good for spinnerbaits as well.

Water at Kensington is definitely on the rise. Taking a few days off (maybe just today). Went backwards over a boulder and about broke my neck. Good thing my low back broke the fall. Totally no bulging discs in there! The hot jigs have been Siebert 1/4 oz brush jigs with Paca Chunks, Blue Bug paired with Flippin' Blue and Junebug with Bama Bug. A 3/8 oz in 24/7 with a Low Blow Beaver comes off the bench. Waiting on a little more warmth and water clarity to bring out the PBJ Rage Bugs.

Coated since those bare ones are new. I might try a pair of them.

Water is up a bit at Kensington. Make sure you have your license on you as the park police are out checking. Nothing crazy but the jig bite has been good.

Maize and blue, duh. Actually, I don't have a dog in that fight since I went to Oakland. Normal stuff works here. Green Pumpkin, Junebug, Black/blue, etc. I *think* our crayfish are green and brown.

USPS online. Enter dimensions, pay, and drop it off at the post office. $20-25, including decent insurance and the $8 it costs for PVC and two end caps.

Squarebills and walking baits have the benefit of working well on many different rod and line setups. Rod length will depend on your height and need for maximum casting distance. You're going to get 1,001 different answers to this question because we are firmly in the territory of preference here. Squarebills are fun because you can manipulate their diving depth based on line diameter and rod position. Also that 7' MHF will likely be a very good rod for 1/2 oz range walking baits. My setup is higher end so name dropping probably won't do you much good but I prefer a 7' rod, either a Medium that runs on the heavier side or a lighter MH (brands vary, M and MH have no real standard), with a Mod-fast action. That gets paired with a mid-6 gear ratio reel and 15 lb Power Pro braid with a 3'-ish mono leader that varies based on cover, depth, etc. I fish squarebills around grass so the braid helps to rip the baits free. The thin braid also helps bomb spooks and set hooks at a distance. As a bonus, the same setup fishes lipless cranks very well.

I don't think a knot going through the guides matters. I retie before every outing and when the leader is too short. Alberto all day, every day. However, I think you can run into problems with the Alberto knot if your leader is significantly smaller in diameter compared to the braid main line. Knock on wood, I've never blown a leader knot that I've tied. Kung Fu Girlfriend, Destroyer of Tackle, is another story, but I think that's the Indian rather then the arrow.

Learn to tie a leader. Adds abrasion resistance and versatility, not to mention saving the expensive braid when retying. I would also argue with the assertion that braid is mandatory for jigs.

I put a Daiwa reel on a Shimano rod.

I have used 50 lb Power Pro for walking topwaters and it was fine. Currently I use thin braid and a 12-15 lb mono or CXX leader. For frogs, rats, and wakes, 50 lb should be fine. 65 is also fine. I don't think you're throwing anything large enough to worry about casting a bait off. Probably throw a leader with the rats and Slammers.

What do you consider medium?

I've tried the Xcite chunks. They seem to have similar action to a Paca chunk. Flappy but not too flappy.

Southeastern Lower MI. Huron-Clinton Metroparks mostly. The water is warming up a little and the fish are moving slowly. Did ok yesterday and today, broke 3 a few times. Saw a 4-8 caught next to me the other week (on a blade ). Someone still needs to tell the Pike that their season is closed.

Sounds like 3/8 oz and under primarily? Alphas SV (SV105). $202 from Digitaka at time of posting. Excellent reel. Everyone should have an Alphas platform at some point. Want to keep it 'merican? Get the Tatula SV during one of the tax day sales later this month. I hate, hate, hate the stupid T-wing and I'm going to probably end up with one anyway. It looks like a lot of reel for $200.

Blades are killing them so far. I'm getting shown up by silver buddies every time I go out!

Megabass Orochi XX Flat Side Special is what I use. Very versatile rod. $285 well spent.

Conroe is fairly stained if I'm not mistaken? Also no pike in Texas.

Oh, yeah. Fluoroclear is something else entirely. Very stretchy and not very strong.

I'm at 8 bass and 3 pike. Someone tell the pike that the season is closed!

I wouldn't mind either since I'm just going off feels. I have been wrong before.

Yo Zuri Hybrid is stretchy and not very sensitive. However it handles well and knots crazy good. If you're looking for a copolymer main line, CXX in a low lb test ( shop by diameter ) is the bee's knees. 600 yd spools on Amazon for a good price. Don't put it on a spinning reel and do use Line and Lure conditioner.

River2sea S-waver 168. Inexpensive and gets bit. Currently throwing it on 14 lb (.38 mm) Siege mono without issues.

I think the retail price is just a bit high. Maybe 8-10%?

Pick your favorite $200 reel and $300 rod. I don't have a dog in the production reel fight. For rods at $300 you get a lot of versatility and value from the Orochi XX line up.