PGA Dropout

Gross. I'm out!

Scratches add character.

15 lb invizx is significantly thinner than 15 lb cxx. I use cxx as a bite leader for pike fishing if that tells you anything about it being overkill for most bass fishing. Apples and oranges really.

The Evergreen rod that Brett Hite uses for chatterbaits is not exactly your average crank bait rod. It's a composite rod that's sort of graphite tip and midsection with a glass butt. There's a material change like two thirds of the way down the blank. It's weird.

I would shy away from that power handle for bass fishing. It's quite heavy and the knobs are larger than what I find comfortable. I bought one for frogging and swimbaiting on a Zillion and I don't use it; it's overkill. The 90mm Tatula stock handle is a pretty nice handle.

I don't think your magical mystery braid exists.

Don't quote me but iirc Dobyns is like 40% off or something if they sponsor your college club.

Spools might weigh the same.

Braid to lure gets a Uni knot. Braid is unnecessary unless you're in grass or pads or if you're frogging. Don't feel like you have to use it. However it is pretty good. Most of my reels use power pro. Leader almost always except ripping lipless cranks and frogging.

Full handle on the 6'8 rods? They have my attention.

Well you should put ceramic bearings and Carbontex in everything anyway. As for your lipstick on a pig idea, Citica E.

They can see it, but the real question is, do they care?

The Chronarch spool can go a bit lighter lure-wise and seems to start up fast and stay fast. It's an excellent caster for distance. Plus it has some knob bearings and some bling that the Curado I lacks. The Chronarch palms nicer to me, I think because the Curado has a larger or lower gearbox or something. I also really like the Chronarch's knobs, though I think they may be on the Curado 70 as well now.

Yeah, solid buy for cranking. Will it work for Ploppers and wakes? Certainly. Will you find that you want a different rod for walking baits? Probably. But that's ok.

Purchase an SV spool for your Ito. Solved.

Maybe even 10 lb. CXX. It's thick.

Personally I walk flukes better on a Fast.

IMX not worth the money. However the E6X are pretty solid if you like lime green. Probably a toss up between that and the Avid.

So if it's not a designated crosswalk, how are you ticketed for parking too close to a crosswalk? Does Milwaukee have implied crosswalks or something?

You'll probably have issues in heavy pads and with lighter cranks. So I wouldn't use it for frogs or shad raps but a medium power fast rod will do a lot. Probably also wouldn't be trying to set stout jig hooks with it. If you're looking for ideal presentations, Senko, Texas rigs 1/4 and under, light wire swim jigs, finesse jigs, 4" swimbaits like a Keitech, spinnerbaits without big Colorado blades, 3/8 Oz squarebills, smaller walking top waters, pop r's, and super flukes. Of course there are more almost ideal techniques but I'm sure you get the idea.

$120 is a good price. So $300 for a NIB one is stupid but there are people paying over retail for NIB Chronarch 50E's apparently.

Fury 795 for just over $100. Hard to beat that.

Yeah kind of an awkward spot for me to give recommendations. My work is done along the east side of the east bay. However, there should be a launch somewhere along 22. DNR should have a list of public launches. Lake Leelanau could be worth checking out as well but I wouldn't know where to begin. West bay can be a little wild if I'm not mistaken, make sure you've got plenty of craft.

Well it will certainly work for creek chubs, though 15 lb is probably more than enough unless your chubs are in some really nasty cover.

20 lb Big Game? What are you fishing for, lions?