Choporoz

I can't tell much about the rod. Looks like an older Team KVD Flipping reel -- if so, those go for under $70 on ebay. If clearance price is less than that for the combo, its probably a decent enough deal. Do you need a 6'10 MH rod? Not everyone loves the flipping switch, but I can see why there are those that do like it. If less than a hundred bucks, I'm sure you could do worse. But, don't be surprised if you're back here looking for a better rod before the spawn if over.

80, maybe 90% of the time I'm using one of two colors: Black and Blue; or Blue and Black

http://sfttackle.com/swimbaits.html For me personally, aside from maybe the Sebile and the Storm, I don't think you can go wrong with anything at that link. Many other good ones, as well.

Not trying to be a PITA, but there's still hundreds of choices and another hundred ways to rig them and fish them. Take a look at these links and narrow it for us a little more: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/swimbaits.html http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/how-to-swimbaits.html http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/hollow-belly-swimbait.html Fluke-like baits are great weightless or lightly weighted....paddle tails are great on chatterbaits, jig heads, trailers.....on and on If just starting out with them, I'd get a pack of super flukes, a pack of keitech swing impacts (fat, perhaps), a pack of megastrike fat shad and experiment with various bottom and swimming presentations.

Hard? Soft? Hollow-bodied? Solid? 2.5 inch? 12 inch? Unfortunately, 'swimbaits' mean everything from 2 inch storm paddle tails to 12 inch $450 models. Size, and/or material, and/or price range, and/or weight range, and/or waters, fish and environment info will help greatly.

I'm with Kent and Clayton. Even 'extensive' repairs over next couple/few years are going to be less than new truck payments. If you like it otherwise, I say drive it until you can't.

Good advice, Josh. Especially helpful to remember this if you ever need/want to use three-letter words or search terms. Looks like the new format doesn't like three letter words any better than the old one did.

Lots of challenges....well documented above. For me the most exciting is probably a big topwater explosion. But most rewarding for me is when I sight that laydown a ways away; pick out exactly where I think that bass is holding, make a perfect cast and the line jumps. Boating a fish that I felt I earned or deserved or whatever is much more rewarding than most. I can still remember many hits on 'perfect' pitches and flips.

Goodwill and Salvation Army. Not kidding. May have visit repeatedly to get size and material you want, but there are unbelievable deals to be had. I'm not suggesting you may not need to compromise on color or brand....and this may not be the best time of year to shop. But, most of my better cold and foul weather gear was bought second-hand.

You may just need one of these

You have my condolences, C&G. I still recall, with a heavy heart, the day that Milwaukee's only Album Oriented Rock (AOR) station went off the air; March 24, 1979. Had I not discovered that station when I did, I'd have probably ended up listening to Bee Gees, ABBA, and Donna Summer. Thank goodness for ZMF.

I was out last weekend and those around that were catching were all using shakey heads. I tried hard to copy them, but had no luck. I don't think it had to do with color or exact bait. I just do not yet have the patience for that kind of fishing. I saw multiple boats that stayed in one place for more than 20 minutes (some closer to an hour) with baits sitting still on the bottom for minutes at a time. I'm like Mr. Owl in the old Tootsie Pop commercial.....1, 2, 3....Done. I took a little comfort in noting that I didn't see anything other than dinks on the end of the tight lines, but I'm sure there were some nice ones being caught

I throw jigs and frogs with MHF straight braid for both. So, maybe there's another option

I began smoking a pipe this year, also. Never smoked cigs, but have smoked cigars for ten years. Observation: Cigars are FAR easier to smoke while fishing than pipes are.

Can you use it for frogging? Of course. If you don't have 'better' rod, than by all means, use it. You are going to miss some hits. But, then, you'll miss some no matter what rod you use. Most here would prefer a faster rod, but unless/until you find yourself doing a lot of frogging and want to get a faster tipped rod, then use what you got. I've caught frog fish in pads with a medium spinning rod...before I knew that you're not supposed to. Sure, the hookup ratio was around 20%....but don't let the markings on your rod prevent you from trying it for lots of different things....or send you straight into the arms of the bait monkey before you develop a feeling for what YOU like/want/need

In July and August when the thermometer is bumping up against 100, there's no clouds in the sky and the bite is tough....I've had the day saved by blue-chrome lipless crankbaits more than once.

No. I mean "What?" What/why huh? You call fish by Latin Meaning? Please explain.

Way cool, too. http://tinyhousetalk.com/diy-micro-camper-that-doubles-as-a-micro-houseboat/

http://tinyhousetalk.com/micro-houseboat-you-can-build/ As long as you can tow it easy enough and (cheaply?) dock it overnight in sheltered water, this thing might have some appeal.

Aside from braid, YZ Hybrid is the only line I use anymore. When I consider stretch, strength, cost, durability, manageability, knot strength, etc, nothing else comes close. I still use braid for frogs and jigs, but little else. I use improved clinch with YZ almost exclusively (occasional Rapala knot or palomar.) My ONLY issue with Yo Zuri is that it will become badly compromised when 'creased' or kinked hard. If folded hard in a backlash or a spinning loop cluster, it must be replaced. Once doubled over and creased, it becomes very fragile (as do most monos and fluoros)

Can't change the hooks, but Biffle Hardhead have been best for me, far and away. Just get a couple different sizes. They hang up much less than others I've tried and allow for great freedom of motion. They aren't the cheapest, but I lose them so rarely, that they really are much cheaper than others in the long run.

I do carry spare line. I should have been clearer in OP. I meant extra reel spool(s). Spinning reels come/used to come with spare spools. Baitcasters not so much.

If you're using same rod for more than one application (don't hit me bait monkey) that calls for very different lines -- say braid vs mono -- do you carry a spare spool.....or perhaps an extra reel with you out on the water?

There's days when it flat-out falls on its face, but MOST of the time when things get tough, I'm going to reach for a green Cut-R. Usually on a weighted hook, but sometimes lightly t-rigged.

I'm a bit surprised at all the trick worms mentioned. I'll have to revisit them on a trig. I never had much luck/confidence there. I pretty much only rig them weightless anymore.