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I also tend to struggle with a jig. I've caught a few fish on them, and have been in the boat a few times when someone was doing well with them, but I haven't seemed to be able to mast it. Part of it is I don't have as much confidence in it as I do soft plastics. I seem to get bit way more on them even on the same spots. I need to get better with it in 2016 though and plan to.

The new Molix Beetle looks like it could kind of do what you're looking for. Have you tried adding a split ring on the fluke as well? That makes it even easier to walk one, might be worth trying before investing in all these other baits.

I used to use the 6' Quantum Tenton Trout rod. Not overly expensive, but it was a nice little rod. It got me through my college years living close to a lake with a stunted bass population. It was very whippy, but I'd fish 4" rubber worms on it and managed to hook plenty of fish.

You could pick up the previous generation of St. Croix Mojo 6'10" ML/XF for $89 + free shipping from their bargain bin, otherwise their new ones built on a more sensitive blank are $120. You could match either up with a Pfluger President and be under or right on budget.

Take a look at these http://www.trollperfect.com/

They're nice for things like that! If the dock is busy no need to wait for a spot with two. Find yourself a tiny spot and nose in, drop the poles and step off the bow. I fish quite a few tournaments and when staging for takeoff they can be a great thing. While wind or current is forcing everyone to drop in and out of gear trying to hold positions and not hit anyone else, a lot of guys drop their power poles and just sit there. On a lot of the little lakes around me the landings don't have docks and the area to beach your boat is small and right next to the landing. If you aren't careful the current created from your trailer coming out of the water can push your boat off the bank (don't ask me how I know this haha). That's another situation where power poles would be useful. They aren't just for fishing

Unfortunately I'm not lucky enough to own one yet, but quite a few guys in my club have them. 1 is nicer than none, but with one there is more pivoting which may not be a big deal depending on how you fish. You shouldn't have issues with it not holding with just one though. 2 will hold you exactly where you want to be though. Even at the dock two can be great, pull up to the dock, drop them both and your boat stays right there. Doesn't touch the dock, no need to tie it up either.

You can pick up a timer for you aerator just about anywhere they sell marine accessories. I think I've even seen some at Walmarts. You might want to test out your boat first though. If you livewell doesn't stay full or at least enough water to keep the fish in when you livewell valve is open and pump is off, there's really no advantage of putting in a timer. The reason being is that the valve is behind the pump, so if you close the valve to keep the livewell full the pump can't get water to pump into the livewell without you opening the valve. Even though the pump would turn on with the timer, you'd still have to run back and switch the livewell valve open. If it does hold enough water for fish though with the valve open and pump off then you can go ahead and add one. You'll just have to remember to shut it off and close the livewell valve when you move from spot to spot so all your water doesn't drain out and so that your pump doesn't burn itself out.

I'm not going to say that you have to stop gaming, but either learn to channel your anger as motivation to to better. If you can't do that then maybe remove yourself from the situation until you settle down. Like after you missed the shot, take a 10-15 minute break and then come back to it.

Of those three, I'd probably throw spinnerbaits on the 7' MH/F

Is gaming the only time you get yourself that enraged?

I'd look into Berkley 100% Fluoro. It hasn't let me down yet.

If it feels right to you then I doubt you could have went wrong! I fish soft plastics on a m/f as well. It's slightly stiffer than others since it's a St. Croix, so it sounds a lot like the rod you bought. Should work well.

I think the only thing the bigger spool does better is helps with line management. I don't think one casts any better than the other, and on a rod like the LTB the bigger reel might make it more difficult to cast. The rod is designed to be used with normal size bass reels and and not only would it most likely feel cumbersome, I would bet there'd be line slap on the blank as well.

In the past I had went with 6 lb Trilene 100% fluoro and their XL version as well. Switched it up this year and tried braid instead and I think I'll be going back to fluoro next year. It can be tough trying to work a big fish out from under a dock with small line, but if you take your time and don't horse it, there's a ton less break offs.

I run 12 lb Trilene 100% Fluoro on my spinnerbait rod.

I would choose the rod based on the weight ratings of the baits they are meant to throw. I have a different brand, but I throw baits that size on a M/M.

I grew up fishing pistol grips. Loved the accuracy of them, but hated the lack of power you had while fighting a fish. Bass weren't usually that bad, but if you hooked into a big northern you felt like you were holding on for dear life! haha That being said, I retired my last one a few years ago.

St. Croix is tough to beat. I see you aren't super close, but if you make a trek to Park Falls, they sell their seconds in their store that are heavily discounted. Most of their seconds look better than other manufacturer's first's, and it cosmetic blemishes. Something like tiny air bubbles in a clear coat, or their logo is slightly crooked would make a rod a second there.

I've been using faster reels now for roughly the past 10 years, and I use them for pretty much everything. Just because the retrieve rate is faster doesn't mean you have to move the bait faster. You can always slow your hand down. The only reels I have that are slower are still used because I haven't upgraded them yet. I think you should give it a shot and see what you think.

I don't think they're completely becoming a thing of the past, but there aren't as many as there used to be. Personally I prefer my rods around the 6'6" mark even though I have a quite a few over that. There are certain techniques that the longer rods just excel at.

Call Ranger directly, not the dealer and see if they will build you one before you count it out.

You want to look for one that's clean and has been taken care of. The the boat over, is it all faded out? Is it dirty and looks like it was never cleaned? Walk around in the boat on the trailer and feel if the floor has any spongy areas. If it does, these are usually rotted areas that would have to be replaced. Ask the owner about maintenance he's done on the boat. There's other things as well, but those are some of the major ones. Best advice is try to find a few good ones in your area, and take someone who knows a thing or two about boats with you to look at them.

A lot of the newer boats come with them straight from the factory. It's definitely a good idea to have one.