ABW

I would get the Endurance model of that rod if I were you. You can get it for only 10 bucks more.

The regular one is my workhorse.

I don't deep crank, so I use a 6.4:1 for squarebills, and 7.1 for just about every other technique

12 lb Hybrid gets the job done for me.

Powell and Lew's but looking to expand

Light wired hooks on MH Stouter hooks with a H or Mag Heavy

I think your selection is right on

How much are you willing to spend

If you're using braid then I think you can get away with a MH rod. I own the Powell 714 Endurance which is a Heavy X-Fast and this thing is pretty stiff. I would be on the lookout for Powell Endurance rods, as they have been discontinued to make room for the new Max 3D rods. They will probably be sold pretty cheap, I got mine for 130. Also since you are using swimjigs and chatterbaits most of the time, which are generally reaction baits, you don't necessarily need a super sensitive rod. I'm sure you could get away with a sub 100 dollar rod. And for the warranty, generally I don't judge a rod by the type of warranty it has. If a rod has a defect, it'll usually show up the first time you fish it, and you can just get an exchange. And for slamming the tip into doors, you just have to be extra careful

Pork as in actual pork chunks http://www.unclejosh.com/C/MEAT/208. Not ham or bacon, save those for eating. Spinnerbaits you can use trailers like grubs, small swimbaits, etc, but it depends on what the fish want. If the shad the bass are feeding on are big, throw on a swimbait and give it a bigger profile. If they are swiping at it, you can throw on a trailer hook with no soft plastic trailer. For buzzbaits I generally dont fish with a soft plastic trailer, just a trailer hook if needed.

I only take one when bank fishing, which is all I do.

I've used the regular speed spool with magnetic brakes and it was worked for jigs. Great, strong drag.

Spend a couple more bucks and find a Tournament Pro for 150.

If I'm throwing a 1/2 oz one with a swimbait trailer I'll use a 7'1" Heavy

500 yd for 25 bucks?? There's gotta be some kind of catch to it

Looks like a golden shiner to me

Too busy with school

X2 on the Pit Bosses. I've gotten some viscous strikes from bass on those. Also lizards too

Are you sure that 5 ft is the deepest it gets?

Here in Indiana its pretty much winter already. Hot baits for me have been jigs and texas rigs fished very slow.

If I were you I wouldn't cheap out on jigs. The ones I've picked up at my Walmart aren't very good. Although I do like throwing the Bitsy Bugs on spinning gear. You should save your money and wait until Black Friday to find some good deals.

X2 on the colors. Stick to black/blue, greens and browns. For trailers Paca Chunks work for me and they don't cost too much.

Did Squirmin Wormin get another account? Anyways what type of rod do you have spinning or casting? This will give us a better idea of what type of jigs you should fish... you don't want to be throwing one meant for flipping on spinning gear.

I've tried braid with crankbaits before... but made the transition unsucessfully. I always want to horse the fish straight in, which usually ends up with the bass shaking the trebles out of its mouth. I don't like playing with fish lol.

That was borderline cringe-worthy